#45114 Arturo Souto

The composition presents a stylized depiction of a coastal town nestled into a hillside, viewed from across a body of water. The architecture is characterized by tightly packed buildings with terracotta roofs and balconies, ascending in tiers up the slope. A prominent church spire punctuates the skyline, acting as a visual anchor for the densely populated settlement.
The foreground features three figures engaged in what appears to be labor or transport. Two men are positioned near a small boat, one wrapped in a thick, fur-lined cloak and seemingly assisting the other who holds an oar. A third figure, partially obscured by foliage, is also present, holding a bundle of papers or documents. The water itself is rendered with broad strokes of blue and green, suggesting depth without detailed representation.
The color palette is dominated by cool tones – blues, greens, and muted yellows – which contribute to a sense of tranquility and perhaps even melancholy. A stark contrast is provided by the warm hues of the buildings and the red accents on the figures’ clothing. The artist employed simplified forms and flattened perspective, indicative of an Art Deco or early Modernist aesthetic.
The inclusion of the text BETANZOS at the bottom suggests a promotional purpose, likely advertising the town as a destination. Beyond this overt function, however, the painting evokes themes of industry, community, and perhaps the challenges faced by those who live in close proximity to nature. The figures’ labor implies a connection between the inhabitants and their environment, while the dense urban landscape speaks to a sense of shared history and collective identity. The overall effect is one of idealized representation – a romanticized vision of coastal life presented with a deliberate lack of realism.