Quayside in San Sebastian

Gassis y Minondo was a soldier by profession, but as an artist he showed a delicate sensitivity for landscape painting. This oil painting shows the influence of the two artists with whom he worked most closely during his apprenticeship. Although the vaporous imprecision of the sea is reminiscent of Alejandrino Irureta, the way the other planes have been constructed using a preciostic brush stroke and the strongly-lit landscape also show the teaching of Martín Rico. Indeed, clear parallels can be seen between the blue of the sky and both painters' views of Venice.

Gassis depicts the bustle of the port at San Sebastian outside the Sea Gate which formerly led through the city walls. In the background are the symmetrical towers of the Basilica of Santa María del Coro. The perspective has been forced slightly to make them stand out.

Mikel Lertxundi Galiana

Inventory number: STM-000227-001