A Stirring Threesome: Max Ernst's Seduction in the Eye/"I".

This article examines the pivotal role of Gala Éluard (born Elena Ivanovna Diakonova) in the early development of Surrealism through her complex relationships with Max Ernst and Paul Éluard during the early 1920s. It highlights Gala’s influence as a muse and creative catalyst for Ernst, whose proto-surrealist paintings and drawings frequently feature her likeness and embody Freudian themes of desire and sexuality. The ménage à trois formed by Gala, Ernst, and Éluard in Paris inspired a prolific period of artistic production, including Ernst’s Eaubonne murals and key works such as *Gala Éluard* (1924) and *Long Live Love* (1923), which visually explore erotic tension and psychological depth. Although the threesome ended in 1924, Gala’s enigmatic presence continued to permeate Ernst’s oeuvre, marking her as a central figure in the iconography and evolution of Surrealism. [Extracted from the article]