Francisca Salvat Homs (1946) - La vida de los barcos

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork belonging to Salvat Homs, depicting several fishing boats grouped in a harbor, where a worker carries out his tasks among intensely colored hulls, rigging and waters in constant motion. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

· Dimensions of the work: 37x46x1 cm.
· Oil on canvas hand-signed by the artist at the bottom left.
· The piece is in good condition, showing multiple losses of paint in the area of the flowers.

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 from 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 packing and the transport itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos or GLS with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents an intense port scene dominated by several fishing boats grouped on agitated and deeply colorful waters. A large vessel occupies the center of the composition and extends horizontally from one end to the other, while other boats appear behind, partially overlapped. Among them a human figure dedicated to the port tasks stands out, introducing a everyday dimension within a landscape built with deep greens, blues, purples, reddish tones and white reflections. The scene conveys labor, energy and a close relationship between humans and the sea.

The central vessel constitutes the main visual focus. Its elongated hull spans almost the entire width and creates a powerful horizontal line that organizes the whole. The bow faces to the right, while the stern approaches the left edge, generating a sense of breadth and stability.

The hull combines dark blues, purples, greens, maroons and small turquoise reflections. Several light and reddish bands run along its edges, marking the structure and differentiating the different parts of the boat. The chromatic richness makes the boat appear to collect the changing colors of the water and surroundings.

In the lower part of the hull there is a wide reddish-brown stripe. This warm color contrasts with the dominant blues and greens and provides visual weight. The red line also helps separate the boat from the sea surface beneath.

Along the gunwale there are numerous color changes suggesting wear, wood, reflections and objects stored inside. Light blues, yellows, greens and whites form an irregular sequence that conveys the appearance of a boat used daily and tied to work.

On the left side appears a dark circular element, possibly a tire used as fender. Its rounded shape disrupts the horizontality of the lines and provides a characteristic detail of harbor vessels. Blue and white reflections inside allow distinguishing it from the hull.

This tire seems to hang next to the gunwale and protect the boat from bumps against other vessels or the quay. Its presence reinforces the functional nature of the scene and reminds that it is a working tool subjected to constant use.

The interior of the central boat contains numerous rectangular and irregular shapes. Some may correspond to boxes, planks, nets, seats or small compartments. Colors yellows, blues, greens, purples and browns alternate, creating a highly dynamic surface.

A wide blue area occupies the rear of the interior. Its light tones contrast with the dark hull and allow imagining a deck bathed in light. On it appear some objects in greens and purples that could be part of rigging or boat equipment.

In the upper right of the vessel stands a human figure. The body appears slightly tilted and the posture suggests they are handling an object, transporting rigging or preparing the boat. The reduced scale of the figure helps understand the dimensions of the whole.

The person wears garments formed by yellows, whites, browns, greens and small orange accents. The brightness of their clothing stands out against the blue and dark backgrounds. Their head seems covered, reinforcing the impression of a worker used to long hours outdoors.

The figure is not posing for the viewer, but remains focused on their task. Their presence conveys effort, experience and contained movement. Although their features are not precisely defined, their posture clearly communicates the practical relationship they have with the boat.

Near the worker there appears another clear shape, slightly raised, which could correspond to a net, a cloth, a port object or a second figure partially hidden. This ambiguity enriches the scene and allows imagining a shared activity on the deck.

Next to the character extend reddish, yellow and blue stains that may be associated with rigging, buoys or work materials. The accumulation of objects reinforces the sense of an active space, where each element serves a function related to fishing or navigation.

At the far right rise several vertical posts or elements in dark blue and violet. These forms interrupt the boats’ horizontality and add rhythm. They could correspond to masts, fenders, moorings or structures near the quay.

Vertical lines create a boundary on the right side and help frame the main boat. Their chromatic intensity stands out over the white and bluish areas of the background. They also allow imagining that the boats are moored and very close to each other.

Behind the central vessel appears another larger boat, depicted with dark greens, blacks, turquoises and yellow reflections. Its hull extends horizontally across the top and is partially hidden by the boats in front.

The large green mass in the background adds depth and suggests the presence of numerous boats grouped in the port. The black areas mark shadows between the hulls, while the lighter greens seem to reflect light or water color.

