Brauner

Man: Inscription in pencil on the back of the paper “Brauner, No. 10" (bottom left), “8632/3" (on the left side) and no. “762132" (on the top right edge)

Woman: Inscription in pencil on the back of the paper “Brauner, No. 9” (bottom left)

‍

Victor Brauner's painting evolves in a universe composed of anthropomorphic beings, totemic figures and popular superstitions inspired in particular by the Romanian folklore of his childhood. Brauner's imaginary universe resonates with the creations of ancient or primitive societies, those of Pharaonic Egypt or the ancient Mayans. In these two gouaches dated 1936, the schematisation of forms, the renunciation of depth effects and the flat areas of pure gouache can also be linked to the pictographic signs found on traditional Plains Indian fabrics and the cave paintings that inspired the painter. These works belong to the period following the painful time when Brauner decided to leave Romania and his involvement around 1933 alongside Breton in the Surrealist group.