ToyenAn exquisite drawing by Toyen of a sleeping girl, one of her favourite themes, being watched by a sea-horse. The heavy shading, fissures and the architectural elements adds an illusionistic depth to the drawing, that manages to convey a dream-like sensuality with an admirable simplicity.
42 thoughts on “Dreams of Desire 32 (Sleeping Girl)”
It looks like she’s been drawn on a section of broken pillar and that the pillar has been thrown in the sea. Or that the city in which the pillar once stood has been flooded (Atlantis?) and the fissures kind of reflect that same feeling. Dreamy and desirable. Waited till I could get a closer look at this to comment.
No, the pillar is definitely and brilliantly suggested by the shading and framing. The sea-horse suggests water and the I like the idea of a ruined city beneath the waves
Thank you Roger, also thank you for very discretely pointing out that for some bizarre reason I had put starfish instead of sea-horse. This has been corrected. Dear oh dear.
Wait till you read my “very early article” on the Heraclito … I found so many things I would now change and wish I hadn’t written!!!! And yes, I too correct my own posts, I have to!
But I know the difference between a sea-horse and a starfish! They don’t look alike, they aren’t even close enough spelling wise to be a typo, so why? Again I have lost all respect for myself as a writer and critic.
Mr. Cake: much of your work is in the category range of excellent to brilliant. I learn so much from you every time you post. Please … you may lose respect for yourself (you most certainly shouldn’t) … but I will NEVER lose the respect I have for you and your work. And I encourage you to take a deep breath and regain your self-belief!!!!
Thank you so much Roger, I am quite pedantic in some things when the mood takes me, and of course it is important to maintain the same standards for one self. However I think I have calmed down and I am about to climb off my high sea-horse.
Absolutely, an exquisite drawing by Toyen, so delicate and beautiful. It looks as if the image of the girl is part of a decorative painting that was perhaps once a wall, and definitely underwater, unless the seahorse is flying. Lovely Mr. Cake, do you have more information on this particular drawing?
I don’t unfortunately, it is listed as recently sold by Sotheby’s at a recent (2014) and massive international Czech interwar avant garde sale and is listed simply as female form. Toyen was unsurprisingly the star of the show (though Styrsky, Sima and Capek all fetched record prices). A lot of the Toyen came from the collection of, you guessed it, Andre Breton as they were very close from the time of Toyen’s relocation to Paris in 1947. This was a snip at 1,500 pounds whereas The Message in the Forest broke the million mark.
I never said that Breton had bad taste regarding any form of art, to the contrary, it was impeccable. I’m rather surprised that this drawing didn’t fetch more.
I am surprised as well, I can only think that because she produced a great quantity of them (though the line and the draughtmanship is impeccable in every one) that this has diluted the market. Whereas her paintings go for huge prices and the market is only getting stronger. Regardless of price this is a beautiful and exquisite drawing.
Perhaps, I didn’t think it was a sale that anyone could just wander into and pick up a minor work, unfortunately. I wouldn’t know what to do with a valuable piece of art anyway, apart from look at it.
I have a thing for books and I have some rare ones. I was thinking about maybe buying and selling as a pastime and I brought a book about that, and it listed the various grades etc, the bottom grade is ‘good for nothing apart from reading’. Strange worlds exist right here.
I have been thinking about starfish all night. The girl as a star, the rays of the star emanating in the little cracks, the underwater world confirmed by the seahorse … but, and above all, the concept in my own mind that this was indeed a starfish being looked at by a seahorse. Surrealism works in strange ways … and suggests different things to different people … obviously …
I have been thinking about that sea-horse as well. Is he guarding her in the undersea realm. Is he a symbol of androgyny (I do not know if Toyen knew about the curious gender reversal in sea horses and I try to avoid being ham fisted regarding symbolism. Sea horse and starfish, a Freudian slip and the surrealists liked their Freud.
Of course: however not, especially when she goes through the looking-glass … a favorite image of mine and one used much by Antonio Machado, though he uses the water image (Spain) rather than the glass image.
Strangely enough I only saw this comment after my new post on Toyen which is called The Mirror. Mind you I could devote a whole book to mirrors, they are never far from my thoughts.
