CUTTLEFISH WITH PEAS
2023, 70x120cm, Bright oil on canvas
Reproduction of a seabed, inspired by the maritime location in Spain, where the painter spent the last years of his life, in Costa Brava.
“Cuttlefish with Peas” is a work of art from 2024, depicting a vibrant Mediterranean seabed, rich in life and color. At the center of the composition swims a golden-toned sea turtle, which seems to float gracefully between the two groups of elements that make up the seabed. On the sides stand colorful coral formations, populated by numerous marine species: tropical fish with vivid colors (including clownfish with characteristic white and orange stripes), a green seahorse, and a red octopus whose tentacles extend sinuously among the corals. There are also shells of different shapes, including a large open shell similar to a giant bivalve mollusk. A squid or cuttlefish with peas, with light tones, swims in the lower part, while small yellow fish and tropical fish of various shapes populate the aquatic space. Above, the blurred silhouettes of some dolphins swimming in the distance can be glimpsed. A pink seahorse and a starfish complete this rich representation of marine biodiversity.
Painting technique:
The work is created on canvas with bright oil color, characterized by a vivid palette that favors blue tones for the aquatic background, contrasted by the warm and brilliant colors of the marine fauna and flora. The artist has worked with fluid brushstrokes to render the aquatic environment, creating a gradation of blue that suggests the depth and movement of water. The marine subjects are painted with greater definition and chromatic richness, with a skillful use of lights and shadows that gives three-dimensionality to the elements.
Symbolic elements or hidden meanings:
The title “Cuttlefish with Peas” creates an interesting contrast with the represented image. The gastronomic reference in the title (cuttlefish with peas is a typical dish of Mediterranean cuisine) confronts the vivid and vital representation of marine creatures in their natural habitat, suggesting a reflection on the relationship between man and the sea, between the beauty of nature and its use as a food resource.
The Costa Brava mentioned as a source of inspiration represents a personal connection of the artist with this stretch of Spanish coast, transforming the work into a sort of homage to the memories and experiences lived in that place. The turtle at the center symbolizes longevity and wisdom, an element that navigates calmly between the two worlds represented by the coral formations. The tentacles of the octopus that extend in different directions could represent the bonds that the artist maintains with different aspects of his life, while the dolphins in the distance could symbolize freedom and lightness.
Conclusion:
“Cuttlefish with Peas” presents itself as a vibrant celebration of Mediterranean marine life, particularly that of the Spanish Costa Brava, which deeply inspired the artist. The work manages to capture the magic of a rich and varied ecosystem through a detailed and colorful representation that invites the observer to immerse themselves in this underwater world. The contrast between the gastronomic title and the representation of marine life in its natural beauty creates a space for reflection on the relationship between humans and the marine environment. The balanced composition, chromatic richness, and attention to detail make this work a fascinating tribute to the sea and its creatures, at the same time reflecting the personal experience of the artist and his emotional connection with the Spanish coast that was the backdrop to the last years of his life.
Reproduction of a seabed, inspired by the maritime location in Spain, where the painter spent the last years of his life, in Costa Brava.
“Cuttlefish with Peas” is a work of art from 2024, depicting a vibrant Mediterranean seabed, rich in life and color. At the center of the composition swims a golden-toned sea turtle, which seems to float gracefully between the two groups of elements that make up the seabed. On the sides stand colorful coral formations, populated by numerous marine species: tropical fish with vivid colors (including clownfish with characteristic white and orange stripes), a green seahorse, and a red octopus whose tentacles extend sinuously among the corals. There are also shells of different shapes, including a large open shell similar to a giant bivalve mollusk. A squid or cuttlefish with peas, with light tones, swims in the lower part, while small yellow fish and tropical fish of various shapes populate the aquatic space. Above, the blurred silhouettes of some dolphins swimming in the distance can be glimpsed. A pink seahorse and a starfish complete this rich representation of marine biodiversity.
Painting technique:
The work is created on canvas with bright oil color, characterized by a vivid palette that favors blue tones for the aquatic background, contrasted by the warm and brilliant colors of the marine fauna and flora. The artist has worked with fluid brushstrokes to render the aquatic environment, creating a gradation of blue that suggests the depth and movement of water. The marine subjects are painted with greater definition and chromatic richness, with a skillful use of lights and shadows that gives three-dimensionality to the elements.
Symbolic elements or hidden meanings:
The title “Cuttlefish with Peas” creates an interesting contrast with the represented image. The gastronomic reference in the title (cuttlefish with peas is a typical dish of Mediterranean cuisine) confronts the vivid and vital representation of marine creatures in their natural habitat, suggesting a reflection on the relationship between man and the sea, between the beauty of nature and its use as a food resource.
The Costa Brava mentioned as a source of inspiration represents a personal connection of the artist with this stretch of Spanish coast, transforming the work into a sort of homage to the memories and experiences lived in that place. The turtle at the center symbolizes longevity and wisdom, an element that navigates calmly between the two worlds represented by the coral formations. The tentacles of the octopus that extend in different directions could represent the bonds that the artist maintains with different aspects of his life, while the dolphins in the distance could symbolize freedom and lightness.
Conclusion:
“Cuttlefish with Peas” presents itself as a vibrant celebration of Mediterranean marine life, particularly that of the Spanish Costa Brava, which deeply inspired the artist. The work manages to capture the magic of a rich and varied ecosystem through a detailed and colorful representation that invites the observer to immerse themselves in this underwater world. The contrast between the gastronomic title and the representation of marine life in its natural beauty creates a space for reflection on the relationship between humans and the marine environment. The balanced composition, chromatic richness, and attention to detail make this work a fascinating tribute to the sea and its creatures, at the same time reflecting the personal experience of the artist and his emotional connection with the Spanish coast that was the backdrop to the last years of his life.