The artwork titled “A l’heure de l’observatoire – Les amoureux” was created by the artist Man Ray in 1936. This black and white photograph is a significant work within the Surrealism art movement. The piece measures 17.1 x 21.8 cm and belongs to a private collection. As a genre, it falls under photography, capturing elements that defy expectations and challenge the viewer’s perception in true surrealist fashion.
This artwork features a prominent pair of female lips floating above a landscape, set against a textured sky or background that evokes a sense of both immensity and intimacy. The lips are disproportionately large, overpowering the rest of the elements in the photograph and creating a vivid focal point with a floating effect that generates a dreamlike quality. Below the enigmatic lips, the composition includes a reclining figure, adding to the surreal narrative and sense of dislocation from reality. The figure’s posture suggests a relaxed or unconscious state, further engaging with themes of the subconscious and desire that are central to Surrealist art. Overall, the photograph uses scale, contrast, and disjointed elements to provoke thought and evoke emotional responses that transcend the ordinary.
