Description
The painting "In Ictu Oculi" by the artist Juan de Valdés Leal is a masterpiece that stands out for its baroque artistic style and its dramatic composition. With an original size of 220 x 216 cm, this work presents a powerful scene that invites the viewer to reflect on the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
Valdés Leal's artistic style is characterized by detailed realism and his ability to accurately depict human anatomy. In "In Ictu Oculi", we can appreciate his mastery of the technique when portraying the bodies in different states of decomposition. The faces of the corpses are disfigured, showing the inevitability of death and the fragility of human existence.
The composition of the work is impressive, with a triangular arrangement that guides the viewer's gaze towards the center of the painting. In the center is a skeleton holding an hourglass, symbolizing the passage of time and the transience of life. Around him, there are several corpses in different poses, some covered with sheets and others in an advanced state of decomposition. This arrangement creates a sense of movement and depth in the work.
The use of color in "In Ictu Oculi" is sober and dark, with brown and gray tones predominating. This contributes to the feeling of melancholy and death that the painting conveys. However, Valdés Leal uses small touches of color, such as the intense red of the blood that drips from the corpses, to generate a visual impact and highlight the brutality of the scene.
The history of the painting "In Ictu Oculi" is little known, but it is believed that it was commissioned by the Order of Discalced Carmelites to decorate the chapel of the Convent of San Alberto in Seville. The work was completed in 1672 and has been considered one of Valdés Leal's best creations.
One of the lesser known aspects of this painting is its religious symbolism. "In Ictu Oculi" represents a scene of the Last Judgment, with the corpses and the skeleton symbolizing death and resurrection. In addition, the title of the work, which means "In the twinkling of an eye" in Latin, refers to the speed with which death can come and the need to be prepared for the final judgment.
In summary, the painting "In Ictu Oculi" by Juan de Valdés Leal is a fascinating work that stands out for its baroque artistic style, its dramatic composition and its use of color. Through this work, the artist invites us to reflect on the transience of life and the inevitability of death, conveying a religious and moral message.