#10983 Rafael Zabaleta

The composition presents a group portrait set within what appears to be a domestic interior, likely a home shrine space. Three figures dominate: two adult women and a young girl, positioned centrally against a backdrop featuring religious iconography. The artist employed a flattened perspective and bold color palette characteristic of folk art traditions.
Here we see the woman on the left dressed in a yellow dress adorned with white polka dots. She holds a bouquet of flowers near her chest, her gaze directed slightly downward. Her posture is formal, almost stoic. To her right stands another woman, clad in a blue dress with contrasting white trim and sleeves. This figure’s expression is more direct, her eyes meeting the viewers with an unwavering intensity. The young girl between them wears a patterned red-and-white dress and grasps the hand of the woman in blue. Her face displays a quiet solemnity.
Behind the figures, a niche contains a religious image – a depiction of a figure holding a child, surrounded by radiating light. This element establishes a clear spiritual context for the scene. The architectural details of the room are simplified, with patterned wallpaper and a checkered floor contributing to the overall decorative effect. Floral motifs appear throughout the composition, both as part of the women’s attire and in the background ornamentation.
The paintings subtexts revolve around themes of faith, family, and tradition. The presence of the religious icon suggests devotion and piety within the depicted household. The formal poses and direct gazes of the figures convey a sense of dignity and perhaps even resilience. The arrangement – two women flanking a child – might symbolize generational continuity or familial protection. The bright colors and decorative elements contribute to an atmosphere that is both reverent and celebratory, hinting at a community deeply rooted in its beliefs and customs. The overall effect suggests a carefully constructed image intended to convey values of faith, family, and cultural identity.