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Mimicry

Remedios Varo’s surreal ‘Mimicry’ depicts a woman with a bird, exploring science and mysticism through meticulous detail and dreamlike imagery – discover this captivating artwork and bring it home.

A para-surrealist master known for her mystical alchemy. Explore her dreamlike visions and find hand-painted reproductions today.

Giclée / Art Print

Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. ( Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)

Corner sample of the P118B picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
P118B $10
Corner sample of the P118H picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
P118H $10
Corner sample of the P118W picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
P118W $10
Corner sample of the P438Z picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5.5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P438Z $10
Corner sample of the P508JH picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P508JH $12
Corner sample of the P508YH picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P508YH $12
Corner sample of the P805H picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P805H $10
Corner sample of the P805Z picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P805Z $10
Corner sample of the P919BZ picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P919BZ $10
Corner sample of the P919G picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P919G $10
Corner sample of the P919XJ picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P919XJ $10
Corner sample of the P959ZH picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
P959ZH $10
Corner sample of the P968JZ picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 6 cm wide and 4 cm thick
P968JZ $12
Corner sample of the W106C picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W106C $8
Corner sample of the W218G picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W218G $10
Corner sample of the W218JH picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W218JH $8
Corner sample of the W218Y picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W218Y $10
Corner sample of the W307PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W307PJ $10
Corner sample of the W316G picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316G $10
Corner sample of the W316PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316PJ $8
Corner sample of the W316Y picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316Y $10
Corner sample of the W398PJ picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W398PJ $8
Corner sample of the W4111J picture frame: solid wood, 6.5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
W4111J $10
Corner sample of the W500HY picture frame: solid wood, 7 cm wide and 5 cm thick
W500HY $15
Corner sample of the W500JH picture frame: solid wood, 7 cm wide and 5 cm thick
W500JH $15
Corner sample of the W692G picture frame: solid wood, 8 cm wide and 4 cm thick
W692G $12
Corner sample of the W849H picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W849H $8
Corner sample of the W940BG picture frame: solid wood, 7.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm thick
W940BG $15
Corner sample of the W953PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
W953PJ $8

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Total Price

$ 69

Mimicry

Giclée / Art Print

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 69

Quick Facts

  • Influences:
    • Science
    • Mythology
  • Year: 1937
  • Title: Mimicry
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Notable elements: Mirror, bird, cat

Remedios Varo’s “Mimicry”: A Surrealist Tapestry of Science and Spirit

Remedios Varo's "Mimicry" is not merely a painting; it’s an invitation into a meticulously constructed dreamscape, a testament to the artist’s extraordinary ability to synthesize scientific observation with deeply rooted mystical beliefs. Executed in a style that defies easy categorization – often associated with Surrealism yet fundamentally rooted in her own unique vision – this work transports us to a room imbued with both precision and enchantment. The scene unfolds around a woman seated thoughtfully, her posture suggesting contemplation and perhaps even a subtle awareness of the surrounding environment. Her presence is immediately captivating, underscored by the delicate bird perched upon her shoulder, a recurring motif in Varo’s oeuvre that symbolizes transformation and connection to the natural world.

  • Subject Matter: The central figure, a woman engaged in quiet observation, dominates the composition.
  • Setting: An ornate room filled with symbolic objects – an elaborate mirror reflecting distorted realities, chairs suggesting stillness and reflection, and various birds adding layers of meaning.
  • Composition: A carefully balanced arrangement that draws the eye through a series of interconnected elements.

Decoding the Symbolism: Alchemy, Science, and Mythology

Varo’s work is renowned for its dense symbolism, drawing heavily from alchemical traditions, scientific illustrations, and personal mythology. The mirror in “Mimicry” isn't simply a reflective surface; it represents illusion, self-perception, and the potential for distorted realities. The birds, frequently depicted throughout her art, are not just decorative elements but potent symbols of metamorphosis – representing the soul’s journey towards enlightenment or transformation. The cat, curled at the woman’s feet, adds another layer of complexity, often associated with intuition and hidden knowledge. These recurring motifs suggest a preoccupation with themes of spiritual awakening, the interplay between conscious and unconscious thought, and the pursuit of wisdom.

Technique and Artistic Process: A Masterful Blend

Varo’s technique is characterized by meticulous detail and a remarkable command of color. Executed in oil on canvas, her brushwork is precise yet fluid, creating a sense of both realism and dreamlike quality. She employed techniques reminiscent of scientific illustration – detailed renderings of objects with an almost photographic accuracy – but infused them with a distinctly surreal sensibility. Her use of muted earth tones, punctuated by vibrant accents, contributes to the painting’s overall atmosphere of quiet contemplation and mystery. The layering of glazes and meticulous blending create a luminous effect, enhancing the sense of depth and dimensionality within this intricate scene.

