#12373 Rafael De Penagos

The composition presents a symmetrical arrangement divided into three distinct panels, framed by decorative borders that evoke stained glass or ornamental textile design. The overall effect is one of stylized formality and deliberate patterning.
On the left panel, a male figure stands in profile, clad in what appears to be period attire – a doublet, ruff, and possibly armor. He holds a sword, its blade angled downwards, suggesting readiness or potential conflict. A flowing red drape envelops him, creating a dynamic swirl of color that contrasts with his paler skin tone. The background behind the figure is rendered as swirling grey lines, contributing to a sense of movement and perhaps hinting at an emotional turbulence.
The central panel features a prominent, stylized moon dominating the space. Below it, a seated figure – difficult to discern in detail – is positioned on what appears to be a rocky or uneven surface. The figure’s posture is ambiguous; they could be observing, contemplating, or even imprisoned by their surroundings. Three small, indistinct shapes are clustered at the base of this central panel, adding an element of mystery and scale distortion.
The right panel mirrors the left in its formal presentation. A female figure stands in profile, facing towards the viewer’s right. She is adorned in a richly decorated gown – white with red floral patterns – and wears a headpiece that frames her face. In her hands, she holds what appear to be lilies or similar flowering plants, symbols often associated with purity, innocence, and resurrection. The background here is similarly rendered as swirling grey lines, echoing the left panel’s visual language.
The color palette is restricted primarily to red, white, and shades of gray, contributing to a sense of restrained elegance and symbolic weight. The use of strong outlines and flat planes suggests an influence from Art Nouveau or similar decorative movements.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of duality – masculine versus feminine, action versus contemplation, darkness versus light. The central panel with the moon might represent a liminal space, a point of transition or revelation between these opposing forces. The figures on either side appear to be positioned at different points in a narrative arc, perhaps representing stages of a journey or contrasting perspectives on a shared experience. The lilies held by the female figure could signify hope or redemption emerging from an ambiguous and potentially challenging situation suggested by the central panel’s imagery.