The artwork titled “Enigma,” created by Paul Delvaux in 1940, is a notable example of the Surrealism art movement. This genre painting captures the essence of Surrealism with its dreamlike quality and enigmatic narrative.
In the artwork, several nude female figures are depicted within a classical architectural setting. Two central figures dominate the foreground, standing close to each other, seemingly engaged in a private interaction. Both figures wear wreaths of flowers on their heads and hold flowing draperies, which unfurl behind them, adding to the ethereal atmosphere. The women in the background, dressed in long translucent gowns, stroll down a path lined with trees that lead into the distant horizon. On the right side of the composition, a grand building with Greek-style columns stands, and another woman appears in the background, seemingly reflected in a framed mirror on the exterior wall of this structure. The overall setting combines classical antiquity with a surreal twist, characterized by an ambiguous and mysterious ambiance.
