The artwork titled “Portrait of Grandmother Doña Josefa Zejalvo” was created by the artist Remedios Varo in 1926. This piece is identified with the Expressionism movement and is categorized as a portrait. Expressionism is an art movement known for its emphasis on the emotional and psychological expression of the artist through their work, often characterized by bold colors and dynamic brushstrokes that convey a sense of inner turmoil or intensity.
The artwork presents an intimate portrait of an elderly woman, Doña Josefa Zejalvo, who appears to be the artist’s grandmother. The woman’s countenance bears the marks of age, with deep-set lines etched into her face that tell a story of a lifetime of experiences. The portrait exudes a sense of dignity and resilience, as the subject meets the gaze of the viewer with a direct and unwavering look. The use of warm, earthy tones alongside the dark attire of the subject serves to foreground the expressive nature of the portrait, a hallmark of the Expressionist style.
The strokes used to depict the grandmother’s features are neither overly detailed nor excessively smoothed, allowing the raw emotional quality to stand at the forefront. With the background rendered in subdued hues, the focus is firmly on the character and personality of the woman portrayed, inviting contemplation of her thoughts and feelings. The artist’s name and the year of creation are prominently inscribed at the bottom of the portrait, signaling the personal connection and significance of this work to Remedios Varo.
