#10984 Rafael Zabaleta

The composition presents a scene set on a beach, rendered in a style characterized by simplified forms and bold color contrasts. In the foreground, two female figures recline upon a circular mat, their bodies delineated with thick black outlines that emphasize their contours. Their facial expressions are striking – large eyes convey an unsettling stillness, while thin lips suggest a restrained emotion. The skin tones are muted, leaning towards pale pinks and greens, which contribute to an overall sense of detachment.
Behind the reclining figures stretches a beach populated by other individuals engaged in leisure activities. These secondary figures appear as flattened silhouettes, further emphasizing their role as background elements rather than central subjects. A large green-and-white striped awning dominates the middle ground, casting shadows and creating a visual barrier between the foreground and the distant landscape.
The backdrop consists of a body of water extending to a horizon punctuated by mountains and a pale sky streaked with clouds. The color palette here shifts towards blues and purples, offering a contrast to the warmer tones in the foreground. Architectural elements – what appear to be buildings with pointed roofs – are visible on either side of the scene, adding depth but maintaining the overall flattened perspective.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of leisure, isolation, and perhaps even alienation. The stylized depiction of the figures suggests a deliberate distancing from naturalism, hinting at an exploration of psychological states rather than a straightforward representation of reality. The unsettling expressions on the womens faces introduce an element of unease into what would otherwise be a scene of idyllic relaxation. The flattened perspective and simplified forms contribute to a sense of artificiality, suggesting that the depicted world is more symbolic than literal. The arrangement of figures – the two reclining women in close proximity yet seemingly disconnected – might imply a commentary on human relationships or the complexities of intimacy.