The artwork, titled “Astronomers,” was created by Paul Delvaux in 1961 and belongs to the Surrealism art movement. This genre painting exemplifies the surrealist approach, characterized by its dream-like and fantastical elements.
In the scene depicted within the artwork, a group of bespectacled astronomers are gathered under an ornate, metal and glass canopy against a backdrop of an expansive, well-manicured garden. They are engrossed in a discussion as one of them gestures towards a chalkboard filled with astronomical diagrams. The setting is bathed in the cool light of the crescent moon, accentuating the meticulous details in the background architecture and lush foliage. Amidst the scholarly group, several nude women are positioned around the garden, juxtaposing the rational and mystical, a common thematic exploration in surrealist art. The meticulous blend of realism and surrealism renders an intriguing, contemplative atmosphere.
