“Three Destinations,” a symbolic painting by Remedios Varo, was created in 1956. This surrealist artwork was rendered in oil on masonite and measures 90 by 108 centimeters. The piece represents the exploration of the subconscious and mystical through its evocative and enigmatic pictorial language.
The artwork exhibits three distinct architectural structures, each housing an individual figure engaged in contemplative activity, isolated within their own environment. The leftmost compartment shows a person seated at a desk, deeply focused on writing or studying, bathed in a warm, glowing light that emanates from within the enclosure. A trail of light leads from this figure, extending outwards like an umbilical cord to the cosmos, suggesting a connection between the intellectual pursuit and the wider universe.
Centered in the composition is another figure, standing while playing a musical instrument with an air of solemn dedication. The atmosphere surrounding this central character has a different hue, more subdued and earthy, implying a harmonious blend between the person’s creative expression and the fabric of the physical world.
The structure to the right ensconces a figure absorbed in drinking from a delicate vessel, possibly symbolizing a form of nourishment or introspection. This individual is also encapsulated within a luminous glow, which implies a sense of enlightenment or realization that accompanies this act.
The background of the painting hints at a dusky or twilight setting, with architectural forms receding into the distance. These additional buildings hint at a sense of community or civilization, yet the prominent figures in the art remain distinctly solitary in their pursuits. The overall composition of the artwork uses geometric forms, interplay of light and shadow, and a rich, muted color palette that is characteristic of Varo’s surrealist style, which often explores themes of the mystical, the scientific, and the psychological.
