Tranquilidade 

Julio Resende, a key figure in Portuguese abstract art, created "Tranquilidade" using watercolor. Resende emerged from a generation of artists who, in the mid-20th century, sought to redefine Portuguese identity through modernism, in the face of a long-standing dictatorship. In "Tranquilidade", Resende uses abstraction to explore human relationships. The figures, rendered in flowing washes of color, suggest a space of contemplation and rest. There's an ambiguity in the figures that invites us to consider broader themes of gender, companionship, and the search for inner peace, especially relevant in a society undergoing political and social upheaval. The artwork doesn't adhere to conventional representations but proposes alternative narratives, highlighting the subjective and emotional dimensions of human experience. "Tranquilidade" embodies not only personal solace, but also a form of cultural resistance through its quiet, introspective stance.