The World 1958

Remedios Varo created this painting "The World", of indeterminate date, with oil on masonite. At first glance, we're confronted with a figure composed of disparate natural elements. The palette is earthy, dominated by warm browns and reds, yet punctuated by the cool tones of the fish. This painting reveals Varo's interest in the fusion of the human and natural realms. The figure, with its serene yet unsettling gaze, seems to embody the very essence of the world it is made from. The mountain-like hat, the winged ear, and the fish emerging from the side of the head present a semiotic system of signs. These elements evoke the earthly, the aerial, and the aquatic. The vibrant red hair disrupts the overall earthy tones. It functions not just as a visual element but also as a symbol, perhaps of raw energy or untamed passion. Ultimately, Varo presents a world where boundaries are blurred, categories are destabilized, and the self is inextricably linked to the environment. The painting invites us to reconsider our relationship with nature, challenging fixed meanings.