Lithograph on Japan paper after a frottage from 1970
France, 1970
Max Ernst (1891 – 1976) – French painter, graphic artist and sculptor of German origin
Signed lower right in pencil ‘Max Ernst’
Numbered lower left in pencil ‘21/69’
Blindstamp Manus presse lower left
Plate 21 from the series ‘Zu: Lewis Carrolls Wunderhorn’
Catalog raisonné: Leppien 135 XXI
Image size: 17 x 19 cm
Very good condition
Max Ernst, one of the most prolific representatives of Surrealism, brakes with the world of the traditional image; the auction record for a lithograph by Max Ernst is set above €120,000

The lithograph in colors depicts a motif of 36 illustrations presented in the anthology ’Lewis Carroll’s miracle horn’ that was designed and published by Max Ernst in 1970. The British writer Lewis Carroll was highly appreciated by the early representatives of Dadaism and Surrealism, as his texts were often referred to unconscious and inscrutable themes. One of his great admirers was Max Ernst, who began to illustrate Carroll’s works since as early as 1950. The present lithograph shows an ostrich running on a socket built of geometric bodies and intertwined wire. The ostrich touches the contacts with every step.

The lithograph is signed lower right in pencil ‘Max Ernst’, numbered lower left in pencil ‘21/69’, bears the blindstamp Manus Presse lower left. The sheet is professionally mounted under a mat on the upper edge in two points (reversible) and framed. The work is in very good condition; merely the edges are slightly toned. Verso on the right edge are two adhesive stripes. The image size is 17 x 19 cm, the sheet measures 33 x 25 cm and the total dimensions, including the frame, are 48,5 x 41,5 cm.

Max Ernst (1891–1976)

The French painter, printmaker and sculptor of German origin Max Ernst was co-founder of the DADA movement. 1922 he moved to Paris where he joined the circle of Surrealists before he emigrated to America in 1941 and returned to France in 1953. He is known for his Surrealist, fantastical paintings with mysterious creatures. Ernst was Winners of the 27 Venice Biennale and participation of the documenta I, II and III in Kassel. (tm)

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