“The Man in the Street,” created in 1940 by Paul Delvaux, is an oil painting on canvas that measures 130 by 150 centimeters. This work belongs to the Surrealism movement and is categorized as a nude painting (nu).
The artwork depicts two nude women adorned with elaborate, lace-like neckpieces and floral headpieces, set against the backdrop of a seemingly empty classical street. These figures are rendered with a dreamlike, almost hypnotic quality characteristic of Delvaux’s surrealist style. The scene features architectural elements reminiscent of ancient Greek or Roman structures, enhancing the enigmatic and otherworldly atmosphere of the composition. The use of cool, muted tones throughout the painting further contributes to its surreal and mysterious ambiance.
