#09604 Amparo Segarra

The composition presents a layered collage, assembled from disparate elements that create a sense of fragmented narrative and unsettling juxtaposition. A central framed artwork dominates the visual field; it depicts what appears to be a historical scene – a group of figures gathered around a fallen individual amidst a landscape suggesting conflict or mourning. The painting within the painting is rendered in muted tones, contributing to an overall atmosphere of solemnity and distance.
Flanking this central image are several cut-and-pasted elements. To the left, a woman in period attire stands partially obscured by what seems to be a stylized flame or burst of color – a vibrant red that contrasts sharply with the cooler palette of the central artwork. Her posture suggests both elegance and constraint, her hands clasped in front of her. On the right, another figure, similarly dressed, is positioned as if observing the scene, her gaze directed towards the framed painting. A cropped image of a woman’s face, rendered in stark black and white with exaggerated features – particularly the eyes – is placed at the upper right corner, seemingly looming over the entire arrangement.
The background itself is constructed from patterned wallpaper, adding another layer of visual complexity. The floor appears to be covered in red-toned wood planks, which echo the color found within the flame-like element and contribute to a sense of unease or foreboding.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of observation, performance, and the constructed nature of history and memory. The figures appear as actors on a stage, their roles defined by their attire and positioning. The central painting, ostensibly depicting a significant historical event, is presented within a domestic setting – a gallery or private collection – suggesting a disconnect between the grand narratives of the past and the present-day experience of viewing them. The cropped face at the top introduces an element of surveillance or psychological scrutiny, hinting at a deeper, perhaps unsettling, examination of the scene unfolding below. The fragmented nature of the collage itself reinforces this sense of disjunction and fractured perception.