THE

EXPANDING DISCOURSE
Femnism and Art Hstory
E D I T E D B Y
Norma Broude and Mary D. Garrard
LADIES SHOT AND PAINTED
Female Embodiment in Surrealist Art
MARY ANN CAWS
1 think that is absolutely amazng, really phenomenal. Talk about complications
Andr Breton, to Pierre Unik
!onspcuous !onsumption" !aging #n and $ut
When Pierre Unik tod Breton th!t he "on #$ted, in o%e&!kin', hi# (!rtner !)o$t *h!t #he
en+o,ed, Breton *!# !&!-ed. Wh, not/ !#ked Unik. Be"!$#e, re(ied Breton, her ike# !nd di#
ike# 0h!%e nothin' to do *ith !.0 Indeed. Breton1# !ttit$de &!, #trike us !# (heno&en!, 'i%en
o$r (re#ent !##$&(tion# !)o$t !n e'!it!ri!n #o"iet,, !)o$t !n e2$! !rdor "on#$&in' )oth !nd
! &e&)er# o3 $nion#)$t o3 "o$r#e, t!k !)o$t "o&(i"!tion#, S$rre!i#& h!d ! 3e*.
I *!nt to re3e"t on #o&e (ro)e&# in the re(re #ent!tion o3 3e&!e )odie# in S$rre!i#t
(hoto'r! (h, !nd (!intin', to$"hin' 3ir#t their "!noni-! tion, their "on#e"r!tion, !nd the
!,in' on o3 h!nd#, !nd then the re!tion o3 thi# re(re#ent!tion to the #$((o#ed "on#$&er, 3or
hi# or her "on#(i"$ o$# or "e!r, %i#i)e "on#$&(tion. Sin"e, in the !tter "on"ern, %e !re
(!in, "on"erned *hen *e ook 4*hoe%er *e !re !##$&ed to )e5, +$#t !# *here *e #(e!k or
*rite, *e &!, )e !##$&ed to )e ook in' !t o$r o*n '!-e &con'spicere, to ook inten #i%e,5.
Pro)e&!ti" !)o,e ! i# the notion o3 o$r o*n "on#$&in' o3 *h!t *e #ee !# i3 in "o$#ion *ith
the !rti#t or (hoto'r!(her.
6
7or )oth the re(re#ent!tion !# (rod$"ed ), the !'ent or &!n !'er
or &edi!tor o3 the re!din'!rti#t or (hoto' r!(her!nd the re!"tion# o3 the onooker or
re!der o3 the i&!'e &$#t )e re8e9(o#ed in the i'ht o3 ! "ert!in re"ent "riti"i#& ($ttin' into
2$e#tion the *hoe )in!r, #,#te& o3 #$)+e"t !nd o)+e"t. Thi# i# ! re%i#ion o%erd$e !nd ! the
&ore (ro)e&!ti" in S$rre!i#&, *hi"h !re!d, *!nted to o%er"o&e the #(it )et*een #eer !nd
#een, %i #ion!r, !nd %ie*: th$#, ! (ro)e&!ti"# o3 the (ro) e&!ti", !nd ho* it i# re"ei%ed.
I #ee thi#, #(e!kin' 3ro& the (oint o3 %ie* o3 onooker, !# ! tri(!rtite (ro)e&: o$r %ie* o3 the
o)+e"t, in thi# "!#e, the *o&!n (ortr!,ed in *hoe or (!rt 4o3 *hi"h &ore !ter5; o$r %ie* o3 the
!'ent or &edi!tor or &idde8(er#on; !nd o$r %ie* o3 o$r#e%e# !# "on#$&er# o3 the o)+e"t !#
&edi!ted !nd &!n!'ed. To t!k, !'!in, !)o$t "o&(i"!tion#: in#o3!r !# it i# ! 2$e#tion o3 *o&en1#
)odie#, the 3e&!e onooker i#*iin' or not, (!rti!, or *ho,identi3ied *ith the )od,
$nder o)#er%! tion !nd $nder the r$e o3 !rt. Her re!"tion to the &idde ter"o or the
&!n!'e&ent *i )e "oored ), th!t identi3i"!tion, her "on#$&in' 3$n"tion &odi3ied ),
the (e!#$re or !n'er *ith *hi"h #he di33erenti!, %ie*# *h!t I h!%e )een "!in' the
!,in' on o3 h!nd# &management, 3ro& 0h!nd,0 ike &!nneri#&, !ndo3 "o$r#eike
0h!n din'05.
7or ho* "o$d *e (o##i), think th!t ! #eein' *o&!n *ritin' !)o$t *o&en )ein'
to$"hed *ith the )r$#h, (er3e"t, captured in (!int, or !""$ r!te, #hot ), ! "!&er!1# e,e,
!)o$t the#e !rti#ti "!, o'ed !nd "on#$rned )ein'#, *o$d h!%e !n 0o)+e"ti%e0 (oint o3
%ie*/ Her en# *i )e !t e!#t #et *ith !n !n'e to it, #in"e there i# no #tr!n'er1# #$rn&it
on *hi"h to #t!nd !#ide !nd !)o,e. She, *e !re )o$nd to think !nd #!,, i# i&(i"!ted,
he!%i,. Irn(i"!tion i# ner%o$#, in%o%ed in ookin' !t Andr M!##on1# renderin', 3or the
S$rre!i#t E9hi )ition o3 <=>?, o3 ! &!nne2$in !t on"e (!inted, "!'ed, !nd "!(ti%!ted @<A.
Her he!d i# i&(ri#oned in ! )ird "!'e, her 3!"e "!$'ht e9!"t, *ithin the "!'e door !nd
her &o$th &!#ked, *ith ! (!n#, dire"t, o%er the o(enin'. Under her !r&#, (!n#ie# &!t"h
th!t one, #o th!t neither in #(e!kin' nor in &!kin' 'e#t$re# i# #he !)e to (re#ent her#e3
$n &edi!ted or $nto$"hed, $norn!&ented. The "!'e i# not do&e#ti" )$t r!ther o3 the
+$n'e %!riet, th$# her (re#ent!tion !# %!'$e, e9oti", )e3o* ered. O%er the +oin o3 her
thi'h# i# ! "o&(i"!ted de"or!tion 3or ! do$)e thr$#t o3 hidin' !nd (rid in', !# *e &i'ht
re!d in the (e!"o"k e,e# 4or, rere!d, the e%i e,e#5 *ith the "$r%in' (o&e# in the 3or& o3
3!o(i!n t$)e#.
A 3o$nd o)+e"t, #e%ered in the &idde !# $n!n ne2$in# &!, o3ten )e, #he i# #et $( *ith
odd i'htin' #o th!t one )re!#t #ee&# !r'er th!n the other: it i# &!rked !)o,e ), $ne# o3
#h!do*, #i' ni3i"!nt, in the 3or& o3 ! #(ider, !# i3 entr!(&ent *ere to )e in 3!"t the ke, to
the re!din' o3 the o)+e"t. The #h!do*# $nder the e3t e,e !nd the d!rk "ir"et +$#t )eo* the
ne"k #tre## the e&)!t ted n!t$re o3 the #h!d, !nd #hin, !d, *ith her +$n'e h!t. She
"!nnot #(e!k; #he i# entr!((ed e%en !# #he i# de"or!ted, *e!rin' !t on"e too &$"h !nd too
itte, dre##ed $( !nd dre##ed do*n, n!ked !nd rendered &$te, !dded to !nd #$)tr!"ted
3ro&, )$t &o#t o3 ! entr!((ed. We1%e "o&e ! on' *!,, )!),, 3ro& the 3i' e!3 to the "h!#tit,
)et to thi# (ri-e "o%erin' 3o*er.
A# 3or the he!d #o en"!'ed, it "!# #tron', to &ind !nother 3e&!e entr!(&ent, thi#
one the "!(t$rin' ), M!n R!, o3 ! i%e 3e&!e &ode *ho#e tor#o i# )!re !nd *ho#e he!d
i# (er3e"t, netted in ! *ire &e#h h!t, thro$'h *hi"h her e,e# ook o$t, !# $n#&iin' !#
her &onth @6<. I# thi# ! re3e"tion on h!t #t,e#, on "on#$&eri#& !# ne'! ti%e di#(!,, or
on "!(t$rin' ! (re, *ho i# ren dered #i&$t!neo$#, &$te !nd #(e!kin' o3 o)+e"t hood/
The #o(e o3 her #ho$der# denote# ! #$)&i##ion to the nettin' !nd the "!(t$re, !nd the
"!(tion i# ! 2$ote 3ro& Breton1# (ie"e 0II , !$r! $ne 3oi#,0 *hi"h the (hoto i$#tr!te#:
0The#e 'ir# )ein' the !#t one# to (oint the&#e%e# o$t in ! h!$nted ho$#e #"!nd! . .0
The h!$ntin', I #$) &it, i# &ore th!n ! itte #e9$!, o((re##i%e !nd e## th!n inno"ent.
B!%ire C!$thier1# !tt!"k, in her Surr(alisme et se)ualit( 4<=D<5,
>
on the &!e S$rre!i#t
!rti#t !nd *riter1# (oint o3 %ie* re'!rdin' the 3e&!e #e9 o)+e"t h!# o3ten "o&e $nder !tt!"k
it#e3 3or it# 0red$"tioni#&0 !nd it# 0#i&(i3i"!tion#.0 A "on te&(or!r, ree9!&in!tion o3 the
i##$eo3 *hi"h thi# "!n on, )e ! (rei&in!r, #ket"h&i'ht *e *!nt to t!ke into
!""o$nt t*o &ore re"ent *ork#, neither dire"t, "on"erned *ith the &!e83e&!e i##$e, )$t
)oth o3 indire"t !nd ,et "ert!in ree %!ri"e. The 3ir#t i# th!t o3 Ro#!ind Er!$##, in her
"h!(ter entided 0The Photo'r!(hi" Condition# o3 S$rre!i#&0 in The $riginality o* the
A+ant ,arde and $ther -odernist -yths, *here #he e9!&ine# the te"hni2$e# *ith *hi"h
S$rre!i#t (hoto'r!(her# ro)), their #(!"in' !nd de!,# !nd do$)in'#the i&!'e o3 the
#en#e o3 (re# en"e. F$otin' G!"2$e# Derrid! on the #(it )e t*een the ti&e o3 the &e!nin'
o3 the #i'n !nd th!t o3 the &!rk or #o$nd !# it# %ehi"e 40The order o3 the #i'ni3ied i# ne%er
"onte&(or!r,, i# !t )e#t the #$)t, di#"re(!nt in%er#e or (!r!e di#"re(!nt ), the ti&e o3 !
)re!th3ro& the order o3 the #i'ni3ier05, Er!$## e9(!in# ho*, 3or Derrid!, thi# #(!"in' "!n
)e 0r!di"!i-ed !# the (re"ondition 3or &e!nin' !# #$"h, !nd the o$t 8 #idene## o3 #(!"in'
re%e!ed !# !re!d, "on#tit$tin' the "ondition o3 the Hin#ide.1
0I
Th$# 0#(!"ed,0 #he "ontin$e#, the
(hoto'r!(hi" i&!'e i# de(ri%ed o3 the #en#e o3 (re#en"e *hi"h#in"e it i# the &!rk o3 the o)+e"t
*e h!%e "o$nted on. Do$)in', or the #ho*in' o3 thi# #(!"in' ), ! do$)e i&(rint, i# the &o#t
i&(ort!nt #tr!te', in S$rre!i#t (hoto'r!(h, 3or ettin' the #en#e o3 di3 3eren"e !nd de3err!
