#26852 Jesus De Perceval

The composition presents a domestic scene framed by architectural elements that suggest a balcony or terrace overlooking a seascape. A woman and a young child are centrally positioned around a table laden with simple provisions: a loaf of bread, a fish, and a bottle of wine. The woman is depicted in profile, her gaze directed towards the child who leans into her shoulder, seemingly seeking comfort or attention. She wears a headscarf that partially obscures her face, while the child sports a straw hat.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones – reds, yellows, and oranges – applied with visible brushstrokes, lending a textured quality to the surfaces. The woman’s skin appears flushed, contributing to an overall sense of heat or intensity. This chromatic emphasis extends to the landscape beyond, where a hazy blue sky meets a distant coastline punctuated by a single sailboat.
The arrangement of objects on the table carries symbolic weight. The fish, traditionally representing abundance and sustenance, lies prominently displayed. The bread and wine further reinforce this theme of provision and basic necessities. These elements suggest an everyday existence, perhaps one marked by simplicity and resilience.
Beyond the immediate depiction of a mother and child, the painting evokes themes of protection and vulnerability. The child’s dependence on the woman is palpable, while her posture suggests both tenderness and a quiet strength. The architectural framework – the stark white column and the geometric patterns of the floor tiles – creates a sense of enclosure, perhaps symbolizing the boundaries within which these figures navigate their lives.
The distant seascape introduces an element of longing or aspiration. The sailboat, small against the vastness of the water, might represent dreams of escape or journeys yet to be undertaken. Overall, the work conveys a poignant portrayal of familial bonds and the quiet dignity of everyday life, set against a backdrop of both constraint and possibility.