Artist biography
Max Ernst 1891-1976
German-born painter, sculptor and printmaker; one of the leading Surrealists. Born at Brühl, near Cologne. Began to study philosophy at the University of Bonn in 1909, but became increasingly preoccupied with painting; self-taught, but influenced by van Gogh and Macke. Artillery officer in the First World War. The paintings of de Chirico helped to stimulate his interest in dream-like fantastic imagery, and he founded the Cologne Dada group with Baargeld and Arp 1919-21. Made collages and, later, paintings with irrational combinations of imagery. First one-man exhibition at the Galerie Au sans Pareil, Paris, 1921… (read more)
