Felix Gonzalez-Torres' puzzle works are a fascinating and integral part of his artistic oeuvre, blending conceptual art with personal and political narratives. These works consist of photographs printed as jigsaw puzzles, usually enclosed in plastic bags, and were created mainly in the early 1990s. Each puzzle measures approximately 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches, with editions typically limited to three, plus one artist's proof. The subject matter of these puzzles varies widely, encompassing themes such as love letters, albums, landscapes, and even historical events or figures, such as a work titled "Untitled" (Oscar Wilde's Tombstone) from 1989.

The creation of these puzzles can be seen as an act of preservation, encapsulating moments, memories, or sentiments within a physical form that, while theoretically reassemblable, is presented as a finished and untouchable object due to its sealed packaging. This aspect of Gonzalez-Torres' work plays into broader themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time, elements that are deeply woven into his artistic practice. For example, works like "Untitled" (Loverboy) from 1988 and "Untitled" (1987) from 1991 are indicative of the artist's nuanced approach to these themes ​ (Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation)​.

The puzzles not only represent Gonzalez-Torres' innovative approach to art-making but also his desire to engage viewers in a dialogue that transcends the visual to evoke personal reflections and emotional responses. They challenge traditional notions of art as a static, untouchable object and instead propose an artwork that is conceptually accessible yet physically restricted, enhancing the interplay between visibility and inaccessibility​ (Sothebys.com)​.

Moreover, Gonzalez-Torres’ puzzle works are notable for their conceptual depth. Each piece invites the viewer to ponder the juxtaposition of the public and the private, the collective and the individual. This is especially poignant given the personal losses Gonzalez-Torres experienced, particularly the death of his partner to AIDS, which deeply influenced his work. The puzzles, with their fragments encapsulated and preserved yet forever incomplete, serve as metaphors for memory, loss, and the human condition​ (Sothebys.com)​.

Felix Gonzalez-Torres' puzzle works are a profound exploration of intimacy, loss, and remembrance, encapsulating key themes of his broader artistic practice. Through the medium of the jigsaw puzzle, Gonzalez-Torres invites viewers to engage with the artwork not just as observers but as participants in a shared experience of memory and reflection.