The artwork entitled “Theme & Variations Plate #96 (Butterfly)” is a work by the artist known as Fornasetti, who is associated with the Surrealism movement. This particular piece is categorized within the genre of portraiture. It presents a unique and whimsical fusion of a human visage with elements of a butterfly, rendered in a monochromatic palette, predominantly in black and white.
Upon closer examination of the artwork, one observes the convergence of human and butterfly features in a manner that is characteristically surreal. The delicate antennae of the butterfly seem to sprout from the central point of the forehead, drawing the viewer’s gazes first. The eyes are wide and expressive, framed by dark lashes and brows, suggesting a sense of wonder or perhaps surprise. This intensity is contrasted by the subtler rendering of the nose and mouth, which are cleverly formed by the butterfly’s body and wings.
The lower portion of the artwork, being the butterfly’s wings, takes the shape of a mustache and a mouth. This whimsical distortion of the human facial features not only imbues the piece with surreal charm but also exhibits Fornasetti’s signature playfulness in design. The entire portrait is set against a pristine white background of the plate, emphasizing the graphic quality of the piece and allowing the surreal tableau to stand out with stark clarity.
This blend of inanimate object (the plate) with both human and animal attributes encapsulates Fornasetti’s creative vision, whereby ordinary items are transformed into extraordinary art, challenging perceptions and evoking the subconscious as is typical within the Surrealist movement. The artwork also continues the tradition of portraiture, although it subverts it by introducing fantastical elements that disrupt the conventional depiction of a human subject.
