Gondolas in Venice (Góndolas en Venecia)
Painting on canvas • Daniel Vázquez Díaz (Spanish, 1881–1969)
Style & Movement
Spanish Post-Cubic Realism / Modernism. The work displays the artist's signature 'planismo' style, which simplifies forms into geometric planes while maintaining figurative readability.
Medium & Technique
Oil and mixed media on canvas using a combination of palette knife application, impasto, and thin glazing to create atmospheric depth and texture.
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1940-1955)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 60 cm (landscape format), excluding frame.
Subject Description
The composition features two gondolas moored to wooden poles (bricole) in the Venetian lagoon. The background suggests the misty, ethereal silhouette of Venetian architecture. The palette is dominated by cool blues, whites, and greys, contrasted by the vertical red-brown accents of the poles, creating a rhythmic, rhythmic verticality.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paint film appears stable, though there is visible surface grime and some yellowing of the varnish layer consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$8,000 - $12,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$6,000 - $9,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a Spanish gallery or private collection in the mid-to-late 20th century. A signature is visible in the lower right corner ('Vázquez Díaz').
Art Historical Significance
Vázquez Díaz was a pivotal figure in Spanish modern art, bridging the gap between his time in Paris with Picasso and the development of modern Spanish painting. This work represents his mature period where he applied his structural, geometric approach to classic European landscapes, demonstrating his unique 'Spanish Cubism' that influenced a generation of later artists like Salvador Dalí.
Notable Features
Features the artist's distinctive signature in the lower right quadrant. The work is housed in a heavy, Neo-Baroque gilded frame which was popular for his works sold in the Spanish market during the 1950s.
Condition Issues
Minor fine craquelure in the thicker impasto areas of the white paint; surface accumulation of dust; slight oxidation of the ornate gilded frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light varnish refresh are recommended. The work should be kept in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
Daniel Vazquez Diaz (1881-1969)