Microcosm 

Remedios Varo made this painting, titled Microcosm, using oil on canvas. The medium itself is traditional, but the artistry is anything but. Varo applies the oil paint with incredible precision, resulting in a smooth, almost hyper-realistic surface that intensifies the dreamlike quality. The material gives a luminous quality to the strange machines floating above a brick-built temple. The artist's refined brushwork allows for the creation of intricate detail and enhances the otherworldly atmosphere, inviting viewers into her unique surreal world. She worked with techniques that are usually associated with the world of engineering. This connects it to broader narratives of industrialisation, labour and invention. There is a clear juxtaposition with the esoteric themes, hinting at the tensions between technological advancement and spiritual quest. Ultimately, Varo's thoughtful combination of material, technique, and subject matter challenges the conventional separations of art, craft, and technology, creating a complex and intriguing visual experience.