RICARDO MANZANET MILLÁN (Valencia, 1852 - 1931). "Coastal... Lot 19

RICARDO MANZANET MILLÁN (Valencia, 1852 - 1931). "Coastal landscape with figure". Oil on canvas. Relined. Signed in the lower right corner. Size: 100 x 70 cm; 130 x 100,5 cm (frame). Ricardo Manzanet captures in this painting a subjective nature, of romantic influence. He chooses a day with a cold, twilight and mysterious atmosphere which gives nature a special lyricism. There is a development of spatial depth; the space is perfectly constructed in the foreground, with a light film of water on the sand caused by the sea undertow and a group of imposing rocks. In the foreground Manzanet's brushstrokes are dense and precise, and he builds up the forms on the basis of the rich, varied chromaticism and the subtle, carefully studied changes of light and shade. An outstanding landscape and flower painter, Manzanet trained at the San Carlos School of Fine Arts in his native city and then completed his studies in Barcelona at the Sant Jordi School. Specialising in landscape painting, he also cultivated the portrait genre. He held various exhibitions and took part in artistic competitions and contests such as the Barcelona Fine Arts Exhibition of 1888 and the National Exhibitions in Madrid, in one of which he was awarded the third medal.