Key Work: “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” by Dorothea Tanning
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” (1)
A stairway leads up to a hotel hallway where two girls interact with a giant sunflower. The sunflower, as large as the children, lays on the red velvet carpet with missing petals, disconnected leaves, and and a broken stem. Although it possesses these flaws, the space and the vibrant yellow color dominate the right side of the composition. (2) It is torn up, but still possesses resilience. The stem of the sunflower creeps its way towards the girls. The stem, although set behind the girls, creates an allusion of inserting itself into the child’s stomach. (3) This child’s hair is being tugged by an invisible force above her head. Her dress unravels behind her and her hands create fists. She is in a powerful stance facing the flower head on while the other child takes a more passive stance. (4) She faces away from the flower in an exhausted posture, leaning against a doorframe. Her tops is unbuttoned, revealing her chest and stomach. She has a skirt or fallen dress around her waist that is wrinkled and ruched. In her hand she holds yellow petals. Beyond the girls, down the hallway there is a door cracked open. A direct stream of light projecting into the hallway. This is a very mysterious element. The idea of forgetting to close the door adds to the “undone” state of the girls. Both these girls have confronted this flower and won. They are not being portrayed as victims. They are powerful destructors.
(1) This painting will be exhibited in “We Are Completely Free: Women Artists and Surrealism” at Museo Picasso Malaga from Oct. 10, 2017 until Jan. 28, 2018
(2) The richness of colors was common in Tanning’s early works. She worked with darker hues that were very rich. This sometimes lead to a feeling of luxury that was paired with the eeriness of the subject matter.
(3) This very subtle illusion to sexuality is common in Tanning’s work. Tanning’s “Children’s Games” has a similar interaction.
(4) The idea of female comradely and friendship is present in “Children’s Games” as well.
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