(enetr!te the i&!'e 4!nd #o, *e &i'ht *!nt to !dd, the i&!'in!tion5. 07or it i# do$)in' th!t
(rod$"e# the 3or&! rh,th& o3 #(!"in'the t*o8#te( th!t )!ni#he# the $nit!r, "ondition o3 the
&o&ent, th!t "re!te# %ithin the &o&ent !n e9(erien"e o3 3i##ion.0
J
Do$)in' de #tro,# the
i&(re##ion o3 #in'$!rit,, o3 the ori'in!.
Sin"e, !# Er!$## #!,#, S$rre!i#t "on%$#i%e )e!$t, de(end# on the )eie3 in .reality as repre
sentation, . !nd #in"e 0S$rre!it, i#, *e "o$d #!,, n!t$re "on%$#ed into ! kind o3 *ritin',0
K
her di#"$##ion i# "r$"i! to the (oint# I *!nt to &!ke
!)o$t the re(re#ent!tion o3 the 3e&!e i&!'e, !# I "on#ider the *ritin' o3 the 3e&!e into the
&!k in' !nd the #eein' o3 S$rre!i#t !rt. The deni! o3 (re#en"e i# e9!"t, the (ro)e& *ith
#$"h (hoto' r!(h,, !# *e #ee o$r#e%e# #eein' o$r#e%e# in it. In the i&!'e ), M!n R!,,
-onument to de Sade, *hi"h Er!$## t!ke# !# one o3 her t*o initi! e9!& (ie#, ! *o&!n1#
(o#terior i# #een rot!ted to the e3t !nd $(, to e"ho ! #i&(e "r$"i3or& de#i'n i& (o#ed $(on it:
0Ne%er "o$d the o)+e"t o3 %io! tion )e de(i"ted !# &ore *iin'.0
D
So the i##$e# o3 de(i"tion,
"o$#ion, !nd "on#$&(tion !re &!# #i%e, "o&(i"!ted e%en ), the 3or&! e"hoe#, !# *e re!d
the&.
I3 *e "on#ider the (oint o3 %ie* o3 ! e!din' &odern 3e&!e e9(onent o3 S$rre!i#t %ie*#,
ook in' !t the identi"! (o#terior !nd the identi"! "r$"i3or& #h!(e !# the, 3it e!"h other, the
di33er en"e in inter(ret!tion t!ke# on it# "o&(i"!ted "oor# to "oor o$r o*n te9t. Annie Le
Br$n, re!d in' the #!&e i&!'e o3 the -onument to de Sade, 3ind# it the #$(re&e e9!&(e o3
re%o$tion!r, erot i"i#&, the %er, i$#tr!tion o3 the n$dit, o3 o%e#, !nd 'i%e# it the "!(tion:
0thi# "onde&ned (!rt o3 o$r hi#tor,, the #(endid ret$rn o3 the 3!&e o3 h$&!n 3reedo& !'!in#t
the ide! o3 Cod0; !nd 3or the )$r) o3 Ge!n8G!"2$e# P!$%ert1# %o$&e / 0An tholo gie de
lectures (roti1ues, #he "o&&ent#: 0Whether *e ike it or not, the )od, re&!in# o$r on, &e!n#
o3 tr!n#(ort!tion, )od, o3 the other, )od, to*!rd# the other, )od, neither o3 one nor the other,
)od, !*!,# other.0
?
I h!%e *orried )e3ore, in the "!#e o3 &odern i#&, !)o$t re(re#entin' ! )od, !# i3 #(e!kin'
)e3ore #o&e (!ri!&ent !nd !)o$t #o&e )od, th!t #ho$d #(e!k 3or it#e3, ,et 3ind# it#e3,
in#te!d o3 re(re#ent!ti%e, +$#t re(re#ented.
=
I h!%e tried, e#e*here, to "on#ider the i&!'e#
re(e!ted !nd e%en inte'r! in ! #erie# o3 re(re#ent!tion# o3 the 3r!'&ented )od, !# ! (ie"e o3
the *hoe )od, o3 !rt.0 She *ho *o$d $nder#t!nd th!t )od,, in it# o*n 3i'$re !nd
e&)odi&ent, i# o)i'!ted to take it up, !nd thi# t!kin'8it8$( i# !re!d, t!kin' ! (o#i tion, thi#
(o#ition t!ken !re!d, i&(,in' it# o*n #tr$''e, ho(in' to 3ind therein it# o*n #tren'th.
The )od, !id 3!t to )e e9(o#ed, the )od, )ed ded !nd e!ten ), the e,e# !3ter the "!&er! or
the )r$#hthi# )od, de&!nd#, it *o$d #ee&, ! "o& (ete, other (oint o3 %ie* 3ro& the )od,
#i'hted in the (oite nineteenth8"ent$r, '!rden (i"kin' 3r$it, or "$ddin' ! "hid, or #i&(, !nd
(oite, #e!ted or t!)ed, !# in M!r, C!##!tt1# *o&en t!k in' te!, "h!ttin' !nd "on#$&in', !# i3
the (ro(er re#(on#e there *ere to )e ! t!)in' !nd ! #i((in', ! 'ente "on#$&in' o3 i&(re##ion#
!# o((o#ed to the &ore %ioent S$rre!i#t &ode. B$t the !rti#t1# (oint o3 %ie* i# o3 ne"e##it,
&!ni($!tin', !nd not +$#t in M!nneri#&: ! !rt i# deri%ed 3ro& the h!nd, !3ter the e,e. B, the
h!nd thi# &ode i# tre!ted !nd #e!ted, t!)ed !nd )edded. Lind! No"hin h!# #ho*n $#
"on%in"in', 4!nd 'r!(hi"!,5 ho*, #in"e the nineteenth "en t$r,, the *o&!n1# )od, h!# )een
(re#ented 3or the &!n1# eroti" (e!#$re, r!re, the &!n1# )od, 3or the *o&!n1#.
<<
Co&&entin'
on the *o&!n1# n$ dit, !# #he h!# )een tr!dition!, e9(o#ed )e3ore the e,e# o3 !, Gohn Ber'er
"ontr!#t#, 2$otin' Eenneth C!rk1# The 2ude !# hi# #o$r"e, n!ked ne## 4the #t!te o3 )ein'
$n"othed5 *ith n$dit, 4! "on%ention!i-ed *!, o3 #eein'5, #$&&!ri-in' the !r'$&ent !#
0N!kedne## re%e!# it#e3. N$dit, i# (!"ed on di#(!,.0 He then (oint# o$t th!t the di#(!, i#
!*!,# 3or the &!e #(e"t!tor.
<6
The *o&!n1# e9(o#$re i# not!nd Breton *o$d #$re, !'ree
! &!tter o3 her o*n #e9$!it,, )$t o3 the #e9$!it, o3 the o)#er%er, *ho#e &ono(o, o3 (!##ion i#
#$"h th!t )odi, h!ir 4!##$&ed to re(re #ent #e9$! (o*er !nd (!##ion5 i# not ordin!ri, (!"ed on
her o)+e"ti3ied )od,.0 Aien!ted 3ro& her )od, !nd 3ro& it# (ro)!)e re(re#ent!tion, (re#ent !nd
3$t$re, the &ode #$33er# in 3!"t the de#tin, th!t Ren Ch!r (redi"ted !t the end o3 hi# o*n "!##i"
S$rre!i#t te9t o3 <=>L, Artine" 0The (!inter h!# #!in hi# &ode.0
14
Ch!r re3er# here to !n
interior &ode !# re(!"in' the e9terior one: *e *ho h!%e )een the &ode #o o3ten e9terior &!,
e!rn !t e!#t to e9teriori-e o$r !n'er o%er #o&e o3 the &!nh!ndin'.
3leasurable Fictions o* 3resence
B$t )!"k to the )in!r,. The ide! o3 ! $nion, #o de#ired, )et*een (!inter !nd o)+e"t o3 '!-in'
!nd "re!tion, 3i"tion! !# it i#, !nd o3 ! #(e"i3i" (ro)e&!ti", &!, #$33i"e to "re!te ! 'ener!
3!)e *hi"h "!n #o de(!rt 3ro& the !((!rent re!& o3 3i"tion !# to )e"o&e re!. The#e !re
3i"tion# in deed, the#e $nion# o3 )od, !nd )r$#h or #i'ht, )$t re! 3i"tion#, #$#t!inin' !# the,
"!n!nd on, the,the o)+e"t o3 !rt !# the re(re#ent!tion o3 !n, onooker1# de#ire. The
(ro)e& i#, o3 "o$r#e, the 0!n,.0 Who#e is the )od, o3 thi# !rt, !nd *ho#e the 3i"tion/ Who#e i#
the (e!#$re, *here i# it t!ken, !nd 3ro& *ho&/ And, !(!rt 3ro& the "o&&er"i! gain o3 the
&!n!'e&ent, *h!t i# it# 3r$it/ Who "on#$&e# *h!t, ho*e%er #$rre(ti tio$#,, !nd *ho i#
"on#$&ed, e%en ), ! '!n"e/
It i#, tr$e eno$'h, +$#t !# *e !re o3ten tod, ! (ri%ie'e to )e (hoto'r!(hed ),, to )e captured
so %ell by, the "!&er! or the )r$#h o3 ! 're!t !rti#t. Ho* "o$d *e e%er, either !# &ode &ode#
or !# &ode onooker#, h!%e tho$'ht th!t !n, &ode *o$d re3$#e to )e!r or en+o, the 3r$it o3
the entr!i# o3 &other !rt it#e3, !t the h!nd# or thro$'h the en# o3 it# &o#t "ee)r!ted
re(re#ent! ti%e#/ We h!%e then, it i# #$((o#ed, to 'i%e "redit, (hoto'r!(hi" !nd !rti#ti", to the
're!t &edi!tor# o3 the i&!'e !# the, (!## it on to $#; #in"e the, !re !#o, in thi# ","e !# I #ee it,
the &edi!tor# o3 $# to o$r#e%e#, *e &i'ht *!nt to (!$#e )e3ore 'i%in' entire "redit to the
entire #tor,, or to their de#"ri( tion# !# o$r #tor,.
2arrati+e al%ays *ecundates4 &ore #torie# !re "e!#ee##, (rod$"ed 3or $# to i%e !nd re!d
the&, 3or the& to e33!"e o$r "riti"! do$)t, ho*e%er d$)io$#, *e 3ir#t )e'in to (!rti"i(!te in
)e!rin' !nd h!%in' !nd #eein'. Are *e to re3$#e ookin' !# (!rt o3 )ein' ooked !t/ The *hoe
i##$e o3 ookin' !t o$r#e%e# !# ooked !t "!# into 2$e#tion ho* !nd *here *e &!, )e tho$'ht
to (o##e## o$r#e%e#, *ithin thi# 3i"tion o3 (!ine## "on#$& in' o3 i&!'e#8!#8other. The, !re
not, in thi# "!#e, entire, other, nor "!n *e (retend to #ee the& !# #$"h. We !re 3oded $( in !nd
into88i&(i"!ted !nd e%en tied $( in !nd ), o$r #eein'.
