#29445 Jesús Helguera Ausencia (1910-1971)

The composition presents a still life arrangement within a shallow, box-like space, evoking a sense of theatricality or constructed reality. The backdrop is formed by roughly hewn wooden planks, their texture rendered with meticulous detail, contributing to the overall feeling of deliberate artifice.
Dominating the left side of the scene is an instrument – likely a mandolin – its warm, honeyed tones contrasting with the cooler hues elsewhere. A crimson ribbon drapes from its neck, adding a touch of romanticism and visual dynamism. Scattered around the base of the instrument are fragments of paper, suggesting discarded notes or remnants of creative process.
Suspended above, a triangular metal object – a musical triangle – hangs from a nail embedded in the wooden wall. Its presence implies sound, though it remains silent within the image’s frozen moment. Adjacent to this hangs a small portrait of a man in formal attire; his gaze is directed outward, seemingly detached from the surrounding objects.
A delicate arrangement of yellow roses occupies the center foreground, contained within a slender glass vase. The flowers introduce an element of natural beauty and fragility into the otherwise structured environment. To the right of the roses sits a book with visible text on its spine; it appears aged and well-used. A small, dark sphere rests near the book, its purpose ambiguous – perhaps a ball, or some other unidentified object.
The lighting is carefully orchestrated, highlighting certain elements while casting others in shadow. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting reflection on themes of music, memory, and the passage of time. The arrangement feels staged, as if these objects have been deliberately placed to create a specific mood or narrative – a tableau vivant rather than a spontaneous observation. The inclusion of the portrait introduces an element of human presence, albeit in a distant and somewhat enigmatic form.