Untitled 1938

This surreal etching by Andre Masson is all about the process. Just look at the freedom in those lines! Masson’s mark-making feels like a kind of automatic writing, a way of letting the subconscious take over. The texture is key here, isn't it? Notice the contrast between the delicate, feathery lines that make up the bird's head and the more aggressive, scratchy lines in the background. The surface of the plate has an almost velvety quality, which makes the image feel both intimate and unsettling. Then there is the eye of the bird, with the swirl of the iris echoed in the shape of the claw above, it's as if one is growing out of the other. This visual rhyme pulls the composition together, creating a sense of unity. Masson was a key figure in the Surrealist movement, and this print is a great example of their interest in dreams, the unconscious, and the power of suggestion. You could say Masson was influenced by Picasso, a kindred spirit, who shared Masson's interest in pushing the boundaries of representation.