#mplcations" Taking $ur 3lace, and 5hose 3leasure6
Are *e o)i'ed to )e re(re#ented ),, to (!rti"i(!te in #$"h (ro)e&!ti" re(re#ent!tion# !# th!t
o3 ! )od, o33ered in ! "!'ed di#(!,/ Wh!t o3 ! *o&!n ookin' !t !n Other Wo&!n "othed or
"!'ed, n!ked !nd ,et ne!t !nd (erh!(# e%en inte'r!, or di#&e&)ered ike ! do o3 H!n#
Be&er, $ntidi, ,in' #o&e*here on #o&e #t!ir or 3oor, or then #tret"hed o$t !nd #(re!d
o$t e%en &ore !*k*!rd, ike M!r"e D$"h!&(1# n$de h!38)od, *ith her e'# *ide !(!rt,
hidden !nd re%e!ed )e8 hind hi# *ooden door *ith it# (ee(hoe in hi# "on#tr$"tion "!ed,
!(t, eno$'h, !nd in the ($ r! )e"!$#e, in 3!"t #o &$"h i# 'i%en, Etant donns . . . or
Given . . ? Doe# the *o&!n ookin' t!ke the #t!n"e o3 !nother or o3 ! #!&e, !nd *h!t
(e!#$re doe# #he t!ke in #(,in'/ I# the (re, tapen or the ikene## (er3e"t, caught in
!rt gven to her too, on, !# #he "!n )e "o8o(ted into #(,in'/
On, in $to(i!, #o&e &i'ht #!,, *o$d #(,in' on the other h!%e no (!"e, *hi"he%er other
*e !re not the #!&e !#. B$t the (e!#$re# o3 (!rti"i (!tin' !nd #ho*in', &odein' !nd &!kin',
"on #$&in' !nd en+o,in' the other! there *o$d #ee& to de(end on ! )in!r, #,#te&.
Mi"h!e 7ried1# e9!&in!tion o3 Diderot1# !ttit$de in 3ront o3 Tintoretto1# Susannah and
the Elders i# one o3 the &o#t ree%!nt te9t# in re!tion to #$"h #(,in', 3or the Tintoretto
renderin'# (o#e ! #(e"i! (ro) e& !)o$t ! '!-e #een !# ii"it. 0The "!n%!#,0 #!,# Diderot,
0endo#e# ! o3 #(!"e, !nd no one i# )e,ond it. When S$#!nn!h e9hi)it# her#e3 )!re )e3ore &,
ook, o((o#in' to the #t!re# o3 the od &en ! the %ei# in *hi"h #he i# #*!thed, S$#!n n!h i#
"h!#te !nd the (!inter too; neither one nor the other kne* I *!# there.0
1 5
Gohn Ber'er (oint#
o$t !)o$t the %er#ion Tintoretto &!de o3 S$#!n n!h ookin' !t her#e3 in the &irror th!t #he
+oin# the #(e"t!tor# o3 her#e3, *here!# in the other renderin', !# #he ook# !t $#, *e !re the
o)%io$# #(e"t!tor# !nd #he +$d'e# $# !# #$"h, !# 3e&!e n$de# $#$!, do.0 In either "!#e the
#(e"t!tor i# "o&&itted, !on' *ith the od &en, to '!-in' !t S$#!nn!h.
I# there #o&e *!, o3 ookin' th!t i# not the ook o3 !n intr$der, #o&e inter(ret!tion 3ro&
*hi"h *e "o$d e9e&(t o$r#e%e# !# "on#$&er#/ G$i! Eri# te%! re&ind# $# ho* the %er)! (!,
o3 de)t, o3 ne!rne## !nd (re#en"e, i# 3o$nd 3ro& the )e'in nin' i&(i"!ted in the notion o3
inter(ret!tion (interpretare, to 3ind one#e3 inde)ted to*!rd #o&eone, )!#ed on
praesto, &e!nin' 0ne!r !t h!nd08(r!e#to esse, (re#ent, praestare, to (re8 #ent, ike
#o&e o)+e"t, &one, in (!rti"$!r5. B$t, #he #!,#, 0the &odern inter(reter !%oid# the (re#
entne## o3 #$)+e"t# to the&#e%e# !nd to thin'#. 7or in thi# (re#entne## ! #tr!n'e o)+e"t !((e!r#
to #(e!kin' #$)+e"t#, ! kind o3 "$rren", the, 'r!nt the&#e%e#inter(ret!tionto &!ke "ert!in
the, !re re!, there. Bre!kin' o$t o3 the en"o#$re o3 the (re#entne## o3 &e!nin', the
new Hinter(reter1 no on'er inter(ret#; he #(e!k#, he H!##o"i!te#; )e"!$#e there i# no on'er !n
o)+e"t to inter(ret.0
17
Here the di&en#ion o3 de#ire !( (e!r#, !nd inter(ret!tion !# de#ire
ret$rn# the "onte&(!tor !nd (!rti"i(!tor in S$rre!i#t !rt )!"k to the %er, #$)+e"t: ho* &i'ht
*e de#ire to 3$n"tion #o !# not to )e i&(ied in the incorporation !nd embodiment o3
the de#ire o3 !nother, *hen o$r )od, i# interro'!ted, #$)+e"ted to the !"t o3 (!int in' !# to the
!"t o3 o%e, )$t *itho$t "hoo#in' o$r (!rtner/
There !'!in, di33eren"e #et# in, )et*een the '!-e !nd the '!n"e, 3or e9!&(e, the !tter
i&(,in' e## (re#en"e to the (!intin' or (hoto'r!(h, the 3or&er re2$irin' ! en'th,
i&(i"!tion in the 3od# o3 the #"ene or (ortr!it. Nor&!n Br,#on, in hi# re&!rk!)e #t$d,
Vision and Painting !he "ogic o# Ga$e,e9!&ine# the di#tin"tion )et*een
t*o !#(e"t# o3 %i#ion, the '!-e or ook he "!# %i'i!nt, do&in!tin', !nd 0#(irit$!,0 !nd
the '!n"e *e "o$d think o3 !# #$)%er#i%e, r!ndo&, !"kin' ! (rin"i(ie o3 order.
18
The ook,
!# he e9(!in#, i&(ie# !n !"t !*!,# re(e!ted, !n i&8 ($#e th!t *o$d *!nt to "ont!in *h!t i#
!)o$t to e#"!(e, !# in the e9(re##ion reprendre sous garde % regard. Thi# '!-e
'one h!rd, thi# #t!re, tend# to*!rd ! "ert!in %ioen"e, ! *i to (enetr!te, to (ier"e, to 3i9 in
order to di#"o%er the (er&!nent $nder the "h!n'in' !((e!r!n"e#, *hi"h i&(ie# ! "ert!in
!n9iet, in the re!tion )et*een #(e"t!tor !nd o)+e"t #een. The '!n"e, on the "ontr!r,, "re8
!te# !n inter&itten"e in %i#ion, !n !tt!"k, !# in &$#i", *hi"h *ithdr!*# !3ter*!rd# into the
"!or o3 non8#eein'; thi# *o$d )e the (e)ei!n !#(e"t in "ontr!#t *ith the !ri#to"r!ti" n!t$re o3
the '!-e, %i#i)e to the '!-e o3 the other )r$#hthi# )od, de&!nd#, it *o$d #ee&, ! "o&
(ete, other (oint o3 %ie* 3ro& the )od, #i'hted in the (oite nineteenth8"ent$r, '!rden (i"kin'
3r$it, or "$ddin' ! "hid, or #i&(, !nd (oite, #e!ted or t!)ed, !# in M!r, C!##!tt1# *o&en t!k
in' te!, "h!ttin' !nd "on#$&in', !# i3 the (ro(er re#(on#e there *ere to )e ! t!)in' !nd ! #i((in',
! 'ente "on#$&in' o3 i&(re##ion# !# o((o#ed to the &ore %ioent S$rre!i#t &ode.
B$t the !rti#t1# (oint o3 %ie* i# o3 ne"e##it, &!ni($!tin', !nd not +$#t in M!nneri#&: ! !rt i#
deri%ed 3ro& the h!nd, !3ter the e,e. B, the h!nd thi# &ode i# tre!ted !nd #e!ted, t!)ed !nd
)edded. Lind! No"hin h!# #ho*n $# "on%in"in', 4!nd 'r!(hi"!,5 ho*, #in"e the nineteenth
"en t$r,, the *o&!n1# )od, h!# )een (re#ented 3or the &!n1# eroti" (e!#$re, r!re, the &!n1#
)od, 3or the *o&!n1#.
<<
Co&&entin' on the *o&!n1# n$ dit, !# #he h!# )een tr!dition!,
e9(oned )e3ore the e,e# o3 !, Gohn Ber'er "ontr!#t#, 2$otin' Eenneth C!rk1# The 2ude !# hi#
#o$r"e, n!ked ne## 4the #t!te o3 )ein' $n"othed5 *ith n$dit, 4! "on%ention!i-ed *!, o3 #eein'5,
#$&&!ri-in' the !r'$&ent !# 0N!kedne## re%e!# it#e3. N$dit, i# (!"ed on di#(!,.0 He then
(oint# o$t th!t the di#(!, i# !*!,# 3or the &!e #(e"t!tor.
<6
The *o&!n1# e9(o#$re i# not!nd
Breton *o$d #$re, !'ree! &!tter o3 her o*n #e9$!it,, )$t o3 the #e9$!it, o3 the o)#er%er,
*ho#e &ono(o, o3 (!##ion i# #$"h th!t )odi, h!ir 4!##$&ed to re(re #ent #e9$! (o*er !nd
(!##ion5 i# not ordin!ri, (!"ed on her o)+e"ti3ied )od,.
<>
Aien!ted 3ro& her )od, !nd 3ro& it#
(ro)!)e re(re#ent!tion, (re#ent !nd 3$t$re, the &ode #$33er# in 3!"t the de#tin, th!t Ren Ch!r
(redi"ted !t the end o3 hi# o*n "!##i" S$rre!i#t te9t o3 <=>L, Artine" 0The (!inter h!# #!in hi#
&ode.0
14
Ch!r re3er# here to !n interior &ode !# re(!"in' the e9terior one: *e *ho h!%e )een
the &ode #o o3ten e9terior &!, e!rn !t e!#t to e9teriori-e o$r !n'er o%er #o&e o3 the
&!nh!ndin'.
