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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Miscellaneous / École catalane (XX) - El campo dorado
Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent work of art belonging to the Catalan school, depicting two people walking along a shaded path beside a staircase and a door hidden in the depth of a serene and leafy forest. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys. · Dimensions of the artwork: 55x46x2 cm. · Oil on canvas hand-signed by the artist at the bottom left. · The piece is in good condition. The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona. Important note: the photographs included are 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. This painting presents a natural corner of great serenity, dominated by tall, leafy trees whose branches extend over a narrow path. The vegetation occupies almost the entire composition and creates the feeling of a protected, cool, and secluded space away from noise. Among the canopies, small clearings open where soft light penetrates, capable of illuminating certain leaves and producing delicate variations between deep greens, grayish tones, washed-out yellows, and bluish reflections. The scene seems to capture a tranquil moment of the day, when daylight passes through the forest without breaking its atmosphere of contemplation. On the right side rises the most imposing tree in the scene. Its wide, vertical trunk functions as a powerful natural column, while its branches spread to the left and visually join with those of the other trees. This large vegetal structure forms a kind of living roof over the path. The solidity of the trunk contrasts with the lightness of the leaves, represented by numerous color patches suggesting the movement of the foliage and the irregular entry of light. The tree conveys a sense of age and permanence, as if it has watched over the passage of those who traverse this place for many years. In the center and bottom of the image appears a rocky path that enters the landscape and guides the viewer’s gaze toward the background. Its course is not completely straight, but advances through shadows, unevenness, and small illuminated areas. The stones on the ground show grays, greens, bluish tones, and earth tones, creating an irregular surface that seems damp or refreshed by the shade. This path constitutes one of the main axes of the composition, as it connects the nearby space with the forest depths and awakens the desire to imagine what lies beyond the visible area. To the right of the path there is a stone staircase that climbs up the slope. Its steps, narrow and uneven, seem shaped by the passage of time and the constant foot traffic. On both sides grow shrubs, small flowers, and wild plants that soften the hardness of the stone. The staircase leads to a rustic wooden door made of horizontal and diagonal slats. This door does not seem to close the landscape completely, but rather marks the boundary between the public path and a more intimate and elevated space, perhaps a garden, a estate, or a private trail hidden among the vegetation. The door occupies a particularly suggestive position within the scene. Its dark color stands out among the nearby greens and the luminous tones of the steps. More than a simple functional element, it can be interpreted as an invitation, a pause, or a threshold. Being located at the top of the small ascent, it introduces a sense of mystery: we do not know what lies behind it or how far the journey continues. The surrounding vegetation accentuates this secret character, evoking an ancient place that preserves stories, memories, and experiences linked to those who have passed through it. At the bottom left, two human figures appear walking together along the path. Though small compared to the size of the trees, their presence brings life, scale, and a narrative dimension to the landscape. Both move away from the viewer, allowing the spectator to accompany them imaginatively on their journey. Their proximity suggests companionship, trust, and conversation, but may also convey a shared silence, typical of those who contemplate nature without needing to speak. The figures seem to be slowly entering the forest, shielded by shade and guided by the path’s light. The relationship between the walkers and the environment reinforces the immensity of nature. Human bodies occupy a small space, while trunks, branches, and clumps of leaves rise far above them. This scale difference is not threatening but welcoming: the forest seems to enfold the figures and offer them refuge. The path thus becomes a metaphor for travel, the passage of time, and discovery, while the trees can symbolize permanence, memory, and the continuity of life. Depth is constructed through a succession of distinct planes. In the foreground appear the stones, the steps, and the most defined vegetation; in the middle ground stand the door, the large trunks, and the figures; and in the background, the forms become clearer and more diffused. This transition creates the impression of a slightly hazy atmosphere and enhances the sense of distance. The bright clearing distinguished toward the center-left seems to open an exit or a more open space, becoming a visual focal point toward which the walkers move. Green is the dominant color, but it appears in a rich variety of shades. There are dark greens in the deep shadows, grayish greens in the damp areas, yellowish tints on leaves touched by light, and small bluish accents that refresh the atmosphere. Alongside them appear browns, ochres, and soft violets on rocks, trunks, and ground. The discreet white and pink notes of some flowers introduce delicate details that animate the scene without breaking its overall harmony. Light plays an essential role in the painting’s atmosphere. It does not enter uniformly but filters through the branches and rests only on certain zones. Some fragments of the path, the upper leaves, the staircase stones, and various edges of the vegetation receive a soft clarity. The rest remains covered by cool, transparent shadows. This balance between illumination and shade creates a sense of calm, privacy, and freshness, as if the viewer were under the protection of the trees on a quiet morning. Overall, the work represents a tranquil stroll through a lush forest, where two people move among monumental trees, stone paths, and a mysterious wooden door. The composition combines natural beauty with the discreet presence of the human being, creating a contemplative scene that speaks of companionship, discovery, and connection with the surroundings. The path invites continuation, the staircase offers an alternative direction, and the door arouses curiosity, while the vegetation envelops everything with a sense of peace, memory, and refuge.
Estimate:£172.01
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorMiscellaneous
Estimate:
£172.01
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