Eye on Nails #2 1940

"Eye on Nails #2" (1940) by Nathan Lerner (1913-1997) is a striking example of Surrealist photography. The image features a close-up of an eye peering through a grid of sharp nails, creating a sense of unease and vulnerability. The composition of the photograph emphasizes the contrast between the soft, organic form of the eye and the hard, geometric shapes of the nails, highlighting the duality of human experience. Lerner's use of sharp focus and dramatic lighting further enhances the surreal and unsettling nature of the work. This piece serves as a powerful commentary on the anxieties and fears of the modern world, as well as the vulnerability of the human condition.