“The City I Dream,” a celebrated piece by Victor Brauner, was completed in 1937 and belongs to the Metaphysical art movement. This cityscape artwork exemplifies Brauner’s unique style and imaginative vision, encapsulating the dreamlike and mysterious qualities inherent to the Metaphysical tradition.
The artwork portrays a surreal urban landscape with a distinctively dreamlike quality. In the foreground, a figure dressed in military attire is positioned atop a white pedestal, gesturing towards the architectural elements that dominate the scene. These structures are anthropomorphic in form, including a large, disembodied head with a serene expression, a giant hand, and various other forms resembling human body parts. The ground, painted in muted earthy tones, contrasts with the vivid blue sky overhead, providing a stark yet harmonious backdrop. Walls and staircases intersect the scene, creating an illusion of depth and an enigmatic atmosphere. The overall composition exudes a sense of solitude and contemplation, inviting viewers to delve deeper into the artist’s imaginative world.