Domingo Alvarez Gomez (1942) - La espera






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La espera, 1980–1990, pastel, Spain, original edition, sold with frame.
Description from the seller
Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork belonging to Domingo Álvarez, depicting a woman seated with her back turned in a moment of intimate rest and contemplation, enveloped by a soft light and an atmosphere of serenity and mystery. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the great pictorial quality it conveys.
· Framed dimensions: 61x44x3 cm.
· Unframed dimensions: 49x31 cm.
· Hand-signed pastel by the artist at the bottom left, Domingo.
· The piece is in good condition.
· The work is sold with a beautiful frame with protective glass (included in the auction as a gift).
The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.
Note: the included photographs 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 is available.
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This painting features a female figure seated and contemplated from behind, in an intimate and serene pose that conveys quiet contemplation. The woman occupies the central part of the composition and is surrounded by an almost empty space, which concentrates all attention on her silhouette, on the position of her body and on the soft relationship between light and shadow. The scene possesses a silent, delicate, and deeply introspective atmosphere.
The figure appears seated in profile, although her torso turns slightly away from the viewer. This movement allows the curve of the back, the line of the neck, and the position of the shoulders to be observed, while the face remains hidden. The absence of facial expression heightens the mystery of the scene and makes the body posture the main transmitter of emotions.
The head tilts slightly to one side, as if the woman were observing something outside the composition or remained focused on her own thoughts. The dark hair is gathered in a low bun, leaving the neck fully visible. Some golden and brown areas run through the hair, allowing the strands to be distinguished, lending elegance and subtlety to the figure.
The back constitutes one of the main visual foci of the work. The light runs over the nape, the shoulder, and the spine, softly modeling the body. The illuminated areas contrast with deep shadows located beside the arm and the flank, intensifying the figure’s volume and conveying a sense of stillness and physical presence.
One arm descends to rest on the seat or on the cloth that partially covers the body. The hand is integrated into the central area through a delicate sequence of lines and shadows. This gesture feels natural and relaxed, as if the woman had assumed the pose spontaneously during a moment of rest.
The legs are arranged on different planes and create an elegant descending rhythm. One appears flexed and occupies the central area, while the other extends toward the lower right. Light concentrates especially on the thighs, knees, and shins, highlighting their shapes and creating a contrast with the dark shadow beneath the body.
The feet rest softly on the floor. One appears more tucked in, while the other advances toward the lower-right edge. This difference in position reinforces the depth of the scene and lends naturalness to the body. The lines of the legs guide the gaze downward and balance the verticality of the torso.
A clear fabric partially covers the lower zone of the body and falls to the floor, forming numerous folds. Its whites, creams, beiges, and greenish tones bring luminosity and contrast with the skin and the background. The drapery introduces movement within a composition dominated by stillness, in addition to adding a dimension of delicacy and elegance.
Behind the figure appears a deep reddish-violet shadow that partially follows the contour of the back and the seat. This warm hue establishes a strong contrast with the neutral colors of the surroundings and creates a kind of emotional halo around the woman. The shadow seems to separate her body from the background and reinforces her presence within the space.
The background unfolds through an extensive range of browns, grays, beiges, and earthy tones. Its sobriety allows the figure to stand out without the need to incorporate other narrative elements. The light seems to concentrate in an area above the head and gently descends over the body, while the margins remain darker and more diffused.
The composition combines sensuality and serenity without resorting to an explicit attitude. The body is presented as a natural, vulnerable, and tranquil human form, distant from any theatrical gesture. The pose, the hidden face, and the absence of a recognizable environment invite the viewer to imagine an inner story related to waiting, reflection, or solitude.
Overall, the work offers an intimate and poetic portrayal of a seated woman, captured in a moment of silence and contemplation. The soft illumination of the body, the fall of the fabric, and the mysterious reddish shadow build an atmosphere charged with sensitivity. The painting invites us to observe the beauty of the human figure and, at the same time, to reflect on solitude, calm, and the inner world that remains hidden behind her posture.
