Exquisite corpse
(Cadavre exquise)
1938
Medium
collage
Measurements
30.4 × 19.7 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Margaret Stones Fund for International Prints and Drawings, 2013
© Andre Breton / ADAGP, Paris / Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
Gallery location
Late 19th & early 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
The Surrealist technique of creating an ‘exquisite corpse’ is based on a well-known children’s parlour game in which players each draw a portion of a figure, fold the paper to conceal it and pass it on to the next person, repeating the process until the figure is complete. The sheet is then unfolded to reveal the composite image. Surrealists enjoyed this process because it was based on chance and produced unexpected, often strange hybrids. André Breton, Yves and Jeannette Tanguy, and Jacqueline Lamba created a number of exquisite corpse drawings and collages together in the 1930s.
Artwork Details
Accession Number
2013.608
Department
International Prints and Drawings
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest
Subjects (general)
Concepts and Ideas Fantasy
Subjects (specific)
appropriation (imagery) bellows (fire controlling equipment) clocks contrast hands (animal components) insect squid violins
Movements
Surrealism