The artwork “Fantastic animal” by Remedios Varo was created in the year 1959, utilizing gouache on cardboard as the medium. It falls within the Surrealism art movement and can be categorized as a symbolic painting. These characteristics highlight Varo’s affinity for exploring the subconscious and mystical elements through her artistic expressions.
The artwork showcases the meticulous intricacy of Varo’s technique, with an enigmatic creature that captivates the viewer’s attention. A central figure, which combines aspects of various animals with human-like characteristics, is depicted with an aura of solemnity. Its body is elegantly draped in striated fabric that cascades down, merging animal with attire in a seamless continuum that defies conventional classifications. The background is subdued yet texturally rich, adding a mysterious depth that complements the creature’s striking presence. The use of color is subtle but deliberate, emphasizing contours and creating an otherworldly ambiance.
The creature’s gaze is introspective, contributing to a narrative that seems to transcend the visual plane, inviting contemplation about the intersecting realms of reality and fantasy that are a hallmark of Varo’s work. The presence of what appears to be mechanical elements intertwined with the organic form further accentuates the Surrealist intent, blurring the lines between the living and the inanimate, the natural and the constructed.
Overall, “Fantastic animal” by Remedios Varo embodies the quintessential elements of Surrealism and symbolic painting, offering a window into the artist’s imagination and the broader philosophical questions that permeate her oeuvre.
