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“All good ideas arrive by chance”

Max Ernst was a prominent German painter, sculptor, and graphic artist, born on April 2, 1891, in Brühl, Germany. He passed away on April 1, 1976, in Paris, France. Ernst is celebrated as a leading figure in both the Dada and Surrealism movements, known for his innovative techniques and unique artistic vision. 

Ernst was the son of a teacher and an amateur painter, which influenced his early interest in art. He began his formal education in philosophy and psychology at the University of Bonn in 1909 but soon shifted his focus entirely to art. His exposure to psychiatric art and the works of mentally ill patients shaped his understanding of creativity and irrationality, themes that would permeate his later works.

Artistic style:

In 1922, Ernst moved to Paris, where he became a founding member of the Surrealist movement. He developed unique techniques such as frottage (creating images from pencil rubbings of textured surfaces) and grattage (scraping paint across the canvas to reveal underlying textures). These methods allowed him to tap into his subconscious, resulting in dreamlike and fantastical imagery, such as seen in works like The Great Forest (1927) and The Temptation of St. Anthony (1945).

Ernst also experimented with collage novels, creating innovative works like A Little Girl Dreams of Taking the Veil (1930) and A Week of Kindness (1934), which combined illustrations from various sources to tell surreal stories.

Most important works:

During his career Max Ernst has made a great quantity of works and here are the ones that signed surrealism history:

The Elephant Celebes (1921)

This painting is regarded as one of Ernst’s early surrealist masterpieces, featuring a large, abstract elephant-like figure in a dreamlike landscape. It exemplifies his innovative use of collage and dream imagery. It is housed at the Tate Modern in London.

Murdering Airplane (1920)

A powerful depiction of the horrors of war, this painting features a monstrous aircraft with human arms, symbolizing the destructive nature of conflict. It is currently in a private collection.

Two Children Are Threatened by a Nightingale (1924)

This work showcases Ernst’s characteristic blending of fantasy and reality, featuring a red gate that opens into a painted scene. It is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

Pietà or Revolution by Night (1923)

This poignant painting reflects Ernst’s personal experiences and relationships, depicting the artist with his father. It is located at the Tate Gallery in London.

Europe after the Rain II (1940-1942)

A psychological interpretation of the devastation of Europe during World War II, this work employs a unique gouache technique to create a multilayered effect. It is displayed at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut.

Exhibitions:

Alberto Giacometti – Max Ernst Museum Brühl of the LVR

The Max Ernst Museum Brühl of the LVR in Germany is dedicating a major exhibition to Swiss sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti, showcasing his works alongside those of Max Ernst. The exhibition will run from September 1, 2024, until January 15, 2025.

Paris Surrealist: Max Ernst – Histoire Naturelle

As part of the Paris Surrealist event, the Jeanne Bucher Jaeger Gallery in Paris will exhibit Max Ernst’s “Histoire Naturelle” edition from October 2, 2024, to January 13, 2025.