Author(s): Ceren İREN•
In this research paper, the metaphor of the praying mantis in Surrealism, is examined over the André Masson, Salvador Dali’s and Max Ernst’s paintings. After the preface in which the physical and behavioural distinctions of the praying mantises dealt with, the general characteristics of Surrealism have been mentioned,in which aspects Sigmund Freud’s unconscious works and the papers Roger Caillois published about the praying mantis affected the Surrealist artists’ works. In this period of the war between the two worlds,the destructiveness of the praying mantises and their relationship with death, is expressed via the female mantises eating their mates after mating ritual. This destruction is expressed over figurative insect form in Masson’s and Ernst’s paintings, in Dali’s paintings it is presented over different metaphors and became the symbols of his fears. In conclusion part, it is viewed in comparison that the figurative and conceptual characteristics of the praying mantis is Surrealist paintings and it is examined their partnership in science and art.
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