Le Couteau (The Knife)

Made at the height of Saint Phalle’s career, this work contains hallmarks of her personal iconography, informed by her Catholic upbringing and rebellion against the feminine roles assigned to her as a young woman. A knife thrusts into a heart, surrounded by flamboyant architecture, body parts, and a two-headed serpent. Directional arrows suggest a sequence but do not resolve into a clear narrative. Best known for her sculpture, Saint Phalle’s works in all media critically addressed sociopolitical issues, ranging from sexual assault and racism to climate change and HIV/AIDS.