#38070 Eduardo Naranjo

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a deceased owl positioned within a metallic tray. The bird lies on its side, its plumage rendered with meticulous detail that highlights both texture and coloration. Its posture suggests a sudden stillness, a moment frozen in time.
A large, rectangular panel rises directly behind the owl, creating a stark vertical element that dominates the upper portion of the frame. This panel appears to be constructed from aged or weathered material, exhibiting signs of wear and discoloration along its edges. The surface is not uniformly colored; subtle gradations suggest exposure to light and environmental factors over an extended period.
The tray itself seems to be made of a similar metallic substance as the panel, displaying a patina that reinforces the sense of age and decay. Shadows cast across the blue-toned background indicate a strong directional light source, likely originating from outside the depicted space. These shadows contribute to the overall atmosphere of quiet contemplation and melancholy.
The artist’s choice of subject matter evokes themes of mortality and fragility. The owl, traditionally associated with wisdom and nocturnal observation, is presented in a state of vulnerability and loss. Its placement within the metallic container suggests confinement or containment, perhaps symbolizing the limitations imposed by existence or the inevitability of death.
The weathered panel and tray introduce an element of history and times passage. They imply that this scene has unfolded within a space marked by its own narrative – a place where natural cycles are observed and perhaps even managed. The overall effect is one of quiet solemnity, prompting reflection on the delicate balance between life and death, knowledge and ignorance, freedom and constraint.