*Warning! Sexually explicit images and content...
From the cold, cobbled streets of Gothic Prague emerged Toyen, a pioneering artist and co-founder of Czech surrealism. Born Marie Čermínová in 1902, Toyen adopted this gender-neutral name in 1923, inspired by the French word ‘citoyen,’ meaning citizen. This name change reflected Toyen's desire to transcend traditional gender roles and societal expectations, establishing a unique and influential presence in the art world.
Pybrac (1932)
"Pybrac" is a collection of erotic poems written by the notorious Pierre Louÿs, a contemporary of Oscar Wilde, André Gide, and Stéphane Mallarmé in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Louÿs' work delved into controversial themes such as sodomy, lesbianism, incest, and prostitution, which continue to provoke debate today.
Toyen created ten illustrations for "Pybrac," depicting phallic and erotic imagery that arguably mirrors the sexual attitudes of 1930s Paris. These drawings were never intended for publication. Discovered among hidden manuscripts after Toyen’s death, they were later auctioned globally.
"Pybrac" was translated into English in 2014 by Geoffrey Longnecker.
Jednadvacet (1938)
"Jednadvacet" (Twenty-One) is a collection of 21 drawings commissioned by Bohuslav Brouk in 1938 as a wedding gift for his brother. The number twenty-one is significant: it is the legal gambling age, often associated with maturity and marriage, and it also references Section 21 of Sigmund Freud’s 1920 "General Introduction to Psychoanalysis," which discusses the development of the libido.
The drawings in "Jednadvacet" explore these themes, often featuring women as protagonists. Male genitalia is depicted as objects of female desire—caged, toyed with, or used as chess pieces. This perspective is particularly notable for its female-centric viewpoint, rare for its time.
Toyen's work was revolutionary, challenging societal norms and pushing artistic boundaries. As a founder of Czech Surrealism and a pioneering trans artist, Toyen’s bold creations continue to provoke and inspire. Her art, still capable of violating modern social media standards, remains vibrant and significant in contemporary discussions of gender and sexuality.
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