Ooooh, I love this very much, the sketch itself and the seahorse! I simply love seahorses. Always being mesmerized when seeing one. Unfortunately till now never saw one in real life (despite some possible opportunities), only in the zoo. Still on my list. Hope I wouldn’t drown as I’d be so very hypnotised…
cakeordeathsite 
It looks like she’s been drawn on a section of broken pillar and that the pillar has been thrown in the sea. Or that the city in which the pillar once stood has been flooded (Atlantis?) and the fissures kind of reflect that same feeling. Dreamy and desirable. Waited till I could get a closer look at this to comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah thank you Meg. It is a beautiful image, Toyen certainly knew how to draw beautiful women.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she’s certainly lovely. Do you think I’m way off in my impression?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, the pillar is definitely and brilliantly suggested by the shading and framing. The sea-horse suggests water and the I like the idea of a ruined city beneath the waves
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah good! I look forward to more Toyen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Luckily she produced many excellent work in a few different mediums.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An adaptable artist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, researching the next post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely. I love the little sea-horse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Roger, also thank you for very discretely pointing out that for some bizarre reason I had put starfish instead of sea-horse. This has been corrected. Dear oh dear.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wait till you read my “very early article” on the Heraclito … I found so many things I would now change and wish I hadn’t written!!!! And yes, I too correct my own posts, I have to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I know the difference between a sea-horse and a starfish! They don’t look alike, they aren’t even close enough spelling wise to be a typo, so why? Again I have lost all respect for myself as a writer and critic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have lost respect for myself. Hopefully you will forget me this faux pas.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mr. Cake: much of your work is in the category range of excellent to brilliant. I learn so much from you every time you post. Please … you may lose respect for yourself (you most certainly shouldn’t) … but I will NEVER lose the respect I have for you and your work. And I encourage you to take a deep breath and regain your self-belief!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much Roger, I am quite pedantic in some things when the mood takes me, and of course it is important to maintain the same standards for one self. However I think I have calmed down and I am about to climb off my high sea-horse.
LikeLike
You are too hard on yourself for a minor error. Easy now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm I am not fond of making silly mistakes. But yes, I will cut myself some slack this time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, an exquisite drawing by Toyen, so delicate and beautiful. It looks as if the image of the girl is part of a decorative painting that was perhaps once a wall, and definitely underwater, unless the seahorse is flying. Lovely Mr. Cake, do you have more information on this particular drawing?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t unfortunately, it is listed as recently sold by Sotheby’s at a recent (2014) and massive international Czech interwar avant garde sale and is listed simply as female form. Toyen was unsurprisingly the star of the show (though Styrsky, Sima and Capek all fetched record prices). A lot of the Toyen came from the collection of, you guessed it, Andre Breton as they were very close from the time of Toyen’s relocation to Paris in 1947. This was a snip at 1,500 pounds whereas The Message in the Forest broke the million mark.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never said that Breton had bad taste regarding any form of art, to the contrary, it was impeccable. I’m rather surprised that this drawing didn’t fetch more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am surprised as well, I can only think that because she produced a great quantity of them (though the line and the draughtmanship is impeccable in every one) that this has diluted the market. Whereas her paintings go for huge prices and the market is only getting stronger. Regardless of price this is a beautiful and exquisite drawing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps they released too many at once, you know the idea behind diamonds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps, I didn’t think it was a sale that anyone could just wander into and pick up a minor work, unfortunately. I wouldn’t know what to do with a valuable piece of art anyway, apart from look at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s just it, enjoy looking at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a thing for books and I have some rare ones. I was thinking about maybe buying and selling as a pastime and I brought a book about that, and it listed the various grades etc, the bottom grade is ‘good for nothing apart from reading’. Strange worlds exist right here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds rather sporting Mr. Cake. The “Book Market” is a fascinating, having family members that were avid collectors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a sporting side as well Miss Cranes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry that should be female face.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dreams shattered, by a teeny sea-horse. What a lovely picture, she is gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is gorgeous and the drawing is superb. I love the sea horse
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been thinking about starfish all night. The girl as a star, the rays of the star emanating in the little cracks, the underwater world confirmed by the seahorse … but, and above all, the concept in my own mind that this was indeed a starfish being looked at by a seahorse. Surrealism works in strange ways … and suggests different things to different people … obviously …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been thinking about that sea-horse as well. Is he guarding her in the undersea realm. Is he a symbol of androgyny (I do not know if Toyen knew about the curious gender reversal in sea horses and I try to avoid being ham fisted regarding symbolism. Sea horse and starfish, a Freudian slip and the surrealists liked their Freud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In many ways, one of the best kinds of Freudian slips … and one that I, too, made. Curiouser and curiouser!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear old Alice, another cake and Surrealists favourite
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course: however not, especially when she goes through the looking-glass … a favorite image of mine and one used much by Antonio Machado, though he uses the water image (Spain) rather than the glass image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strangely enough I only saw this comment after my new post on Toyen which is called The Mirror. Mind you I could devote a whole book to mirrors, they are never far from my thoughts.
LikeLike
Ooooh, I love this very much, the sketch itself and the seahorse! I simply love seahorses. Always being mesmerized when seeing one. Unfortunately till now never saw one in real life (despite some possible opportunities), only in the zoo. Still on my list. Hope I wouldn’t drown as I’d be so very hypnotised…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sea horses are very cool and it is an exquisite drawing. Very mysterious creatures sea horses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they just have something about them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed they do.
LikeLiked by 1 person