#13585 Pere Pruna

The painting presents a portrait of a woman, rendered in a style characterized by simplified forms and expressive brushwork. The figure is positioned centrally against a dark, almost black background that recedes into indistinct blue tones. This backdrop serves to isolate the subject, drawing immediate attention to her presence.
Here we see the woman draped in what appears to be a shawl or headscarf of pale cream color, which frames her face and shoulders. The fabric is loosely arranged, creating folds and shadows that contribute to a sense of volume and texture. Her attire beneath the scarf seems to be a dark blue garment, its form suggested rather than precisely defined by the artist’s application of paint.
The womans features are stylized; her eyes possess an intensity conveyed through their direct gaze, while her mouth is subtly downturned, hinting at a contemplative or perhaps melancholic mood. The artist has employed a palette dominated by blues and ochres, with touches of cream and brown to define the contours of the face and hands. The skin tones appear warm, contrasting with the cool hues of the background and clothing.
The brushstrokes are visible throughout the composition, contributing to an overall sense of immediacy and emotional intensity. They are not blended smoothly but rather applied in distinct marks that emphasize the materiality of the paint itself. This technique lends a raw quality to the portrait, suggesting a focus on capturing essence over precise representation.
Subtly, theres a feeling of restraint conveyed by the woman’s posture and expression. The shawl could be interpreted as a symbol of modesty or perhaps even constraint, while her direct gaze suggests an inner strength or resilience. The limited color palette and simplified forms contribute to a sense of timelessness, elevating the portrait beyond a mere likeness to something more symbolic and evocative.