THRESHOLD OF LIBERTY PAINTING (surrealism)

Question 1

Ernst, Max, Two Children Are Threatened by a

Nightingale 1924

Answer 1

• Dadaist
• Dream landscape of two girls, one running from small bird in horror with knife in hand while other is collapsed on the ground. Doesn’t make much sense.
• Fantasy is emphasized by the the elements attached to the panel. gate and house. figure atop house clutch girl reaching for knob- ready made resemblance
• Sense of depth because of the gates and house.
• Written a poem which included the phrase”as night falls two children are threatened by a nightingale” but says himself that he was not trying to depict the poem
• created a year before he became a participant of surrealist movement
• created new unforeseen associations.

Question 2

Magritte, René, The Treachery (or Perfidy) of Images 1928-29

Answer 2

Surrealist movement

• Depicted a pipe, but also written on it was “This is not a Pipe”
• Makes you think. It’s all about how you interpret it.
• it reveals the notion that objects represent a meaning. - A simple painting with its contradictory statement, questions aspects of language.
• To rebel against the materialistic society in which he was residing in.

Question 3

Magritte, The Human Condition 1934

Answer 3

Realistic Surrealism

• not looking out the window, looking at a canvas in front of the window
• forces you to do a double take and THAT is the human condition
• recurring theme is illustrating an object that is covering up whatever is behind it.
• theme of including a painting within a painting, hiding whatever lies behind.

Question 4

Picasso, Seated Bather 1930

Answer 4

• context: no good relationships with women, possible depiction of his wife
• content: innovation and change in art (abstract)
• subject matter: abstract woman
• meant to represent women as beautiful but also their demonic character