Seller's Story
Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork belonging to Domingo Álvarez, depicting a woman seated with her back turned in a moment of intimate rest and contemplation, enveloped by a soft light and an atmosphere of serenity and mystery. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the great pictorial quality it conveys.
· Framed dimensions: 61x44x3 cm.
· Unframed dimensions: 49x31 cm.
· Hand-signed pastel by the artist at the bottom left, Domingo.
· The piece is in good condition.
· The work is sold with a beautiful frame with protective glass (included in the auction as a gift).
The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.
Note: the included photographs 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 is available.
------------------------------------------------------------------
This painting features a female figure seated and contemplated from behind, in an intimate and serene pose that conveys quiet contemplation. The woman occupies the central part of the composition and is surrounded by an almost empty space, which concentrates all attention on her silhouette, on the position of her body and on the soft relationship between light and shadow. The scene possesses a silent, delicate, and deeply introspective atmosphere.
The figure appears seated in profile, although her torso turns slightly away from the viewer. This movement allows the curve of the back, the line of the neck, and the position of the shoulders to be observed, while the face remains hidden. The absence of facial expression heightens the mystery of the scene and makes the body posture the main transmitter of emotions.
The head tilts slightly to one side, as if the woman were observing something outside the composition or remained focused on her own thoughts. The dark hair is gathered in a low bun, leaving the neck fully visible. Some golden and brown areas run through the hair, allowing the strands to be distinguished, lending elegance and subtlety to the figure.
The back constitutes one of the main visual foci of the work. The light runs over the nape, the shoulder, and the spine, softly modeling the body. The illuminated areas contrast with deep shadows located beside the arm and the flank, intensifying the figure’s volume and conveying a sense of stillness and physical presence.
One arm descends to rest on the seat or on the cloth that partially covers the body. The hand is integrated into the central area through a delicate sequence of lines and shadows. This gesture feels natural and relaxed, as if the woman had assumed the pose spontaneously during a moment of rest.
The legs are arranged on different planes and create an elegant descending rhythm. One appears flexed and occupies the central area, while the other extends toward the lower right. Light concentrates especially on the thighs, knees, and shins, highlighting their shapes and creating a contrast with the dark shadow beneath the body.
The feet rest softly on the floor. One appears more tucked in, while the other advances toward the lower-right edge. This difference in position reinforces the depth of the scene and lends naturalness to the body. The lines of the legs guide the gaze downward and balance the verticality of the torso.
A clear fabric partially covers the lower zone of the body and falls to the floor, forming numerous folds. Its whites, creams, beiges, and greenish tones bring luminosity and contrast with the skin and the background. The drapery introduces movement within a composition dominated by stillness, in addition to adding a dimension of delicacy and elegance.
Behind the figure appears a deep reddish-violet shadow that partially follows the contour of the back and the seat. This warm hue establishes a strong contrast with the neutral colors of the surroundings and creates a kind of emotional halo around the woman. The shadow seems to separate her body from the background and reinforces her presence within the space.
The background unfolds through an extensive range of browns, grays, beiges, and earthy tones. Its sobriety allows the figure to stand out without the need to incorporate other narrative elements. The light seems to concentrate in an area above the head and gently descends over the body, while the margins remain darker and more diffused.
The composition combines sensuality and serenity without resorting to an explicit attitude. The body is presented as a natural, vulnerable, and tranquil human form, distant from any theatrical gesture. The pose, the hidden face, and the absence of a recognizable environment invite the viewer to imagine an inner story related to waiting, reflection, or solitude.
Overall, the work offers an intimate and poetic portrayal of a seated woman, captured in a moment of silence and contemplation. The soft illumination of the body, the fall of the fabric, and the mysterious reddish shadow build an atmosphere charged with sensitivity. The painting invites us to observe the beauty of the human figure and, at the same time, to reflect on solitude, calm, and the inner world that remains hidden behind her posture.
