“The Reaper” is a mixed media artwork created by the artist Eileen Agar in 1938. This collage, which incorporates gouache and other materials, exemplifies the Surrealist art movement and is characterized by its figurative depiction. The piece is currently housed at the Tate Modern in London, United Kingdom.
The artwork features a rich texture with a prominent use of a dried leaf, which stands out against the painted backdrop. The background consists of abstract shapes and lines in shades of black, red, yellow, and white, creating a dynamic composition. The use of organic material juxtaposed with abstract painting embodies the Surrealist fascination with the uncanny and the merging of natural and unnatural elements. The collage is delicately balanced, with intersecting curves and geometric forms that add both movement and stillness to the piece.