3leasurable Fctions o* 3resence
B$t )!"k to the )in!r,. The ide! o3 ! $nion, #o de#ired, )et*een (!inter !nd o)+e"t o3 '!-in'
!nd "re!tion, 3i"tion! !# it i#, !nd o3 ! #(e"i3i" (ro)8
e&!ti", &!, #$33i"e to "re!te ! 'ener! 3!)e *hi"h "!n #o de(!rt 3ro& the !((!rent re!& o3
3i"tion !# to )e"o&e re!. The#e !re 3i"tion# in deed, the#e $nion# o3 )od, !nd )r$#h or #i'ht,
)$t re! 3i"tion#, #$#t!inin' !# the, "!n!nd on, the,the o)+e"t o3 !rt !# the re(re#ent!tion
o3 !n, onooker1# de#ire. The (ro)e& i#, o3 "o$r#e, the 0!n,.0 Who#e is the )od, o3 thi# !rt,
!nd *ho#e the 3i"tion/ Who#e i# the (e!#$re, *here i# it t!ken, !nd 3ro& *ho&/ And, !(!rt
3ro& the "o&&er"i! gain o3 the &!n!'e&ent, *h!t i# it# 3r$it/ Who "on#$&e# *h!t, ho*e%er
#$rre(ti tio$#,, !nd *ho i# "on#$&ed, e%en ), ! '!n"e/
It i#, tr$e eno$'h, +$#t !# *e !re o3ten tod, ! (ri%ie'e to )e (hoto'r!(hed ),, to )e captured
so %ell by, the "!&er! or the )r$#h o3 ! 're!t !rti#t. Ho* "o$d *e e%er, either !# &ode
&ode# or !# &ode onooker#, h!%e tho$'ht th!t !n, &ode *o$d re3$#e to )e!r or en+o, the
3r$it o3 the entr!i# o3 &other !rt it#e3, !t the h!nd# or thro$'h the en# o3 it# &o#t "ee)r!ted
re(re#ent! ti%e#/ We h!%e then, it i# #$((o#ed, to 'i%e "redit, (hoto'r!(hi" !nd !rti#ti", to the
're!t &edi!tor# o3 the i&!'e !# the, (!## it on to $#; #in"e the, !re !#o, in thi# ","e !# I #ee
it, the &edi!tor# o3 $# to o$r#e%e#, *e &i'ht *!nt to (!$#e )e3ore 'i%in' entire "redit to the
entire #tor,, or to their de#"ri( tion# !# o$r #tor,.
2arrati+e al%ays *ecundates4 &ore #torie# !re "e!#ee##, (rod$"ed 3or $# to i%e !nd re!d the&,
3or the& to e33!"e o$r "riti"! do$)t, ho*e%er d$)io$#, *e 3ir#t )e'in to (!rti"i(!te in )e!rin'
!nd h!%in' !nd #eein'. Are *e to re3$#e ookin' !# (!rt o3 )ein' ooked !t/ The *hoe i##$e o3
ookin' !t o$r#e%e# !# ooked !t "!# into 2$e#tion ho* !nd *here *e &!, )e tho$'ht to (o##e##
o$r#e%e#, *ithin thi# 3i"tion o3 (!ine## "on#$& in' o3 i&!'e#8!#8other. The, !re not, in thi#
"!#e, entire, other, nor "!n *e (retend to #ee the& !# #$"h. We !re 3oded $( in !nd into88
i&(i"!ted !nd e%en tied $( in !nd ), o$r #eein'.
#mplicatons" Taking $ur 3lace, and 5hose 3leasure6
Are *e o)i'ed to )e re(re#ented ),, to (!rti"i(!te in #$"h (ro)e&!ti" re(re#ent!tion# !# th!t o3 !
The '!-e 3i9ed into ! #t!re *o$d not (er&it the other th$# tr!n#3i9ed to e!%e the )!tte3ied or
the (e!#$re8)ed, or the "!n%!#. It *o$d hod the other there, !t the t!)e o3 "on#$&&!tion
!nd "on#$&in'. In "ontr!#t, the '!n"e in3i"t# it# &o &ent!r, %ioen"e, !nd #o&eti&e# on the
#!nt, *ith no ret$rn (er&itted, e!%in' to the other ! "ert!in 3reedo&. In S$rre!i#t (!intin'
!nd (ho to'r!(h,, I *o$d #$)&it, the '!-e or the #t!re !nd the '!n"e #ee& o3ten to )e "!ed
3or !# i3 #i&$t!neo$#,, #$&&oned !nd !# it *ere re ne*ed: 0A*!,# 3or the 3ir#t ti&e,0 !# in
the Breton (oe& o3 th!t tite. The #$#t!ined '!-e *i then )e #$)+e"t to &o&ent!r, i&($#e#
o3 the '!n"e !# %ioent !##!$t, $nder *hi"h the &ode *i )e o)i'ed to #$#t!in the
onooker1# #(ont!ne o$# de#ire in ! (!r!do9i"! (er&!nen"e.
The S$rre!i#t )od, re(re#ented, t!ken 4in5 ), the '!-e !nd '!n"e o3 the #(e"t!tor, (re#ent#
no &!r'in o3 inter(ret!tion. B, the de#ire o3 Breton !# "riti", ! di#t!n"e i# to )e #$((re##ed
)et*een #eein' !nd the o)+e"t #een, )et*een the ook o3 de#ire !nd the (re,, )et*een t*o
o)+e"t# i&!'ined or #een to'ether.
6
M Une## the 3e&!e3or it i# $#$!, #he#$)&it# !"ti%e,
to #$"h ! #t!re, 'i% in' *h!t i# in !n, "!#e t!ken ), the &!e, #he *i h!%e no roe e9"e(t
en3or"ed #$)&i##ion. The prise de +ue, th!t e9(ert t!kin' o3 the %ie*, th!t #hootin' o3 the
&ode, i# ! one8*!, %ent$re, 3!r 3ro& the eroti"# o3 e9"h!n'e, o(en on, to ! *i in' re!tion
o3 do&in!tor !nd do&in!ted.
Translatng 7usiness
Wh!t i# rendered ), S$rre!i#t !rt i# r!re, 2$!i3i!)e !# tot!i-!tion. More 3re2$ent, th!n not,
on, ! 3r!'&ent o3 the )od, i# e9(o#ed to )r$#h or en#, !# in M!nneri#t e&)e&!ti"#: !n e,e 3or
M!'ritte, either #een in the "r!"k o3 ! door &The Eye8 or in #$)i&e #oit$de, di%or"ed 3ro& it#
other !nd *ith "o$d# 3o!tin' !"ro## it &The False -irror8, or 4in The 3ortrait8 dei"!te, (!"ed in
! #i"e o3 h!& $(on the (N!te; ! )re!#t 3or D$"h!&( or E$!rd, #o&eti&e# orn!&entin' ! )ook
"o%er #,, en+oinin' $# to 3lease Touch4 ! #erie# o3 "!#(ed h!nd# or *ide8o(en e,e# 3or Ern#t 4to
i$# tr!te E$!rd1# 9(p(titions84 ! (hoto'r!(h o3 e'# re(e!ted, or o3 one 'o%e, 3or Breton1#
2ad:a. Thi# (ro"e##, ), &eton,&, !nd #,ne"do"he re3errin' to the *hoe )od, ), the h!ndin'
!nd e9hi)ition o3 one (!rt, "!n o3 "o$r#e )e "on#idered "ee)r! tor,, !# in Breton1# 3!&o$#
(oe& "!ed 07ree Union0 in *hi"h e!"h (!rt o3 the *o&!n o%ed i# "h!nted in t$rn. Thi#
*o$d )e ! tr!dition! tr!n# !tion !""ordin' to ! &ode no* "!##i", no &ore tro$)e#o&e th!n
the in#t!nt inter(ret!tion o3 #$"h 3!&o$# $ne# !# Ron#!rd1# 0A "e )e oei dire !die$,0 *hi"h *e
re!d !# #!,in' 3!re*e not +$#t to one 'or'eo$# or), not e%en to )oth, not e%en +$#t to the 3!"e,
)$t to the *hoe )ein', in ! "re#"endo *hi"h h!#), the ti&e *e 'et there o#t ! #ho"k
%!$e, to )e"o&e ! #t!nd!rd re3er en"e (oint. B$t &odern %ie*# !)o$t tr!n#!tion, #$"h !# tho#e
e9(re##ed in the %o$&e ;i**erence in Trans lation ,
2 1
te!"h $# !)o$t &i#8$#e !# )ein' &ore
"re!ti%e th!n #t!nd!rd $#e, !)o$t &i#8tr!n#!tion !# ! (o##i)e "h!en'e to ! too #i&(, A O 7
re!tion ), e9er"i#e on the (re##$re (oint# o3 te9t$ !it,, in *hi"h ! re!tion o3 #$r3!"e i# !#o
ke(t, !nd not +$#t ! re!tion o3 #$)#t!n"e to #$)#t!n"e !# ordin!r, $#e3$ &er"h!ndi#in'.
66
The
business o3 tr!n#!tion !# te9t$! )$#ine## too ($t# ! ne* i'ht on the i'ht ($t on the S$rre!i#t
)od, !nd it# (o,%!ent re(re#ent!tion#. We "!nnot +$#t re3er the 3r!'&ent!tion o3 the S$rre!i#t
)od, )!"k to M!nneri#& *ith ! 'ood "on#"ien"e, )$t &$#t #ee it *ith the presentness de&!nded
), &odern !rt !nd theor,. Th$#, the 3e&!e )od, #een ), H!n# Be&er !# ! i3ee## r!' doN,
ro$nded !nd thro*n do*n ike #o&e "!#to33 (ro((ed $( 3or the (i"t$re, &!, enr!'e !# it
eni'hten# $#; the do$)e e9(o #$re o3 one (!ir o3 )re!#t# !)o,e !nother in ! (hoto'r!(h in the
-inotaure, one o3 e!"h (!ir !r'er !nd in (ro3ie, the other #&!er !nd (oint in' the other *!,,
ike 3o$r e,e# $n*iin' to &eet the o)#er%er1# #t!re, &!, #end $# )!"k to the %erti "!
#$(er(o#itionin' o3 &!n, (!ir# o3 e,e# in 2ad:a !# *e !# to the other re(etition# o3 3r!'&ent# o3
3e&!e#, )$t it *i not !dd $(, ho*e%er *e "!en8!te, to *hoene##. In e!"h (!ir there i# %i#i)e
di33eren"e, *hi"h the re(etition on, !''r!%!te#. Hori-ont! o((o#ition (!,# !'!in#t %erti"!
#!&e ne## in !n i&!'e "ontr!r, to ! int$ition. Thi# i# ! (er3e"t i&!'e o3 de!, !nd #(!"in', !#
in the !n!,#i# done ), Er!$##, *herein (re#en"e i# !)o i#hed 3ro& the (hoto'r!(h.
6>
3arts and the 3olitics o* the 5hole
When ! 3r!'&ented i&!'e i# #!id to re(re#ent $#, !# *e !re #$((o#ed to re(re#ent *o&!n, *e
&!, either re3$#e #$"h #,ne"do"hi" enter(ri#e# o3 re( re#ent!tion or de&!nd, i3 not tot!i-!tion
o3 the &ode, then !t e!#t reinte'r!tion, !""ordin' to ter&# )oth (ri%!te !nd ($)i". To )e #$re,
)ein' (!rti! (re%ent# o$r )ein' #een !# ho&o'eneo$#, !nd th$# !"t# !'!in#t the e9"$#ion or
!((ro(ri! tion o3 0! o3 $#,0 ! o3 o$r &ind !nd )od,, #in"e *e !re #een on, in (!rt.
6I
We
e!rn o$r (oiti"# in %!rio$# *!,#, !nd the#e di#(!"e&ent# !nd i& (o#ition# &!, e!d to
re)$tt!, or then to ! de &!nd 3or di33erenti!tion )et*een the )rii!nt !nd re%e!tor,, !nd the
#i&(, de3or&in' !nd de3!& in'. Wh!t *e #ee !# *e !re #t!red !t &!, in3or& o$r o*n
ret$rnin' #t!re, or o$r o*n ne*3o$nd !n'er, or he( $# to #ee #o&ethin' !)o$t o$r#e%e#, to
!""e(t it, re3$#e it, or "h!n'e it.
