Max Ernst

About

Max Ernst was a pioneering German artist, primarily known for his foundational roles in the Dada and Surrealist movements. Born in Brühl, Germany, he began painting in 1909 while studying philosophy at the University of Bonn, influenced early on by artists like Vincent van Gogh, August Macke, and Giorgio de Chirico. After serving in World War I, he co-founded the Dada group in Cologne with Jean Arp in 1919, experimenting with collage techniques using mundane materials to create fantastical images. Moving to Paris in 1922, he became a key figure in Surrealism following André Breton's 1924 manifesto, innovating techniques like frottage (rubbing textured surfaces) and grattage (scraping paint). His works delved into the subconscious, Freudian themes, childhood memories, and personal traumas, often featuring birds like his alter ego Loplop.[1][2][3][4][5]

Surrealism with Dada influences, featuring dreamlike imagery, subconscious exploration, and innovative techniques like frottage and grattage