“Bruges” by Carmelo García Barrena, Post-Impressionism, 20th Century – Spain An exceptional oil on canvas by the Spanish artist Carmelo García Barrena. It depicts a pleasant and picturesque scene of the Belgian city of Bruges, an urban corner with a stone bridge and typical houses reflected in the water. The painting focuses on capturing the beauty of the urban landscape and expressing a certain subjectivity and emotion, as the atmosphere it creates becomes its vehicle of expression. The brushstrokes are loose and visible, somewhat impasto, with considerable texture, which reinforces the sense of movement and light. The way the drawing dissolves through the simplification of the figures into small, quick dabs of color brings the work to life. It is a piece that conveys calm with a serene and balanced composition, structured around the bridge visible in the center. Carmelo García Barrena (Bilbao, 1926 – 2000) Carmelo García Barrena was a highly important Spanish painter known for his diverse subject matter (landscapes, figures, portraits, etc.) and his distinctive style, characterized by a unique Impressionism, almost abstract still lifes modeled with objects, geometric shapes, and glazes, influenced by the Flemish masters, and scenes of circus performers and festivities, all demonstrating a masterful command of painting techniques. Exiled as a child to Belgium during the Spanish Civil War, it was there that his passion for painting emerged, and he began his training at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts. In 1946, he enrolled in the Academy of the Vizcaya Artistic Association and, given the lack of an artistic scene in his hometown at the time, decided in 1952 to travel through Europe (Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Antwerp), and registered at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Schoone, while also coming into contact with the European avant-garde. His work has been exhibited in Bilbao, Seville, Alicante, Madrid, Zaragoza, Bayonne, London, Paris, Prague, Mexico City, and other cities. Important private collections and institutions, such as the Bilbao Museum of Modern Art and the Camón Aznar Museum in Zaragoza, hold his work. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Madrid acquired two of his works in 1970. Technique: Oil on canvas Title of the work: “Witches” Artist: Carmelo García Barrena (Bilbao, 1926–2000) Style: Post-Impressionism Period: 20th Century Good condition for its age and use Overall dimensions: 91 x 80 cm Dimensions without frame: 65 x 54 cm This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution