Maseda’s “Chaplin,” created in 2015, is an exploration of classical iconography through the technique of oil painting. Maseda uses a palette dominated by grays and whites, interrupted by touches of fluor pink, to inject a contemporary element into the composition. These flashes of color not only highlight Chaplin’s physical features, such as his cheeks or lips, but also bring an expressive and almost playful dimension to the piece.
The 114 x 146 cm work shows Chaplin in his trademark hat and period costume, looking directly at the viewer, with a penetrating gaze that reflects the complexity of his character and the era he embodied. The background, made in colors that contrast with the main figure, suggests a more abstract and emotional environment that contextualizes the character in a space that goes beyond the movie screen.
As a whole, the painting reflects an early stage of Maseda’s apprenticeship, where one can perceive the search for balance between respect for tradition and the incorporation of modern elements.
