Fantasy Nude 1980

Editor: Boris Vallejo’s "Fantasy Nude," an oil painting from 1980, is a pretty striking image. I’m initially drawn to the contrast between the brightly colored flowing hair of the nude figure at the bottom and the more chaotic scene of mythical figures above. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, the recurrence of nudes in fantasy art links back to classical ideals, doesn't it? Think of the Venus figure – an embodiment of beauty, fertility, and desire, which here, seems to underpin the erotic fantasy unfolding above her. This artist is very aware of symbolism of the nude from art history. Editor: So you're seeing a connection between this painting and classical depictions of Venus? The erotic context here makes it…complicated, maybe? Curator: Exactly. Consider the winged figure in the background; it feels like a powerful yet ambiguous symbol, an inversion of Cupid, perhaps, acting as a psychopomp carrying souls. The surrounding figures almost suggest damned souls or demons; are we looking at heaven and hell coexisting here, I wonder? Vallejo’s painting invokes a primal attraction while weaving a complex tapestry of cultural references. What sort of feeling did you initially have towards the figures above? Editor: Initially, I mostly saw chaos, but now, knowing more of the visual symbology and classical art's ties, I understand this composition on a whole new level! Curator: Absolutely. The image challenges viewers to grapple with these loaded images and our reactions, the result becomes more complex and the painting, perhaps, a lot more relevant.