The artwork, titled “Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness’,” was created by Max Ernst in 1934 in Paris, France. This piece is a collage made from paper and measures 18 x 13 cm. It belongs to the Surrealism art movement and is part of the illustration genre within the series “A Week of Kindness.” The artwork is currently housed at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork presents a meticulously crafted collage that portrays a scene imbued with a surreal and slightly unsettling atmosphere, characteristic of Ernst’s work. The composition features multiple figures in a domestic setting, each engaged in various ambiguous activities. A seated woman, surrounded by small, dragon-like creatures, appears to be observing something on the floor. A man in the foreground, with his back partially turned to the viewer, directs attention towards the picture on the wall, which wholesomely encapsulates another figure in a contemplative pose. Meanwhile, other men in the background appear to be in motion, adding a sense of dynamic tension to the overall scene. The meticulously detailed and interwoven elements of the collage contribute to its enigmatic and thought-provoking nature, typical of the Surrealist movement.
