Mid-Century Theatrical Surrealist Signed Painting, by Fabio Lemus

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On offer is a striking mid-century theatrical surrealist work by the Chilean artist Fabio Lemus, who was active during the … Read more On offer is a striking mid-century theatrical surrealist work by the Chilean artist Fabio Lemus, who was active during the mid-20th century.

STYLE: Lemus was noted for his whimsical, dreamlike and highly staged imagery. His work often aligns with themes from Chile's “Generación del 50,” an era heavily defined by psychological depth and magical realism. This specific piece heavily channels the stylistic traits of Salvador Dalí. It features elongated, sculptural figures, a vast and low-horizon barren landscape, smooth atmospheric shading and deep, dramatic shadows stretching across the ground.

SUBJECT: The composition shows an enigmatic figure wrapped in a heavy, flowing yellow-gold cloak wearing an elaborate headpiece sprouted with green, tree-like flora. This person holds a winding, ribbons-and-staff element, standing alongside a complementary biomorphic vase or figure form that mimics the same botanical headpiece.

MATERIAL: The surface of the painting is a rigid wood panel. The actual paint medium applied over this smooth board surface is oil paint. Mid-century theatrical surrealists like Fabio Lemus favored Masonite because it provided a perfectly flat, non-flexible surface. This rigid substrate allowed artists to achieve smooth, blended color gradients and sharp details without the canvas texture or sagging fabric getting in the way.

FRAME: The artwork is housed in a textured, dark charcoal-mottled wooden frame popular for mid-century modern imports. The corners show visible age-related scuffing, chipping and separation where the mitered wood joints meet. The reverse view shows a vintage framing setup. The artwork is held inside the wooden frame by metal brad nails bent over a thick, aging cardboard backing panel.

Signature/Maker’s Mark: Botton left hand corner (photo #7). Unframed dimensions: 15 inches high x 12 inches wide. See less