Astro Errante (The Wandering Star) by Remedios Varo

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Astro Errante
Source: Sothebys
Spanish-Mexican artist Remedios Varo was one the most creative artists of her age. After fleeing Europe during World War II, Varo became one of the leaders of the famed Mexican Surrealist movement. Varo’s work is highly original and inventive, and used her painting to explore the boundary between the real and the fantastical.

Astro Errante (which translates to The Wandering Star) is an excellent example of her whimsical and playful style. The piece depicts an orange figure with a sun-shaped head. The figure is shrouded in a grey cloak as he walks across a dark sky. It is a beautiful and charming painting on its own merit, and the theme is so universal that the piece can stand on its own without much explanation.

However, there are some obvious allusions here. The wandering star in this painting is scientifically accurate. Rather than a traditional, five-pointed star, Varo has chosen to depict the star as a burning ball of gas like our sun. Here, we see the “sun” wandering through space, shedding light from behind its shadowy cloak. However, the piece also references the mythological character of the wanderer, a relatively common motif in European mythology. The most famous example of the wanderer is the Norse god Odin. According to legend, Odin often roams the Earth in a cloak and hat, asking for hospitality.

One can easily imagine the star, dressed in the guise of a wanderer, roaming the sky, seeking a place to rest. It is a haunting, yet enchanting image. 

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.

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