#23913 Juan Fernandez Bejar

The composition presents a central figure, a young boy, positioned within a stylized landscape. He is depicted holding a butterfly net, his posture suggesting a moment of observation or pursuit. The childs attire is peculiar: he wears what appears to be an elaborate jacket with decorative stitching and a prominent red sash around the waist, paired with striped stockings and dark shoes. His facial expression is somewhat solemn, bordering on melancholic, which contrasts with the playful activity implied by the net.
The setting itself is equally unusual. The ground is covered in large, stylized leaves, punctuated by oversized, pear-shaped objects that resemble fruit or vegetables. A single tree stands to the right of the boy, its foliage rendered as a dense cluster of rounded shapes. The background is a flat, neutral tone, devoid of depth and contributing to the painting’s overall sense of artificiality. Two butterflies are visible amongst the leaves, one near the boys feet and another further away.
The work evokes a dreamlike quality through its exaggerated proportions and flattened perspective. The child’s size relative to the foliage creates an unsettling scale, while the simplified forms and lack of realistic shading contribute to a sense of unreality.
Subtextually, the painting might explore themes of childhood innocence juxtaposed with a feeling of isolation or constraint. The boys formal attire suggests societal expectations or a prescribed role, which is at odds with the carefree activity of butterfly catching. The oversized foliage and strange objects could symbolize an overwhelming environment or a distorted perception of reality. The butterflies themselves may represent fleeting beauty or the pursuit of something unattainable. Overall, the painting conveys a sense of quiet introspection and a subtle questioning of established norms through its peculiar combination of elements.