Seated Woman Offering Fruit – Oil Painting by Antonio Riba (1946)

A striking 1946 oil on canvas by Spanish artist Antonio Riba (1886–1954), this evocative piece portrays a half-nude seated woman in a dark skirt, headscarf, and golden hoop earring offering a platter of fruit. The pose is intimate and symbolic, echoing the visual language of Orientalist painting, where exoticism and classical form blend to explore themes of hospitality, femininity, and cultural mystique. The soft background and earthy palette place the figure at the forefront, inviting the viewer into a timeless, sensual moment.

Subject

Orientalist figure study — a bare-chested woman wearing a headscarf and hoop earrings, seated and holding a plate of fruit in a gesture of offering. The composition draws on exoticized depictions of Middle Eastern or North African women, common in Orientalist art.

Movement Associated

Orientalism / Spanish Figurative Realism
This work belongs stylistically to Orientalism, a genre popular in 19th and early 20th-century European art, and also shows elements of classical realism and Mediterranean figurative traditions, with attention to form, gesture, and cultural symbolism.

Artist Details 

Antonio Riba (1886–1954) was a Spanish painter active in the early to mid-20th century, known for his depictions of Mediterranean life, genre scenes, and female portraits. His work captures warmth, cultural identity, and classical elegance. While not as widely known internationally, his works are sought after by collectors of regional Spanish art and mid-century realist painting.

Frame Condition

The painting is housed in a simple, vintage wood frame with a gold finish.
Condition: Minor wear consistent with age, with light edge abrasions and patina. Structurally sound and complements the artwork’s warmth and historical character.