“Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness,'” created by Max Ernst in 1934 in Paris, France, is a noteworthy collage artwork using paper as its medium. The piece, which falls under the Surrealism art movement, measures 18 x 13 cm and belongs to the series “A Week of Kindness”. Currently, this illustration is housed in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork features an intriguing scene combining multiple elements that evoke curiosity and surreal thoughts. In the foreground, a woman in Victorian-style attire kneels on the floor, seemingly engaged with a small dragon-like creature near her feet. Behind her stands a man, dressed in traditional clothing, who appears preoccupied. To his left, two gentlemen, also in period attire, seem to be in conversation or interaction. On the wall, a large framed painting shows a man in a state of distress, burying his face in his arms. The overall composition combines the ordinary with the fantastical, characteristic of Ernst’s surrealistic approach, prompting viewers to delve into the layers of meaning and narrative within the illustration.
