Quesada Cemetery 

Rafael Zabaleta captured Quesada Cemetery using watercolor, showcasing a landscape where life and death converge. The composition strikes a poignant balance. Notice how the stark, linear forms of the cemetery walls and grave markers contrast with the fluid, organic shapes of the mountains. The palette is dominated by earth tones, reflecting the arid environment, yet Zabaleta introduces touches of green to hint at resilience and life. Zabaleta uses form to disrupt the traditional landscape genre. The cemetery, usually a place of somber reflection, is integrated into a panoramic view. This integration challenges conventional symbols and invites contemplation on existence, where mortality is but one element in a complex composition. Ultimately, the painting encourages us to reflect on themes of life and death.