Remedios Varo, a very interesting personality, whose art touches the still existing mysterious boundaries between reality and imagination, enriched the world with the breathtaking paintings that amaze us till now. “Birth of birds” is witness to her artistic brilliance of which she is most famous. The article strives to shed more light on Remedios Varo’s life, her career as an artist and a comprehensive analysis of “Creation of the Birds.“
Who was Remedios Varo
Remedios Varo Uranga, who was born on 16th December, 1908, in Anglès, Girona, Spain, had natural gift for art since her childhood. She went the creative way and chose to formally study art at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid. Varo’s paintings were inspired by surrealism and metaphysical art and they usually showed dreamlike landscapes with the characters with mysterious features and symbolism.
FUN FACT: Remedios Varo was known for her unconventional lifestyle, including her love for cats. She often depicted cats in her paintings and even had several as pets, considering them companions and sources of inspiration in her artistic journey.
Her Career
As Varo’s artistic career progressed, she crossed continents and became known with the major surrealist artists of Paris such as André Breton and Max Ernst. Nevertheless, the turmoil of World War II forced her to leave Europe, where she was able to settle in Mexico City. It was in Mexico that Varo achieved artistic freedom and recognition, thus enabling her to become herself artistically, merging surrealism with elements of Mexican culture and esotericism.
What is Happening in Creation of the Birds
| Artist | Remedios Varo |
| Date Created | 1957 |
| Medium | Oil on Masonite |
| Genre | Surrealism |
| Period | Modern |
| Dimensions | 68 cm × 68 cm (26.8 in × 26.8 in) |
| Series / Versions | N/A |
| Where is it housed? | Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City |
“Creation of the Birds,” a masterpiece of 1957, is a fascinating image of a mesmerizing and mysterious scene resembling an alchemical laboratory. At the center of the painting is a robed figure, possibly a magician or a sorceress, controlling a complicated machine. This device is a hybrid of mechanical and organic items, which is emitting a bright light, telling us that a transformation is happening.
The central figure is surrounded with different symbolic elements such as birds, eggs and celestial bodies. The recurrence of birds in Varo’s artworks symbolize freedom, transcendence, and the search for human spirit’s enlightenment. The eggs stand for opportunities and new births, whereas the celestial bodies symbolize cosmic powers and the unity of the universe.
The general ambience of “Birds Creation” is one of mystery and magic, encouraging the audience to reflect upon the origin of creation and the human urge to unravel the secrets of the universe.
Delving Deeper into Creation of the Birds
“The Creation of the Birds” bears witness to the artist’s proficiency in surrealist methods and her deep familiarity with esoteric and mysterious phenomena. The painting literally takes the audience into a realm where the lines between the matter and spirit become vague, thus asking them to join the journey of self-exploration.
The central figure in the painting, wearing flowing robes and standing by various mysterious gadgets, appears to be a person of power and wisdom. The way their concentrated look and their exigent posture show their knowledge of the alchemical processes that are being held before them. The tangled network of mechanisms around the figure intimates a mixture of science and magic where the natural laws are manipulated by the master.
Birds placed everywhere in the composition introduce an element of motion and liveliness, similar to birds undergoing change or transition. Birds have carried their symbolic meaning through various cultures over time as representations of freedom, spirituality, and the soul’s journey towards enlightenment. In “Birds Creation,” they appear to have broken the earthly boundaries and now fly in the space with grace and purpose.
Interesting Facts
Alchemy Influence: Varo’s obsession with alchemy and the occult can be traced through all her works, such as “Creation of the Birds.” Alchemy with its focus on the transformation and spiritual evolution was a source of great symbolism and incentive for Varo in her artistic work.
Hidden Meanings: As with most surrealistic works, “Creation of the Birds” is full of symbolic images that are open to different interpretations. Varo frequently used personal experiences and philosophical concepts to enrich her paintings, creating significant components for inquisitive viewers.
Mystical Elements: The mysterious mood of the painting expresses the artist’s belief in the unity of all things and the power of overcoming the earthly boundaries. Just as her work blurs the lines between material and immaterial realms, viewers are encouraged to investigate the mysteries of the universe.
Artwork Spotlight: Orinoco River
Through Remedios Varo’s painting “Orinoco River,” the observer travels into a surreal place where reality intricately blends with imagination, reflecting a mythical journey along the famous river. This stunning artwork exemplifies Varo’s proficiency in surrealism and her capacity to elicit a feeling of mysteriousness and wonder through her elaborate compositions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Remedios Varo make her paintings?
Varo paints in a collage-style manner, much like Surrealism’s founder Giorgio de Chirico, emphasizing sharply receding perspective, architectural forms, and convergent lines.
What is the meaning of the painting The Creation of the Birds?
The painting’s almost sacred tone is evocative of works such as Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam. Varo uses her bird-like creature as a metaphor for the life-creating god as she investigates the spiritual essence of creation. Varo’s personal artistic endeavors are also mentioned.
Conclusion
The painting by Remedios Varo “Creation of the Birds” still amazes viewers with its enigmatic beauty and deep symbolism. Varo uses the surrealist techniques and her unique way of looking at reality masterfully, and by this she invites us to an exploration of our imagination and self-discovery, where the line between the seen and unseen blurs, and the secrets of creation become clear.
