Repousa

Repousa, Jose Antonio da Silva, 1955

As I completed the reading for class, I could not help but notice this painting by Jose Antonio da Silva. I thought it was so beautiful and unique. The author's title for the piece is Repousa or Fazenda. It suggests a beautiful and restful place. It also infers the restfulness of a faraway farm. When I look at the picture, I just feel quiet and peaceful. 

Although, my mind instantly connected this lovely farm scene with a not-so-lovely scene that looks somewhat like this. This colorful, almost candylike, place could remind one of the story of Hansel and Gretel. For a refresher, young Hansel and Gretel are in the woods with their father when they become lost (long story short). Suddenly, they come upon a wonderful house made of cakes and candies. Hungry and tired, they begin to eat parts of the house. The rest of the story is well known and the kids end up living happily ever after. This peaceful scene just seems so simliar to the one in the strange German tale.

Just like the cannibalistic witch's cabin in the tale, these homes seems to be nestled deep in the woods. It is apparent that plants and trees are abundant. Several animals and birds are also visible in the painting. Each element of the depiction seems to confirm the quiet peace of this fazenda. It truly appears to be a restful place as the title suggests. Hopefully there is no background story of children being eaten by old women associated with this painting. Peaceful scenes like this on the outside often represent something fierce that occurs on the inside.