CAHVWM5S Aureliano De Beruete y Moret

The painting presents a scene dominated by water and reflected light, creating a sense of immersive atmosphere. The lower portion is almost entirely occupied by the surface of a body of water, its texture rendered through short, broken brushstrokes that convey movement and shimmering reflections. These reflections are not merely copies of what lies above; they are transformed by the water’s surface into an abstract pattern of color and light.
Above the waterline, a structure is visible – likely a bridge or viaduct – painted in warm tones of red and orange. The architecture appears somewhat indistinct, its details softened by distance and atmospheric perspective. Tall grasses or reeds flank the structure on either side, adding verticality to the composition and contributing to the overall sense of depth.
The color palette is intensely saturated, with a prevalence of reds, oranges, yellows, and blues. These hues are not blended smoothly but rather juxtaposed in short strokes, creating a vibrant, almost pulsating effect. The artist seems less concerned with precise representation than with capturing the fleeting qualities of light and its interaction with water and architecture.
The composition is structured around horizontal lines – the waterline itself, the horizon line where the structure sits, and the dark band at the top of the canvas. These lines provide a framework for the swirling patterns of color and reflection below. The cropped edge on the left side introduces an element of asymmetry and directs the viewers eye into the scene.
Subtly, there is a feeling of transience embedded within the work. The water’s movement, the indistinctness of the structure, and the fleeting nature of light all contribute to this sense of impermanence. It suggests a moment captured – a specific time of day and weather conditions – that will inevitably shift and change. The painting evokes not just a visual experience but also an emotional one, prompting contemplation on the ephemeral qualities of perception and reality.