Clown, Horse, Salamandra 1912

Curator: Right, let's dive into Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso's "Clown, Horse, Salamandra" from 1912. What grabs you first? Editor: Well, the title itself is intriguing – that mix of characters! The work, in watercolour, has a playful, almost childlike feel, but something about the fragmented composition makes it seem a little unsettling, too. The horse…or clown-horse… what is it all about? Curator: Ah, that's the magic of Souza-Cardoso! It’s a world of whimsy painted in watercolor, like a dreamscape of vibrant color that bends and blurs into being.. It's not just a representation of a clown, horse, or salamander, but an expression of pure feeling and you wonder, what are the rules here, because what appears at first look to be naive painting becomes so much more when it is combined with folk art Editor: Absolutely! But does it all mean something? Are these figures symbols for something larger? Curator: Souza-Cardoso's strength lies in embracing abstraction while flirting with recognizable forms. Look at the Fauvist use of color, the bold, almost clashing hues creating a visual feast. I don't believe he's giving us a coded message, but rather an invitation to wander in his world where he’s exploring identity and form and pushing back against some conventional expectations. What's the most striking element for you now? Editor: The energy! The horse feels ready to leap off the page, even though its form is so unconventional. It’s less about realism and more about capturing movement and feeling. It seems, ultimately, like it’s meant to just be fun. Curator: Exactly! Souza-Cardoso invites us to release our need for fixed interpretations. This artwork is less about the *what* and more about the *how* – how color, form, and emotion collide on a single plane to evoke emotion. A liberating dance. Editor: I see what you mean. I was too focused on trying to decipher a hidden code when the point might just be to enjoy the explosion of color and imagination! Thank you for bringing to light to the energy of his freedom. Curator: My pleasure. It's about letting go and surrendering to the artist's vision and enjoying its vibrant and sometimes challenging narrative.