lrs Varo Remedios Creaciondelas Aves Remedios Varo

The composition presents a peculiar scene unfolding within what appears to be a confined, arched space. A central figure dominates the foreground; it is humanoid in form but possesses the head and plumage of an owl, clad in a dark, textured garment that obscures its lower body. This being sits at a square table, meticulously engaged in a task involving a small bird. The artist depicted the creature holding a delicate, geometric frame – a sort of drafting tool – over a sheet of paper upon which the bird is positioned. A palette with dabs of paint rests on the table alongside them, suggesting an act of creation or reproduction.
To the left of the central figure, a large ant-like being stands, its body bulbous and segmented, connected to what seems like mechanical apparatus extending into the background. This machinery includes a sphere suspended by wires and a complex arrangement of pipes and valves, hinting at a laboratory setting or an environment where scientific processes are underway. A small bird is also visible in the distance through one of the arches, seemingly flying away from the scene.
The color palette is muted, primarily consisting of earthy browns, ochres, and grays, contributing to a sense of enclosure and introspection. The lighting is diffused, casting soft shadows that further enhance the dreamlike quality of the work.
Several subtexts emerge from this arrangement. The owl-headed figure’s act of creation – the apparent manipulation or reproduction of the bird – suggests themes of control, artificiality, and perhaps even a commentary on artistic processes themselves. Is it an act of nurturing, or one of imposition? The mechanical apparatus associated with the ant-like being introduces elements of scientific intervention and potentially dehumanization. The distant bird escaping through the archway could symbolize freedom, escape from confinement, or the loss of something precious.
The juxtaposition of organic forms (the birds, the owl’s plumage) with inorganic, mechanical components creates a tension between nature and technology, suggesting a world where these boundaries are blurred or actively transgressed. The overall effect is one of unsettling stillness, prompting reflection on themes of creation, control, and the relationship between humanity, nature, and artifice.