#41651 Carlos Saenz De Tejada

The drawing presents a scene steeped in ambiguity and symbolic weight. A horizontal line divides the composition roughly into two sections: an upper area dominated by dense foliage and a lower section depicting what appears to be submerged forms within water. The overall tonality is dark, achieved through extensive use of charcoal or similar medium, creating a sense of mystery and perhaps even foreboding.
In the upper portion, a large, gnarled tree trunk occupies the left side, its surface rendered with meticulous detail suggesting age and resilience. To the right, a cluster of tall reeds or grasses rises above what is presumably water level. A small, indistinct figure can be discerned near the base of these plants, seemingly positioned at the edge of the water. Above this central grouping, three smaller figures are depicted in flight, their forms sketched with rapid, energetic lines that convey movement and lightness.
The lower section reveals a complex arrangement of shapes beneath the surface of the water. These forms resemble human or animal bodies, though they are distorted and obscured by the murky environment. The artist has employed hatching and cross-hatching to suggest depth and texture within the water, creating an illusion of three-dimensionality. A central figure in this submerged realm appears to be seated or crouching, its posture suggesting either contemplation or vulnerability.
The interplay between light and shadow is crucial to the drawing’s impact. The source of illumination seems to originate from behind the foliage, casting dramatic shadows across both the upper and lower sections. This creates a contrast that emphasizes the separation between the world above and the hidden realm below.
Subtextually, the work appears to explore themes of duality, concealment, and transformation. The distinction between the visible surface and the obscured depths suggests a division between conscious awareness and the unconscious mind. The figures in flight might represent aspirations or fleeting moments of freedom, while those submerged could symbolize repressed emotions or hidden truths. The tree trunk, with its enduring presence, may signify resilience and connection to ancestral roots. Ultimately, the drawing invites contemplation on the complexities of human existence and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of perception.