29462 Jesús Helguera Ausencia (1910-1971)

The watercolor presents a tranquil riverine landscape, dominated by lush foliage and a sense of quietude. Here we see a body of water flowing horizontally across the composition, its surface rendered with loose washes that suggest movement and reflection. The banks are densely populated with trees, their trunks appearing slender and elongated as they rise towards the sky. A variety of greens – from deep emerald to pale chartreuse – define the foliage, punctuated by touches of autumnal red and yellow in a few select trees, hinting at seasonal change.
The artist employed a technique that prioritizes atmospheric perspective; distant elements are softened and muted in color, creating a sense of depth. The foreground is characterized by larger rocks jutting out from the water’s edge, their forms delineated with more precision than those further away. Light appears to be diffused, bathing the scene in a gentle glow without harsh contrasts.
The composition directs the viewers eye along the course of the river, leading towards an indistinct horizon line where the trees seem to merge into a hazy sky. The overall effect is one of serenity and natural beauty, evoking a feeling of peaceful contemplation. There’s a deliberate lack of human presence, reinforcing the impression of untouched wilderness.
Subtly, the painting conveys a sense of transience – the fleeting nature of seasons and the constant flow of time symbolized by the river itself. The delicate watercolor medium further contributes to this feeling of ephemerality, suggesting that the scene is captured as a momentary glimpse rather than a permanent record.