Star Catcher by Remedios Varo

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Star Catcher
Source: WikiArt
When you’re looking for a painting to spark your imagination, you can always count on Remedios Varo. Varo was one of the most creative and original artists of her age. Her paintings are inhabited by a vast array of colorful and unusual characters that are unrecognizable as either humans or animals.

The titular character of Varo’s painting the Star Catcher is one such unusual creature. The piece depicts a humanoid figure dressed in bright and voluminous robes that are reminiscent of some sort of celestial body. A strange, helmet-like headdress completes her outfit. In one hand, she holds a cage containing a crescent moon while she holds a net in the other hand. It is clear that this creature is about to venture out into the sky in search of stars.

Compositionally, the piece is very striking. While Varo’s paintings are usually complex and multilayered, Star Catcher is quite simple, featuring only one figure who looks directly at the viewer. This confrontal gaze is intriguing and fascinating. The head on pose is traditionally reserved for religious figures in Western art, and Varo’s decision to use it here gives her painting a certain degree of seriousness and gravity.

It is a beautiful and mysterious painting, representative of Varo’s unique style and extraordinary imagination. It is easy to imagine this mystical star catcher floating through the cosmos, gathering stray stars in her net.

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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