#12161 Rafael Estrany (1884-1958)

The composition presents two female figures in a setting that appears to be outdoors, possibly within a garden or amongst foliage. The woman on the left occupies the foreground and is positioned in profile, her gaze directed outward toward the viewer. Her posture suggests a moment of repose; she leans back against what seems to be a draped fabric, its color a vibrant red-orange. Light illuminates her skin, highlighting the contours of her body and creating a sense of volume. The artist rendered her features with a degree of idealization, emphasizing smooth skin and delicate bone structure.
The second woman is situated slightly behind and to the right of the first. She appears more withdrawn, her head bowed and eyes downcast, suggesting introspection or perhaps melancholy. Her dark hair contrasts sharply with the lighter complexion of the other figure. The artist’s brushwork here is looser, contributing to a sense of softness and vulnerability in her depiction.
The background is rendered in broad strokes of green and yellow, creating an impressionistic atmosphere that obscures specific details. This lack of clarity directs attention towards the figures themselves, emphasizing their relationship and individual states of mind. The color palette, dominated by warm tones punctuated by the red-orange fabric and the darker hair of one figure, evokes a feeling of languid warmth and intimacy.
Subtly, there is an interplay between visibility and concealment. While both women are nude, they are partially veiled by the draped fabric and the surrounding foliage. This creates a sense of modesty while simultaneously presenting the female form as an object of beauty. The differing gazes – one outward and engaged, the other inward and withdrawn – suggest contrasting emotional states or perhaps different perspectives on their shared experience. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation and understated sensuality.