The artwork, titled “Meliboeus,” is a portrait created by Francis Picabia in the Surrealism art movement. It is an oil painting on canvas with dimensions of 215 x 130 cm, belonging to the “Transparencies” series and is currently housed in a private collection.
In “Meliboeus,” Picabia presents a complex and layered composition characterized by his distinctive style. The central figure’s visage is interwoven with delicate, almost translucent lines and forms that suggest both fragility and depth. Various elements of nature, such as floral patterns, intertwine with the figure, contributing to the surreal quality of the painting. The warm, muted earth tones contrast with the subtle play of shadows and highlights, enhancing the enigmatic and ethereal presence of the subject. This layered approach invites viewers to contemplate the overlapping themes and hidden meanings embedded within the artwork.