Self-Portrait with Unicorn by Remedios Varo (Interpretation and Analysis)

Self-Portrait with Unicorn
Source: Pinterest

The world of Surrealist art is wild and wonderful. The Surrealist movement represents a flourishing of imagination, taking viewers into the visionary world that lurks just out of reach of the conscious mind. Studying a Surrealist painting often involves a deep dive into the painter’s psyche, and this is especially true of self-portraits.

There are few genres of painting more revealing or more interesting than the self-portrait. As the term suggests, self-portraits reveal the way the artist sees themselves, in a literal or symbolic sense.

Spanish-Mexican artist Remedios Varo’s Self-Portrait with Unicorn is one of the most stunning and interesting examples of the self-portrait genre. Varo was one of the most creative and original artists of her age. Her paintings tend to be inhabited by a vast array of colorful and unusual characters that are unrecognizable as either humans or animals.

However, her self-portrait makes use of a more conventional mythical beast (if such a thing exists): a unicorn. The painting depicts a desaturated, stylized version of Varo sitting alongside a white unicorn with a wild look in its eyes. Although Varo and the unicorn are executed in shades of white and grey, the background is dominated by a rich shade of red. Varo and the unicorn are surrounded by a forest of twisting trees.

The self-portrait itself doesn’t resemble Varo much, but her characteristic heart-shaped face and arched eyebrows betray her identity. Varo often incorporated parts of her own face into her art. While these paintings aren’t necessarily self-portraits, it’s possible to see Varo’s features in many characters in work.

The self-portrait itself is a play on the traditional unicorn paintings of the Medieval period. In particular, unicorn hunts were a common theme in paintings and in tapestries. Varo’s self-portrait belongs in this lineage. Her painting is particularly reminiscent of the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series, each of which depicts one of the five senses in company with a lady and a unicorn (as the title suggests). In Western mythology, a unicorn can only be touched by a virgin, making it a symbol of purity and grace.

The Lady and the Unicorn: À mon seul désir
Source: Wikimedia Commons

However, Varo’s painting updates this idea. There is a sexually charged undertone in this painting. Varo’s pose is sensual, while the unicorn’s wild expression is reminiscent of passionate fervor. The style itself is clearly inspired by Asian artwork, making the piece a visually complex feast for the eyes. In my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful self portraits now in existence.

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.