Ricard Opisso — The Sailor and the Young Woman, twentieth century — Hand-coloured print on paper

A couple occupies this small composition by Ricard Opisso i Sala (1880–1966), a prominent figure in twentieth-century Catalan drawing and illustration. On the left, a sailor in white looks to one side. Beside him leans a young woman in bright pink and pale green, with a relaxed pose.

The woman’s clothing recalls dancers and variety performers and gives the scene a theatrical, festive character. Her intense colours contrast with the sailor’s white uniform. The work is a hand-coloured graphic print: pigments applied over a printed image combine graphic precision with expressive colour.

Opisso and the world of entertainment

Born in Tarragona in 1880, Opisso developed much of his career in Barcelona. As a young artist he was associated with the Modernista circle of Els Quatre Gats. He worked in drawing, caricature and illustration for numerous Spanish and French publications. Streets, cafés, gatherings, performances and urban characters recur throughout his work, often combining social observation, humour and attention to gesture.

The figures and the hand colouring

The sailor’s broad trousers, pale shirt and cap contrast with the young woman’s inclined posture, forward leg and colourful dress. Steps below and vertical surfaces behind give a simple spatial structure. Dark printed lines define the main elements; hand-applied water-based colours add transparent washes and denser passages. Blue in the background, pale green in the dress and pink in the sleeves, stockings and face are particularly visible. The reproduced signature “opisso” is integrated into the lower right of the graphic composition.

A dedication dated 1978

The reverse carries a later handwritten ballpoint dedication dated 3 March 1978, expressing affection and companionship. It records a detail of this impression’s history.

Technical details

• Artist of the composition: Ricard Opisso i Sala (Tarragona, 1880 – Barcelona, 1966).
• Title: The Sailor and the Young Woman (descriptive title).
• Period: Twentieth century.
• Technique: Graphic print hand-coloured with water-based pigments, principally watercolour and possible touches of gouache.
• Support: Paper.
• Dimensions: 17.5 × 12.5 cm.
• Signature: “opisso”, reproduced in the lower right of the composition.
• Inscriptions: Handwritten ballpoint dedication on the reverse, dated 3 March 1978.
• Genre: Illustration of everyday life / Festive scene.
• Condition: Good overall condition, with slight age-toning of the paper and small signs of use.

The Taller Note

The print combines Opisso’s drawing with colour applied by hand. Pink and green in the young woman’s clothing contrast with the sailor’s white uniform and emphasise the festive character. Variations in the colouring distinguish this impression; the 1978 dedication on the reverse adds a detail of its material history.