“Portefeuille (Pocketbook),” created by Dorothea Tanning in 1946, is an oil painting that exemplifies the Surrealism art movement. This symbolic painting features intriguing visual elements that provoke thought and invite interpretation.
The artwork presents a peculiar visual scenario where a door, prominently shown, appears to be part of an oversized book standing ajar. Emerging from behind this door, one can see the trailing end of a gown, suggesting the presence of an unseen figure stepping forward. The choice of a deep red background imbues the painting with a sense of mystery and intensity, contrasting sharply with the book’s structured form. The surreal nature of the piece is heightened by the juxtaposition of the door and the book, both everyday objects, placed in an unconventional and symbolic context.
