École française (XX) - Sérénité

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent work of art belonging to the French school, depicting a woman with her arms behind her head, in a relaxed and introspective pose against a warm background. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

· Frame dimensions: 39x31x4 cm.
· Unframed dimensions: 32x25 cm.
· Oil on panel hand-signed by the artist at the lower left.
· The piece is in good conservation condition.
· The work is sold with a precious frame (included in the auction as a gift).

The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

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

The painting will be professionally bagged 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, GLS or NACEX with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents a half-body portrait of a woman, with arms raised and hands behind the head. The pose elongates the silhouette and directs the gaze toward the face, slightly inclined to one side and with eyes closed. Her serene expression suggests a moment of rest or introspection, while the gesture of the arms conveys naturalness and confidence. The figure occupies almost the entire space and stands out clearly against the warm background that envelops her without distracting attention from her presence.

Dark hair pulled back, leaving the face, neck, and shoulders uncovered. The features are presented simply: the nose, lips, and closed eyes are defined by gentle lines that maintain the intimate character of the scene. The head tilt, together with the arm crossing behind, creates a diagonal composition that provides balance and movement. The portrait does not seek to show a theatrical gesture, but to capture a quiet moment, as if the woman were concentrating on her thoughts.

The shoulders and bare torso are represented with pinks, ochres, and browns that blend to give volume to the figure. The lighter areas run along the neck and center of the body, while deeper shadows appear under the arms and along the contours. A light fabric, adorned with geometric shapes, fits around the waist and covers the lower part of the figure. Its folds and patterns add contrast and detail, as well as balance the simplicity of the background and the expansiveness of the skin areas.

The background is composed of a range of yellows, golds, and ochres, with some areas lighter and others slightly darker. These warm tones create an enveloping atmosphere and bring luminosity to the portrait, while contrasting with the dark hair and body shadows. The composition centers on the figure, with no secondary objects interrupting the scene. The limited palette and defined contours give the image a direct presence, highlighting both the posture and the restrained expression of the face.

Taken together, the painting conveys a sense of intimacy, calm, and quiet contemplation through the portrait of a woman resting with her arms behind her head. The closed eyes and relaxed posture suggest a private moment, while the warm tones and the patterned fabric provide visual balance and character. The work concentrates all attention on the figure and its serene expression, inviting contemplation of the beauty of natural gesture and the stillness of the moment.