In Her Lonely Tower

Author: Sofía Bassi

Title: En su torre solitaria (In Her Lonely Tower)

Date: 1994

Material: Oil on masonite

Dimensions: 19.7 × 23.6 inches

Location: Private collection

Rights: Sofía Bassi Foundation

In En su torre solitaria (In Her Lonely Tower), Sofía Bassi creates an enigmatic and dreamlike scene where a solitary figure stands within the doorway of a luminous green tower, surrounded by an ethereal, almost liquid landscape. The castle motif, a recurring symbol in Bassi’s work, reflects her deep engagement with themes of isolation and transformation. This piece exemplifies her fascination with alchemical imagery, as the structure seems to glow with an inner light, evoking the philosopher’s stone or the transmutation of base materials into gold.

The stark contrast between the vibrant green of the tower and the darker, fluid surroundings suggests a journey of spiritual ascension or self-discovery, aligning with Bassi’s broader esoteric explorations. The presence of a small, white bird at the bottom left hints at liberation or an ethereal messenger, reinforcing the painting’s metaphysical undertones. Like much of her oeuvre, En su torre solitaria merges surrealism with alchemical symbolism, establishing Bassi as a unique voice within Mexico’s artistic landscape, alongside contemporaries such as Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo.