#45828 Antonio Bueno

The composition presents two figures set against a backdrop of stylized blue sky punctuated with cloud-like forms. A young boy, positioned on the left side of the frame, is rendered in profile and wears a military uniform – specifically, a yellow jacket and a dark peaked cap. His gaze is directed towards the woman seated to his right.
The woman occupies the majority of the right portion of the canvas. She is depicted in a three-quarter pose, her face turned slightly toward the boy. Her attire consists of a black dress with a high neckline, complemented by a vibrant red shawl draped over her shoulders and a string of pearls around her neck. Notably, she possesses an unusual number of eyes – six are visible, arranged symmetrically on either side of her face. She is actively engaged in writing with a pen upon a sheet of paper resting on a table that stretches across the lower portion of the image.
The table itself serves as a horizontal plane connecting the two figures and is cluttered with various objects: pencils, erasers, and loose sheets of paper. The lighting appears diffuse, casting soft shadows and contributing to an overall sense of stillness.
Several subtexts emerge from this peculiar arrangement. The juxtaposition of the uniformed boy and the woman with her multiple eyes suggests a commentary on power dynamics or perhaps surveillance. The act of writing performed by the woman could symbolize documentation, record-keeping, or even creation – a process being observed by the young soldier. The unusual number of eyes introduces an element of surrealism and invites interpretation regarding perception, knowledge, or the unsettling nature of observation itself. The bright yellow uniform contrasts sharply with the darker tones of the other elements, potentially highlighting the boy’s role as a figure of authority or scrutiny. Ultimately, the painting evokes a feeling of unease and prompts questions about the relationship between these figures and the context in which they exist.