The Fern Cat by Remedios Varo (Interpretation and Analysis)

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The Fern Cat
Source: WikiArt
Spanish-Mexican artist Remedios Varo was one of the leaders of the famed Mexican Surrealist movement. While Mexican born artists developed a unique style incorporating elements of magical realism at the beginning of the twentieth century, that style was augmented when a stream of European Surrealist artists arrived in Mexico as they fled World War II.

Varo was one such artist. After leaving Europe in 1941, she spent the rest of her life living and working in Mexico. Throughout her artistic career, she produced a tremendous volume of highly original paintings, populated by a multitude of fantastical characters and creatures.

El Gato Helecho (which translates to The Fern Cat) is a fantastic example of her otherworldly scenes. Varo loved cats, and they appear in many of her paintings. According to my research, she was inspired to paint The Fern Cat after a friend told her about a dream she had about cats with ferns growing out of them.

Varo transforms this dream into a charming painting of two cats that are literally made out of ferns. One of the cats scratches a tree while the second cat gazes at something outside of the frame, tail up in a sign of confidence. Rain falls on one cat from a strangely shaped cloud, perhaps symbolizing the water that brought the cats to life.

It is difficult to say what the painting might signify. It is possible that The Fern Cat was conceived as a charming gift for a friend. However, at its heart, the painting is an exemplary example of Varo’s magical world and mystical thinking. (Plus, I think the fern cats are extremely cute).

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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