“Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness'”, created by Max Ernst in 1934 in Paris, France, is a quintessential piece of the Surrealism art movement. This collage on paper, measuring 18 by 13 centimeters, is part of Ernst’s “A Week of Kindness” series and currently resides at Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork exemplifies Ernst’s surrealistic style through a scene rich in mysterious and dreamlike elements. The dominant figure is a woman kneeling on the floor, engaged in an enigmatic act, with two peculiar dragon-like creatures beside her. Behind her, a man in traditional attire stands in a seemingly contemplative stance, his face partially obscured. To the right, two more men, dressed formally, are engaged in a conversation or task, partially bent over. The room’s setting is adorned with ornate furniture and a peculiar framed picture on the wall, depicting a man in a pensive pose. The scene, imbued with an eerie and enigmatic quality, challenges the viewer’s perception and invites introspection characteristic of Surrealist art.
