Miquel Torner de Semir (1938) - Perfil sobre azul






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Perfil sobre azul is an original oil on paper painting by Miquel Torner de Semir (born 1938) from Spain, dating to 1990–2000, in Baroque style, measuring 40 by 34 cm, signed by hand, in good condition.
Description from the seller
Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent work of art belonging to Miquel Torner de Semir, depicting the profile of an elegant, enigmatic woman, dressed in red and absorbed in her thoughts against an intense blue background. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.
• Dimensions of the work: 40x34x1 cm.
• Oil on paper signed by hand by the artist in the lower left corner, Miquel Torner de Semir.
• The piece is in good conservation condition.
The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.
Important note: the photographs included are an integral part of the lot description. Digital representation in an indicative mockup; there may be differences compared to the actual item in color, scale, and details.
The painting will be professionally packed by an IVEX expert, using high-quality materials to ensure its protection. The shipping price covers both the cost of professional packaging and the transport itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos or GLS with tracking. International shipping available.
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This painting features the portrait of a woman in profile, whose presence dominates the entire composition and immediately draws the viewer’s gaze. The figure is oriented to the left, with a serene face and eyes directed toward a point outside the scene. Her restrained, almost motionless attitude conveys a sense of introspection, elegance, and mystery. The intense blue background envelops the protagonist and strongly enhances the clarity of her face and the vibrant red of her clothing.
The face is constructed through an attractive combination of light, bluish, grey, orange, and pink tones. These colors aim not only to reproduce the woman’s physical appearance but to express her inner world and grant her a deeply personal identity. A wide rosy area runs across her cheek, contrasting with the pallor of the rest of the face, adding warmth and vitality. Her features are defined with firmness, especially the dark eye, the outlined nose, and the small pink lips.
The gaze of the protagonist constitutes one of the most expressive elements of the work. The eye, depicted with intensity, seems to concentrate all the contained emotion in the figure. Although her gesture is calm, there may also be a sense of distance, melancholy, or determination. The woman appears absorbed in her thoughts, oblivious to the viewer’s presence, as if recalling a past event or waiting for something that has not yet happened.
Her hair is gathered into an elaborate hairstyle occupying a large part of the upper area of the composition. Its volume is developed through a rich variety of browns, blacks, reds, and orange highlights, creating a nearly sculptural form around the head. The updo lends distinction and solemnity to the character, while some dark strands fall gently over the forehead and soften the rigidity of the profile.
Among the most striking details is the circular blue ornament placed in the hair. This small element introduces a bright spot that dialogizes directly with the color of the background. Next to it, the earring formed by tones of grey, green, pink, and dark hues adds an ornamental accent and reinforces the sophistication of the protagonist. Both adornments allow us to imagine her as an elegant woman, conscious of her presence and belonging to a universe situated between the everyday and the symbolic.
The long, stylized neck directs the gaze toward the red garment that covers the lower part of the painting. The intensity of this garment brings energy and passion to the composition, establishing a strong contrast with the serenity of the surrounding blue. On the chest appears a circular yellow shape, surrounded by a dark outline, functioning as a powerful visual focal point. This element can be interpreted as a brooch, a jewel, or even a solar symbol associated with light, strength, and identity.
The composition is built through large areas of clearly differentiated color. The blue background suggests depth, silence, and reflection, while the red of the clothing conveys vitality, character, and emotion. Between these colors sits the female figure, whose light skin acts as a luminous transition. The dark band at the bottom provides stability and helps the portrait stand out even more, creating a balanced image with great visual presence.
The protagonist possesses a singular beauty, distant from a conventional representation. Her slender proportions, the chromatic contrasts of her face, and the solemnity of her posture confer a timeless character. It could be a contemporary woman, a fictional character, or a nod to someone from another era. This ambiguity enriches contemplation and allows each viewer to build their own story around her.
The work also seems to explore the relationship between outward appearance and hidden emotions. The woman appears carefully groomed, but her expression suggests a complex inner life that does not fully reveal itself. The viewer may feel curious about what she observes, what she remembers, or the reason for her silence. That tension between the visible and the unknown makes the portrait a deeply evocative image.
Overall, this painting offers a female portrait full of personality, elegance, and expressive strength. The combination of deep blue, passionate red, and yellow accents builds an intense and memorable image, while the protagonist’s serene profile introduces an atmosphere of mystery and contemplation. It is a work that celebrates the individuality of the woman and invites us to imagine her thoughts, her story, and the emotions hidden behind her distant gaze.
