“The Phases of the Night,” created by Max Ernst in 1946 in the United States, is an oil painting on canvas that measures 91.5 by 162.5 centimeters. The artwork belongs to the Surrealism art movement and is classified as a symbolic painting. The piece currently resides in a private collection.
The artwork, “The Phases of the Night,” exhibits an intriguing landscape under a night sky with surreal elements interspersed throughout the scene. A prominent moon casts its light over a landscape of green and yellow hues, which creates an etheric and otherworldly atmosphere. An owl with glowing eyes is stationed at the center, adding an element of mystique to the composition. To one side, abstract shapes such as a face and geometric forms are integrated, enhancing the symbolic and surreal aspects of the painting. The careful use of color and form captures the enigmatic essence that characterizes Ernst’s surrealistic approach.
