#19331 Martin Rico Y Ortega (1833-1908)

The composition presents a structure rising directly from water, likely a building situated on a canal or river. The architecture is characterized by multiple levels and irregular window placements, suggesting age and perhaps a history of modifications over time. A sense of verticality dominates the scene, emphasized by the height of the building and its reflection in the dark, still water below.
The color palette is restrained; predominantly blues and creams dominate. The sky occupies a significant portion of the canvas, rendered in a clear, unmodulated blue that contrasts with the warmer tones of the structure. Light falls upon the facade, highlighting textures and creating subtle gradations of tone across its surface. Patches of greenery emerge from balconies and window boxes, introducing organic forms into the geometric rigidity of the building.
The presence of gondolas in the foreground establishes a sense of place and activity. They are rendered with minimal detail, appearing as dark silhouettes against the water’s surface, which further emphasizes the stillness of the scene. The artists brushwork is loose and impressionistic; details are suggested rather than precisely defined, contributing to an overall atmosphere of tranquility and quiet observation.
Subtly, a feeling of melancholy pervades the work. The building appears somewhat weathered, hinting at decay or abandonment. The lack of human figures reinforces this sense of solitude and invites contemplation on themes of time, memory, and the passage of history. The composition’s focus is not on grandeur but rather on the quiet dignity of an aging structure within a specific environment.