As an artistic style Surrealism would put on canvas the visual imagery of the subconscious mind –dreams. Surrealist would create art without the intention of any sort of logical comprehensibility. Their works are known for being odd; they take several random elements and make an “unexpected juxtaposition”. 

“Surrealism advocated the idea that ordinary and kind of depictive expressions are vital and important. This came directly from the fascination among artists with the Freudian analysis of the subconscious.” Freud was the father of psychoanalysis (theory on free association and dream analysis). He said: “the unconscious was where our deepest desires were lurking”. Surrealism then followed this doctrine of his. They believed that the realm of the subconscious was where the true reality was and they tried to depict that on their canvasses. They would combine different elements within the same frame -things that would normally not be found together which was a final result produced illogical and disorienting effects.

Max Ernst was a German painter (or Franco-German for some) of the Dadaist and Surrealist movement.  

He was born in Brühl in Germany on April 2nd 1891. In 1909, he began studying philosophy at the university of Bonn, but soon dropped out to pursue his love for arts. In 1913, he met Guillaume Apollinaire and Robert Delaunay and went to Paris, joining at Montparnasse artists from around the globe. In 1918, he married Luise Straus, art historian. However, their relationship didn’t last for long. 

The following year, he visited Paul Klee and created his first paintings, block prints and collages, he experimented with different media and materials. During the First World War, he served in the German army. Constantly experimenting, he invented in 1925 the rubbing technique: he artist takes a pencil or other drawing tool and makes a rubbing over a textured surface. With the help of Miro, Max Ernst embarked on the development of a new technique –scratching (scrap pigments off of the canvas). 

In addition to its contribution to the diffusion of Dadaism, he also contributed to the birth of the surrealism movement in Montparnasse. After a period with the Surrealist, he left the group. After his second wedding to Dorothea Tanning, Max Ernst moved to the United States in Sedona, Arizona. In 1963, he moved with his wife in a small town in the south of France (in Seillans), where he continues to work.

Max Ernst died on April 1st 1976 in Paris. He was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Oedipus Rex is one of Ernst’s most famous paintings. In it, two birds on the right; one has horns on which a string is attached while the other one is against a wooden fence. Both birds are in a box that allows them to only show their heads. On the left are fingers coming out of a brick wall holding a walnut, both pierced by what seems to be a bow-like device. In the background there is a hot balloon. 

The painting seems motionless. Just like a still life, all subjects are perfectly still and they seem to be placed the way the artist wants them to be.  Even though the painting is quite asymmetrical (with several elements scattered all over), thee us a certain harmony to it caused by them counterbalancing each other. 

The colors used in the artwork are very realistic. However it is important to note that they are all cold-toned which only reinforces the frozen-like/still feel the painting gives. Although the elements in the painting don’t create dynamism, there is a certain violent aspect to the artwork. The impaled fingers and nut give a morbid mood to the painting. Furthermore, the absence of blood can create a feeling of discomfort. 

There are several “invisible” lines that guide the viewer’s eye through the painting like the edges of the walls for instance. The tridimensional aspect, but also the presence of both of foreground and background gives to the painting a lot of depth.  The presence of dark colors in the creases of several elements of the painting such as the fingers, the walnut and the two birds create depth but also emphases their forms.