Miquel Torner de Semir (1938) - NO RESERVE - La dama

Pictura Galeria presents this magnificent artwork belonging to Miquel Torner de Semir, which represents a woman whose inner world appears populated by animals that symbolize her memories, emotions, instincts and desires to protect. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the great pictorial quality it conveys.

· Dimensions of the work: 27x22x1 cm.
· Oil on panel signed by the artist in the lower left corner, Miquel Torner de Semir.
· The piece is in good condition.

The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

Important note: the included photographs form an integral part of the lot description.

The artwork will be professionally packaged 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 transportation itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos or GLS with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents an imaginary and deeply symbolic scene featuring the delicate profile of a woman, whose figure is surrounded by an extraordinary accumulation of animals, organic shapes and mysterious volumes. The young woman occupies the lower central area of the composition, looking serenely to the left, while above her head unfolds a fantastical universe that seems to emerge from her thoughts. The image blends the tranquility of portraiture with the vitality of a dreamt nature, creating an atmosphere in which reality, memory, imagination and emotion mingle until forming a single vision.

The female face constitutes the main reference point within the abundance of elements. Her profile is recognizable by a smooth forehead, a small straight nose, slightly colored lips and a softly rounded chin. The features convey youth, delicacy and serene beauty that does not require exaggerated gestures. The woman appears completely absorbed in what she observes, as if her attention were directed toward a place beyond the visible limits.

The eye, large and dark, concentrates much of the emotional expression. Its lateral orientation suggests a watchful, reflective and slightly melancholic gaze. She does not seem to be contemplating a concrete object, but an inner image, a memory or a possibility yet to be discovered. The fine and elevated eyebrow reinforces that sense of silent concentration, while the closed lips indicate that the protagonist keeps her thoughts to herself.

The face is traversed by a delicate combination of whites, bluish grays, pinks, violets and warm tones. A blue area appears on the forehead and around the temple, while a broad reddish stain illuminates the cheek. These colors do not disrupt the serenity of the features, but allow imagining distinct emotions coexisting within the figure: blue relating to introspection, red to vitality, and pink to sensitivity.

The cheek stands out especially for its warm luminosity. Red, orange and pink nuances bring life to the face and contrast with the general paleness of the skin. This area seems to collect a contained emotion, like a blush born of shyness, illusion or an intense memory. The color transforms the expression without altering it and makes the protagonist seem emotionally close.

The lips, small and carefully defined, introduce a pink accent in the lighter part of the face. They remain closed, but not with tension, rather a calm and contemplative disposition. One could imagine that the woman is about to pronounce a word or has just fallen silent after telling a story. That ambiguity makes her expression open to many interpretations.

The ear appears decorated with a small circular earring that adds elegance and simplicity. Around it, curved lines can be distinguished that could correspond to gathered hair or to an ornamental structure integrated into the whole. This detail establishes a transition between the human face and the animal world that begins to grow over the head. The protagonist is not simply accompanied by those creatures, but seems to be an inseparable part of them.

The long and stylized neck descends to a wide lower area dominated by pinks, oranges, grays and soft violets. The curve of the shoulder provides stability to the composition and visually supports the multitude of figures located above. The woman seems to wear a garment of warm colors that blends with the environment, avoiding a rigid separation between body and background. Everything seems to belong to the same poetic matter.

Above the protagonist’s head rests a large animal figure in gray and whitish tones. Its body has a broad, rounded volume and occupies much of the image’s center. Although its contours retain some ambiguity, it may recall a large bird, a small fantastical mammal, or a creature formed by the union of different species. This indefinition intensifies the imaginary character of the painting.

The central creature seems to settle naturally on the woman’s head, as if that were its usual refuge. Its presence does not weigh or cause discomfort; on the contrary, it conveys a peaceful and protective coexistence. The animal could represent a persistent thought, a cherished memory, or an instinctive part of the protagonist. Its proximity makes the portrait a depiction of union between human and natural world.

On the body of this figure one can discern gray, white, brown and black areas. A shape resembling a wing extends to the right and contains delicate lines suggesting feathers. A small clear circle also appears on the side, as if a mark, a light or symbolic element. The combination of rounded shapes and fine lines brings tenderness and movement.

Next to the main creature, other animal forms are partially hidden. Some seem to correspond to heads, snouts, ears, wings or curled bodies. Not all are fully shown, which requires the viewer to scan the image and mentally reconstruct each figure. This superposition turns the upper area into a kind of refuge where different beings rest beside one another.

In the higher part there appears a large light-colored animal oriented to the right. Its silhouette resembles a bear, a calm-looking dog, or a fantastic creature with a robust body. Its head projects toward the right edge, where a long snout and a small circular shape at the tip can be distinguished. Its demeanor seems peaceful, as if watching over the surroundings from a high position.

The body of this upper animal is formed by whitish-gray, dark browns and reddish tones. A broad brown area covers part of its back and gives a sense of volume. Near the head appear small circular spots that could be interpreted as eyes, ornamental marks or fragments of other overlapped figures. The creature seems to emerge from the darkness and slowly move toward the light.

The position of the upper animal can be understood as an image of vigilance and protection. From above it dominates the entire composition and seems to guard the woman as well as the other creatures. Its body forms a living roof over the scene. The protagonist is thus surrounded by a fantastical community that seems to protect her during her inner journey.

In the lower left area, another animal head in beige and brown appears, very close to the woman's face. Its snout faces the woman and seems to seek contact with her. This proximity conveys affection, trust and an intimate relationship. The animal could be a companion, a childhood memory, or the manifestation of a tenderness that the protagonist keeps deep inside.

The closeness between the human face and this small creature produces one of the most emotional moments of the composition. Their profiles almost meet, as if about to recognize each other by a glance or a touch. The woman does not turn her face toward the animal, but her serene expression suggests she knows its presence perfectly. Between them there is a silent communication.

