Antonio Riera (1947) - Rosas de verano

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Antonio Riera, which depicts a thoughtful young woman resting in a flowering garden, surrounded by roses and vegetation in a scene full of elegance, serenity and beauty. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

· Dimensions of the work: 61x50x2 cm.
· Oil on canvas hand-signed by the artist at the bottom right.
· The piece is in good conservation condition.

The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

Important note: the photographs included form 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 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 the elegant portrait of a young woman seated in a garden, surrounded by abundant vegetation and a beautiful setting of roses that climb a brick wall. The figure occupies the center of the composition and is enveloped by a warm, luminous and serene atmosphere. Her relaxed posture, the softness of her features and the harmony of her clothing convey a sense of calm and refinement, while the surrounding nature turns the scene into a small refuge apart from the outside world.

The protagonist sits facing forward, though her body is slightly turned to one side. She keeps her back straight without rigidity and gently rests her hands on her lap. This position conveys elegance and naturalness, as if the young woman had paused during a stroll through the garden. Her stance does not seem solemnly prepared, but captured in a tranquil moment of rest and contemplation.

The face is one of the main focal points. Her features are elongated and delicate, with a thoughtful expression that avoids direct eye contact with the viewer. The gaze is directed slightly to one side and seems focused on some thought or event outside the scene. The closed lips and the serenity of the eyes intensify the introspective air, making the protagonist appear immersed in her inner world.

The curly hair falls freely around the face and onto the shoulders. The tresses combine golden, brown, coppery and dark tones, unevenly lit by the surrounding light. Some areas receive warm reflections that add luminosity, while others remain wrapped in deep shadows. This richness of nuances gives volume to the hair and creates a natural frame around the face.

The young woman wears a light blouse with a wide neckline, adorned with small details that add delicacy without distracting attention. The fabric softly adapts to the upper body and leaves the shoulders partially uncovered, reinforcing the fresh and summery character of the scene. The brightness of the garment illuminates the center of the composition and contrasts with the intense greens of the vegetation and the warmer tones of the skirt.

Over the arms she wears a shawl or a light garment in yellowish-green hues, decorated with small bluish, dark and reddish notes. The fabric falls informally around the elbows and seems to have slid slightly during the rest. Its colors establish a transition between the white blouse and the golden skirt, unifying the outfit. Moreover, its arrangement helps create a sense of ease and spontaneity.

The skirt occupies a large part of the lower area and becomes one of the most striking elements of the portrait. It is composed of a wide combination of yellows, ochres, browns, oranges and light reflections. Its numerous folds descend from the lap and create a vertical movement that elongates the figure. Dark and reddish areas distributed across the fabric add depth and prevent the golden color from appearing uniform.

The hands rest softly on the skirt and reinforce the calm of the posture. One crosses the lap while the other rests near the knee. The fingers, long and relaxed, do not hold any object, allowing all attention to fall on the natural gesture. This absence of tension in the hands conveys stillness and contributes to the feeling that the protagonist is comfortable within her surroundings.

The right side is occupied by a pinkish, reddish, white and brown brick wall. The horizontal arrangement of the bricks provides structure and stability to the composition, contrasting with the free and organic shapes of the vegetation. On this wall a lush rosebush grows, whose branches extend from the top to almost reach the lower area. The architecture and nature thus appear intimately united.

The roses display a wide variety of pink tones, from pale and delicate shades to deeper reds. Some flowers are fully open, while others seem to retain a more gathered form. The green and dark leaves frame each flower and create small contrasts of light and shadow. This floral abundance adds beauty, romance and vibrant vitality to the young woman's surroundings.

The arrangement of the rosebush establishes a symbolic relationship with the protagonist. The flowers surround her face and body without completely invading the central space, as if nature quietly accompanied her presence. The youth and delicacy of the woman find a reflection in the roses, while the darker branches and leaves suggest the hidden complexity behind that beauty. This correspondence gives the portrait a poetic dimension.

On the left side extends abundant vegetation formed by leaves, shrubs and plants of different sizes. The greens vary from deep, blue-tinged shades to bright yellows that seem to receive direct light. The vegetal forms overlap and generate a sense of depth, making the garden seem to continue far beyond the visible limits. The young woman thus remains protected between the vegetation and the flowering wall.

The upper background is clear and bright, with areas of yellow, beige, greens and pinks suggesting the presence of a building or a sunlit path. The details become less defined as they recede, allowing the viewer’s attention to remain on the figure. This clarity brings air to the composition and prevents the abundant vegetation from creating a closed atmosphere. Everything seems illuminated by a soft spring or summer light.

The color combination decisively contributes to the character of the work. The golden yellows of the skirt dialogue with the hair reflections and the illuminated areas of the garden. The pinks of the flowers relate to the bricks and the delicate nuances of the face, while the greens envelop the protagonist and balance the warm tones. This harmony creates a scene that is welcoming, elegant and full of life.

The portrait invites the imagination to craft the woman’s story. She might be resting in the garden of her home, waiting for someone to arrive, or simply enjoying a moment of solitude. Her distant gaze introduces a note of mystery and melancholy within a color-filled environment. Although the scene appears bright and pleasant, the restrained expression of the protagonist suggests deeper thoughts not to be revealed.

The work combines the beauty of the portrait with the richness of a garden in full bloom. The human figure is not separate from the landscape, but fully integrated with it through colors, shapes and light. The hair seems to share the golden tones of the vegetation, the skirt captures the warmth of the surroundings and the roses accompany the delicacy of the face. This unity makes the scene a celebration of youth, nature and contemplation.

Overall, the work depicts an elegant and thoughtful young woman resting in a garden full of vegetation, next to a wall covered with pinkish roses. Her serene posture, the delicacy of her gaze, the luminosity of her clothing and the exuberance of the flowers create a romantic and deeply harmonious scene. The painting conveys beauty, tranquility and a soft melancholy, turning an ordinary moment of rest into a poetic evocation of youth and nature.