“The Intruder” is a figurative artwork created by artist Desmond Morris in 1949. It is associated with the Surrealism art movement, which is characterized by bizarre and fantastical arrangements of images and ideas that aim to channel the unconscious mind to unlock the power of the imagination.
In the artwork, there is a dream-like, surreal landscape dominated by a clear blue sky above an orange-brown terrain. The scene is populated by an assortment of abstract and whimsical figures that defy real-world logic and proportions. The shapes are playful and organic, some resembling creatures or characters with elongated or rounded bodies, featuring bright colors like red, yellow, pink, and green. There’s a sense of motion conveyed by the positioning of these figures, suggesting a dynamic, perhaps narrative scene. Elements of the composition appear to float or fly through the air, and a curious figure in the foreground appears to project or attract smaller forms towards it. The imagery evokes a sense of otherworldly intrusion or an unexpected event occurring in a fantastical landscape.
