Remedios Varo (1908 – 1963) was a Spanish surrealist artist, recognized for her intricate and dreamlike paintings that intertwined mysticism, alchemy, and science. Born in Girona, Spain, she later moved to Mexico, which would become her permanent residence during the years of World War II and where she would flourish artistically.
Varo’s artistic inclinations were evident from a young age, and she studied at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid. Initially influenced by Surrealism, especially after her associations with the Parisian surrealist circle including André Breton and Max Ernst, her style evolved, merging surrealist aesthetics with symbolic narratives, and often reflected her interest in mysticism, dreams, and the subconscious.
The recurrent themes in her paintings are labyrinthine streets, towers, hybrid creatures, and women caught in transformative processes. Her works are characterized by meticulous details, delicate craftsmanship, and a whimsical, fantastical approach.
Varo’s style has been compared to other surrealists like Leonora Carrington and Dorothea Tanning, as well as to earlier painters such as Hieronymus Bosch, given her predilection for intricate, dreamlike scenes and fantastical creatures. In the scope of 20th-century art, Remedios Varo has become an emblematic figure, particularly in the context of female artists who challenged traditional norms and delved deep into explorations of the psyche and the unknown.
Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remedios_Varo
https://www.wikiart.org/en/remedios-varo
