David Mercadé Recasens — Church with bell tower and square — 20th century — Watercolor on paper

Original watercolor on paper signed by David Mercadé Recasens (1900–1970), depicting a church of traditional Catalan architecture, dominated by a slender bell tower with a clock and a facade in shades of pink and ochre.

The composition is organized in a vertical format, accentuating the height of the tower and its presence over the urban ensemble. The bell tower features an open upper section for bells and a decorative crown that silhouettes against the blue sky.

The church facade incorporates a large circular oculus and an arched doorway, while a street with residential balconies unfolds to the left. Several figures positioned in front of the entrance and two cars in the foreground introduce a sense of daily life to the scene.

The execution combines transparent washes with more defined brushstrokes, especially in the bell tower and architectural elements. The palette is characterized by the harmony between the luminous blues of the sky, the ochres and pinks of the buildings, and the grayish shadows on the pavement.

The result is a spontaneous urban composition that captures both the religious architecture and the everyday atmosphere of a mid-20th-century Catalan town.

Technical Sheet

• Author: David Mercadé Recasens (Barcelona, 1900–1970).

• Descriptive Title: Church with bell tower and square.

• Period: Mid-20th century.

• Technique: Watercolor on paper.

• Dimensions: 40 × 16 cm, vertical format.

• Signature: David Mercadé, in the lower left area.

• Condition: Paper with slight oxidation and signs of age along the margins, in addition to minor surface irregularities.

Workshop Note

A particularly attractive watercolor due to the monumentality of the bell tower and its chromatic treatment. Mercadé manages to balance the verticality of the architecture with the presence of small figures and vehicles, offering an image that combines urban landscape, religious heritage, and the memory of daily life.