Mariela 

Sofia Bonati created Mariela in the 20th century. The artwork is defined by its use of flat space and geometric patterning. The girl is framed by a field of blue and white, and a canopy of black hair. These visual elements, along with her patterned dress, create a striking contrast. The formal structure of this piece reveals a tension between figure and ground. Notice the interplay of hard edges and soft curves. The meticulous pattern in the background sets off the girl’s features; her rosy cheeks, and red lips. Bonati uses colour sparingly, yet to great effect. The strategic placement of red dots draws the eye across the composition, creating a rhythmic visual experience. In Mariela, the artist disrupts traditional notions of depth and perspective, inviting us to consider the relationships between surface and space. What does this tell us about the artist's relationship to modernism? As you move on, consider the implications of this interplay, in this and other artworks you encounter today.