La Septième face du dé 1936

This photomontage by Georges Hugnet presents us with fragments, a shattered yet evocative image of femininity in the mid-20th century. Here, the artist uses the visual language of Surrealism to hint at the idea of the fragmented self. Notice the recurring motifs of a woman’s face, hands, and legs, disjointed and reassembled, with text interspersed. This collage technique, reminiscent of Dadaist strategies, brings to mind the alchemical symbol of the "Rebis," the androgynous being. The Rebis represents the union of opposites to achieve wholeness and a deeper understanding. Similarly, the juxtaposition of the mechanical and the organic, as seen in the phrase "mechanical slaves," is a modern echo of the ancient concept of automata—artificial beings imbued with life. This evokes both fascination and anxiety about technology's encroachment on human identity. Hugnet invites us to confront the fractured nature of modern identity.