Between Two Worlds by Myrna Báez (Interpretation and Analysis)

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Between Two Worlds
Source: Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Myrna Báez is one of the seminal artists of Puerto Rico’s modernist movement. Báez, who studied in Spain, produced very distinctive work. She was heavily influenced by impressionism and surrealism; there are even elements of cubism in her style. Although Báez didn’t want to be purely identified as a Puerto Rican artist, her work was certainly informed by her heritage.

In particular, Between Two Worlds explores her Puerto Rican identity. The piece portrays a road that runs next to a field, a typical scene in the Puerto Rican countryside. A shadow falls over approximately two thirds of the painting with rectangular chunks removed to show the brighter colors underneath. To the left, a woman walks down the road; her face is blurred, as if captured in motion.

The color contrast represents the two worlds referenced in the title, while the walking woman symbolically represents the liminal space between these worlds. The exact identity of these two worlds is unclear. Báez’s painting could represent the dichotomy between urban and rural, the conflict between forces of colonization and heritage, or the clash of Puerto Rican culture with the Western influences Báez encountered while studying in Europe.

In a broader sense, the painting examines the universal experience of being pulled in two different directions, negotiating the contrasts and dichotomies that fill human life. At its core, the painting explores the psychological reality faced by many people living in the modern world, particularly those dealing with the consequences of colonization. The painting is also remarkable for the way the woman’s body blends into the landscape, a modernist exploration of color, form, and feeling. However you choose to interpret it, the painting is rich in symbolism and meaning, leaving a deep impact on the viewer.

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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