Remedios Varo (1913 - 1963): Woman Leaving the Psychoanalyst’s Office 1960, oil on canvas
“This canvas presents the subject as a veiled woman exiting from a door marked as “Dr. F. J. A.” (Freud, Jung, and Adler). Varo plays with “psychoanalytic theories about women and the process of individuation. Having the women drop the head of her father into the small well is an act that Varo described it as “correct to do when leaving the psychoanalyst.” This supposedly is what allowed one veil to drop only to leave another veil still covering part of her face. This veil that still covers her mouth is said to leave her mute. (Remedios Varo: Voyages and Visions, by Janet Kaplan © 1980 Woman’s Art, Inc.., 44)” (Source)
“Varo explained that, as the woman leaves she drops the ghost of her father into the well. A layer of her veil falls away. She’s still carrying a basketload of old crap, but it’s one item lighter now.” (Source)
“This woman leaving the psychoanalyst’s office drops her father’s head into a small circular well (which is the proper thing to do when leaving the psychoanalyst). The basket she carries holds yet more psychological waste: a pocket watch, symbolizing the fear of arriving late, et cetera. The psychanalyst’s name is Dr. FJA (Freud, Jung and Adler).” (Source - The quote above is taken from comments of the artist’s, apparently recorded by her brother, Dr. Rodrigo Varo)
