#04436 Xavier Valls (1923-2006)

The composition presents a cityscape viewed across a body of water. A long, horizontal arrangement dominates the upper portion of the canvas, depicting a series of buildings with repetitive architectural elements – windows and what appear to be dormer structures – suggesting a large institutional or residential complex. Behind this line of buildings rises a central dome, flanked by a slender spire on one side and another, less prominent structure on the other. The architecture suggests a classical influence, though rendered in a softened, almost indistinct manner.
Below the cityscape lies a broad expanse of water, depicted with horizontal brushstrokes that convey movement or reflection. The color palette is muted, primarily consisting of pale yellows, creams, and blues, contributing to an overall sense of atmospheric haze and distance. Theres a deliberate lack of sharp detail; forms are blurred and edges softened, creating an impressionistic effect.
The artist’s technique emphasizes the dissolution of form rather than precise representation. The application of paint appears loose and textured, obscuring details and prioritizing the interplay of light and color. This approach lends the scene a dreamlike quality, suggesting a focus on mood and atmosphere over topographical accuracy.
Subtextually, the painting evokes themes of memory, distance, and perhaps even loss. The indistinct nature of the buildings could symbolize the fading of time or the impermanence of structures. The water acts as a barrier, separating the viewer from the depicted scene, reinforcing a sense of detachment and contemplation. The muted color scheme contributes to this melancholic atmosphere, suggesting a nostalgic longing for a place that is both familiar and inaccessible. It’s possible to interpret the work as an exploration of collective memory or the subjective experience of place.