In this 1978 work, Joan Barbarà invites us into a monumental Mallorcan interior, specifically the Palacio de Alfàbia, an emblematic estate located in Bunyola. The scene depicts the transitional space between architecture and nature: a wide covered hall leading toward a luminous vegetal background.
The handling of perspective is one of the major compositional achievements of this piece. The central vanishing point draws the viewer’s gaze toward the exterior light, creating a contrast with the interior shadow, where traditional architecture, noble furniture, and decorative details evoke a space imbued with history and serenity.
Barbarà employs an earthy, sober palette for the interior, powerfully interrupted by the vivid greens of the garden in the background, producing a striking scenographic and emotional effect. This contrast emphasizes the duality between introspection and openness, tradition and vital impulse.
The details are executed with material precision—especially the textured walls and brick floors—while the vegetal elements introduce a naturalistic dynamism that balances the rigidity of the architectural space.
The 2025 restamerization by Virgili Barbarà has restored the vigor of the mural textures and the exterior garden colors, fully respecting the original imprint of the artist.
This work is a masterful example of Joan Barbarà’s lyrical and contemplative approach to inhabited spaces, showcasing his ability to capture Mediterranean atmosphere with great sensitivity.