Revelation (The watch) 1955

Remedios Varo made this painting, "Revelation", using traditional oil paints on canvas to conjure a surreal scene. Notice how the meticulous brushwork and the careful layering of glazes bring out the textures of the timepieces and drapery. The painting depicts a figure at work, surrounded by the tools and products of their labor, evoking the repetitive nature of factory work. The clocks, frozen at different times, suggest a disruption of industrial time, perhaps a comment on the alienating effects of mass production. Varo, herself an exile from the turmoil of Europe, seems to be asking: how do we find meaning and order amidst the chaos of the modern world? The artist elevates the value of craft and attentiveness within the context of mass production, and challenges the distinction between art and labor.