Endotête 1951

Victor Brauner made this painting, called Endotête, using oil on canvas, and look at the layering, the scratching, and the digging! It’s like he’s unearthing something. I’m really drawn to that central column. It’s made up of these incredible strokes, like the bristles of a brush fanning out. It's this explosion of energy. Then there are the eyes—staring out but also swirling into themselves. The darkness that surrounds them makes them feel bottomless. What is particularly interesting to me is the way Brauner allows the materials to speak, the way he shows the process. This reminds me of some of Francis Picabia’s later, more experimental work, but with a darker, more psychological edge. It’s like he’s not just painting an image, but excavating something deep within himself. Art like this doesn’t give you answers; it opens up questions.