Max Ernst was a German surrealist artist. Known for his shocking
and dreamlike imagery he liked to mock social conventions. This
was
mainly due to the trauma he suffered as a first world war
soldier. He used sculpture, painting, drawing and collage to convey
his ideas.
Ernst didnt receive formal art training and apart from being
taught painting by his father was a self taught artist. He instead
attended
the University of Bonn, he studied philosophy and abnormal
psychology, which influenced his art. When he returned from War he
lead the Dada Movement. In 1919 he started his first collages
turning mundane objects into amazing works of art. He then later on
in 1924
started working towards the surrealism movement.
KEY IDEAS
Ernst questioned and challenged art his work often included no
clear narrative.
He was interested in art of the mentally ill.
He applied Sigmund Freud's dream theories to his work.
