#38091 Eduardo Naranjo

The drawing presents a young boy seated on a simple wooden stool within what appears to be a confined interior space. He is positioned centrally in the composition, facing forward with a direct gaze that conveys a complex mixture of apprehension and defiance. The boys attire – a short-sleeved shirt and shorts – suggests an age somewhere between childhood and adolescence. His legs are crossed at the ankles, and his hands are clasped across his chest, seemingly restrained or held in place by unseen forces.
Behind him, a doorway is visible, framed by aged wooden panels that show signs of wear and discoloration. Emerging from this doorway is a spectral figure – a blurred, almost translucent representation of what seems to be the boy himself, but rendered in a ghostly, ethereal manner. This apparition appears to reach out towards the seated boy with an outstretched hand, as if attempting to grasp or restrain him further. The blurring effect suggests movement and instability, contributing to a sense of unease and psychological tension.
The color palette is dominated by muted earth tones – ochres, browns, and grays – which contribute to the overall somber mood. Light sources are ambiguous; theres an apparent illumination from above and behind the boy, casting shadows that accentuate his features and the texture of the walls. The background wall displays a distressed surface with visible cracks and patches, hinting at decay or neglect.
Subtextually, the drawing seems to explore themes of identity, confinement, and psychological struggle. The presence of the spectral figure suggests an internal conflict – a battle between different aspects of the boys personality or perhaps a manifestation of repressed memories or anxieties. His posture and expression imply a sense of powerlessness, yet his direct gaze hints at underlying resilience. The confined space reinforces the feeling of entrapment, both physical and emotional. The dilapidated state of the room could symbolize a damaged past or a sense of being trapped by circumstance. Overall, the drawing evokes a profound sense of psychological complexity and invites contemplation on the nature of selfhood and the burdens of memory.