One o3 M!'ritte1# i&!'e#, /es /iasons dan gereuses @>A, (!,in' on L!"o#1# no%e o3 the
#!&e n!&e, #ho*# ! *o&!n do*n to her !nke#, her he!d )ent do*n in (ro3ie. A &irror i#
o"!ted e9!"t, in the &idde o3 her )od,, *ith the &idde (!rtth!t (ortr!,ed in the &irror
re%er#ed in the "enter o3 the i&!'e. It i# !#o red$"ed !nd r!i#ed, #o th!t the (!rt#$((er,
"entr!, !nd o*erh!%e no *!, o3 &!t"hin'. The de3or&! tion "!n )e re!d !# "entr! to the
#e3, 3or the *o&!n di%ided i# !#o *!t"hin' her#e3*itho$t #eein' $# #ee her 3ro& )ehind.
The ,&irror #he hod# i#, !# tr!dition!,, the #i'n o3 0%!nit!#,0 *hi"h, !# Gohn Ber'er (oint#
o$t, "onde&n# her !nd h!# her "onni%e in 0tre!tin' her#"3 !# 3ir#t !nd 3ore&o#t, ! #i'ht.0
6J
Not
! (e!#!nt #i'ht, !nd "ond$"i%e r!ther to #e38o!thin'.
The !*k*!rdne## in%!de# e%er, in"h o3 *h!t i# (re#ented !# %i#ion on the interior o3 the
3r!&e. Ne%er, in thi# )od, (i"t$red !nd "entr!, inter r$(ted, i# the "enter to )e either 3o"$#ed
in the ri'ht #en#e or )e!$ti3$; ne%er i# the 3o* o3 %i#ion to )e inte'r!; ne%er i# 'r!"e to %i#it
thi# 3i'$re, 3ro& *hi"h the &idde i# 3ore%er e9"$ded. Be ne!th her "hin r$n# the h!ir
"ontin$ed, #een 3ro& the )!"k, ike the )e!rd o3 #o&e S!%i" 'od; !nd &ore &,thi"! 3i'$re# !re
"!ed in to he( $# re!d the (i"t$re, *hi"h i# ne%er #!ti#3!"tor,, !nd 3ro& *hi"h *e !re !*!,#
#h$t o$t. T$rnin' !*!,, her (o#t$re re#e&)e# th!t o3 Cr!n!"h1# E%e, *ith her )!"k 3ore%er
3r!&ed, her )e, it ), ! thin i'hted ine. Her he!d droo(# ike th!t o3 ! de!d *o&!n, or the )ent
he!d o3 ! M!donn!. She re3$#e# to &eet o$r e,e#, !# i3 de#(er!te, #eekin' the (ri%!", #he i#
#$(re&e, denied. Thi# enor&o$#, (e##i &i#ti" (i"t$re, *ith *hi"h#tr!n'e,, !nd (er h!(#
)e"!$#e o3 the e"hoe#it i# h!rd to e&(! thi-e, into *hi"h *e "!nnot enter, &i'ht )e re!d !#
5oman reading %oman.
Thi# ne'!ti%e %ie* i# 3ore%er )o$nd to )e th!t o3 M!'ritte1# #e38re'!rder !# #he 3!i# to o"!te
her i&!'e in the &irror i&!'e, !n i&!'e !# re%er#i)e !# it i# ine#"!(!)e. Se38o!thin' i#
(re#ented !# (!rt o3 3e&!e (re#en"e. No* to thi# i&!'e #$"h "onte&(or!r, re3e"tion# !#
tho#e *e &i'ht &!ke $(on the (ride !nd 'or, o3 the n!ked #t!te 43ro& E%e to (hoto'r!(hi"
&ode#5 !re tot!, 3orei'n: the (i"t$re, !# (i"t$re, &!ke# no roo& 3or (ride on, he!%,
!#toni#h&ent !t there )ein' no 3ront! #t!te to o)#er%e, 3or either in#ider# or o$t#ider#.
De(ri%ed o3 n!t$r! 3ront! )e!$t,, #een on, !#k!n"e !nd 3ro& the #ide, "o&(ete, $nder the
do&in!tion o3 the &!e (!inter, the &ode #i&(, e9hi)it# the #h!&e o3 #e3 !nd the di33i"$t,
o3 #e38re!din'.
F$ite to the "ontr!r, o3 #$"h 3or&$!tion# )!d, "!te'ori-!)e !# the n$de !#h!&ed !nd #e3
"on"e!in', the 3r!'&ented do, !nd #o on, i&!'e# #ettin' $( the di#(!, o3 the 3e&!e, re!din'
her #e3 or !# #he i# re!d, 3or the dee"t!tion or %ioent (e!#$re o3 &!e e,e#*o$d )e the 3ree
e9 "h!n'e o3 the ide!# o3 (o##i)e i&!'e#, )et*een #e9e# !# )et*een (er#on# !nd n!t$re, !
the#e tr!n#!tion# !t on"e eroti" !nd !rti#ti", the tr!n#! tion# o3 di33eren"e *hi"h *e "o$d 3ree,
en+o, $nder the i'ht o3 the n!rr!ti%e 3e"$nd!ted ), ! "o$(e or &!n,. I *!nt to e9!&ine in
(!rti"$!r ! 3e* i&!'e# o3 the (o#iti%e, or then o3 the do$)e ed'ed or !&)i%!ent, in
(hoto'r!(h# ), M!n R!, !nd in t*o (!intin'# ), M!'ritte.
M!n R!,1# e9tr!ordin!r, i&!'e o3 ! 3e&!e tor#o "!ed 9etour < la raison, re(rinted in /a
9(+olution surr(aliste 4no. <, <=6I5 @IA, i# ! 3i& #ti 3ro& hi# three8&in$te 3i& o3 the #!&e
tite. M!de ), the "!(t$re o3 ! 3e&!e )od, &o%in' )ehind ! #tri(ed "$rt!in, thi# tor#o !((e!r#
*ith #tri(e# o3 #h!do* !"ro## the )!re 3e#h ike tho#e o3 ! ti'er, one #n!kin' $( the "enter, !
ike #o&e e!)or!te )od, (!intin'. The tor#o, e!nin' #i'ht, )!"k*!rd#, in%itin' the '!-e, i#
(o#ed !'!in#t the re"tiine!r 3or& o3 ! *indo*, #o th!t the "$r%e# o3 !ni&! !nd h$&!n (!, o$t
their "ontr!#t. N!t$re i# )ro$'ht to the h$&!n, !nd the "$r%ed to the #tr!i'ht. The di!'on!
#tri(e !"ro## the tor#o e"hoe# the *indo* ine, *here!# the #i'ht, 3$--, or !t e!#t irre'$!r
#h!do* to the ri'ht e"hoe#, !# i3 *ith h$&!n h!ir, the #$)+e"ti%e #t!te&ent o3 the (hoto'r!(h
it#e3. Thi# i#, it #ee&# to &e, ! (o#iti%e i&!'e, !ddin' to the )e!$t, o3 the 3e&!e 3or&. Thi#
i&(o#ition i# 2$ite $nike the i&(o#ition o3 the (eni# !'!in#t ! *o&!n1# no#e in !
(hoto&ont!'e ), Wihe& 7reddie "!ed 3aralyse)appeal, in *hi"h the !ddi tion "!n on,
in#$t !nd enr!'e ! 3e&!e o)#er%er. The M!n R!, i&(o#ition o3 the n!t$r! on the h$&!n "!n
)e re!d on, !# )e!$ti3$; in no *!, i# the )od, de3or&ed, it i# r!ther !$'&ented ), it# n!t$r!
(o##i)iitie#. Th$# do *e e!rn !)o$t &er' in' the one *ith the other, !# in the S$rre!i#t '!&e
o3 01$n d!n# 1!$tre,0 the one in the other, *here one o)+e"t i# "on#idered !# !$'&ented ), the
other !nd e!"h rendered &ore intere#tin': their $nion i# not 3or"ed )$t i&!'in!ti%e, !nd
&$ti(e in it# (o##i)iitie#.
In !nother )$t 3ront!, (o#ed tor#o @JA, the i&(rint o3 the "$rt!in *ith it# &e#hin' (!ttern
o%er the )!rene## *ork# ! #tr!n'e !nd "on%in"in' "on%er'en"e. The )!re )od, )ehind the 'ri,
or it# re(re#ent!tion, i# ne%erthee## i)er!ted !# it i#, (re"i#e,, )!rin' it# )re!#t#; the )!rin' i#
! the &ore e&(h!#i-ed in re!tion to *h!t !((e!r# to )e ! )indin' "or#et, dro((ed to e9(o#e
the n!%e, th$# "re!tin' ! do$)e i)er!tion, !)o,e !nd )eo*. Th!t the 3!"e o3 the *o&!n i#
#een in on, #o&e %er#ion#, not in 9etour < la raison nor in &!n, o3 the other M!n R!,
(hoto'r!(h# *ith the )!re tor#o #tri(ed or )o$nd, (er&it# the )od,1# (re#en t!tion !#
e&)e&!ti", !nd !# e&)e&!ti" o3 )e!$t, it#e3, in ! it# #(endid "on%er'en"e o3 the )o$nd
!nd the 3ree. The (rotr$#ion o3 the )re!#t# )!!n"in' the indent!tion o3 the n!%e i# &!rked !#
the other, !nd n!t$r!, o((o#ition, *here!# the )od, e9(o#ed ), the #ide o3 the "$rt!in *hi"h
*o$d )e tho$'ht to "o%er !nd to %ei &!ke# the dr!&! o3 the *hoe (re#ent!tion. Thi#, ike
Ero' ti1ue'+oil(e, "ee)r!te# ! "o&(i"!ted !&)i%! en"e in (!,in' ho&!'e to #i&(e
$n!dorned )e!$t,, "ee)r!te# the !rt o3 (hoto'r!(h, in (!, in' ho&!'e to n!t$re, !nd, in
en"o$r!'in' the +$9t!(o#ition o3 the notion# o3 #$(eri&(o#ed (!t tern !nd e%ident 3reedo&,
"ee)r!te# the (!, o3 the intee"t in re!tion to the )od,.
To thi# $nion o3 (o##i)iitie#, h$&!n !nd !rti# ti", *e &i'ht "o&(!re, 3or the )end o3 3i'$re
!nd n!t$re hed in e9"h!n'e, the e9tr!ordin!r, (hoto 'r!(h ), Br!##!i @KA *hi"h !((e!red in
the S$r8 re!i#t +o$rn! -inotaure 4no. K, <=>I5 o3 (!rt o3 ! n!ked *o&!n1# )od, 3ro& #ho$der
to )$tto"k#, #een 3ro& )ehind !# #he ie# #tret"hed o$t *ith her rid'e# !nd 3$rro*# !nd
&on$&ent! )e!$t, re #(ondin' to the on' )od, o3 ! &o$nt!in1# (ro3ie, &!t"hin' "$r%e to
"$r%e )e,ond her, !nd !)o,e it the #k,, !# i3 re"inin' in ike (o#e !)o,e the &o$n t!in, it# )ri'ht
"$r%e# &irrorin' the i'ht )od, o3 the *o&!n !'!in#t the d!rker 'ro$nd, ike t*o 3e&!e )odie#
#tret"hed o$t to hod )et*een the& ! the e!rth !nd it# o*n 3$ !nd #*ein' )e!$t,. S$rre!i#&1#
3e9i)e !nd o3 ten #enti&ent! %i#ion #er%e# to en"o$r!'e #$"h h!r&on, )et*een n!t$ r!