The different creatures do not seem to fight for space or compete with each other. All settle around the female figure forming a compact, protective and surprisingly harmonious structure. Their bodies are linked by curves, spots and outlines that pass from one figure to another. The result recalls a great collective thought or a fictional family born from memory.

The accumulation of animals on the head allows interpreting the scene as a representation of the mind. Each creature could correspond to a emotion, an instinct, a desire or an experience. The larger beings would occupy the dominant thoughts, while the small and partially hidden forms would represent more distant memories. The protagonist's head thus becomes a inhabited territory.

The figures can also be seen as an allusion to protection. The animals surround the woman from different directions and create a barrier against the outside. Some rest, others watch, and others seem to guard. The protagonist remains calm because she is not truly alone: she carries with her a community of beings who accompany and safeguard her.

The dark background of the upper part intensifies the presence of the light figures. Blacks, deep browns and violets form a nocturnal and mysterious atmosphere. On that darkness, the white and gray bodies gain greater luminosity. The scene seems to unfold between night and dream, at that moment when mind images begin to come alive.

In contrast, the central and lower area contains lighter spaces, dominated by grays, bluish whites and pink tones. This transition from the upper darkness to the lower clarity may symbolize the passage from mystery to consciousness. Thoughts arise in a deep and shadowy region, but end up reflecting on the protagonist's face through colors and emotions.

The small blue accents add freshness and depth. One appears on the woman's forehead and another rises near the right side, among the animals' bodies. Although they occupy small spaces, they attract attention and establish a visual connection. Blue can be associated with imagination, the spiritual world, calm and freedom.

Red and orange tones appear distributed at different levels. They are on the protagonist's shoulder, on her cheek, in some areas of the animals and in several background fragments. This repetition builds a warm current that runs through the composition. Red functions as a symbol of life, affection, energy and emotional memory.

Greys and whites act as binding elements. They are present on the woman’s face, on the creatures' bodies and in large areas of the surrounding space. Thanks to them, the different figures seem to come from a single universe. The protagonist and the animals are not independent elements, but different manifestations of an inner reality.

The blacks define the outlines and provide depth. Some lines are soft and delicate, while others gain greater intensity. These delimitations allow recognizing faces, snouts, wings and profiles, but also leave open areas where forms mix. The image thus maintains a balance between clarity and mystery.

The composition is organized by a strong vertical direction. The woman’s shoulder occupies the base, the face rises to the center and the animals continue the movement to reach the top. This structure makes the female figure seem to hold a complete world. The gaze ascends from one being to another, discovering new shapes at each level.

At the same time, there is horizontal movement created by the orientation of the profiles. The woman looks to the left, some animals head to the right and others face the center. These opposite directions add dynamism and suggest the coexistence of different thoughts. Each figure seems to attend to a different reality.

The protagonist can be interpreted as a mediator between the human and the animal worlds. Her face belongs to a recognizable reality, but her head becomes the place where impossible creatures inhabit. She does not seem surprised by that presence, indicating that she naturally part of her identity. Her serenity turns the extraordinary into something ordinary.

The painting can also speak about the relationship between reason and instinct. The woman’s controlled expression contrasts with the animal abundance that rises over her. However, there is no conflict between the two aspects. The conscious mind and the instinctive nature appear united, showing that human identity is formed both by orderly thoughts and deep emotions.

The animals can symbolize different qualities. The great being at the top may represent strength and protection; the winged creature, freedom and imagination; and the small animal near the face, tenderness and fidelity. Together they build an emotional portrait of the protagonist. Instead of describing her with objects or words, the scene reveals her personality through living presences.

The work invites slow contemplation because many figures remain hidden within others. A form that initially seems like a stain may later become an eye, a snout or a wing. This ability to transform makes the image change depending on the viewing time. Each new look allows discovering a different relationship.

The overall atmosphere is quiet, but not still. The animals’ bodies seem to breathe, settle and move very slowly. One can imagine the brushing of wings, the calm breathing of the creatures and the murmur of the woman’s thoughts. Everything remains suspended in a moment before waking.

The protagonist’s expression brings a gentle melancholy. Her distant gaze and closed lips may suggest that she remembers something lost or awaits an answer. However, the presence of the animals prevents the scene from feeling sad. They provide companionship, protection and a sense of hope.

The image can be related to childhood and the ability to keep fantasy alive. The creatures seem to come from stories, dreams or childhood memories, yet they accompany an already adult figure. This suggests that imagination does not disappear with time, but remains hidden within us and continues to influence how we understand the world.

It can also be interpreted as a tribute to sensitivity toward animals. The woman does not stand above them or apart from nature. On the contrary, she shares her space and seems to offer them refuge. The union of bodies and shapes conveys respect, closeness and coexistence based on trust.

The absence of a concrete setting favors a symbolic interpretation. There is no landscape, room or horizon that situates the scene in a particular place. Everything happens in a mental and emotional space. The background acts as an extension of imagination, capable of containing simultaneously darkness, light, memories and fantastic creatures.

The beauty of the painting stems from the combination of delicacy and strangeness. The female face turns out serene and recognizable, while the surrounding world defies any literal explanation. That coexistence arouses curiosity without causing discomfort. The mysterious appears as something protective, close and full of tenderness.

Overall, this painting represents a profile woman whose inner world becomes an extraordinary community of real and imagined animals that accumulate on her head and surround her closely. Her serene gaze, the entwined bodies, the soft colors and the intense contrasts build a scene of introspection, fantasy and protection. The creatures can symbolize memories, emotions, instincts and emotional bonds that accompany the protagonist, turning the portrait into a celebration of imagination, sensitivity and the deep connection between human beings and nature.