“Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness'”, created by Max Ernst in 1934 in Paris, France, is a collage artwork composed on paper. This piece, rendered in the Surrealist style, measures 18 x 13 cm and belongs to the illustration genre. It is part of the series titled “A Week of Kindness” and is currently housed at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork portrays a surreal, enigmatic scene that evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue. The primary component of the composition is a domestic interior, populated by figures engaged in inexplicable actions. To the left, a woman in a Victorian-style dress kneels on the floor, seemingly interacting with two small dragon-like creatures, which enhances the surrealist character of the image. Central to the visual plane, a man facing away appears fixated on an area in front of him, whilst in the background other figures engage in ambiguous activities. A framed portrait above the woman adds another layer of narrative complexity, depicting a man with his head bowed in an emotionally evocative manner. The overall atmosphere of the artwork is dreamlike, with meticulous detail lending a sense of realism to otherwise fantastical elements, characteristic of Ernst’s mastery in surrealist collage.
