private collection in new york
Mars – Expanding Color Beyond the Familiar
Mars (2022) is a circular acrylic painting on canvas by Rosana Auqué that explores the sensation of limitless space through color, movement, and contrast. With a diameter of 25 cm, the work concentrates a vast emotional and visual universe within an intimate format.
Unlike many of Auqué’s earlier luminous compositions, Mars introduces a deeper exploration of darker tonalities, particularly black in the background. This shift is not accidental. It represents a deliberate expansion of her own chromatic language — a movement beyond comfort, toward contrast, density, and the unknown.
The title evokes the red planet, but the painting does not illustrate Mars as astronomy. Instead, it suggests a psychological landscape: floating balloons suspended in a cosmic atmosphere, weightless yet grounded by shadow. It is an exploration of expansion — of color, of space, and of artistic limits.
A Universe of Balloons and Boundless Movement
Throughout Rosana Auqué’s work, balloon-like forms often appear as symbols of emotional elevation, freedom, and inner lightness. In Mars, these shapes seem to drift across an infinite field, unconfined by gravity or horizon.
The circular format reinforces this sensation. There is no beginning or end, no directional constraint. The viewer’s gaze moves in orbit, much like a celestial body tracing its path through space.
This painting reflects an ongoing investigation into what lies beyond visible boundaries. It is not simply about outer space, but about the internal expansion of perception — a meditation on limitlessness expressed through color and form.
The Presence of Black as Expansion, Not Absence
Black, in Mars, is not emptiness. It is depth.
For an artist whose palette frequently embraces vibrant tones and luminous backgrounds, the use of dark space marks a meaningful evolution. The black background intensifies the surrounding colors, allowing them to vibrate with greater force.
This contrast generates tension — and within that tension, growth. The work becomes a dialogue between light and shadow, clarity and mystery. In doing so, it reveals a personal artistic transition: pushing boundaries, experimenting with unfamiliar tonal balances, and expanding expressive limits.
Technical Details of the Artwork
Title: Mars
Artist: Rosana Auqué
Year: 2022
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 25 cm diameter
Price: USD $700
Status: Available
Conceptual Context Within Rosana Auqué’s Practice
Mars belongs to a body of work concerned with emotional elevation and spatial freedom. While compact in size, it operates conceptually on a much larger scale.
The painting can be understood as a turning point in Auqué’s exploration of contrast. By integrating darker chromatic grounds, she challenges her own visual vocabulary and extends her artistic territory.
Rather than depicting a planet, the work suggests an inner cosmos — an environment where color becomes atmosphere and form becomes movement.
FAQs About Mars
What does the painting Mars represent?
Mars represents an exploration of limitless space and emotional expansion through circular composition, balloon-like forms, and the interplay between light and dark.
Why is the background black in this work?
The black background signifies depth rather than absence. It enhances chromatic contrast and marks an expansion of Rosana Auqué’s artistic palette.
Is Mars part of a larger conceptual series?
Yes. The work aligns with Rosana Auqué’s ongoing exploration of spatial freedom, elevation, and symbolic floating forms.
Is the artwork available for purchase?
Yes. Mars (2022), acrylic on canvas, 25 cm diameter, is currently available for USD $700.
