The artwork titled “Creation of the World or Microcosm” is the creation of Remedios Varo, a prominent figure in the Surrealism movement. As a symbolic painting, it delves into the depths of human imagination and explores complex themes that delve into the essence of life and the intricacies of existence.
In the artwork, a dreamlike vista unfolds where the laws of physics and reality are remade by the creativity of the mind. The canvas is a symphony of earthy tones and unusual forms—the latter hover elegantly, drawing the observer into a world where the usual boundaries of space and gravity do not apply. Several floating structures, reminiscent of both organic forms and mechanical constructions, occupy the upper portion of the painting. Each of these structures contains a figure engaged in enigmatic activities that suggest scholarly pursuit or contemplation.
Below this ethereal display, a procession of robed figures directs a flow of energy towards a central figure, who appears to be sculpting or molding the essence of existence within a complex, temple-like edifice. This act gives the impression of an alchemical or creative process, perhaps alluding to the act of creation itself. Around them, various characters and creatures are engaged in an array of tasks—ranging from scholarly work to steering a ship, each deeply absorbed in their role within this mysterious tableau.
On the left, the calm presence of a seated figure adds a sense of observation or guardianship, overseeing this confluence of imagination and reality. Their proximity to a rooster and wheel may symbolize the dawn of understanding or the cyclical nature of creation. Towards the foreground, a gaping abyss introduces a note of darkness and the unknown, contrasting the areas of the painting that abound with activity and life.
Overall, the artwork is a fantastical depiction of creation and cosmos within the realm of the surreal, with each element carefully placed to evoke wonder and provoke thought about the nature of our reality and the universe that encompasses it.