In the upper left zone a rounded shape in greens and browns is distinguished. It can be interpreted as a buoy, float or some object resting on the back boat. This detail contributes to the working atmosphere and adds variety to the upper area.

On the right appears another boat partially visible, with brown, blue and purple edges. Its shape overlaps with the posts and with the human figure, increasing spatial complexity. This accumulation conveys the impression of a harbor full of tightly moored boats.

The boats are not arranged in a rigid layout. Their hulls cross, overlap and seem to be oriented in slightly different directions. This variety produces a dynamic scene and allows perceiving the movement of the waters beneath them.

The sea occupies mainly the lower area and is built with a rich range of greens, blues, whites, violets, pinks and grays. The undulating and overlapping shapes suggest currents, reflections and small waves moving among the boats.

In the center-lower portion predominantly dark and blue-green tones. These deep shades contrast with the light bands near the bottom edge. The color difference allows imagining variations in water depth and the intensity of shadows cast by the hulls.

White and light blue patches can suggest foam or sky reflections. They are distributed irregularly on the surface and add luminosity. Small pink and violet accents seem to come from the boats or other elements outside the image.

In the foreground, the water takes on a particularly agitated appearance. Curved and diagonal shapes intertwine and create a sense of constant movement. The boats seem to sway slightly, responding to the currents of the port.

In the lower-right corner several brown, green and blue shapes appear that could correspond to nets, rigging, ropes, stones or objects piled along the shore. Their presence adds weight to the foreground and increases the sense of proximity.

These elements seem partially wet or surrounded by water. Their irregular edges blend with the reflections and make it difficult to completely separate the objects from the marine environment. This fusion reinforces the dynamic and expressive character of the whole.

On the far left there are several clear vertical shapes that may be associated with a pier, posts or parts of another boat. The whites, grays and greens of this area frame the central boat and provide a transition to the edge.

The upper background is made up of whites, grays, pale greens and bluish tones. These hues may suggest the sky, harbor walls, distant water or boats located farther away. Their clarity contrasts with the dark masses of the hulls and helps define their silhouettes.

The composition is characterized by an intense superposition of planes. In the foreground appear the water and possible rigging; then the main vessel rises; behind it the figure and the remaining boats; finally, the light background closes the space. This organization creates great depth despite the closeness of all elements.

The horizontality of the boats finds its counterpoint in the posts and in the human figure. The elongated lines of the hulls convey stability, while the vertical elements add tension and movement. This balance sustains the overall structure of the work.

The color palette is dominated by greens, blues and violets. Reds, oranges and yellows appear as warm accents distributed on the hulls, objects and the worker’s clothing. These contrasts guide the eye across the entire surface.

The dark colors add depth and reflect the weight of the boats, while the lighter tones suggest water, sky and light. The coexistence of both groups creates an intense scene of great visual richness and marked vitality.

The absence of an open horizon concentrates all attention on the interior of the port. The viewer does not contemplate the vastness of the sea, but the narrow space where the boats rest, prepare themselves and come into contact with the everyday life of fishermen.

The work can be interpreted as a celebration of maritime labor. The figure on the boat represents the human activity that gives meaning to the boats and the objects accumulated. Their small size compared to the hulls underscores the importance and hardship of this work.

The boats convey the impression of having lived many days at sea. Their multiple colors, fenders and objects suggest use, repair and continuity. They do not appear as new, flawless elements, but as structures full of history and memory.

There is also an intense sense of the relationship between order and chaos. The boats have recognizable, solid shapes, but the water, reflections and objects mix freely. This tension makes the harbor a living, changing, energetic organism.

The human figure introduces an open narration. They may be preparing to set sail, unloading materials, repairing an element or gathering rigging after returning. The absence of a fully defined action allows imagining different moments of the port day.

The overall atmosphere suggests activity carried out under changing light. The light areas are distributed between the decks and the water, while the hulls cast strong shadows. The scene seems to capture a moment of work amid the port’s continuous movement.

Overall, this precious painting offers a powerful, dynamic and deeply expressive vision of several fishing boats grouped in a harbor, with a figure dedicated to everyday tasks on one of the vessels. The blue, green, violet and reddish hulls, fenders, posts, rigging and agitated waters build a scene full of strength and chromatic richness. The union between human work, vessels and marine reflections makes the work a vibrant evocation of port life, the fishermen’s effort and the sea’s perpetual energy.