Description

Animals, by Rufino Tamayo,1941.

20th Century Modern Art

Analyze

Interpret

Source: www.moma.org

From an angle, two dogs are at attention and poised to leap into action. Blue bones rest at their feet.

A mustard yellow background and a burnt red glow dominates the background.

Vertical lines on the dog's rib cage make them appear savage.

The repetition of bones adds visual interest to the painting.

The use of diagonal lines on the dog's extended arm helps create the illusion of movement.

Invented shapes of red on the dogs indicate a reflection of fire.

I believe Tamayo's wanted to express his views on death. Dogs were seen as guides to the underworld in Mayan and Aztec mythology. With that belief in mind, I believe he wanted to show his anxiety over the inevitable. The bones littered on the floor and eerie yellow allied with the vicious dogs help display his anxiousness.