The artwork “Moon and Sun” by Rufino Tamayo, created in 1990, is a vivid representation of cosmological elements within the Expressionism movement. As a cloudscape genre piece, it reflects the emotional and symbolic interpretations often associated with this artistic approach.
The artwork portrays an abstract depiction of the celestial bodies that dominate the sky: the moon and the sun. The composition is split diagonally, with one half immersed in a deep nocturnal blue and the other in a warm golden hue. The moon is featured in the lower left corner, encompassed by the blue, and its surface bears the serene profile of a face in a lighter shade, providing a sense of calm and contemplation. On the opposing side, the sun radiates in the upper right corner within the golden segment, its surface etched with a face that has marked angular features and a slightly mysterious expression. The background is textured in a way that suggests a crackled effect, which may allude to the ancient or primordial nature of these celestial entities. This duality of the moon and sun as depicted in the artwork speaks to the eternal balance between night and day, light and darkness, reflecting the universal theme of cosmic harmony. The interaction between these two halves creates a dynamic interplay, suggesting both contrast and unity within the natural cycle they represent.
