Lithograph, high-grain velvet paper, dimensions 33 x 46 cm (composition), 50 x 70 cm (sheet), limited edition hand-numbered in pencil 29/250, signed from the plate ANDRE BRETON TOJEN 18.II.1950, dry seal of the publisher Grafiart Edition p.d., drysealof the Solema license , on the back hologram "verification of authenticity".
Original certificate.
Toyen was a prominent Czech painter, graphic artist and one of themost important figures of Surrealism and the European avant-garde. Her nickname,whichshe adopted ata young age, probably comes from the Frenchword "citoyen" (citizen) andwas meant tosymbolizeher rejection of traditionalgender categories, which,combined with her androgynous image,suggestednonconformism andthe pursuit ofartistic and personalfreedom.
Surrealism became hermain means of artistic expression, whichfitperfectlywith her vision of art as a tool for exploring thesubconscious,daydreams and hiddendesires.She developedclose contacts withleadingfigures of the movement, includingAndré Breton hailed as the " creator of Surrealism," with whom she maintained a close relationship forthe rest of her life. André Breton was not only one of herclosestfriends, butalso one of thegreatestinspirersofherwork.BretonappreciatedToyen 's uniqueapproach to Surrealism,which combinedelements of eroticism, dream and mystery.
In "Portrait of André Breton," Toyen does not depict the physical features of Breton's face in a literal way. Instead, he uses metaphorical language toconvey theessence of hismind and spirit. It's more ofan interiorportraitthan a realistic depiction of the character.
Toyen was extremely versatile - she created paintings, prints, drawings,bookillustrationsandcollages.Her worksarecharacterizedbya combination of surrealistic symbols, dark, mysteriouslandscapesand eroticism,whichwasoftenhidden in veiled forms. Many of herworksdealt withsexualityandhumanrelationships, but presented in a subtle, unobtrusiveway.
Toyen was one of the few women working at such a high level in the Surrealist movement. Herwork,exploringissues of eroticism,sex, thesubconsciousand daydreams,stoodout from otherartists in the movement.Although for years her workwas less well knownthan thatof some of hermalecolleagues,today she is considered akeyfigure in Surrealism andone ofthe most important artists of the 20th century.
Recent decadeshaveseena resurgence of interest in herwork, with retrospective exhibitions and publications contributing to an appreciation of her extraordinary avant-garde vision.
