The artwork in question, named “Him” by Paula Rego, was created in 1996 and falls under the genre of symbolic painting within the Expressionism art movement.
The artwork portrays an unsettling and evocative scene where a human figure, depicted as a woman, intimately interacts with a creature that appears to be part human and part wolf. The hybrid creature is shown crouching on hind legs, reinforcing its dual nature. The woman, dressed in attire suggestive of a historical or peasant background, holds the creature’s face lovingly, implying a bond or connection beyond physical understanding. The background is dark and minimalistic, featuring a large cylindrical object that resembles a bin. The overall composition delivers a powerful narrative, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of transformation, human-animal relationships, and hidden aspects of identity.
