The artwork “Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness'” by Max Ernst is a compelling piece dated 1934, created in Paris, France. This surrealist collage, crafted from paper, measures 18 x 13 centimeters and is part of the series “A Week of Kindness.” It is an illustration that reflects the innovative and experimental spirit of the surrealist movement, known for its exploration of the unconscious mind and dream-like scenarios. The artwork is currently housed in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
Depicting a scene with multiple figures, the artwork is rendered in a monochrome palette, typical of printed media from the time. The collage elements Ernst utilized were likely sourced from a variety of 19th-century wood engravings, which he then reassembled to create new, disorienting narratives. A woman is seated in the foreground interacting with a small animal, possibly a dog, which adds to the domestic yet surreal atmosphere of the scene. The individuals portrayed in the room appear disconnected from one another, each absorbed in their own activity – characteristics that often underpin the alienating or uncanny aspects of surrealist work. Background elements such as furnishings, architectural features, and framed artworks contribute to the rich layering and complexity typical of Ernst’s collages, challenging viewers to unravel the intended narrative or symbolic associations.
