Coastal Study of a Fishing Village

In Coastal Study of a Fishing Village, Matilla portrays the quiet serenity of a Mediterranean harbor town. The composition is anchored in the foreground by the skeletal curve of a beached boat, sketched with loose, dark lines that suggest the rough texture of the wood and the sand. Across the calm water, a horizontal line of whitewashed buildings hugs the coast, their forms simplified into geometric blocks that catch the light. The background fades into a suggestion of hills or a distant headland.

This specific piece, dated August 28, 1931, offers a glimpse into his sketching process, characterized by rapid, confident strokes that define space and volume without the need for color. Matilla’s style bridges the gap between 19th-century Realism and a softer, atmospheric Impressionism, focusing on the mood of the location.

The artist uses the stark contrast between the black charcoal and the paper to create a shimmering effect, simulating the bright coastal sun reflecting off the water.

Executed in 1931, this drawing belongs to the mature phase of Matilla’s career, created just a few years before his death. It serves as a testament to the “quick note” or apunte del natural tradition, where artists would capture the essence of a scene plein air before the light changed. The setting is likely one of the towns on the Costa Brava (such as Cadaqués or Port de la Selva), regions that Matilla favored and helped popularize in Spanish art.