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Jesus Villar
Maternity oil on canvas painting

c.1980

About the Item

Title: Maternity Artist: Jesús Villar (1930–2015) Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 14.96 x 18.11 in Framing: Unframed Signature: Signed lower right: JVillar Date: Circa 1980s Condition: Good. Rich impasto with visible texture. Original canvas on stretcher. 🖌️ Artistic Description In Maternity, Jesús Villar presents an intimate and emotional scene in which a mother and child embrace tenderly. The composition is charged with symbolism and emotional gravity, evoking themes of protection, unity, and quiet dignity within a modest, rustic context. The figures' faces are elongated and solemn, rendered in a style that borders on social expressionism. Their large, sculpted hands emphasize the hardworking nature and strength of the characters. Fruits—most likely oranges—appear beside them, symbolizing fertility, nourishment, and the continuity of life. Villar employs a Mediterranean palette dominated by earthy reds, greens, and ochres, applied with both brush and palette knife. The textured surface enhances the physicality of the painting, while the interplay of light and shadow creates a serene, almost sacred atmosphere. 👤 Artist Biography Jesús Villar (1930–2015) was a Spanish painter born in Segura de la Sierra (Jaén). His work is deeply rooted in rural life, depicting what he called the “universal peasant” — human figures that could belong to any Mediterranean village. He lived and worked across various regions of Spain, including Castilla, Andalusia, La Mancha, Santander, and the Basque Country, as well as in Italy, Switzerland, and Venezuela, experiences that enriched his artistic language. Villar exhibited widely, both in national events like the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid and internationally in cities such as Rome, Milan, Biarritz, Oslo, and New York. His paintings are sought after in auctions, with sales reaching up to $3,677 USD, notably with his piece El almuerzo sold at Ansorena in 2022. Villar’s use of light, color, and expressive form makes his work a lasting contribution to postwar Spanish painting. 🧩 Comparable Artists Jesús Villar’s art shares affinities with several renowned artists: José Gutiérrez Solana – for his expressive distortion and psychological depth Ignacio Zuloaga – for the exaltation of traditional Spanish life Benito Prieto Coussent – for symbolic portrayals of rural life José Ortega Muñoz – for poetic austerity and minimalist landscapes Manuel Viola – for emotional and material density of color
  • Creator:
    Jesus Villar (1930)
  • Creation Year:
    c.1980
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)Width: 14.97 in (38 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Barcelona, ES
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1155216089092

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