The artwork titled “Illustration for Oeillades ciselées en branche (Glances Cut on the Branch)” was created by Hans Bellmer in 1939. This piece is part of the Surrealism art movement and belongs to the illustration genre. Bellmer’s work in this period is characterized by the exploration of the female form through a surreal and often unsettling lens.
In the artwork, a highly stylized and surreal depiction of a female figure dominates the scene. The figure is displayed in an almost doll-like form, with disjointed limbs and an exaggerated, almost grotesque rendition of the female body. The woman is seated on a chair beside a table, draped with a cloth, providing a contrast between the domestic and the bizarre. The juxtaposition of the anatomical elements and the almost unnatural realism mixed with distorted proportions evokes a feeling of unease. This composition creates a tension that is characteristic of Surrealist works, forcing the viewer to confront the unsettling merging of reality and dream-like distortions. The artwork exemplifies Bellmer’s distinctive style and his contribution to the Surrealism movement, embodying themes of the uncanny and the exploration of human form and psyche.