Victor Brauner's 'Les préliminaires d'unité' is a Surrealist composition featuring a figure constructed from geometric shapes and symbolic motifs, reflecting the artist's interest in mythology and the occult.

Victor Brauner, a Romanian-French painter and sculptor, is known for his contributions to the Surrealist movement. Born in 1903, Brauner's artistic journey took him from Bucharest to Paris, where he became associated with André Breton and other leading figures of Surrealism. His work often explores themes of mythology, the occult, and personal symbolism, characterised by dreamlike imagery and distorted forms. Brauner's art is marked by a distinctive visual language that blends abstraction with figuration. He frequently incorporated symbolic elements, such as eyes, masks, and hybrid creatures, to convey psychological and emotional states. 'Les préliminaires d'unité' presents a figure constructed from geometric shapes and symbolic motifs. The head is divided into distinct sections, each with its own colour and texture. A single eye dominates the upper portion of the head, while a series of smaller figures are stacked above, resembling a totem or a mechanical device. The colour palette is earthy, with browns, greens, and reds creating a sense of depth and texture. The background is a mottled mix of browns and creams, adding to the dreamlike quality of the piece.