Méret Oppenheim (1913-1985) - The Fur Luncheon, 1936
'If the provocation of Dejeuner sur l'herbe [Manet] consisted in its exhibition of nakedness . . . then Méret Oppenheim's teacup issues its challenge by covering its object seamlessly in precious fur, and thereby turning away the gaze from its 'naked' surface. The artist thus launches not only a simple reversal of relations, but uses the material that she has selected for her camouflage to ignite a double desire: for a glimpse of that which is hidden from view, and, above all, for a feel of that which is exhibited. '
Ursula Sennreich
