A naked statue 1946

This dreamscape by Paul Delvaux is kind of eerie and captivating all at once. Imagine Delvaux standing before the canvas, conjuring this strange encounter with a cool palette of blues, pinks, and creams. The figures seem caught between worlds, maybe a nod to Surrealism's love of the unconscious. The space is compressed, right? Are we inside or outside? What I like about it is that he's mashing up classical and modern art ideas; a statue on horseback with women who look like they are from another time! It reminds me a bit of de Chirico’s metaphysical cityscapes, those silent plazas filled with a sense of foreboding and mystery. It is as if all the artists are talking to one another across time, isn't it? Painting's never really just about one person alone in their studio, it's a conversation. Each work adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue. It's an ongoing, meandering discussion that we're all invited to join.