“The Couple,” a sculptural artwork created by Meret Oppenheim in 1956, is an exemplar of the Surrealism movement. The artwork showcases the genre’s typical inclination toward thought-provoking and unconventional forms.
The artwork depicts two brown leather boots, arranged in a manner that gives the impression of them facing each other, creating an intimate connection suggestive of a couple. The boots are well-worn, with visible creases and detailing that contribute to their lifelike appearance. The shoelaces are loosely tied, emphasizing a sense of casual, yet deliberate, alignment. This unconventional arrangement of everyday objects transforms the mundane into a surreal and evocative representation, highlighting Oppenheim’s ingenuity and her ability to infuse ordinary items with symbolic meaning.
