The artwork under discussion is titled “Illustration to ‘A Week of Kindness’,” created by Max Ernst in 1934 in Paris, France. It is a collage meticulously assembled on paper, exemplifying the Surrealism art movement. The piece measures 18 x 13 cm and belongs to the illustration genre. This particular work is part of a series titled “A Week of Kindness” and is currently housed in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork portrays a surreal scene where figures of varying postures and actions are set within what appears to be a domestic interior, characterized by Victorian-style furniture. There is a peculiar collaging of elements, such as the inclusion of a figure within a frame depicted in an embedded painting on the wall, which seems to provide a window into another realm. The central figure, donned in distinctive attire, bends over an indistinguishable object on the floor. A woman is seen kneeling, seemingly engaged in a task or ritual. Additionally, a notable aspect of the composition is the inclusion of what appears to be hybrid creatures resembling dragons near the woman’s knees, adding a fantastical and mythical dimension to the scene. The entire atmosphere is shrouded in a bizarre yet intriguing ambiance, in line with the principles of Surrealism.
