The artwork titled “Iron Age” is a portrait painted by Paul Delvaux in the year 1951 and belongs to the Surrealism movement.
The artwork features a nude female figure seated in a relaxed and inviting pose, occupying the foreground predominantly. Her body is highlighted against a backdrop of a stark, industrial landscape. Intriguingly juxtaposed, the serene and classical portrayal of the woman contrasts sharply with the structured, mechanical environment behind her. The background is populated with industrial elements such as cranes, lampposts, a large train, and various architectural structures, embodying a scene of advancement and mechanization. Delvaux’s characteristic surrealist touch is evident in the dream-like fusion of classicism and industry, creating an enigmatic and compelling contrast. The artwork masterfully melds the organic with the industrial, offering a surreal yet harmonious confluence of two disparate worlds.