#04506 Xavier Gosé i Rovira (1876-1915)

The painting presents a stylized depiction of a female golfer in mid-swing. The composition is dominated by the figures dynamic pose; she leans sharply into her action, her body forming a diagonal line that cuts across the canvas. Her stance suggests considerable force and precision. She wears a dark tailored jacket over a white blouse and skirt, topped with a tilted hat, indicative of contemporary fashion. The golfer’s shoes are visible, adding detail to the overall presentation of attire.
The background is divided into two distinct zones. Above, an ochre-toned area creates a sense of expansive sky or distant landscape. Below, a broad band of green represents the golf course itself. A cluster of buildings with red roofs appears in the distance on the left side of the lower portion, providing a subtle indication of civilization and leisure.
The artist employs a simplified aesthetic, reducing forms to their essential shapes and using flat planes of color rather than nuanced shading. This approach contributes to a sense of graphic clarity and emphasizes the elegance of the figures movement. The limited palette – primarily ochre, green, white, and black – further reinforces this streamlined visual language.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of modernity and female empowerment. The golfer’s confident posture and fashionable attire suggest an embrace of contemporary leisure activities previously associated with men. Her active participation in a sport like golf implies a shift in societal roles and expectations for women during the period it likely represents. The stylized rendering also hints at a fascination with new technologies and streamlined aesthetics characteristic of the era, where efficiency and progress were highly valued. The overall effect is one of controlled energy and understated sophistication.