“The Juggler,” a symbolic painting by Remedios Varo, was created in 1956 and is emblematic of the Surrealism movement. This artwork can be found in the prestigious collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) located in New York City, New York, United States.
The artwork presents an ethereal scene replete with mystique and dreamlike qualities typical of Surrealist works. At the centre stands a prominent figure dressed as a harlequin juggler, commanding the attention of a group of seemingly identical individuals, all dressed in grey cloaks and forming a semi-circle around the performer. The juggler is engaged in the act of juggling, with various objects suspended in the mid-air arc above him—a feature enhancing the surreal nature of the scene.
The background depicts an unworldly urban landscape, consisting of various buildings that possess an architectural quality suggestive of a historical or imaginary setting. The town square’s atmosphere is enhanced by a peculiar cart-like structure that contains several small compartments, each harboring individual figures or mysterious items. Birds take flight from the apex of this cart, contributing to a sense of movement and wonder.
Details such as the uniformly dressed audience with their intent gazes, their hair styled in strikingly similar fashion, and the whimsical assortment of objects both on the juggler’s table and within the compartments of the cart invite a deeper contemplation of the symbolism at play. The painting evokes a narrative that lies beyond the immediate visual spectacle, suggesting themes of conformity, individuality, and the allure of the cryptic and magical that are often explored within the Surrealist genre.
