#29468 Jesús Helguera Ausencia (1910-1971)

The composition presents a surreal and whimsical scene set against a bright blue sky dominated by a vibrant rainbow arc. A group of children are engaged in what appears to be the construction or maintenance of this natural phenomenon. They occupy tiered scaffolding structures that rise vertically, creating a complex network of platforms and ladders.
Here we see several figures actively involved in the process. At the apex of the structure, a child holds a paintbrush, seemingly adding to the rainbow’s color. Below him, other children are positioned on various levels, some appearing to be mixing paint or observing the work being done. One figure is suspended in a basket hanging from the lowest platform, suggesting a playful and somewhat precarious element within the construction process. A small dog sits calmly on one of the platforms, seemingly integrated into this unusual activity.
The artist’s choice of scale creates an immediate sense of unreality; the children appear disproportionately small against the vastness of the sky and the magnitude of the rainbow. This juxtaposition invites a consideration of human ambition and the desire to manipulate or control natural forces. The scaffolding itself, typically associated with construction and industry, is incongruously applied to something as ethereal and symbolic as a rainbow.
Subtexts within the painting revolve around themes of creation, labor, and perhaps even naivete. The children’s earnest efforts suggest an innocent belief in their ability to shape the world around them. However, the absurdity of the task – attempting to “build” or maintain a rainbow – introduces a layer of irony. It could be interpreted as a commentary on human hubris, the tendency to impose order and control onto inherently chaotic systems. The presence of the dog adds a touch of domesticity and normalcy to an otherwise fantastical scenario, further emphasizing the strangeness of the scene.
The overall effect is one of dreamlike wonder tinged with a subtle critique of human intervention in nature.