99 - J. TORRES (Catalonia, 19th–20th centuries).

J. TORRES (Catalonia, 19th–20th centuries). “Seascape.” Oil on panel. Signed in the lower left corner “J. Torres”. Measurements: 17 x 30 cm; 35 x 48 cm (frame). Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. In this seascape, J. Torres depicts a harbor scene with a serene and luminous atmosphere, centered on several vessels anchored in virtually calm waters. The commanding presence of the dark-hulled ship in the foreground serves as the focal point of the composition, accompanied by other steam and sailboats that add variety and depth to the scene. In contrast to the precision with which the ships are rendered, the horizon and the sky are rendered with lighter brushstrokes and a palette of light tones, creating an enveloping sense of mist. The treatment of light deserves special attention, as it softens the contours in the distance and is delicately reflected on the water’s surface.