Threshold  

Author: Cordelia Urueta

Title: Threshold (Umbral)

Creation Date: 1983

Materials/Techniques: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 66.1 × 50.4 inches

Location: Private collection

In Threshold (Umbral, 1983), Cordelia Urueta delves into abstraction, using a palette dominated by fiery reds and deep oranges to evoke a sense of intense emotional depth. The composition is minimalist yet dynamic, with subtle shifts in tone and hue creating an impression of layered space. The central vertical forms, bathed in glowing light, suggest a doorway or portal, inviting viewers to contemplate what lies beyond—a recurrent theme in Urueta’s exploration of spiritual and existential boundaries. 

The title, Threshold, implies a point of transition or passage, resonating with Urueta's fascination with themes of transformation, spirituality, and the metaphysical. The painting’s warm, almost oppressive colors add an element of mystery, as if crossing this threshold could reveal both beauty and unknown dangers. This work departs from her figurative pieces, instead focusing on the power of color and form to evoke the sacred and the unknown, aligning with her theosophical interest in art as a means of accessing higher realms of consciousness. 

The abstract approach and use of intense color also connect with Urueta's later career, where she increasingly embraced the expressive potential of non-representational forms. In Threshold, the artist encourages viewers to confront the intensity of the unknown, making it a powerful addition to an exhibit focused on the spiritual in art. The work stands as an invitation to step into the intangible and embrace the transformative nature of the unseen.