Gerardo Lizarraga

GERARDO LIZARRAGA ISTÚRIZ (Pamplona, 1905 - Mexico City, 1982).
"Still life".
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 80 x 135 cm; 100 x 154 cm (frame).
This painting by Gerardo Lizarraga is an elegant still life that celebrates the ephemeral beauty of flowers. The composition shows an arrangement of roses and other delicate flowers in an intimate setting, carefully illuminated to highlight textures, colors and shapes. On the left, a green glass vase holds roses in soft pink tones, while on the right, a wicker basket holds yellow flowers and a background of blue hydrangeas that add depth and chromatic contrast.
The fallen petals scattered over the surface add a touch of realism and dynamism to the scene, suggesting the passage of time and the fragility of nature. The dark, blurred background creates a strong contrast with the illuminated flowers, directing the viewer's eye to the delicate details and vibrant color palette, which ranges from pastels to deeper shades. Lizarraga uses loose but precise brushstrokes, evoking a sense of spontaneity and life throughout.
Still life, also known as still life, has been a key genre in the history of art since the Renaissance. It depicts everyday objects - such as food, flowers or utensils - to explore themes such as transience, beauty in the ordinary and the artist's technical mastery. This genre allows not only to demonstrate pictorial skills, such as the handling of light and texture, but also to reflect on philosophical concepts, such as the fragility of life or the passage of time, embodied in seemingly simple details. In this case, Lizarraga updates the still life tradition with a modern sensibility, showing how this genre is still relevant as a means to connect the everyday with the sublime.