The artwork, titled “Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness'”, was created by Max Ernst in 1934 in Paris, France. This collage on paper, which adheres to the principles of the Surrealism art movement, measures 18 x 13 cm. It forms part of the genre of illustration and is a piece within the series “A Week of Kindness”. The artwork is currently housed at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork presents a surreal and enigmatic scene set within an interior space. In the foreground, a woman dressed in Victorian attire is depicted kneeling on the floor, seemingly engaged in an act that captures her complete attention. She is surrounded by peculiar, fantastical creatures resembling small dragons, which contribute to the surreal atmosphere of the piece. A man dressed in traditional Eastern European clothing stands nearby, his posture suggesting a moment of introspection or regret. To the right, several elegantly dressed men, departing or engaged in conversation, add to the complexity of the scene. The background features an intricately framed painting of a distressed man, adding an additional layer of emotional depth. The overall composition combines a mix of detailed illustration and surreal additions, highlighting the artist’s ability to blend reality with dreamlike elements.
