Born in Germany in 1891, later naturalized as an American, then a French citizen, Max Ernst was a pioneer in the Dada and Surrealist movements, the boundaries of which he pushed with his unconventional methods of printmaking, drawing and collage.
Ernst had no formal art training — and that may have been his greatest asset. He produced his first work following four years serving in World War I. At the time, he was in Cologne, Germany, working closely with fellow Dada pioneers Jean Arp and Johannes Baargeld. His output during this period consisted largely of collages, which allowed him to represent the shards, rubble and explosions from his traumatic wartime experience.
In 1922, Ernst moved to France, where he soon became affiliated with Surrealism, the avant-garde art movement taking shape in Paris. Alongside Man Ray, Joan Miró and a couple of others, Ernst was among the first visual artists to experiment with imagery and techniques associated with Surrealism.
Ernst’s greatest contribution to the Surrealist movement was his invention of frottage (French for “rubbing”), wherein an artist rubs a pencil or crayon over a paper atop a textured surface, and later grattage (French for “scraping”), where a similar technique is applied with paint. Both methods showcase Ernst’s fascination with the unconscious and serendipitous elements of artistic creation, a theme that connected the Dadaists and the Surrealists. Ernst had deep knowledge of psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud’s dream theories, which were big influences on Surrealists. He was among the first Surrealists to use Freud’s work to examine his own creative impulses. He also published a series of books of his collages, all of which were deeply symbolic and often philosophical.
When Germany occupied France during World War II, Ernst escaped to America with the help of patron and collector Peggy Guggenheim, whom he married in 1941. While living in New York, Ernst’s work and techniques proved instrumental in inspiring the early development of Abstract Expressionism — influencing Robert Motherwell and Jackson Pollock in particular. He later moved to Sedona, Arizona, where he lived with his fourth wife, Dorothea Tanning, a fellow Surrealist and prolific visual artist and poet.
While Ernst and Tanning are largely responsible for Sedona’s reputation as an artist colony, they relocated to France in the 1950s and remained until Ernst’s death in Paris in 1976.
Find original Max Ernst art on 1stDibs.
Contemporary Art Bed - Gabbia by Max Ernst
By Max Ernst, Mirabili
Located in Pistoia, IT
Bed, wood, brass, 2 signed silkscreen prints with mirror on the back, decorated mink bedspread. “I have always held the belief that painting must be the nuptial bed for the marriage...
Brass
$279Sale Price|20% Off
1971 Max Ernst "Orangerie Des Tuileries" Exposition Lithograph
By Max Ernst
Located in San Carlos, CA
Gorgeous color lithograph after Max Ernst. Printed in 1971 to announce a Max Ernst exhibition at L'orangerie des Tuilieres in Paris, France. This Max Ernst Lithograph...
Other
Max Ernst “Déchets d’Atelier” vintage signed poster
By Max Ernst
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Signed Max Ernst original lithographic poster from the “Déchets d’Atelier” exhibition held at Galerie Alphonse Chave in Vence 1968 hand signed in pe...
Paper
Max Ernst Christmas Card 1938 Signed Modern Mixed Media Collage and Drawing
By Max Ernst
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Modern Dadaist mixed media collage on paper titled “Christmas Card, 1938.” Signed in pencil “Max Ernst” on the bottom right. The artwork is composed of an addressed stamped envelop...
Paper
Abstract Modern Lithographs Joan Miro Max Ernst Sonia Delaunay $650 each
By (after) Sonia Delaunay, Max Ernst, (after) Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid century modern lithographs after Sonia Delaunay, Max Ernst, and Joan Miro, circa 1950s. They are priced at $650 each. They have been recently professionally framed under UV resis...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Original Vintage Art Exhibition Poster MAX ERNST, 1970 Galerie Alphonse Chave
By Max Ernst
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Original vintage Art Exhibition Poster MAX ERNST, 1970 Galerie Alphonse Chave "A key member of first Dada and then Surrealism in Europe in the 1910s and 1920s, Max Ernst used a va...
Paper
Framed Vintage London Underground Poster, Flamingos, Signed 1987
Located in Lincoln, GB
Framed original vintage London Underground poster Kay Gallwey painted this poster in 1987. Flamingos wade through the water on spindly legs looking for fo...
Paper
$547Sale Price|55% Off
H 13.25 in W 10.75 in D 1 in
Karl Lagerfeld Satin Finish Umber Photo-Lithograph of Max Delorme, Nude, 1997
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous photo print by the iconic photographer and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld of Max Delorme. Image captured and satin finish umber photo-lithograph printed in 1997. Measures: ...
