“Lodola,” an oil on canvas painting by Francis Picabia, dates from 1930 to 1931. Measuring 196 x 130 cm, this Surrealist work belongs to the artist’s “Transparencies” series and is currently held in a private collection. It is classified as a mythological painting.
The artwork encapsulates a dreamlike and mythological scene, typical of the Surrealist movement. Dominating the composition is an ethereal figure entwined with a large, fantastical creature rendered in rich, layered tones. The scene exudes a sense of otherworldliness and mystery, augmented by the use of transparent layers—a hallmark of Picabia’s “Transparencies” series. The figure and the creature appear enmeshed, creating a complex visual interplay that asks the viewer to ponder the nature of their relationship. The subtleties in color and form enhance the surreal and enigmatic quality of the artwork.
