#11547 Remedios Varo

The composition presents a striking and unsettling figure against a stark, dark background that fades into near-blackness at the top and bottom edges. The central element is a humanoid form rendered in muted earth tones – ochre, beige, and brown – that appear almost fossilized or mineralized. This figure’s posture is frontal and symmetrical, yet profoundly unnatural.
The upper portion of the body displays features reminiscent of a human face, though stylized to an unsettling degree. The eyes are large, intensely blue, and possess an unnerving directness. Above this facial area sprout elaborate, horn-like structures that curve outwards and upwards, resembling both organic growth and architectural elements. These protrusions disrupt any sense of conventional beauty or harmony.
Below the head, the body transitions into a form strongly evocative of anatomical representations – specifically, lungs. The lobes are meticulously detailed with intricate patterns suggesting vascular networks. This biological imagery is further emphasized by the depiction of breasts, positioned centrally within this lower section. A vertical fissure bisects the figure from head to toe, creating a sense of division and fragmentation.
The overall effect is one of profound ambiguity. The combination of human-like features with anatomical detail and mineralized texture suggests themes of transformation, decay, or perhaps a merging of organic and inorganic matter. The dark background contributes to an atmosphere of mystery and isolation, while the intense gaze of the figure’s eyes creates a palpable sense of confrontation.
Subtexts within this work seem to explore ideas surrounding mortality, the fragility of the human form, and the potential for metamorphosis – a blurring of boundaries between life and death, humanity and nature. The symmetry, while initially suggesting order, ultimately reinforces the unsettling quality of the figure, hinting at a distorted or unnatural state of being.