Assetjada (Besieged)

In the subseries “Nus i Nues”, Antoni Miró confronts the naturalistic representation of human bodies, on a life-sized scale, or even larger, and with abundant definition. Focusing on showing nudity involves addressing, in direct terms and without obstacles or prejudices, an aspect of our presence that is usually forbidden to others.

In this work, the image that is offered of a woman is far removed from any idea of fragility. In fact, she appears to be facing a siege (assetjada in Valencian) in a very forceful way. She is trying to stop those who are harassing her from behind, turning decisively, staring and exclaiming. She is unequivocally expressing a negative. Assertively, she is saying enough; clad in a strong empowerment that does not, however, come into contradiction with her naked presence.

The painter reflects a body in balance, shifted to the left of the canvas, orienting all the tension to the opposite side. Facing the opposite side, she directs her gaze, her left arm outstretched and saying “no”. Her outstretched right hand, indicating to whoever is trying to attack her to stop, acquires a very important relevance, concentrating in the central axis of the canvas the meaning that the painter is trying to convey.

Idealisation and subjection to strict reality coexist in the definition of the figure, as is the case, for example, with the technique used to represent some marks on the skin of her waist. The similarity between the dark tones that make up the neutral background and the brown colour of her hair requires an over-illumination at the edges. This further reinforces the visual predominance of the upper central third of the composition, in which the face and hand gather all the symbolic weight of the image.

Santiago Pastor Vila