The artwork, “Dancing Ostriches from Disney’s ‘Fantasia’,” was created by Paula Rego in 1995. It is an example of expressionism and falls within the genre of literary painting. This piece vividly captures expressive moments of dancers, likely inspired by the animated sequence from Disney’s “Fantasia,” renowned for its whimsical portrayal of animals performing ballet.
The artwork features a group of female figures dressed as ballerinas. They are adorned in black tutus and are depicted in various dynamic poses, capturing both the grace and exertion of dance. The dancers’ expressions and postures evoke a strong sense of movement, each one uniquely characterized, conveying a narrative of both elegance and intensity. The background of the artwork employs deep, rich blues, which contrast with the dancers’ skin tones and black costumes, adding depth and focus to the central subjects. Rego’s distinctive style imbues the scene with a raw, emotive quality that is a hallmark of the expressionist movement.