!nd#"!(e !nd the "$t$re o3 !rt, hodin' in (oeti" e&)r!"e "ontr!r, ee&ent# (!#t their )i n!r,
o((o#ition, !# in Breton1# &e&or!)e !nd #i'ni3i"!nt e9(re##ion# 0the !ir o3 *!ter0 !nd 0the 3!&e
o3 #e!.0 The#e e9(re##ion# i$#tr!te the S$r re!i#t )!#i# o3 "on%$#i%e )e!$t,, the re!din' o3 one
thin' into !nother. The i&!'e "!n in 3!"t )e re!d e2$!, *e 3ro& the to( !nd 3ro& the )ot to&,
in (er3e"t 3i'$r! h!r&on,.
Breton1# #t!te&ent, in 2ad:a !nd e#e*here, th!t 0)e!$t, *i )e "on%$#i%e or not )e0 i#
i$# tr!ted ), Breton1# o*n "hoi"e o3 !n i&!'e ), M!n R!, to !""o&(!n, hi# e##!, on thi#
#$)+e"t in the -notaure. The i&!'e =>? i# 3$8(!'e !nd #trikin', "!ed Eroti1ue'+oil(e, th$#
&!rked ), )ein' !t on"e o(en !nd #e"ret. Mret O((enhei& i# (i" t$red e!nin' on ! 'i'!nti"
!nd "o&(i"!ted *hee, n$de !nd 3!"in' $#, *ith her e3t h!nd !nd !r& r!i#ed, i&(rinted *ith
're!#e, *hie her ri'ht h!nd (re##e# on the &et!. In the $((er ri'ht h!nd #(!"e )et*een the
o$ter ri& !nd the #(oke#, "ho#en ee&ent# o3 her )od, !re !# i3 caught" the h!ir $nder her
r!i#ed !r&, !((e!rin' +$#t $nder the ri&, !nd her ri'ht ni((e, !((e!rin' +$#t o%er the #(oke.
Thi# i&!'e i# e&)e&!ti", I think, o3 the do$)e re!din' o3 S$rre!i#&1# "ee)r!tion# o3 blasons
or #e(!r!te )od, (!rt#, 3or the e!)or!te di%i#ion# o3 the *hee #tre##, !)o,e ! e#e, the
di#+$n"tion o3 (!rt#.
A""ordin' to ! 3ir#t !nd (o#iti%e re!din', ! the (re##$re here "!n )e #een !# i'htthe
eroti"i#& !#o, e%en !# it i# %eied. The inter!"tion )et*een &!"hine !nd *o&!n i# entered
into *ith "o& (i"it, !nd ee'!n"e, !# Mret ook# do*n *ith ! #i'ht #&ie !t the *hee
it#e3, *hi"h, !tho$'h it "o$d )e #een to interr$(t her )od, 2$ite !# de3i nite, !# the
M!'ritte &irror interr$(t# the #e3 re3e"ti%e *o&!n, i# !#o the in#tr$&ent o3 her *iin'
re%e!tionin (!rt#!nd the o)+e"t o3 her !d&ir!tion. She h!# no #h!&e !)o$t her )od, !nd
no 3e!r o3 the *hee: !ro$nd her ne"k i# ! #i&(e )!"k "ir"et, ike ! %i#$! e"ho o3 the *hee
#h!(e, !nd her i(# !re "o#ed o%er her teeth, *hie the *hee h!# toothike not"he# on one o3
it# %erti "! #(oke#. In ! %i#i)e ,et #$)te "o&(e&ent!rit,, the *hee re%e!# *h!t #he
"on"e!#; it )oth !dd# !nd #$)tr!"t#.
In thi# $()e!t re!din', the &edie%! #(innin' *hee )rin'# it# on' tr!dition to the #on' o3 the
)od,, #(innin' o$t the t!e o3 ho* *o&!n h!r&o ni-e# *ith her (!rtner, the o)+e"t, 3ro&
!n"ient to -odern Tmes. She i# in "o&(ete $nder#t!ndin' *ith her &e"h!ni"! o%er, #o th!t
e%en the ori3i"e# o3 her )od, 4her n!%e, her e!r5 rh,&e *ith the o(enin'# o3 the *hee; the
ee&ent# !re #tren'th ened e!"h ), the other, 3or"e *itho$t 3or"in'. The *o&!n #hot i# here
"ee)r!ted ), )oth *hee !nd "!&er!, to )oth o3 *hi"h #he &!, #ee& to 'i%e, #&iin' !nd th$#
!# i3 3ree,, her )!re 3or& to )e "!re##ed !nd (i"t$red, *ith no intr$#ion $(on her inti&!te
#e"ret. Art !nd &e"h!ni"# *ed the &oder! 3e&!e 3or&, *hi"h e!rn# to rere!d it#e3 !# i3 ), !
(rintin' (re##, the *hee re(!"in' 3or $# the #(innin' o$t o3 o$r t!e. The *o&!n !*!ken# in
her ne* i&!'e !'!in#t the tr!dition! rh,th& to )e h$&&ed or #$n', no* to )e (rinted !'!in#t
the )!"k'ro$nd o3 the (!#t. Here the (ri& iti%e #tren'th o3 the do&e#ti" &eet# ! &ore "on
te&(or!r, &!'i" o3 i&(rintin' !nd &et!i" re(ro d$"tion: *o&!n in the ro$nd, *e &i'ht
re!d, !nd !)o$t to )e &$ti(ied in #o &!n, i&!'en.
An o((o#ite re!din' i# e2$!, (o##i)e. Here the *hee !ie# it#e3 *ith the 're!#e &!rked
$(on the )od, !# re3errin' to ! tort$re *hee, 3or S!int C!therine or !n, other *o&!n 3ooi#h
eno$'h, $n3ort$n!te eno$'h, to )e "!$'ht ), it. In thi# 'ri& t!e the (otenti! %ioen"e o3
"on%$#i%e )e!$t, re&!in# i&(i"it, !# doe# the re3e"tion o3 the *hee $(on her )od,; the
!''re##ion o3 the &et!i" 3or&, th!t dei)er!te, #e'&entin' &!# ter, i# !# di%i#i%e#he
*i )e, ike $#, torn !(!rt !# it i# (er&!nent, i&(rintin' 3or the S$rre!i#t de#i'n. Thi#
re!din' +oin# the (hoto'r!(h o3 *h!t i# )oth o(en, eroti" !nd o(en, %eied to the #t!n"e o3
tho#e other M!n R!, (hoto'r!(h#, *here "!'e# !re (!"ed o%er the *o&!n1# he!d 4)od,e##
in the (hoto5 !nd )od,, &et!i" o%er i%in'. Here the i%in' *ed# the &et!i", on, to
rein3or"e the !tter.
B$t the (hoto'r!(h ($)i#hed in /e -inotaure i# ! "ro((ed %er#ion, !nd the on'er ori'in!
#!,# #ti other thin'# in thi# #e"ond re!din' @?A . The et"hin' *hee i# &o%ed ), h!nde#, !nd
the h!n de o3 the o$ter !nd #&oother *hee no* !((e!r in' &!ke# ! de3inite, (h!i"
(rot$)er!n"e !)o,e the inti&!te re'ion 3or&er, "ro((ed 3ro& the (hoto'r!(h. Addin' thi#
re!din' i# ike !ddin' !n !((end!'e, !n !(($rten!n"e, to the (hoto'r!(h !nd the 3e&!e 3or&
*ithin it. Are!d,, !# *e kno*, in the <=JL# !nd <=KL# the (rint&!kin' tr!dition, or the
itho'r!(hi" re%i%!, in#(ired the roin' o3 &ode# in (rinter1# ink to in#"ri)e their real traces
!# !rt. Here, the &ode, h!%in' )e"o&e ! (!rtner o3 the (rint&!kin' (ro"e##, #ti #$''e#t# her
o*n i&(i"!tion, ), the ink $(on her !r& !nd h!nd 4#he, the !rti#t Mret, !3ter !5 *hi"h *!#
!re!d, %i#i)e in the "ro((ed %er#ion, !nd ), the #&ie no* #een !# e%en &ore "o&(i"ito$#
e%en in the !"t o3 (hoto'r!(h,. The t*o (hoto'r!(h# &!ke !n odd do$)in', 3or the #&ie
#ee&# #o&e ho* to "h!n'e it# 3o"$#, !# #he ook# do*n !t her e9(o#$re, the h!ndin' o3 it, !nd
the handle to it. At thi# (oint, !nd in thi# rere!din', *e think )!"k to the M!'ritte renderin' o3
/es /iaisons dan gereuses, !# the *o&!n "o#e# her e,e# to her o*n e9(o#$re in the &irror
!nd )ehind: the#e re!tion# in their !""ent on (ro"e## in%o%e ! #ti other d!n'er !nd, I *o$d
#$)&it, the %ie*er i# 3!r &ore in%o%ed. E%en the !"t o3 #e"ond re!din' i# ! "on 3e##ion o3
3$rther in%o%e&ent3or other*i#e, *h, *o$d *e 3ee the need to ook !'!in/ #n %hat
process are %e indeed in+ol+ed6
An e2$!, !&)i%!ent re!din' "!n )e &!de or tapen o3 M!'ritte1# (!intin' "!ed
9epr(sentaton ! (!intin' #een !# ! &irror, or ! &irrored 3or& (!inted !# ! (!inted 3or&,
#ho*in' 2$ite #i&(, the &irrored 3or& o3 ! *o&!n 3ro& her o*er #to&!"h to her thi'h#,
*ith the he!%, 3r!&e !ro$nd it #h!(ed to it# o$tine, !# i3 dei)er!te, kee(in' !nd hodin' +$#t
th!t (!rt o3 the *o&!n, &eton,&i" o3 the *!, #he i# #een, *ith the &irror o)+e"t !# di#"reet
!nd !((e!in' !# ! #t!t$e, !nd not &$"h &ore i3eike. Wh!t re(re#ent# here, !nd *h!t i#
re(re#ented/ the re!der i# )o$nd to !#k. I# it the #e38re3e9i%it, o3 the 3or& ookin' !t it#e3 !#
3r!&ed, ), it#e3, !# ! &irror/ Doe# the tite indi"!te th!t to re(re#ent i# to &irror, th!t to 3r!&e
i# to *ed o$tine to 3or&, th!t to ook !t o$r#e%e# 3r!&ed $( i# !re!d, to re(re#ent o$r #e%e#/
More th!n !n, o3 M!'ritte1# other *ork#, thi# one i# #$re, !)o$t ho* the &et!(hor o3 re(
re#ent!tion *ork#, ho* it &!ke# ! *hoe 3ro& *h!t *o$d #ee& ! &o#t (!rti! (!rt, ! ($)i"
!rti#ti" #t!te&ent !)o$t *h!t *o$d #ee& the &o#t (ri%!te 3or&. Thi# i# representation it#e3,
!nd ho* *e re!"t to it# #ee"tion o$t 3ro& the re#t, to it# en3r!&in' in it# 3r!'&ent!tion, &!,
de(end on *h!t "redit *e 'i%e to the re(re#enter# o3 re( re#ent!tion, !# *e !# on *h!t "redit
*e think the, 'i%e to $#.
