“The Summer,” an artwork by Paul Delvaux, was created in 1938 using oil on canvas. The piece, which measures 110 x 120 cm, belongs to the genre of genre painting and falls within the Surrealist movement.
The artwork depicts a surreal landscape wherein several female figures, partially nude and draped in maiden-like garments, are positioned in a desolate, barren environment. The backdrop features an expansive, arid terrain dotted with sparse vegetation and distant mountains, beneath a bright, clear sky. The central figure, standing prominently to the left, appears contemplative, with her arm resting against a wooden structure, possibly a fence or makeshift wall, surrounded by other figures who are engaged in various enigmatic activities. The juxtaposition of the lifelike depiction of human forms against an otherworldly, arid landscape enhances the surreal quality, characteristic of Delvaux’s work. The artwork encapsulates a haunting stillness, evoking an atmosphere of introspection and enigmatic allure.
