Poselstvi Lesa [The Message of the Forest]
About this artwork
The power of nature over the human world is a recurring theme in Toyen’s work which repeatedly centres on barren, dream-like landscapes, featuring lone girls, fragmentary female figures and birds. The interest in these themes originates in illustrations made for children’s books, but this soon took on a more bizarre and sinister appearance. Toyen was careful not to ‘explain’ the work, but instead left the viewer to explore the symbolic meaning. In common with many Surrealists Toyen had a keen interest in the writings of Sigmund Freud, with works seeming to respond to dreams and nightmares; suggesting a world of intense anxiety.
Updated before 2020
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artist:
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title:Poselstvi Lesa [The Message of the Forest]
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date created:1936
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:160.00 x 129.00 cm; Framed: 172.50 x 140.90 x 6.00 cm; 39.00 kg
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased with help from the Henry and Sula Walton Fund and Art Fund (with a contribution from The Wolfson Foundation), 2016
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accession number:GMA 5551
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gallery:
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subject:
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glossary:
Toyen
Toyen
Toyen was a founder and the most celebrated member of Czech Surrealist Group. Born Marie Čermínová, the name Toyen was adopted in early adulthood. There was no explanation given for this new name, although it may be derived from the French word ‘Citoyen’ (citizen) which gave a non-gendered...