Remedios Varo Wearing a Mask by Leonora Carrington 1957

This photograph by Kati Horna captures Remedios Varo wearing a mask created by Leonora Carrington. Masks, historically, are potent symbols across cultures, often used in rituals to mediate between the visible and invisible worlds, to conceal and reveal. The mask here seems to both liberate and confine Varo, recalling images of court jesters or perhaps figures from the Commedia dell'arte. Think of the Harlequin, a figure of wit and agility, yet bound by his patterned costume. The mask, trimmed with dark lace, brings to mind the veils of mourning or the theatrical costumes of past eras, linking to older forms of disguise and display. It suggests hidden depths and the shifting roles we play in society, echoing Freud's theories about the masks we wear to navigate our complex inner worlds. This image is a powerful reminder of how symbols persist and transform. The concept of the mask has resurfaced, evolved, and continues to carry layers of psychological and cultural weight.