Salobreña (1980) Peinture par Rafael Duran Benet

Title: Salobreña
Artist: Rafael Duran Benet (Terrassa, 1931 – Barcelona, 2015)
Technique: Oil on canvas board
Dimensions: 13 x 16.1 in
Support: Canvas board, unframed
Signature: Signed “R. Duran” in the lower right corner
Inscriptions: Handwritten on the back: Salobreña / R. Duran
Provenance: Private collection
Estimated date: 1970s–1980s

Work Description
This oil painting on canvas board depicts a vibrant and sunlit view of the Andalusian town of Salobreña, located on the coast of Granada. The composition is distinctly Mediterranean, with whitewashed buildings nestled among tropical vegetation, tall palm trees, and blooming flowers in the foreground. The sea appears in the background, rendered with loose brushstrokes that evoke movement and atmosphere. The artist’s mature style is evident in the dynamic use of color and his expressive, free-flowing brushwork. It is a characteristic example of Duran Benet’s ability to capture the spirit and warmth of the Spanish landscape.

Artist Biography
Rafael Duran Benet was born in Terrassa (Barcelona province) in 1931 and died in Barcelona in 2015. He came from an artistic family—his mother was the sister of painter and art critic Rafael Benet, and the niece of painter Joaquim Vancells. He received informal training from his uncle and the sculptor Manolo Hugué, both of whom deeply influenced his understanding of color and form.

During the 1950s, he settled in Cadaqués, a coastal village that inspired much of his work. There, he established connections with key figures of the international avant-garde, such as Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, and Pablo Picasso.

Duran Benet held his first solo exhibition in 1958 at Sala Vayreda in Barcelona. Throughout his career, he presented over thirty solo exhibitions, especially in Barcelona, Madrid, and Cadaqués, and he maintained a long-standing relationship with the historic Sala Parés gallery. His style, rooted in post-impressionism, focused primarily on landscapes, seascapes, and still lifes, characterized by bold colors, vibrant light, and confident brushwork.

In 2011, the city of Terrassa honored him with a major retrospective at the Sala Muncunill. His works are held in numerous private collections and frequently appear in Spanish art auctions.