Hans Bellmer was a German artist born on March 13, 1902, in Kattowitz, then part of the German Empire (now Katowice, Poland). He is best known for his life-sized female dolls, which he created in the mid-1930s, as well as for his drawings, etchings, and photographs. Bellmer's work is often associated with the Surrealist movement.
In 1933, Bellmer began constructing his first doll, a life-sized figure composed of various materials, including flax fiber, glue, and plaster. He photographed this doll in a series of provocative poses, exploring themes of desire and the unconscious. These works were seen as a critique of the Nazi regime's idealization of the perfect body.
In 1934, Bellmer published "Die Puppe" ("The Doll"), a collection of ten black-and-white photographs of his creation. Due to the political climate in Germany, his work was declared "degenerate" by the Nazis, leading him to flee to France in 1938. There, he became associated with the Surrealist circle in Paris.
During World War II, Bellmer contributed to the French Resistance by forging passports. After the war, he remained in Paris, continuing to produce erotic drawings, etchings, and photographs. In 1954, he met the artist Unica Zürn, who became his partner until her death in 1970.
Bellmer passed away on February 24, 1975, in Paris. His work has had a lasting impact on Surrealist art and continues to be studied for its exploration of complex psychological themes.