#47311 Alexandre De Riquer e Ynglada (1856-1920)

The composition presents a tall, narrow vertical format dominated by a female figure positioned centrally within a stylized landscape. The woman is depicted in profile, her gaze directed towards the upper right corner of the frame. She wears an elaborate gown with flowing sleeves and a high collar adorned with pearls. Her hair, styled in an Art Nouveau fashion, cascades around her shoulders. In her hand, she holds a single iris flower, its stem extending upwards alongside her arm.
The background is rendered as a simplified panorama. A distant castle or fortress sits atop a gentle rise, bathed in the light of what appears to be a full moon. The landscape below is suggested through broad strokes of color and flattened forms, creating an impressionistic effect rather than detailed realism. A word – “POESIA” – is prominently displayed above the structure, suggesting a connection between the scene and poetry or artistic inspiration.
The palette is characterized by muted earth tones – ochres, greens, and browns – accented with touches of pink and cream in the floral elements and the woman’s attire. The use of color contributes to an overall sense of melancholy and introspection.
Here we see a deliberate flattening of perspective, characteristic of decorative art movements. The figure is not integrated into the landscape through traditional depth cues; instead, she appears as a symbolic presence within it. This creates a sense of detachment and emphasizes her role as a representation rather than a portrait.
Subtexts embedded in this work suggest themes of femininity, nature, and artistic creation. The iris flower, often associated with faith, hope, and wisdom, held by the woman could symbolize these qualities or perhaps represent an idealized vision of feminine virtue. The distant castle evokes notions of romance, nostalgia, and a longing for something unattainable. The inclusion of “POESIA” reinforces the idea that this scene is not meant to be taken literally but rather as a visual poem – an evocation of feeling and atmosphere through symbolic imagery. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation and refined elegance.