“The Labrador” is a symbolic painting by Remedios Varo, created in the year 1958. As an artifact of the Surrealism art movement, the artwork embodies the emblematic approach and fantastical imagery characteristic of Varo’s work. Surrealism is known for its exploration of the unconscious mind, dream imagery, and the juxtaposition of unusual elements to challenge conventional perceptions of reality.
The artwork presents a striking and enigmatic portrait composed of elements that are unexpected and subtly disturbing. Centered in the composition is what appears to be a human figure, yet with features that disrupt the norms of portraiture. The figure’s head is capped with what looks like an oddly shaped and oversized hat, resembling the form of a mushroom or fungal growth. From this cap, thin, branch-like structures extend outward, terminating in delicate leaves and tendrils that defy the organic logic of plant life.
Upon closer observation, the hat reveals itself to be part of the figure’s anatomy, rather than a separate adornment, suggesting a mysterious metamorphosis between the human and the natural world. Two piercing eyes gaze out, their positioning and intensity capturing the viewer’s attention amidst the surreal landscape of the figure’s features. The eyes are the most human aspect of the figure, bridged by a bandage or piece of fabric, further underscoring a theme of transformation or healing.
The being’s expression is solemn and inscrutable, adding to the enigmatic quality of the artwork. The background provides little additional context, composed of tonal variations that create a sense of depth but do not depict a clear setting. Overall, the piece invokes a dreamlike or otherworldly tableau, provoking meditations on the interconnectivity of life, the hidden layers of existence, and the unconscious mind. Varo’s masterful manipulation of form and symbol coalesces into a profound contemplative experience that is emblematic of the Surrealist objective to harness the strange and subconscious facets of human experience.
