Max Ernst

Max Ernst is a German painter, who's style was based on Dadaism and surrealism. Normally when you look at surrealist artists most people will focus on Dali and his works, however I believe Ernst captured the sense of surrealism more effectively than Dali, and produced some incredibly inspiring and imaginative work during his time. One of my favourite pieces of his work is Loplop Introduces a Young Girl.


This piece shows the style of his art. he often experimented with paint by pressing it between two different surfaces to create a bold effect, he would also use rubbings and textures within his work to create a more dynamic effect. This piece also gives insight into Ernst himself, as Loplop was Ernst's alter ego which he had developed through a fascination with birds he had picked up from childhood. The picure features unusual; shapes and perspective, but suggests the theme of the piece, the little girl cuold be his sister who was born when his bird died as a child. I really like the warped imagery, and sense of texture and depth this picture creates, and it's one of my favourites.
Ernst painted for many years, and worked with other great artists such as Miro, many artists since have featured references to his work and even bands have adopted imagery from his pieces. For me one of the most brilliantly absurd of his pieces must be Celebes.


The shapes and froms represent an elephant but with a surrealist nature to it. The scale within the piece varies from object to object and it leaves you uncertain as to what is being represented, i like the sense of confusion perhaps even madness the piece portrays, although the paint might not be as rough and textured in its appearance and application as other pieces I still feel this is also one of his strongest works.
Of all the surrealists and dadaist artists I think Ernst is one of the best, his work was so creative and vivid it's no wonder he is still popular today.