Juan de la Rica is a Spanish painter whose work, although seemingly far removed from formal innovation, continues to surprise and captivate us with each of his representations. His style, close to the pop universe of artists such as Alex Katz and David Hockney, is a breath of fresh air: both light and profound. The protagonists of his paintings—whether human figures, animals, gods, or landscapes—are imbued with a remarkable depth, accentuated by his masterful use of colour and precision in drawing. However, this introspection coexists with the superficiality inherent in pop art and with a subtle irony that permeates all his work.

In an interview for Sirocomag, De la Rica reflects on the importance of drawing as an element that enhances painting. He clarifies that the recurring themes in his work, present throughout art history, do not seek to transcend their superficial treatment, although he admits that they can be reinterpreted in novel ways. The melancholy that emanates from his works is also due to his intuitive use of light and shadow, which, far from seeking strict realism, responds to his pictorial instinct. This contradiction remains present in his vision: despite the complexity with which he approaches painting, he does not renounce the irony that characterises his figures.