Josep Hereter (1919–1990) - Bajo el cielo rosado

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Josep Hereter, depicting a walker returning at sunset to a rural house beside the river, symbolizing the journey, the passage of time, and the return home. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

· Dimensions with frame: 33x52x3 cm.
· Dimensions without frame: 27x46 cm.
· Oil on panel, hand-signed by the artist on the right side of the work.
· The piece is in good condition.
· The work is sold with a beautiful frame (included in the auction as a gift).

The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

Important note: the photographs included are an integral part of the lot description.

The painting will be professionally packed by an IVEX expert (https://www.instagram.com/ivex.online/), 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, GLS or NACEX with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents a rural landscape at sunset, wrapped in a serene and slightly melancholic atmosphere in which the pink sky occupies a fundamental part of the composition. A small river runs through the terrain from the foreground and passes beneath an ancient stone bridge, while a path advances along the right bank toward dark buildings. On the path appears a solitary walker heading toward the village, surrounded by stones, shrubs, and fields gradually sinking into the gloom. In the distance, several mountains in blue and violet tones close the horizon and complete a scene in which nature, architecture, and human presence coexist in perfect balance.

The sky stretches across the entire upper half and constitutes one of the brightest areas of the work. Muted pinks, purples, grays, and beige tones predominate, creating a soft and enveloping atmosphere. The light concentrates near the horizon, where a small yellowish glow suggests the sun about to set. This crepuscular light transforms the landscape and gives it an intimate character.

The clouds appear as light, diffuse masses distributed irregularly. Some are darker and located in the upper part, while others seem to blend with the pinkish light. Their poorly defined edges convey a sense of a tranquil sky, with no threat of a storm. The softness of these forms contrasts with the increasing darkness of the terrain.

In the central area of the sky, the glow of the sun is discernible, represented by a small yellow patch surrounded by pink tones. It does not dominate the scene with intense light, but seems to bid farewell slowly behind the mountains. Its low position indicates that the day is nearing its end. This luminous point draws the eye and organizes the atmosphere of the entire composition.

The mountains form a succession of undulating profiles along the horizon. The farthest ones display light blue and greenish tones, while the nearer take on violets, browns, and reddish hues. This chromatic difference creates depth and allows us to imagine a vast territory. The mountains seem to encircle the valley and shelter the small rural nucleus.

The central elevation has a blue-green hue that stands out against the violet slopes on either side. Its smoothly lit surface catches part of the sky’s clarity. The rounded shape conveys calm and stability. As it descends, the mountain blends with the dark masses of trees and shrubs.

In the foreground, the river enters from the lower left corner and moves toward the center. Its surface reflects whites, grays, blues, and faint pink tones from the sky. The current appears calm, though some dark variations suggest small movements around the stones and vegetation. The water creates a depth line that leads directly to the bridge.

The banks are lined with reeds, grasses, shrubs, and irregular stones. The dark colors of this vegetation contrast with the light reflections on the water. Some plants lean over the river, forming slender silhouettes that impart movement. The abundance of vegetation makes the channel look natural and undisturbed.

Several light-colored stones are distributed along the bank and within the terrain. Their white, grayish, and bluish tones stand out against the dark browns and greens. Some are near the water, while others mark the edges of the path. These small elements enrich the landscape and reinforce its stony appearance.

The stone bridge occupies a central position and is one of the most significant elements. Its low, horizontal structure spans the river with a single arch. The dark tones of its surface blend with browns, grays, and small bright reflections. The bridge seems old and perfectly integrated into the surroundings.

The arch creates an illuminated opening beneath the structure. Through it one can see the continuation of the water, which captures the sky’s glow and forms a light band. This light point contrasts with the bridge’s dark mass and immediately draws the eye. The curve of the arch provides softness against the landscape’s horizontal lines.

The upper part of the bridge forms a narrow path that connects both banks. Its silhouette extends from left to right and seems to disappear into the vegetation. The absence of visible railings reinforces its old and simple appearance. One can imagine that it has served for years to connect the rural houses with the nearby fields.

The bridge can be understood as a symbol of union and continuity. It not only physically connects the two banks but links the foreground with the horizon and the present with the memory of the place. Its permanence contrasts with the river’s constant movement. While the river advances, the stone endures and preserves the traces of time.

