Pasiphae 1942

"Pasiphae" is a 1942 painting by André Masson, an influential Surrealist artist, which is now housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The painting, executed in oil on canvas, is a vibrant and chaotic work that is characteristic of Masson's style, blending biomorphic forms with abstract elements. The title, referring to the mythical queen of Crete who gave birth to the Minotaur, suggests a theme of eroticism and violence, echoed in the painting's tumultuous composition. The work captures the essence of Surrealism, utilizing dreamlike imagery to explore the unconscious mind and the surreal depths of human experience.