José Torrado (1955) - Luminous Haven in Valderredible

Technical sheet

Author: José Torrado (Madrid, 1955)
Luminous Haven in Valderredible
Chronology: circa 1995–2005
Technique: Acrylic on board
Measurements: 35 × 35 cm (without frame)
Marco: 52 × 52 cm. Magnificent golden frame with a wide molding, featuring a delicate crackle effect.
Contemporary naturalistic landscaping, with atmospheric accents and romantic sensitivity.
Condition: Excellent.

2. Compositional and iconographic description

The acrylic depicts a river meander in Valderredible (Cantabria), where the current traces a gentle curve that guides the eye toward a central group of trees illuminated by a silver light. The brushwork is meticulous yet vibrant, alternating subtle glazes in the sky with dense textures in the vegetation.

The artist constructs a balance between tree mass and water, creating a dialogue between stillness and movement. The cool tones of the distant mountains contrast with the earthy warmth of the riverbed, achieving atmospheric depth. Torrado captures not only the topography but also the emotion of the place: a suspended moment between light, breeze, and silence.

3. Style, School, and Comparative Valuation

José Torrado is positioned within the tradition of Spanish contemporary landscape painting, inheriting the lyricism of Joaquín Mir and the environmental serenity of José Luis García Ochoa. His chromatic sensitivity recalls Regoyos' moist passages, though with a more controlled and academic treatment.

This work stands out for its compositional harmony and excellent spatial reading, making it an ideal piece for collectors of modern landscape art seeking quality and emotional balance. The scene, fully recognizable and poetic, reveals the artist's technical maturity and his affinity with the great naturalist landscape painters of the last third of the 20th century.