#29411 Jesús Helguera Ausencia (1910-1971)

The watercolor depicts a scene dominated by two sailboats engaged in what appears to be a race. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the height and dynamism of the sails against a backdrop of stylized clouds and water.
Here we see the larger sailboat positioned centrally, its sail rendered with bold, alternating bands of red, white, and blue. This vibrant color scheme immediately draws the eye and conveys a sense of energy and movement. The smaller boat, to the right, mirrors this design principle but utilizes yellow and red hues, creating visual contrast while maintaining a similar aesthetic.
The artist has employed a simplified, almost graphic style. Details are minimized; instead, broad washes of color define form and suggest texture. The water is represented by undulating bands of green and blue, conveying the impression of choppy waves. A distant shoreline, rendered in muted greens and browns, provides a grounding element to the composition.
The clouds above are depicted as large, rounded shapes with soft edges, contributing to an overall feeling of lightness and airiness. The sky’s color transitions subtly from pale blues at the top to lighter tones near the horizon, suggesting atmospheric perspective.
Subtly, the painting conveys a sense of competition and perhaps even exhilaration. The bold colors and dynamic composition evoke feelings of speed and excitement associated with sailing. The stylized nature of the scene suggests an idealized view of this activity – less about realism and more about capturing its essence and spirit. The deliberate simplification could also be interpreted as a commentary on the reduction of complex experiences to their most essential elements, or perhaps a celebration of the joy found in simple pleasures.