José, 85 Years Old

Soledad Burgaleta maps the natural cycle of human aging onto a found object in this mixed-media portrait. Drawn directly across the spread of an antique Spanish book, the intricate ink linework captures the deeply weathered features of an older woman. The printed text remains visible beneath her skin, acting as a structured environment that the organic lines of the face have reclaimed. Subtle touches of red and blue wash add a delicate visual balance to the heavy, resilient wrinkles. By merging portraiture with an abandoned artifact, Burgaleta connects the physical toll of a long life with her broader meditations on time, survival, and natural rhythms.