Mermaids 

Author: María Izquierdo

Name: Sirenas (Mermaids)

Date: 1938

Material: Watercolor on paper

Dimensions: 8 1/8 x 10 7/8 inches

Location: Private collection

In Mermaids (Sirenas, 1938), María Izquierdo presents an enigmatic scene populated by mythical figures, blending elements of surrealism and folklore. The painting depicts four women with fishtail lower bodies. Set against a vibrant, almost otherworldly landscape, the mermaids are placed under a crescent moon, their forms blending into a desert-like terrain. The contrast of earthy reds and yellows adds warmth to the composition, while the blue ball on the ground introduces an element of whimsy or playfulness, contrasting with the intense expressions of the figures.

The mermaids' varied poses create a sense of movement and interaction, almost as if they are caught in a dance or ritual under the open sky. One siren holds a cloth above her head, a possible nod to spiritual or ceremonial practices, while another appears to blow a horn, adding to the sense of performance. Their expressions range from intense concentration to exuberant joy, hinting at an inner world of emotion and connection beyond their mythical allure. This scene echoes the themes found in Izquierdo's other works, such as Allegory of Labor and Slaves in a Mythical Landscape, where women are portrayed as powerful, mystical figures connected to natural and cosmic forces.

The lunar presence in Mermaids connects with Izquierdo’s exploration of celestial symbolism, evident in previous paintings where the moon plays a central role in defining the atmosphere. Much like in Allegory of Liberty and Woman with Two Horses, the moon here enhances the mystical and introspective qualities of the composition, while the mermaids’ fishtails root them in an in-between realm, neither fully human nor animal, transcending traditional representations of femininity. Izquierdo’s portrayal of mermaids thus becomes a commentary on women’s roles in society—rooted in the mundane yet reaching toward the spiritual and the divine.