The 3in! i&!'e I *i#h to "o&&ent on i# it#e3 o3 ! "o&(i"!tion *orth, o3 &irrorin' the
#(oken "o&(i"!tion# *ith *hi"h I )e'!n. 40T!k !)o$t "o&(i"!tion#P05 Perh!(# the &o#t
"!(ti%!tin' !nd &o#t "o&(i"!ted o3 ! the re(re#ent!tion# o3 the 3e&!e )od, th!t M!'ritte i#
re#(on#i)e 3or i# /a /umi(re des coincidences @<LA . U(on ! t!)e #t!nd# ! 3r!&e, in *hi"h there
i# (i"t$red ! #t!t$e o3 ! 3e&!e tor#o, #t$&(# &!rkin' the !r&# !nd e'#, *hie $(on !nother t!)e
ne!rer to the o) #er%er there #t!nd# ! "!nde, )$rnin' ike the 3! &o$# "!nde in de L! To$r1#
Re(ent!nt M!'d! ene (i"t$re#, *ith it# %er, #$)#t!n"e it ), the 3!&e. The he!%, &et!(h,#i"!
i'ht o3 ! +anitas, o3 ! &e&ento &ori #hine# here, !nd the i&(i"it *ei'ht o3 the #t!t$e,
re(re#entin' 3e&!e 3or& in &!##i%e )e!$t,, #"$(ted in#te!d o3 (!inted, &i9e#
the#e 'enre# 3or !n odd re3e"tion on re(re#entin'. A #t!t$e i# (!inted !# ! #t!t$e in ! (!intin'
!)o$t (!intin': the &i9in' o3 'enre#, o3 "on"e(tion#, !dd# to o$r o*n (er"e(tion o3 *h!t
re(re#ent!tion i#, *h!t (!intin' &!, )e, !nd ho* "o&(i"!ted ! #i&(e 3or& "!n )e"o&e. Like
the 9epr(sentation o3 re(re#ent!tion +$#t "o&&ented on !# e& )e&!ti" o3 ho* *e ook !t
ookin', thi# (i"t$re i# !)o$t #eein', en3r!&in', !nd &ode# in their tre!t&ent !# (!rt# !nd !#
*hoe#.
Here the 3r!&e !nd the in"$ded #t!t$e !re tabled !nd set $( 3or o$r o*n
i$&in!tion, #$re,, *hie the r!i#ed #t$&(# o3 the #t!t$e #ee& to #$&&on he( !nd
o%e, or !t e!#t o$r *iin' (er"e(tion o3 the #$&&on#. A# i# (ro(er 3or ! +anitas,
the #h!do* o3 the #t!t$e *ithin the )o9 i# re3e"ted on the *!, *hie the 3ront
t!)e, ti((ed $(, inter#e"t# *ith the )o9, $nti the o) +e"t#
in the (!intin' !nd their h!r&onie# o3 d!rk !nd i'ht !re do$), )o9ed in !nd 3r!&ed, $nti
"ont!inin' !nd #e38"ont!in&ent #ee& to re!"h (er3e"tion in their %er, #h!do*in'. Nothin'
here i# "$t o33 ), it# inter#e"tion; nothin' 3ee# o#t e%en !# it i# #e%ered; nothin' 3ee# &ere,
(!inted or &ere, "!'ed. The #$)#t!n"e i# !de2$!te to the &edit!tion, $ninterr$(ted !nd
(ro3o$nd, it, (o eti" !# it i# eroti", "onte&(!ti%e !nd (ro3o$nd. Thi# *e !re 'i%en; ho* *e
inter(ret it de(end# on o$r re!tion to &edit!tion !nd to it# (!rti! 'i%in', it# (!rti! "on"e!in'
!nd it# (!rti! i'htin'.
A&)i%!ent or &ono%!ent in the re!din', #t$33ed, #hot, !nd #ho*n, in o$r di#&e&)er&ent
!nd o$r di#(!"e&ent, "!(t$red !nd (re#ented to the '!-e or the '!n"e, !'in' into o)#er%er# o3
o$r#e%e# !# o)+e"t, *e "!n #ti ho(e th!t (!#t the 3r!'&ent# o3 o$r e9(o#ed indi%id$! )odie#
there &!, )e i&!'ined, in ! it# dee(e#t inte'rit,, o$r o*n re(re#entin' )od,. O$r inter(ret!tion
&$#t &o%e (!#t the e!#i, !##i&i!)e !nd it# "on3ine# !# +$#t 9epr(sentation, to in"or(or!te o$r
dei'ht in the &odern !# *e i&!'ine it !nd o$r re3$#! o3 d$&) &!#ter,.
,i+ng !redit and ,i+ing the /ie
To *h!t &i'ht *e "hoo#e to 'i%e o$r#e%e# !nd o$r )ein' #een, !nd, &ore e#(e"i!,, *h,, !nd
to *h!t end/ The 'i3t, M!r"e M!$## re&ind# $#, &$#t "ir"$!te, !nd in it# interior "o$ntr,.
Wh!t interior "o$ntr, h!# the !rti#t1# &ode, re! or (!inted or #hot, th!t n!ked !d, in the iron
"!'e/ In Ro)ert De#no#1# 're!t no%e /a /ibert( ou l0a mour Lo$i#e L!&e 4the L!d, B!de, !#
it *ere, G!"k the Ri((er1# ri%!5 i# n!ked $nder her eo(!rd #kin "o!t. She h!#, ho*e%er, the
(ri%ie'e o3 !,in' it do*n, !nd t!ke# th!t (ri%ie'e, 'i%in' it !# ! eo(!rd *o$d )i# #(ot#. B$t
the "!'ed !d,, not &e!#$red here !'!in#t #o&e )e!#t !# in the "ee )r!ted #tor, 0The L!d, or
the Ti'er/0 h!# itte (ri%ie'e !nd no "hoi"e. To )e !)e to 'i%e or to 'i%e one#e3, one &$#t
kno* one#e3 to )e 3ree. To )e 'i%en in 3ree e9"h!n'e, to )e *iin', ke(t in o"$!r "ir"$!tion,
to #er%e !# o)+e"t 3or re!der, !nd %i#$! re"e(tion, not to )od o$t on the %ie*er, i# !re!d,
#$re, !n !"t o3 'enero#it,, i3 not 3or"ed. We h!%e to )e !)e to re3$#e it; !nd the (ortr!,! o3
the )!re #e3 !# "!'ed e%en i3 #&iin', e%en i3 the "!'e i# "ho#en !# ! 3!#hion, #ho$d &!ke $#
'rit o$r teeth, !nd, &ore (ro(er,, !r& o$r *it# !nd ton'$e#.
Le*i# H,de1# re"ent )ook entited The !i*t" #magination and the Erotic /i*e o* 3roperty,
*hi"h t!ke# it# (oint o3 de(!rt$re 3ro& M!$## in order to !((, (i# theorie# on the 'i3t to
(oetr, !# ! h$&!n 4!nd there3ore 'i%in'5 re!tion#hi(, rede3ine# the *ord erotic $nder thi# !n'e.
To the theorie# o3 M!$##, H,de !dd# e&otion in the (!"e o3 e"ono&i"#: *h!t "!nnot )e 'i%en
doe# not e9i#t !# ! 'i3t, in"$din' the 'i3t o3 t!ent, or ! )od, !nd #(irit o3 ,ri"i#&. A 'i3t, he #!,#,
i# !n!r"hi#t (ro( ert,, 0)e"!$#e )oth !n!r"hi#& !nd 'i3t e9"h!n'e #h!re the !##$&(tion th!t it i#
not *hen ! (!rt o3 the #e3 i# inhi)ited !nd re#tr!ined, )$t *hen ! (!rt o3 the #e3 i# 'i%en !*!,,
th!t "o&&$nit, !((e!r#.0
6K
The 3r!'&ented #e3e%en ! (!rt o3 $#th$# 'i%en !*!,
$ninhi)ited,, !3ter M!nner i#& into S$rre!i#&, !nd to ! o)#er%er# e2$!,, &!, redee&
#ho$d *e !"2$ie#"e in itthe #ort o3 "o&&$n! %i#ion th!t ! &ore "!##i" hoi#ti" tr!dition *!#
not !)e to #!%e. R!ther th!n ,ied in' o$r &ind# $( *ith o$r &odeed !nd re&od eed )odie#,
*e &$#t 'i%e o$r re!din'# o3 o$r re( re#ent!tion#, !nd o$r o(inion# !# to *hi"h de#er%e !n'er
!nd *hi"h, "ee)r!tion. We &$#t, in #hort, re!d 3ree, !nd "hoo#e ho* *e !re to re!d o$r
re(re#entin'. Cood !nd tr$e re!din' i# ! 'i3t, one *e &$#t ho(e to de%eo(, !nd one on *ho#e e9
"h!n'e *e &$#t *ork.
Thi# indeed i# *h!t 'i%in' i# !)o$t. 0A 'i3t th!t "!nnot )e 'i%en !*!, i# not ! 'i3t. . . . The
gi*t must al%ays mo+e.
06D
To contribute, #!,# H,de, 0one1# ide!# to ! +o$rn!, or ! "oo2$i$&,
or ! )ook !nd th$# to share the&, i# the &!rk o3 ! 'i3t *hi"h h!# e!rned to "ir"$!te.0
6?
We
!re "re!t in', then, ! net*ork o3 'i%in' ), thi# "ir"$!tion, 'i%in' ! (!rt o3 o$r#e%e# to the
"o&&$nit, o3 re!der#. The &ore ! 'i3t i# #h!red, the &ore it i# #!"red; *h!t i# 'i%en e!%e# !
3ree (!"e, #o th!t ener', !""r$e# in the (ro"ed$re o3 3ree "ir"$! tion.
In the &!+or i&!'e# I !& (re#entin' or gi+ing o3 o$r#e%e# !# tapen, (!inted, !nd #hot, o$r
indi %id$! !nd "oe"ti%e inter(ret!tion# &$#t &o%e (!#t the (!r!,#i# th!t &i'ht #et in 3ro&
too (ro on'ed !nd too !""e(tin' ! #t!re !t tho#e 3r!' &ente o3 o$r e9(o#ed )odie#. We &$#t
!t e!#t '!n"e )e,ond the 0i&(o#in'0 3aralyse)appeal o3 Wihe& 7reddie !# *e !# the
"on3or&in' !nd "on#tr!inin' 3r!&e 3or o$r "on3ine&ent th!t M! 'ritte (re#ent# !#
9epr(sentation it#e3; )e,ond the &e"h!ni"# o3 o$r dei'ht in o$r o*n &odern ne##, !# in M!n
R!,1# (i"t$re o3 Mret O((en8 hei& !nd the (rintin' (re##, ! "onte&(or!r, "ee )r!tion o3 the
te9t$! in *hi"h the n$de i# #een in 4#!do&!#o"hi#ti"5 te9t$! !nd %i#$! "o$#ion, re (!"in'
)oth the tort$re *hee !nd the on, #ee& in', inno"$o$# #(innin' *hee o3 !n e!rier !'e.
