(Surrealist head)
1932
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
66.0 × 48.2 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1986
© The Estate of Sam Atyeo, courtesy of Nevill Keating Pictures, London
Gallery location
Late 19th & early 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
In 1932 Sam Atyeo completed his studies at the National Gallery School in Melbourne and began to experiment with a range of modern styles, including Surrealism and abstraction. At this time he would only have known of Surrealism through reproductions of works in imported magazines, or from friends and colleagues who had travelled overseas. With its looping lines, reminiscent of automatic drawing, and its prominent eye (a Surrealist symbol of consciousness), this was one of the earliest Surrealist paintings produced in Australia.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Melbourne, Victoria
Inscription
inscribed in brown paint l.l.: S. Atyeo/'32
Accession Number
A1-1986
Department
Australian Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Subjects (general)
Abstract Art Emotions and Mental States Human Figures
Subjects (specific)
busts (general, figures) distortion hairstyles heads (representations) women (female humans)
Movements
Surrealism