Theft of substance 

Remedios Varo's painting presents us with a scene steeped in potent symbolism. Figures cloaked in robes gather around a fire, while a peculiar structure looms in the background, supported by cloaked figures. The robed figures, reminiscent of monastic orders or perhaps spectral entities, immediately call to mind the cyclical nature of human rituals. Consider, if you will, the symbol of the circle— a form of cyclical return present in primitive rituals, such as a coven. Similarly, the bonfire evokes ancient rites, a focal point for community and transformation, yet the facelessness of the figures suggests anonymity and a loss of individual identity within the group. And, looming in the background: what is that construction? Notice the pair of eyes. Eyes are powerful symbols for those that gaze upon us and their gaze is a reminder of our own morality. In this dreamlike composition, the eyes convey a psychological depth, creating an eerie, engaging experience. Ultimately, Varo's work reminds us that symbols never truly die; they merely transform.