“Ridens” is a gouache and watercolor artwork on cardboard, created circa 1929 by the artist Francis Picabia. This surrealist portrait, part of Picabia’s “Transparencies” series, measures 104 by 74 cm and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork is a complex interweaving of various elements in a translucent, layered style, characteristic of Picabia’s “Transparencies” series. At its center, a large, ethereal face dominates the composition, outlined in delicate lines with minimal shading. Superimposed over and around the face are additional figures and forms, including grapes, leaves, a reclining figure, and a spectral, fox-like creature. The use of fluid, overlapping lines and the translucent layers give the piece a dreamlike, visionary quality. The elements appear to float over each other without fully merging, creating a sense of depth and a multi-dimensional narrative. The colors are predominantly muted, adding to the enigmatic and contemplative atmosphere of the composition. The overall effect is one of surreal complexity, reflecting the surrealist movement’s interest in the unconscious and the dream state.