Julio Quesada Guilabert — Portrait of a Gentleman — Watercolor on paper (1961)

A male portrait in watercolour on paper by Julio Quesada Guilabert (Madrid, 1918–2009), signed and dated 1961. The work depicts a gentleman wearing a shirt and tie, whose face is the focus of the composition. His expression and the nuances of his gaze stand out against a more freely painted background.

Transparent washes, overlapping colours and areas of untouched paper define the features through a palette of ochres, pinks, blues and violet tones. The looser handling of the clothing contrasts with the close observation of the face. This difference in execution gives the composition freshness while retaining the sitter’s presence.

Julio Quesada Guilabert: watercolour and portraiture

Born in Madrid in 1918, Julio Quesada Guilabert studied at the School of Arts and Crafts and the School of Ceramics in Madrid. He developed a long career devoted particularly to watercolour, with portraits and landscapes prominent in his work. He exhibited in numerous Spanish cities and abroad. His connection with Crevillent, his family’s place of origin, is reflected in the Museo Pintor Julio Quesada, which preserves and shares his work.

Technical details

• Artist: Julio Quesada Guilabert (Madrid, 1918–2009).
• Descriptive title: Portrait of a Gentleman.
• Date: 1961.
• Technique and support: watercolour on paper.
• Artwork dimensions: 43.5 × 31 cm.
• Signature and inscriptions: signed “Quesada” and dated “61” in the lower right corner, according to the work’s recorded details.
• Condition: good overall appearance in the available photographs; please enquire for further details.

The Taller Note

A portrait that reveals a characteristic aspect of Quesada’s work: conveying character through colour, light and the transparency of watercolour. The date of 1961 places the work within an active period of the artist’s career. Its interest lies both in the handling of the face and in the spontaneity of the areas that are only lightly suggested.