Artist: Marisa Mallol (Spanish, b. 1942)
Title: Seated Ballerina by the Window
Medium: Oil on canvas
Edition: Original artwork
Artwork Dimensions: 19cm x 29cm (7.5" x 11.5")
Frame Dimensions: 38cm x 47cm (15" x 18"
Condition: Good; clean canvas and vibrant surface. Ornate gilt frame with only light, age‑appropriate wear.
Gallery Price: Circa £1,100
About the artwork
A beautifully observed moment of quiet preparation, this intimate study shows a young ballerina seated on a wooden box as she adjusts the ribbons of her pointe shoes. Soft daylight pours in from a tall window to the right, illuminating the delicate tulle of her white dress and casting gentle shadows across the wooden floor. The atmosphere is calm, reflective and deeply human—capturing the private ritual that precedes the grace of performance.
Mallol’s refined realist technique is evident throughout: the subtle modelling of the dancer’s posture, the warm tonal palette, and the careful balance of light and shadow. The composition is thoughtfully arranged, with the verticals of the window offsetting the soft curve of the dancer’s back, while the diagonal of her extended leg leads the eye gently through the scene. It is a tender and contemplative work, rich in atmosphere and emotional stillness.
About the Artist
Marisa Mallol (born 1942, Alcoy, Spain) is a celebrated Spanish realist painter known for her elegant figurative works and exquisitely detailed still lifes. Trained at the Escuela de Artes y Oficios in Alcoy from the age of thirteen, she later studied under respected regional artists including Daniel Pastor and Mario Candela. Her work is held in private and public collections internationally, and she is particularly admired for her sensitive portrayals of dancers—capturing poise, introspection and the quiet rituals of the studio.
