The artwork titled “Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness'” by Max Ernst, dating back to 1934 in Paris, France, is a collage created on paper. It is an exemplar of the Surrealist art movement, measuring 18 by 13 centimeters. Classified as an illustration, it is part of a series named “A Week of Kindness” and is currently housed at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork presents a complex scene characterized by a blend of surreal and realistic elements, typical of Max Ernst’s collage style. The foreground features a woman and a man engaged in unusual activities on a patterned floor. The man appears to be bending over a central object, while the woman kneels nearby. Notably, there is an incongruous presence of two fantastical, dragon-like creatures near the woman’s feet, which adds a surreal twist to the otherwise traditional domestic scene. In the background, a group of individuals seems engaged in a separate, less distinct action involving movement or departure. Additionally, a framed picture hanging on the wall captures attention with its depiction of a man who appears to be deep in thought or mourning, further contributing to the enigmatic and surreal nature of the artwork. The juxtaposition of ordinary and fantastical elements in this piece is emblematic of Ernst’s innovative approach to Surrealism, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in an imaginative and thought-provoking tableau.
