La Passivite Comblee 1964

Victor Brauner made this painting, “La Passivite Comblee”, sometime in the 20th century with oil paint. It looks like a dreamscape of surreal figures in blues, yellows, and tans against a dark brown background. I can imagine Brauner starting with loose sketches, letting his subconscious guide his hand. The shapes and forms feel like they’ve emerged through trial and error, each layer building upon the last. The painting is smooth and matte, giving it a slightly otherworldly feel. Those angular arms and legs, they remind me of some of Picasso’s cubist figures, but with a playful twist. I wonder what Brauner was thinking as he worked on this piece. Was he exploring ideas about identity, transformation, or the nature of reality? Or was he simply enjoying the process of creating, letting his imagination run wild. Maybe it's all of those things. It is so fun to watch artists play with each other’s ideas over the years. Ultimately, it's up to each of us to bring our own experiences and perspectives to the work, and I love that.