Reflections in a Golden Eye is a nod by Carlos Aires to the John Houston film of the same name and depicts a large eye observing the onlooker, where the onlooker in turn is reflected in the eye. The viewer can contemplate their own reflection in the golden steel while being observed by the dozens of eyes that make up this piece. The motifs are mainly taken from figures, most of them male, that appear on real banknotes in use in some of the world’s richest countries. The polished composition is reminiscent of the baroque altarpieces found in Christian churches, in a clear allusion to Money, the quintessential contemporary god.

The symbol of the eye dates back to ancient Egypt, where it represented sight, light, wisdom and spirit. Catholicism would later use it to depict God’s watching over humanity and his providence. It is frequently used on banknotes. For example, the Eye of Providence can be found on the reverse of the US dollar bill, placed inside a triangle atop a pyramid. The image of the eye also refers to Argo, the watchful guardian of myth, who features on the uniforms of some of the dignitaries in the Banco de España’s portrait gallery, including Francisco de Cabarrús, by Agustín Esteve, and Ramón de Santillán, by Gutiérrez de la Vega.

BDE Banco de España