Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Remedios Varo died in 1911; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1981.
In context
Icon — Remedios Varo
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 46 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Remedios Varo (1865–1911) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/remedios-varo-icon-8LT5XQ-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Black #080207
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 56.9% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 290 works by this artist, of which 142 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 108 of them, with 0.2% of that attention (100 visits). The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Angles, Spain
Remedios Varo (1908-1963) stands as a singular figure in 20th-century art, an artist whose work defies easy categorization. Though often associated with the Surrealist movement, her vision extended far beyond its boundaries, weaving together scientific precision, alchemical symbolism, and a deeply personal mythology. Born María de los Remedios Alicia Rodriga Varo y Uranga in Anglès, Spain, her early life was shaped by a fascinating duality: a pragmatic father, a hydraulic engineer who instilled in her a love for technical drawing and meticulous observation, and a devoutly Catholic mother whose influence sparked a lifelong questioning of established norms. This tension between reason and faith, science and spirituality, would become a defining characteristic of her art. Her childhood was marked by frequent relocations following her father’s work, exposing her to diverse landscapes and cultures, while her formal education at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid provided a solid foundation in traditional artistic techniques. It was there she encountered fellow artists like Salvador Dalí, though her path would diverge into more introspective and uniquely symbolic territory.
Varo’s early work reflected the prevailing styles of the time—sensitive portraits and realistic depictions of her surroundings. However, a growing fascination with the esoteric began to permeate her artistic explorations. In Madrid, she became involved with a group known as the Logicophobists, who sought to reconcile art and metaphysics, delving into realms beyond rational understanding. This period marked a crucial shift in her thinking, laying the groundwork for the intensely personal iconography that would define her mature style. The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War forced Varo to flee Europe, eventually finding refuge in Mexico City in 1938. This relocation proved transformative. Freed from the constraints and political turmoil of wartime Europe, she discovered a vibrant artistic community and an environment conducive to fully realizing her unique vision. Mexico offered not just safety but also a fertile ground for exploring her interests in alchemy, astrology, and indigenous philosophies—influences that would become inextricably linked to her art.
Varo’s artistic style is instantly recognizable – a meticulous blend of technical draftsmanship and dreamlike imagery. Her paintings are populated by fantastical machines, hybrid creatures, and enigmatic female figures engaged in mysterious activities. These aren't merely whimsical creations; they are carefully constructed allegories, laden with symbolic meaning. Alchemy serves as a central theme, not simply as a historical practice but as a metaphor for transformation—the process of refining the self through knowledge and experience. Her depictions of intricate apparatuses suggest a desire to understand and manipulate the forces of nature, while also hinting at the limitations of human control. Perhaps most compelling is her portrayal of women: not as passive muses or objects of desire, but as active agents of change—inventors, scientists, alchemists, and seekers of knowledge. She challenges traditional gender roles, presenting a vision of feminine power rooted in intellect, intuition, and spiritual exploration. Creation of the World or Microcosm, for example, showcases her early fascination with creation myths and scientific principles, while works like Star Catcher exemplify her ability to merge mysticism with technical skill.
Remedios Varo’s contribution to art history lies in her development of what has been termed “para-surrealism”—an expansion upon traditional Surrealism that incorporates elements of alchemy, mysticism, and esoteric knowledge. She wasn't interested in simply accessing the subconscious, as many Surrealists were; she sought to create a visual language for exploring deeper truths about the universe and humanity’s place within it. Her work resonates with contemporary audiences because it speaks to our enduring fascination with the mysteries of existence, the power of transformation, and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex world. Though her career was relatively short—she died prematurely at the age of 54—her impact on subsequent generations of artists is undeniable. She paved the way for a more inclusive and multifaceted understanding of Surrealism, inspiring those who seek to bridge the gap between science, spirituality, and artistic expression. Her paintings continue to captivate viewers with their intricate detail, enigmatic symbolism, and profound sense of wonder.
Her works can be found in numerous private collections worldwide.
Significant examples of her art are held at the Real Academia de San Fernando (Madrid).
The Munnings Art Museum offers a glimpse into British artistry that influenced her early work.
Museums like MoMA have featured her works, solidifying her place in art history.
Today, Remedios Varo’s legacy continues to grow. Her paintings invite us to embark on our own journeys of discovery—to question assumptions, embrace the unknown, and explore the hidden dimensions of reality. Through her unique artistic vision, she reminds us that true knowledge lies not in finding definitive answers but in embracing the endless possibilities of imagination and inquiry.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/remedios-varo-icon-8LT5XQ-en/
Look closely
Icon — Remedios Varo
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
To get a digital file of "Icon" by Remedios Varo, order a high-resolution digital image download on its Digital Image page.
"Icon" by Remedios Varo can be viewed as a slideshow on the artwork's Diaporama page.
A download is available for "Icon": the artwork's Download page offers a high-resolution digital image download.