Winter 2019

Editor: This is Luis Álvarez Roure’s painting, "Winter," created in 2019 using oil paint. It's a striking portrait with a cool, almost ethereal feel. The woman's white dress against the pale background makes her seem otherworldly. What visual symbols resonate with you in this piece? Curator: The first thing that strikes me is the dress. Its classical, almost Greco-Roman drapery, evokes a sense of timelessness, of purity even. White, of course, is culturally loaded - innocence, mourning. The artist titled it "Winter", however, adding a layer of complexity. Winter is a season associated with death, introspection, and dormancy. It presents the subject, therefore, as simultaneously innocent, pure, and as touched by a colder, more contemplative aspect of life. Does the contrast between dress and season trigger an idea for you? Editor: That’s a great observation about the symbolism of white and winter. The woman's gaze seems very direct and unflinching, it contrasts with that dormancy. Is it possible that the contrast creates an interplay between vulnerability and resilience? Curator: Precisely. Consider, also, the gestural quality of the paint application. The brushstrokes, especially in the background, suggest movement, an almost turbulent energy contained, framing a central stilled figure. This opposition speaks volumes about the inner experience during what we might call ‘winter’ times: exterior quiet may shroud inner turmoil. Editor: I hadn’t considered that turbulence. Now, seeing the background that way, the contrast creates more nuance and drama to the subject. Thanks for sharing. Curator: The dynamism behind the still. What we take from art is itself so alive. Thank you!