Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is still under copyright. André Masson died in 1987; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2057. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.
In context
The enigma — André Masson
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 91 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of André Masson (1896–1987) every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1926 Main working years: 1926–1947 Late works: from 1947
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: wikioo.org/en/art/similar/andre-masson-the-enigma-9HTJ3K-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Rosy Brown #ad8474
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 51.8% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 267 works by this artist, of which 88 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 52 of them, with 0.7% of that attention (100 visits). The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Balagny-sur-Thérain, France
Born: Balagny-sur-Thérain, France (January 4, 1896)
Died: 1987
Masson began his artistic journey at the age of eleven, studying at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels under Constant Montald. This early training provided a foundation for his later experimentation with various styles.
His initial work showed an interest in Cubism, demonstrating an early engagement with modern art movements.
Masson became a key figure within the Surrealist movement, enthusiastically embracing automatic drawing as a technique. This involved creating artwork without conscious control, allowing the subconscious to guide the hand.
He collaborated with other prominent figures of the era like Antonin Artaud, Michel Leiris, Joan Miró, Georges Bataille, Jean Dubuffet, and Georges Malkine, fostering a vibrant artistic community.
Notable Techniques:
Automatic Drawings: Numerous pen-and-ink works showcasing his innovative approach to art.
Sand and Glue on Canvas: Experimentation with throwing sand and glue onto canvas, creating unique oil paintings based on the resulting shapes.
His work during this period often explored violent or erotic themes, reflecting a departure from traditional artistic conventions.
By the late 1920s, Masson moved away from Surrealism, developing a more structured style influenced by artists like André Derain. This is evident in his landscape paintings.
During World War II, his work was condemned as "degenerate" by the Nazis. He escaped to the United States with assistance from Varian Fry, significantly impacting American Abstract Expressionists like Jackson Pollock.
After returning to France, Masson settled in Aix-en-Provence and focused on landscape painting, demonstrating a shift towards more naturalistic subjects.
André Masson's pioneering work in Surrealism and automatic drawing left an enduring legacy on the art world.
His influence can be seen across various artistic movements, from Cubism to Abstract Expressionism, solidifying his position as a pivotal figure in modern art history.
Masson’s exploration of subconscious imagery and innovative techniques continue to inspire artists today.
wikioo.org/en/art/download/andre-masson-the-enigma-9HTJ3K-en/
Look closely
The enigma — André Masson
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The color of "The enigma" is subtle color in saturation and monochromatic in intensity.
The X-Ray view of "The enigma" by André Masson is on the artwork's X-Ray page: an interactive examination of the image through eleven optical layers.
"The enigma" by André Masson is a portrait composition. The proportions are worth checking before choosing a print size.