Overview
This is an original, highly detailed pen and ink drawing on paper featuring a surrealist, nightmarish landscape of biomorphic figures. The composition is filled with expressive, elongated characters, starry motifs, and a central figure labeled 'JUGE' (Judge), rendered with intricate cross-hatching and patterning.
Story
Created in September 1960, this striking French drawing captures the post-war anxiety and existential dread of the mid-20th century. Its biting title directly confronts societal violence and gender dynamics through a dark, dreamlike lens.
Maker / Origin
The artist signs as 'Banoille', a name that does not immediately register in major international art databases, suggesting they may have been an active regional French artist, an illustrator, or a highly skilled outsider artist working within the mid-century Surrealist tradition. Their style heavily borrows from the biomorphic vocabulary of Joan Miró, Max Ernst, and the post-WWII CoBrA movement.
Condition & Value
The drawing appears to be in good vintage condition with light, even toning consistent with age. There is minor handling wear along the edges of the paper, but the ink remains dark and crisp. Keeping this framed under UV-protective glass will prevent further yellowing.