#36348 Francisco Mateos

The drawing presents two figures engaged in a peculiar musical performance. They stand close together against a stark black background, which isolates them and emphasizes their unusual appearance. Each figure is draped in what appears to be a dark, enveloping cloak or robe that obscures much of the body’s form, contributing to an overall sense of anonymity and perhaps even confinement.
The most striking feature of these figures are the masks they wear. These are not decorative; rather, they seem functional, resembling primitive respiratory devices with elongated beaks. The eyes visible through the mask openings appear large and somewhat vacant, adding a layer of unsettling detachment to their expressions. Above each mask sprouts a tuft or crest of what appears to be hair or feathers, further contributing to their otherworldly quality.
Each figure holds a brass instrument – a trumpet-like horn – which they are actively playing. The instruments themselves seem disproportionately large in relation to the figures, suggesting perhaps an overwhelming force or burden. The posture of each individual is somewhat awkward and stiff, as if constrained by both their attire and the weight of the instruments.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette reinforces its somber mood. The lack of color contributes to a sense of austerity and timelessness. The artists use of hatching and cross-hatching creates texture and depth, particularly in the rendering of the cloaks and masks.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of isolation, ritual, and perhaps even societal constraint. The masked figures could be interpreted as representatives of a community bound by tradition or burdened by an unseen threat. The act of playing music might symbolize either a form of communication within this isolated group or a desperate attempt to break free from their confinement. The overall impression is one of quiet desperation and the unsettling nature of conformity. The date, 1959, inscribed at the bottom right corner suggests a possible commentary on post-war anxieties and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.