The artwork titled “Abandonment,” created by Paul Delvaux in 1964, is an oil painting on canvas. Noted as part of the genre painting genre and belonging to the Surrealism art movement, the piece measures 140 by 160 centimeters.
The artwork presents a surreal and enigmatic scene set in an opulent interior featuring a vaulted ceiling with intricate designs and exposed light bulbs. Central to the composition is a nude female figure lying on the floor, seemingly abandoned, surrounded by three other women—two of whom are also unclothed and one partially clothed—each characterized by an expression of indifference or contemplation. To the rear of the scene stands a solitary male figure, gazing out at a landscape visible through large open windows, which hints at a serene lakeside or coastal view with mountains silhouetted against the twilight sky. The juxtaposition of the intimate indoor setting with the expansive outdoor vista, combined with the curious placement and demeanor of the figures, evokes a dreamlike and mysterious atmosphere typical of Surrealist art.