!ollect+e #ntegrty
In net*ork# !nd inter(reti%e "o&&$nitie#, to $#e St!ne, 7i#h1# ter&,
6=
in their
e&)odi&ent# o3 o$r i&!'in!tion#, o$r de#ire#, !nd o$r tr$th#, *e *o$d 3ind !n inte'r!tion o3
o$r#e%e#, not +$#t re(re#ented ), re(re#entin'. Re3$#in' tot!i-!tion !# ! masterly "on"e(t !nd
(re3errin' inte'r!tion in it# (!"e, *e !re !re!d, &!kin' ! #tron' #t!te&ent !)o$t ho* *e "!n
de! *ith 3r!'&ent# !nd ho* *e do not h!%e to de! *ith t,r!nn, !nd it# "$r ren", o3 3or"ed
"on#$&(tion. Ci%in' "redit *here "redit "!n )e re!d !# de#er%ed, i3 it i# not !*!,# ne"e##!ri,
!nd tr$, d$e, o$r 3ree re!din' o3 i& !'e# (o#iti%e or e%en !&)i%!ent &!ke# it# 'ener o#it,
o$t o3 #h!rin' *h!t it 3ee# !nd #ee#. Thi# re"on#tr$"tion o3 $# !o3 the#e )odie#
di#&e&)ered, %io!ted, !nd $ndone on the one h!nd, o3 the#e )odie# h!r&onio$# !nd
"ee)r!ted !nd #$((e&ented ), n!t$re, !rt, !nd e%en the &!"hine on the other"!nnot t!ke
(!"e $nti the %er, #(e!kin' "ore o3 o$r inter(reti%e "o&&$ nit, t!ke# it# tr$e#t (e!#$re !nd
dee(e#t +o, in the e9"h!n'e o3 o$r ide!# t!ken $( !nd $nder#tood to'ether, in o$r e##enti!
di33eren"e !nd in o$r "o&&on "o&(rehen#ion, in o$r +oint $nder#t!nd in' !nd #(ee"h !nd
*orkin #hort, in o$r e2$i%! ent o3 the (hio#o(hi"! con+ersation. We *o$d ($t o$r ide!#
in "o&&on 3or ! 3ree e9 "h!n'e o3 %ie*#, the ide!# o3 ! tho#e 0*ho#e Ide!# !re E!ten in
Con3eren"e#.0 O$r *i to di#"$##ion !# to !rt, not +$#t !# (!##i%e &ode# !nd do# 'one to
(ie"e#, )$t !# ind$"er# o3 the "ir"$! tion o3 ide!# !# o3 t!ent, t$rn# $# 3ro& "on#$&er !nd
"on#$&ed to "re!tor !nd i3e8'i%er, !3ter ! th!t !)or. 0In ! &odern, "!(it!i#t n!tion,0 H,de
"on"$de# hi# "h!(ter "!ed 0A 7e&!e Pro( ert,,0 0to !)or *ith 'i3t# 4!nd to tre!t the& !#
'i3t#, r!ther th!n e9(oit the&5 re&!in# ! &!rk o3 the 3e&!e 'ender.0
>6
O$r tr$e !)or &!, )e
*orkin' o$t the 're!te#t (o##i)e re!i-!tion o3 #o&e "on%er#!tion !)o$t #h!rin' !nd 3e&!e
net *orkin', de%eo(in' it to*!rd ! "oe"ti%e *hoe ne## th!t o$r 3in! 'i3t to e!"h other &!,
re(re#ent. 7ro& o$r 3ree re!din' o3 the renderin'# *e en"o$nter, 3ro& o$r di#"$##ion# there
&!, de %eo(in ti&e !# in o$r te9t# !nd tho#e *e "on te&(!tethe "oe"ti%e inte'rit, *e
*o$d &o#t *!nt, !# ! )od,, to *ork to*!rd: beyond the tr!di tion! "!nde !nd &irrorin'
3r!&e, !# ! re&inder o3 o$r de!th# !nd o3 the i3e o3 o$r !rt, in their &!r%eo$# "oin"iden"e !nd
their $ne2$!ed 3!&e. Modern, ike the *hee, #trikin', ike the #tr!i'ht on #to&!"h #hot, od8
ti&e,, ike the "!nde, re(re #ent!tion*ith it# "o&(i"!tion# &irrorin' !nd "o&(i"!tin' o$r
o*ni# o$r re"$rrin' "on"ern. O$r *iin'ne## to #h!re in it !nd di#"$##ion# th!t in"$de o$r
(!rt in it, (!rti! )$t #h!red, (ro%e o$r #tren'th !)idin' !nd &o#t *hoe.
NOTES
<. See /a 9(+olution surr(aliste, no.
<< 4<=6?5.
6. A# 3or the (!inter or the
(hoto'r!(her, he "!n kee( hi&#e3 !t ! "ert!in
di#t!n"e 3ro& hi# "re!tion or then enter it: he
&!ni($!te#, th!t i#, hi# #t!n"e. Mi"h!e 7ried,
in e9!&inin' the *!,# in *hi"h Co$r)et
re(re#ented hi& #e3 in ! (!intin' ), !
*o&!n1# 'e#t$re *hi"h *o$d #ee& to re(e!t
the %er, 'e#t$re o3 (!intin', !)#or)in'
hi&#e3 "or(or!, *ithin it, $ndoin' hi# (o#e
!# ! #i&(e o)#er%er )e3ore the (!intin'
"on"ei%ed !# ! #(e"t!"e, de#"ri)e#
Co$r)et !# ($ttin' into 2$e#tion 0the ontoo'i"! i&
(er&e!)iit, o3 the )otto& 3r!&in'8ed'eit#
"!(!"it, to "ont!in the re(re#ent!tion, to kee( it in it#
(!"e, to e#t!) i#h it !t ! 3i9ed di#t!n"e 3ro& )oth
(i"t$re #$r3!"e !nd )ehoder0Mi"h!e 7ried,
0Re(re#entin' Re(re#ent! tion: On the Centr! Cro$(
in Co$r)et1# Studio,. in Ste (hen Creen)!tt 4ed.5,
Allegory and 9epresentation 4B!ti &ore: Gohn#
Ho(kin# Uni%er#it, Pre##, <=?L5, ((. <LL8<L<. So&e
o3 the te"hni2$e# Co$r)et $#e# to red$"e
his own separation to undercut the territory of the one who would be looking from
the outside, to abolish any possibil ity of an objective or impersonal point of view-
these techniques are not neutral or neutered, but often serve, in "es &agneurs (!he
&athers', for example, through the use of a feminine body and a female gesture, to
airm the corporality of the link between the painting and the one who looks at it as
the object of desire and union, corporal ity airmed as natural and also cultural, as if
nature were to take pleasure in her representation in art!
>. "avi#re $authicr, Surralsme et se(ualit %&aris' $allimard, ()*(+!
I. ,osalind E! -rauss, !he )rgnalt* o# the +vant Garde and )ther
,odernist ,*ths %.ambridge, /ass!' /0T &ress, ()12+, p! (34!
J. 0bid!, p! (3)!
K. 0bid!, p! ((5!
D. 0bid!, p! 11!
?. 6nnie 7e 8run, + -istante %&aris' 9ean-9acques &auvert, aux Editions
.arri#re, ()12+, pp! (1:, (12!
=. ;ee /ary 6nn .aws, !he +rt o# .nter#erence Stressed /eadngs in
Visual and Verbal !e(ts %&rinceton, <!9!' &rinceton =niversity &ress, ())3+,
chapter :!
<L. 0bid!, chapter 2!
<<. 7inda <ochlin, >Eroticism and ?emale 0magery in <ineteenth-.entury
6rt,> in <ochlin %ed!+, 0oman as Se( )b1ect Studes n Erotic +rt, 234562735
%<ew @ork' <ewsweek, ()*:+!
<6. 9ohn 8erger, 0a*s o# Seeng %Harmondsworth, En gland' &enguin,
()*5+, p! 2A!
<>. 0bid!, p! 22!
<I. ,en# .har, >6rtine> %():3+, Selected Poems, ed! and trans! /ary 6nn
.aws and 9onathan $riin %&rince ton, <!9!' &rinceton =niversity &ress,
()*4+, p! (:!
<J. /ichael ?ried, +bsorption and !heatrcalit* Paint ng and
&eholder in the +ge o# -derot %8erkeley' =niver sity of .alifornia &ress,
()13+, p! )4!
<K. 8erger, 0a*s o# Seeng, p! A*!
<D. 9ulia -risteva, >&olitics and the &olis,> in B! 9! T! /itchell %ed!+, !he
Politics o# .nterpretation %.hicago' =niversity of .hicago &ress, ()1:+, p!
13!
<?. <orman 8ryson, Vision and Paintng !he "ogic o#
the Ga$e %<ew Haven, .onn!' @ale =niversity &ress, ()1:+, p! ):!
0. 0bid!, p! ))!
1. 6ndr# 8reton, "e Surralisme et la peinture %&aris' $allimard, ()51+,
pp! ())-533!
2. 9oseph $raham %ed!+, -i8erence n !ranslation %0thaca, <!@!'
.ornell =niversity &ress, ()12+, pp! (A5 A1+!
3. ;ee in particular the essay by &hilip 7ewis on >misusing> %>The
/easure of Translation Eects>+, in $raham %ed!+, -8erence in !ranslation, pp!
:(-45! 8ar bara 9ohnson uses the term >pressure points> for the mo ments
when an ambivalente in sense is sensed as necessary %>Taking ?idelity
&hilosophically,> ibid!, pp! (A5-A1+!
4. -rauss, !he )riginalit* o# the +vant6Garde, p! (3)!
5. $ayatri .hakravorty ;pivak, writing on the >politics of interpretation,>
points out the hidden marks of ideology at work, such as >excluding or
appropriating a homogene ous woman,> and points out the totaliCing
appropriations of the >masculist> critic in relation to feminist criticism and to
Third Borld criticism! 8ut, it is clear, >/ale critics in search of a cause Dnd in
feminist criticism their best
hope!?eminism in its academic inceptions is accessible
and subject to correction by authoritative menE whereas for the bourgeois intellectual
to look to join other politico economic struggles is to toe the line between hubris and
bathos>->The &olitics of 0nterpretation,> in /itchell, !he Politics o# .nterpretation.
6. 8erger, 0a*s o# Seeing, p! 2(!
7. 7ewis Hyde, !he Gi#t .magination and the Erotic "i#e o# Propert* %<ew
@ork' Fintage 8ooks, ()*)+, p! )5!
8. 0bid!, pp! xiv, A!
9. 0bid!, p! **!
10. ;tanley ?ish, .s !here a !e(t in !his 9lass? + !heor* o# .nterpretve
9ommunities %8altimore' 9ohns Hopkins =niversity &ress, ()1:+!
11. ,ichard ,orty, Philosoph* and the ,irror o# :ature %&rinceton, <!9!'
&rinceton =niversity &ress, ()13+, p! :(1!
12. Hyde, !he G#t, p! *)!
13. 0bid!, p! (31!
14.