Leaf, Feather, Drop of Blood
| Artist | André Masson (French, 1896–1987) |
|---|---|
| Title | Leaf, Feather, Drop of Blood (Feuille, Plumes et Goutte de Sang) |
| Date | 1927 |
| Medium | Oil and feather on canvas |
| Dimensions | Framed: 26 3/4 × 33 × 2 1/8 in. (67.9 × 83.8 × 5.4 cm) Stretcher: 25 5/8 x 31 15/16 in. (65.1 x 81.1 cm) |
| Credit Line | Gift of Mr. and Mrs. G. David Thompson, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 62.141 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
Painting showcases calligraphic, swirling lines, with spots of red and green. A feather is affixed to the canvas at the top of the composition.
André Masson played an important role in the development of Surrealism in France. The sense of tactility and reference to the abject (i.e., blood) in Leaf, Feather, Drop of Blood reflect Surrealism’s preoccupation with the body, especially with the erotic. On the other hand, its calligraphic lines reference the fashion for “automatic,” that is spontaneous or automatic, drawing, which in Surrealist circles was thought to tap into the artist’s subconscious.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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"Leaf, Feather, Drop of Blood | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=62.141