Paz Arés Osset, the Artist

Ávila from "el Puente"

"Ávila from 'el Puente': A timeless journey through art, memory, and the enduring spirit of Ávila."
Amazing
  • Technique: Oil on Canvas.
  • Size: 60x50 cm
  • Creation Place: Ávila
  • Current Location: Private Collection Madrid

Description

Sometimes, art manages to encapsulate not just a landscape but also a story, a culture, and indeed, an entire life. In "Ávila from 'el Puente'," María Paz Arés Osset achieves this rare and elevated level of expression. This is a work that breathes, that speaks, and in its silent power, sings the melodies of multiple layers of existence.

The oil on canvas piece immerses us in the walls of Ávila, those iconic stone bastions that speak of resistance and the Reconquest of Castile. The artist, who lived and worked in Ávila, brings a sense of intimacy to the painting, as if each stone and each rose bush painted were echoes of personal memories. The detailed representation of the landscape is enriched by her life experience: years of teaching, family memories at the "el Puente" estate, and life in the microcosm of this medieval city. Tragedy and fate intertwine in the visual tapestry: the estate buildings and a flour factory, both destroyed by fires at different times, capture fleeting moments of history in their eternal oil. The choice of perspective, from a hill called "la peña", adds a heightened dimension to the painting, as if the artist had positioned herself in a timeless space, from where she could observe the turns of destiny's wheel.

Built in a realistic and detailed style, every element in the painting, from the tiles of the estate to the Adaja River flowing in shades of green, is a character in this visual narrative. The staircase descending from the Rastro promenade and the rooftops of the mansion adjacent to the church of Santa Teresa de Jesús are not mere architectural details; they are, rather, signs and symbols that speak of the past and present, of mysticism and mundane life.

This painting is, ultimately, a work of elements: the fire that consumed, the water that flows, the wood of the rose bushes, the metal of the family patio, and the palpable air in the blue sky with clouds. The conjunction of these elements, with their load of symbolism, is a preview of the artistic and mystical trajectory that Paz Arés Osset would later embrace, especially in her affinity with Santa Teresa de Jesús, another illustrious daughter of Ávila.

To this beautiful fabric of fleeting elements is added a unique feature: the painting bears a tear, a scar on its canvas, made by the artist's son when he was just five years old. This "accident" would, under any other circumstance, be damage that would decrease the value of the work. However, here it becomes an additional, albeit unintentional, brushstroke that adds an extra dimension of meaning. This tear becomes yet another testimony to the fragility and ephemerality of all things, life itself captured in an instant and then changed, damaged, and eventually destroyed.

It is this damaged yet powerfully resonant aspect that gives the painting a type of life and dialogue that goes beyond mere looking. It compels us to confront the inevitability of change, destruction, and, ultimately, renewal, even in the eternizing act that is art.

"Ávila from 'el Puente'" is not just a painting; it is a biography, a chronicle, a treatise on the ephemeral nature of life and the permanence of art. It is a silent scream that defies destruction and disappearance, a testimony that, in the union of painting and memory, lies immortality.

This work is a gem in the artistic canon, not only of María Paz Arés Osset but of contemporary Spanish painting as a whole. It is a canvas where ephemerality and eternity meet, confront each other, and finally embrace in a sublime dance of colors, textures, and emotions.

Observing "Ávila from 'el Puente'" acquires a new dimension that reinforces previous impressions. The texture of the painting is palpable; one can almost feel the roughness of the walls and the softness of the sky. Light plays a crucial role, highlighting the contrast between deep shadows and warm glows, bringing the canvas to life and emphasizing the duality between the permanence of the walls and the ephemeral light of day.

The color palette is rich and earthy, reflecting the historical architecture and the land of Castile, with touches of green suggesting the vital presence of the Adaja River. The representation of the clouds in the sky is particularly notable; they seem to float lightly over the landscape, adding a sense of movement and transitoriness to the painting.

The composition of the painting directs the gaze across the red roofs towards the imposing walls, guiding the viewer to visually traverse the history and culture encapsulated in the work. Furthermore, the inclusion of natural and constructed elements in harmony underscores a deep connection with the place, suggesting a dialogue between man and nature that has endured through the centuries.

Finally, the tear adds a layer of authenticity and humanity to the work. This involuntary imperfection becomes part of the narrative of the painting, symbolizing the imperfect beauty of life and art. The work, therefore, not only captures a moment in time but also reflects personal history and the impact of time and events on objects and memories.