Historical Context and Varo's Unique Vision

"Mimicry" was created during a period of significant artistic experimentation in Europe, with Surrealism challenging conventional notions of reality. However, Varo’s work transcends simple categorization. Born María de los Remedios Alicia Rodrigo Varo y Uranga in Angles, Spain, in 1908, she developed a unique artistic language rooted in her upbringing – her father's engineering background and her mother's religious faith. This confluence of influences shaped her vision, allowing her to create art that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply emotionally resonant. Her work reflects a profound engagement with the mysteries of existence, inviting viewers to contemplate their own place within the universe.

Questions & Answers

What size should I print "Mimicry" for my room?

For a living room, the recommended print size of "Mimicry" by Remedios Varo is large.

Is a download available for "Mimicry"?

A download is available for "Mimicry": the artwork's Download page offers a high-resolution digital image download.

Is "Mimicry" by Remedios Varo a light or a dark artwork?

The recorded values for "Mimicry" by Remedios Varo are: shadow brightness, soft shadow luminance.


Artist Biography

The Precision of the Unseen

In the quiet corners of her studio, Remedios Varo worked with a meticulousness that mirrored the technical drawings of her father, a hydraulic engineer. This early exposure to the mechanics of the world left a mark on her hand, a preference for the fine line and the precise detail. She did not merely paint; she constructed. Her canvases are populated by intricate apparatuses, gears, and hybrid creatures that seem to operate under their own internal logic. There is a certain stillness in her work, the kind found in a laboratory or a sanctuary, where every movement is deliberate and every object has a purpose.

Her upbringing in Anglès, Spain, provided a foundation of duality. From her father, she learned the discipline of observation and the structure of technical drafting. From her mother, she inherited a sense of the spiritual. This tension between the measurable and the mysterious became the engine of her creativity. She moved through the world with a curious eye, absorbing the landscapes of her frequent relocations and the formal training she received at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid. It was here that her technical skill met the burgeoning interest in the subconscious, though her path would always remain her own.

A Life in Motion

The movement of her life was dictated by the shifts of history. The Spanish Civil War and the subsequent occupation of France forced her into a series of displacements, eventually leading her to Mexico City. This relocation was not merely a change of scenery; it was a shift in the very substance of her work. In Mexico, she found a community of thinkers and artists, including Leonora Carrington, who shared her interest in the esoteric. She never became a Mexican citizen, maintaining her Spanish identity even as her vision expanded to include the philosophies and indigenous ideas found in her new home.

Her work moved away from the simple portraits of her early years toward a language of symbols. She became interested in alchemy, not as a pursuit of gold, but as a metaphor for the refinement of the self. Her paintings often feature solitary women engaged in mysterious, scientific, or spiritual tasks. These figures are not passive. They are inventors and seekers, often surrounded by machines that seem to bridge the gap between the physical and the metaphysical. In works like Creation of birds, the act of making becomes a cosmic event, a blending of the biological and the magical.

The Architecture of Dreams

Varo’s style is often described as para-surrealism, a term that captures her departure from the standard Surrealist focus on the subconscious. While others sought to release the chaotic impulses of the mind, she sought to organize them. Her paintings are highly structured, using the precision of an illustrator to depict the impossible. She used oil on masonite to achieve a level of detail that demands a close, unhurried gaze. One can see the fine threads of fate being woven or the subtle movement of celestial energy through her brushwork.

Her legacy is found in the way she merged the scientific with the mystical. She looked at the universe through the lens of an engineer and the heart of a seeker. Her paintings remain a study in how the human spirit attempts to map the unknown. Through her intricate depictions of transformation and connection, she created a visual language for the parts of existence that cannot be measured by a ruler or a clock, yet feel entirely real to those who observe them closely.

Remedios Varo

Remedios Varo

1865 - 1911 , Spain

Quick Facts

  • Full Name: Remedios Varo
  • Nationality: Spanish-Mexican
  • Date Of Birth: 1865
  • Date Of Death: 1911
  • Place Of Birth: Angles, Spain
  • Notable Artworks:
    • Star Catcher
    • Icon
    • Face
    • Dead Leaves
    • Scorpions
  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Para-Surrealism
  • Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
    • Hieronymus Bosch
    • Francisco Goya
    • El Greco
  • Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Future generations of artists']
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