#04465 Xavier Valls (1923-2006)

The artwork presents a still life composition centered around a bowl brimming with pears. The arrangement is straightforward; the fruit occupies nearly the entirety of the visual space, positioned against a stark, unadorned background. A subtle horizontal line bisects the lower portion of the image, suggesting a tabletop or surface upon which the bowl rests.
The pears themselves are rendered in varying shades of green, yellow, and reddish-brown, indicating different stages of ripeness. The artist has employed delicate washes to capture the soft texture and gentle curves of the fruit. Light falls across them, creating subtle highlights and shadows that give a sense of volume and three-dimensionality. The bowl itself is translucent, its form echoing the rounded shapes of the pears within.
The simplicity of the composition lends it an air of quiet contemplation. Theres a deliberate lack of extraneous detail; no flowers, leaves, or other decorative elements are present to distract from the central subject matter. This restraint contributes to a sense of intimacy and focus on the inherent beauty of the fruit. The muted color palette reinforces this feeling of serenity.
Subtly, the painting might be interpreted as an exploration of transience and decay. Pears, being ripe and perishable, symbolize the fleeting nature of beauty and life. The varying degrees of ripeness within the bowl could represent the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Alternatively, the arrangement can be viewed simply as a celebration of abundance and natural forms, devoid of any deeper symbolic meaning. The artist’s signature is visible in the lower right corner, adding a personal touch to this understated depiction.