Pesadelo

Joaquim Rodrigo’s 1961 artwork Pesadelo exemplifies elements of Naïve art (primitivism), characterized by its unrefined, childlike simplicity that conveys raw emotional intensity. Rooted in a Figurative tradition, the piece translates the title "Pesadelo," meaning nightmare, into vivid imagery that explores subconscious and unsettling themes. Rodrigo’s technique emphasizes bold forms and straightforward compositions, stripping away complexity to evoke a direct, evocative response. The work sits within a genre that reveals the power of personal vision and emotional resonance through accessible visual language, reinforcing the artist’s distinctive approach to expressing intense psychological states.