Two women and moon

Author: Maria Izquierdo 

Date: 1936 

Materials/Techniques: Tempera on paper 

Dimensions: 8 1/8" x 10 3/4" 12 3/16" x 14 7/8" 

During her time in New York in the 1930s, María Izquierdo became acquainted with members of the Delphic Society, an intellectual and artistic circle that sought to revive ancient traditions and integrate them into modern artistic expression. The society explored Theosophy and the theories of Russian esotericist Peter Ouspensky. Ouspensky’s concept of the fourth dimension—a metaphysical space beyond conventional perception—resonated deeply with Izquierdo, who frequently depicted women as figures trapped within mystical landscapes governed by celestial influences. Her work from this period reflects these ideas, presenting female subjects caught between earthly existence and higher, often inaccessible realms.

This untitled work from 1936 exemplifies Izquierdo’s engagement with these esoteric themes. Two seated women, positioned under a moonlit sky, appear confined within a dreamlike space. They are surrounded by trees yet overshadowed by an imposing red wall that dominates the background. One woman gazes outward, seemingly longing for something beyond her reach, while the other remains introspective, reinforcing a sense of quiet contemplation and spiritual isolation. The presence of the moon is also a recurrent motif in Izquierdo’s work.

This scene echoes Izquierdo’s other works from the same year, particularly Allegory of Labor (Alegoría del trabajo, 1936) and Slaves in a Mythical Landscape (Esclavas en paisaje mítico, 1936), in which women are similarly depicted within surreal settings where celestial forces shape their fates. In these works, planetary elements, architectural enclosures, and mystical landscapes symbolize both oppression and the potential for spiritual liberation. Together, these works illustrate her engagement with esotericism, feminism, and her pursuit of an alternative vision of Mexican identity in the 1930s—one that diverged from dominant nationalist narratives by embracing introspection and unseen forces that shape human existence.