Plate from La Poupée (1936) by Hans Bellmer

The artwork, titled “Plate from La Poupée,” was created by Hans Bellmer in 1936. It is associated with the Dada and Surrealism art movements and falls under the genre of photography.

The artwork presents an unsettling and surreal composition, featuring disjointed doll parts that evoke a sense of unease and introspection. Central to the piece are two leg-like forms made of a smooth material, possibly plaster or porcelain, topped by a meticulously arranged lace and fabric that mimic a dress. At the crux of the legs sits a flower, perhaps a rose, which introduces a stark contrast between the organic and the artificial. Beneath these elements, a dark, twisted limb extends, adding to the fragmented and dreamlike nature of the scene. The background is a richly textured fabric, adorned with intricate patterns that frame the central elements and enhance the overall surreal quality of the artwork. Through this composition, Bellmer explores themes of objectification and the uncanny, hallmarking his contributions to the Dada and Surrealist movements.