Can`t teach an old dog new tricks

Las Grebas Doradas - 100 x 100 cm. óleo sobre chapa de acero - 2023

This is an unusual painting, in that its theme came unasked for, piggybacking on the image. I was sure of the old wasted man atop the fresh young centaur lady as though it was a given. The important details were there from the start: the partial armour, the old gold, tainted but precious, the weary look and attitude, the  springy dame and her dreams of youth, the boisterous promises of beauty and life.. the odd relationship, above all.

I chose to leave the beautiful texture of a pair of steel plates that had begun to rust in the background, enjoying the interplay between the tree branches and the brown stains. Also the metallic shimmer adds to an uncanny effect that I welcome. Here below I share two sketches, where it is plain the idea changed little. Preponderant was the role of the bridles, the forceful way they permitted to control the young maiden, I’m not sure why, but that was crucial.