Seller's Story
Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent work of art belonging to Miquel Torner de Semir, depicting the profile of an elegant, enigmatic woman, dressed in red and absorbed in her thoughts against an intense blue background. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.
• Dimensions of the work: 40x34x1 cm.
• Oil on paper signed by hand by the artist in the lower left corner, Miquel Torner de Semir.
• The piece is in good conservation condition.
The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.
Important note: the photographs included are an integral part of the lot description. Digital representation in an indicative mockup; there may be differences compared to the actual item in color, scale, and details.
The painting will be professionally packed by an IVEX expert, using high-quality materials to ensure its protection. The shipping price covers both the cost of professional packaging and the transport itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos or GLS with tracking. International shipping available.
------------------------------------------------------------------
This painting features the portrait of a woman in profile, whose presence dominates the entire composition and immediately draws the viewer’s gaze. The figure is oriented to the left, with a serene face and eyes directed toward a point outside the scene. Her restrained, almost motionless attitude conveys a sense of introspection, elegance, and mystery. The intense blue background envelops the protagonist and strongly enhances the clarity of her face and the vibrant red of her clothing.
The face is constructed through an attractive combination of light, bluish, grey, orange, and pink tones. These colors aim not only to reproduce the woman’s physical appearance but to express her inner world and grant her a deeply personal identity. A wide rosy area runs across her cheek, contrasting with the pallor of the rest of the face, adding warmth and vitality. Her features are defined with firmness, especially the dark eye, the outlined nose, and the small pink lips.
The gaze of the protagonist constitutes one of the most expressive elements of the work. The eye, depicted with intensity, seems to concentrate all the contained emotion in the figure. Although her gesture is calm, there may also be a sense of distance, melancholy, or determination. The woman appears absorbed in her thoughts, oblivious to the viewer’s presence, as if recalling a past event or waiting for something that has not yet happened.
Her hair is gathered into an elaborate hairstyle occupying a large part of the upper area of the composition. Its volume is developed through a rich variety of browns, blacks, reds, and orange highlights, creating a nearly sculptural form around the head. The updo lends distinction and solemnity to the character, while some dark strands fall gently over the forehead and soften the rigidity of the profile.
Among the most striking details is the circular blue ornament placed in the hair. This small element introduces a bright spot that dialogizes directly with the color of the background. Next to it, the earring formed by tones of grey, green, pink, and dark hues adds an ornamental accent and reinforces the sophistication of the protagonist. Both adornments allow us to imagine her as an elegant woman, conscious of her presence and belonging to a universe situated between the everyday and the symbolic.
The long, stylized neck directs the gaze toward the red garment that covers the lower part of the painting. The intensity of this garment brings energy and passion to the composition, establishing a strong contrast with the serenity of the surrounding blue. On the chest appears a circular yellow shape, surrounded by a dark outline, functioning as a powerful visual focal point. This element can be interpreted as a brooch, a jewel, or even a solar symbol associated with light, strength, and identity.
The composition is built through large areas of clearly differentiated color. The blue background suggests depth, silence, and reflection, while the red of the clothing conveys vitality, character, and emotion. Between these colors sits the female figure, whose light skin acts as a luminous transition. The dark band at the bottom provides stability and helps the portrait stand out even more, creating a balanced image with great visual presence.
The protagonist possesses a singular beauty, distant from a conventional representation. Her slender proportions, the chromatic contrasts of her face, and the solemnity of her posture confer a timeless character. It could be a contemporary woman, a fictional character, or a nod to someone from another era. This ambiguity enriches contemplation and allows each viewer to build their own story around her.
The work also seems to explore the relationship between outward appearance and hidden emotions. The woman appears carefully groomed, but her expression suggests a complex inner life that does not fully reveal itself. The viewer may feel curious about what she observes, what she remembers, or the reason for her silence. That tension between the visible and the unknown makes the portrait a deeply evocative image.
Overall, this painting offers a female portrait full of personality, elegance, and expressive strength. The combination of deep blue, passionate red, and yellow accents builds an intense and memorable image, while the protagonist’s serene profile introduces an atmosphere of mystery and contemplation. It is a work that celebrates the individuality of the woman and invites us to imagine her thoughts, her story, and the emotions hidden behind her distant gaze.
