The artwork titled “Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness'” was created by Max Ernst in 1934 in Paris, France. This collage, crafted from paper, is part of the Surrealism movement and forms a segment of the “A Week of Kindness” series. The dimensions of the artwork are 18 x 13 centimeters. Currently, it is housed in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart located in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork presents an intricately detailed scene that merges disparate elements into a unified visual narrative. In the foreground, a woman in Victorian attire is seen kneeling with two dragon-like creatures beside her, adding a fantastical element to the scene. A man, viewed from the back, appears to be engaged in a solemn activity. In the background, elegantly dressed men seem to be conversing or performing some ritualistic act. A framed picture on the wall depicts a man with his head bowed, contributing to the overall melancholic and mysterious atmosphere. The use of black and white, along with the meticulously rendered textures and forms, exemplifies Ernst’s skill in collage and his surrealistic approach to blending reality with fantasy.
