The Egg Thieves 1960

Editor: Desmond Morris’s “The Egg Thieves,” from 1960, is such an evocative mixed media piece! I’m immediately struck by its surreal atmosphere. What do you see in this piece, especially in the relationship between those creatures and the eggs? Curator: Ah, an intriguing scene! Notice the simplified forms, almost hieroglyphic. The "egg thieves" are reduced to long legs, flat bodies, and those almost comical, delicate 'hands'. Eggs, universally symbols of potential and beginnings, are menaced. Is it merely food, or is Morris pointing to something more profound? Editor: More profound? Like what? Curator: Think about the semi-abstract figures. Do they not echo primal anxieties regarding theft, particularly the theft of potential – of futures unrealized? These aren't realistic birds. Their symbolism resonates more deeply. Consider also the suspended crescent moons, symbols across many cultures. Editor: I see what you mean. The moons watching from above add to that unsettling dreamlike quality, and elevate the narrative beyond just birds stealing eggs. It almost hints at a wider commentary about predation or anxieties surrounding vulnerability. Curator: Exactly! Morris, I suspect, is delving into the psychological landscape, using simple forms to stir deeper cultural memories of fragility and threat. What do you think about his palette here? Editor: The use of earthy tones, juxtaposed with those bright reds and greens, is really striking. There is almost an intentional dichotomy, a sense of disharmony. Now that I see it, there's so much more to appreciate here! Curator: Yes, the apparent simplicity belies a rich symbolism that speaks to enduring human concerns, echoing through both our personal dreams and collective narratives. It offers a stark visual commentary on theft, creation and primordial anxieties!