Miquel Torner de Semir (1938) - La sandía roja

Pictura Galeria presents this magnificent artwork belonging to Miquel Torner de Semir, depicting a colorful still life composed of a glass filled with fruit and a large slice of watermelon that stand out intensely against a dark background. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it transmits.

· Dimensions of the work: 46x55x2 cm.
· Oil on canvas signed by the artist in his right 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 description of the lot.

The work will be professionally packaged by an IVEX expert (https://www.instagram.com/ivex.online/), using high-quality materials to guarantee its protection. The shipping price covers both the cost of professional packaging and the transportation itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos or GLS with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents a still life of a modern and expressive character, starring an elevated vessel filled with vividly colored fruits and a large slice of watermelon placed on a table. The composition gathers everyday objects within a dark and enigmatic environment, where simple forms acquire an intense presence. The image conveys a sense of abundance, vitality and contrast, turning a set of foods and containers into a scene full of visual energy.

On the left, a wide elevated cup or fruit bowl stands out, its curved shape opening generously to hold numerous fruits. The container has a rounded base and a wide stem that provides stability. Its light, gray and bluish tones contrast with the darkness of the background and clearly reveal its silhouette. The cup seems to tilt slightly toward the viewer, proudly showing the colorful contents inside.

Inside the fruit bowl are gathered several pieces of different colors and sizes. A green fruit occupies the far left and adds a note of freshness, while a red, round piece dominates the frontal area. Yellow and orange fruits appear above them, illuminating the set, accompanied by another bluish form that introduces an unexpected color. This chromatic variety makes the container seem overflowing and creates a cheerful sense of abundance.

The yellow fruit located in the upper area is recognizable by the two green leaves that emerge above it. These leaves form a small pointed shape that breaks the predominant roundness and directs the gaze to the top part of the composition. Its turquoise color stands out against the dark brown background and establishes a visual relationship with the green fruit underneath. This small vegetal detail brings life and movement to the whole.

The fruits are not depicted uniformly; each one has its own identity. Some are round and compact, others seem partially hidden, and several overlap, creating a dense structure. Their dark outlines clearly separate them from one another and reinforce the sense that they are stacked inside the cup. The mix of reds, greens, yellows, oranges and blues turns the fruit bowl into the brightest and most dynamic core of the painting.

Behind the cup appears a tall, rectangular container, similar to a glass, a bottle or a jug with very simple lines. Its surface combines whites, grays and light blues, forming a vertical element that contrasts with the curves of the fruits and the fruit bowl. This figure acts as a balance point in the center of the composition and establishes a transition between the colorful left area and the wide dark background on the right.

The verticality of this container adds depth and suggests it is placed further back on the table. Its top seems to contain a bluish area, like a reflection or a small amount of liquid. Although its function is not completely defined, its presence is essential to organize space. Thanks to it, the gaze does not move abruptly from the fruit bowl to the darkness, but finds an intermediate figure that connects both sectors.

In the foreground on the right stands a large slice of watermelon. Its intense red flesh becomes one of the most striking points of the work. The triangular and curved shape of the fruit extends across the light surface of the table, while the green rind traces the outer edge. Between these two colors there is a narrow white stripe that separates the pulp from the rind and enhances the vivacity of the red.

The small black seeds scattered over the watermelon introduce rhythm and detail. Their elongated and dispersed shapes break the large red surface and immediately reinforce the identification of the fruit. Some seeds appear clustered and others remain isolated, creating an informal arrangement. These small dark elements dialog with the black outlines of the objects and with the deep background that occupies much of the composition.

The watermelon seems cut and prepared to be eaten, which introduces a sense of immediacy. It is not merely a decorative fruit, but a fresh food placed on the table, perhaps during a meal or a summer afternoon. Its color, size and proximity to the viewer make it seem almost accessible, evoking associations with heat, freshness and the sweet taste of ripe fruit.

The table is visually divided into several zones. Under the fruit bowl there is a solid-looking warm brown surface, while under the watermelon a clear area with whites, grays and beiges extends. This difference creates two realms within the same scene: a darker, earthier one for the fruit bowl, and a brighter one for the watermelon. Both zones are in the center and form an interesting play of contrasts.

The light area of the table presents numerous color variations that prevent it from being seen as a vacant surface. Grays, whites, browns and small bluish nuances blend to create an aged and expressive appearance. This area serves as a visual support to the watermelon and allows the red to stand out with great intensity. At the same time, the irregularity of its edges adds dynamism to the foreground.

The background consists of large rectangular fields of dark color. On the left a brown plane is framed by black tones, while the right side is dominated by a wide nearly black surface. Between them is a vertical blue strip that partially surrounds the clear container. This geometric organization provides structure to the scene and evokes a wall divided into panels or windows.

The large dark space on the right does not remain completely empty. Its surface shows subtle irregularities and variations that add depth and mystery. The darkness functions as a counterpoint to the luminosity of the fruits, making their colors even more intense. It also creates an intimate atmosphere, as if the objects were illuminated inside a quiet room.

The composition is built from a constant opposition between curved and straight forms. The fruits, the cup and the watermelon are dominated by curves and rounded volumes, while the glass and the background fields are organized by vertical lines and rectangles. This coexistence of geometries provides balance and prevents the image from feeling static. The objects seem to relate to each other through their differences.

The colors also establish a very rich dialogue. The warm tones of the fruits —reds, yellows and oranges— convey energy, while greens and blues bring freshness. The browns, grays and blacks of the surroundings serve as a sober base and allow the main elements to stand out. The result is a scene that is balanced, with each color finding its place without losing intensity.

Beyond the representation of the foods, the work can be interpreted as a celebration of abundance and simple pleasures. The fruits evoke nourishment, summer, generosity and life, while the elevated cup grants them almost ceremonial importance. The cut watermelon introduces the idea of a present and shared moment, as if the table were set for someone.

There is also an interesting sense of relationship between permanence and transience. The containers appear solid and stable, but the fruits are perishable and remind us that beauty and abundance exist only for a limited time. This reading adds depth to a seemingly everyday scene. The still life invites enjoying the present and appreciating the richness of simple things before they change or disappear.

Overall, this precious painting represents a still life full of contrast and vitality, formed by a cup overflowing with fruits, a vertical container and a large slice of watermelon on a table. The intense colors of the foods stand out against the dark background and transform the scene into a celebration of abundance, freshness and everyday pleasures. The work transmits energy, warmth and joy, while inviting us to contemplate the hidden beauty in the simplest objects.