To the left of the bridge rise two trees with rounded canopies. Their slender and dark trunks stand out clearly against the pink sky. The nearer tree has a slightly wider crown, while the second appears smaller and more separated. Together they form a visual pair that balances the buildings on the right.

The leaves of these trees cluster into dark masses of greens and blacks. Some small gaps allow the sky’s light to pass through the canopies. Their silhouettes are simple, but they have a notable presence due to the contrast. They seem like guardians of the bridge and of access to the valley.

A taller, narrower plant form appears closer to the center that could correspond to a cypress. Its vertical silhouette breaks the dominant horizontality and directs the gaze toward the sky. The dark green tone separates it from the bluish mountains. This tree introduces a note of solemnity and permanence.

On the right side are several humble rural buildings. Their façades and roofs are dominated by browns, blacks, and grays, making them partially blend with the gloom. One of them has a broad roof and a small chimney or vertical element. The ensemble seems to correspond to a farm, a mill, a barn, or a group of peasant houses.

On the façade of the main building a small reddish-white opening stands out. This luminous detail can be interpreted as a lit window, a partially open door, or an object placed outside. Its warm color contrasts with the building’s darkness. The small light suggests the place remains inhabited.

Next to the dwelling rises a taller, narrower structure, possibly a chimney or an agricultural outbuilding. Its rectangular shape protrudes above the roof. The ochre and light tones help distinguish it from the background. This verticality establishes a visual relationship with the trees on the left.

The presence of the buildings provides a sense of shelter. At dusk, their dark walls seem to protect a warm and safe interior. Although clear signs of activity are not perceived, the illuminated window and the walker suggest daily life continuing outside the view. The village becomes the natural destination of the path.

The path begins at the bottom right and moves toward the houses. Its surface combines browns, ochres, grays, and darker areas. It gradually narrows as it recedes, creating a clear perspective. Scattered stones and the margin vegetation give it a rustic appearance.

The human figure occupies a discreet but essential position on the path. It appears with its back to the viewer and seems to be walking toward the houses. It wears a light-colored top garment, dark trousers, and a reddish band around the waist. Its small size emphasizes the vastness of the landscape.

The head appears to be covered by a hat of pale or light color. This detail suggests that it could be a farmer returning after working in the fields. The stance is upright, and the gait seems calm. The figure introduces a narrative dimension and allows us to imagine the end of a day.

The walker seems to be alone, but not necessarily isolated. The proximity of the houses makes his journey a return to a known place. One can imagine that he crosses the landscape each day and recognizes every stone, tree, and bend of the river. His presence relates the vast naturalesque space with the everyday experience of those who inhabit the valley.

In the terrain surrounding the walker, masses of dark vegetation and small light rocks are observed. These elements accompany the path’s direction and increase depth. Some shrubs have green tones, while others approach black due to the lack of light. Night seems to advance slowly from the foreground toward the horizon.

The contrast between the bright sky and the dark earth is fundamental. The upper part conveys openness and delicacy, while the lower part possesses greater density and weight. This opposition reflects the exact moment in which day becomes night. The light remains in the sky, but the landscape already begins to lose its details.

The composition establishes several visual journeys. The viewer can follow the river to the bridge, ascend toward the sun’s glow, and then travel the mountains. It can also move along the path beside the walker toward the buildings. These two trajectories, water and land, converge in the central zone.

The river can be interpreted as a symbol of the passage of time and continuous movement. Its waters keep advancing under the bridge, regardless of the night’s arrival. The walker, for his part, represents human voyage and return. Both elements share the same direction toward the depth of the landscape.

The work conveys silence, but not immobility. The water flows, the walker advances, and the light gradually changes. Everything seems to be in a slow, natural transition. This sense turns sunset into a metaphor for life’s cycles.

In sum, this painting depicts a rural landscape at sunset in which a solitary walker advances along a path toward buildings beside an ancient stone bridge. The river reflects the last clarity of the pink sky, while the mountains, trees, and fields gradually submerge into the gloom. The bridge symbolizes union and permanence; the water, the passage of time; the path, the journey; and the houses, refuge and return home. The scene makes the end of a day a deeply poetic image about memory, continuity, and the serenity of rural life.