The Troubadour by Remedios Varo

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The Troubadour
Source: Sothebys
I am often captivated by the paintings of Spanish-Mexican painter Remedios Varo. Varo was one of the most creative artists of her age, employing a complex set of symbols and visual story-telling techniques to convey meaning. As a result, her paintings often conjure images of some half-imagined, legendary past, steeped in magic.

The Troubadour is one of her most beautiful and magical paintings. The piece depicts a man in a small boat with a female masthead sailing down a river through an enchanted forest. A woman who appears to be some sort of wood nymph plays a pipe on the banks of the river, while birds look on.

Compositionally and stylistically, the piece owes much to European medieval art, making reference to traditional depictions of troubadours and manuscript illumination styles. This choice was not accidental.

The piece was inspired by an expedition down the Orinoco River in Venezuela, which Varo participated in. This trip was hugely influential for Varo and continued to impact her work for years to come. However, the iconography of The Troubadour is reminiscent of European artwork and legends. In European history, a troubadour was a traveling musician who brought news and stories to the communities he visited. Varo’s troubadour is engaged in a mystical version of this journey. According to my research, there are references to Homer’s epics here, as well as references to the Greek myth of Orpheus, a lyre player who had so much skill he was able to charm all living things. Varo’s troubadour is similarly charming, engaging the wildlife around him in his mystical song.

As the catalogue from its sale through Sothebys notes, “Deep in the mysterious, unending forest, the troubadour finds himself surrounded by female earth...the quest of the troubadour suddenly becomes a journey of mystical revelation and spiritual awe.” Like many of Varo’s paintings, the piece explores the inner world and serves to represent the psychological journey that the troubadour endures.

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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