Paravent 1966

Toyen created this painting, Paravent, using oil on canvas, a traditional medium for surrealist art. The smooth, almost airbrushed quality she achieved belies the labor involved in layering and blending the pigments to create such dreamlike imagery. The choice of oil paint is important here, as it allows for a high degree of control and the creation of subtle tonal shifts, perfect for rendering the uncanny forms and unsettling juxtapositions so characteristic of surrealism. Notice how the fluidity of the medium allows for the blurring of boundaries between the figure and the ground, enhancing the painting's enigmatic atmosphere. The way the artist employs the materials of painting contributes to the overall sense of unease and disorientation, questioning our perception of reality and challenging conventional notions of beauty and form. By embracing traditional materials, Toyen situates her work within the history of painting, while simultaneously pushing against its established boundaries. This prompts us to reconsider the relationship between technique, artistic expression, and the viewer's experience.