Paper
Vallauris 1951 Exposition, 1951
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Holmfirth, GB
Artist: Pablo Picasso Title: Vallauris 1951 Exposition, 1951 Date: 1951 Medium: Linocut Printer: Hidalgo Arnera Size: 65 x 50 cm Signed: In plate.
Paper
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.25 in W 16.63 in D 0.07 in
Original Italian Art Exhibition Poster - Ferruccio Garopesani
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian art exhibition poster by painter and designer Ferruccio Garopesani. Presented in 1975 at the Galleria International d'Arte - Diorena - Ascona, Italy. A native of ...
Paper
$460Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 12 in D 1 in
"Surf Culture" Vintage "Big Wednesday" Movie Poster Signed by John Severson
By John Severson Productions
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice "Surf Culture" vintage "Big Wednesday" movie poster signed by surf industry pioneer and "Surfer Magazine" founder John Severson circa 1990s. The piece is in great condition with vibrant colors and measures 12"W x 18"H; it is presented in a black metal frame and has a picture of Severson with the original owner at the signing on the back. Severson was the producer of this 1961 surfer cult classic. I believe this piece is a reprint and not an original poster from 1961. Nevertheless, it would make a "must have" addition to any surf memorabilia collector! #3179 John Severson, well known as the creator of the internationally acclaimed SURFER Magazine, grew up surfing off the beaches of Southern California. He began his career as a painter, selling his first works while finishing his Master’s Degree at Long Beach State College. In the ’50s he became the first person to create a large body of art relating to the Hawaii-California surf culture. Since then he has provided a steady output of oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, and prints. In 1958, John used his art, photography, and surfing passion to create a popular surf movie series. His films included SURF SAFARI, SURF FEVER, BIG WEDNESDAY, and PACIFIC VIBRATIONS. Severson's smash hits posters from the ’50s and ’60s, remain collector favorites. As a surfer, Severson was known for riding big waves, and for his innovative performance style in big surf. In 1961, he won the Peru International Surfing Championships and was a finalist in the U.S. and Hawaiian Championships. With the founding of SURFER, John’s art focused on the magazine and graphics. His painting “Surf Bebop” was selected as the outstanding cover painting of 1963 by Communication Arts. Surfer During the ’60s, he authored two surf books...
Paper
$3,500
H 13.75 in W 21.75 in D 1 in
Joan Miro Lithograph Titled "Miro Sculptor Japan, " Signed and Numbered
By Joan Miró
Located in New York, NY
This is a Joan Miro lithograph. Titled: Miro Sculptor Japan. It was a print exclusively for Collector's Guild members. Signed in the stone. Numbered 2/1000 in pencil. Framed measures...
Paper
$1,200
H 54 in W 33 in D 0.019 in
After Joan Miro Mid Century Modern Abstract Handwoven Textile Art Tapestry
By (after) Joan Miró
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Wonderful handwoven abstract textile art after Joan Miro. This colorful and whimsical tapestry is composed of wool in red, blue and black, with an ivory colored background.
Wool
Four Poster Contemporary Pencil Post Bed by Boyd & Allister
By Boyd & Allister
Located in Santa Fe, NM
This four poster contemporary pencil post bed was one of the original pieces that we made in our studio. Boyd & Allister got its start over 12 years ag...
Walnut
Upholstered Art Deco Bed - Queen
Located in Westwood, NJ
This elegant piece features graceful curves and slender maple and stainless steel accents, combining to create a design that exudes timeless elegance. The bed is upholstered in a lux...
Fabric, Wood
$4,900 / item
H 11 in W 64 in D 84 in
Contemporary Floating Platfrom Bed in White Oak by Boyd & Allister
By Boyd & Allister
Located in Santa Fe, NM
This contemporary floating platform bed in White Oak was originally designed for my own bedroom. It is priced and pictured as a queen sized bed i...
Maple, Oak
Selection of Modern Engravings, circa 1938
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Modern Engravings, from a limited edition published in the December 1938 issue of the ground breaking modern art magazine XXe. They are framed in clean lined black lacquered wood gallery frames. They are priced at $550 each. From left to right, top to bottom, they are: 1) Henri Matisse 2) Henri Laurens 3) Juan Miro...
Paper
Art Déco Bed by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Roma, IT
A rare, superb bed designed and realized by Jules Leleu in 1923, and known in only two specimens. Mahogany and amboyna burl veneer, inlaid floral marquetry, carved wood feet. Realize...
Mahogany, Amboyna
Peggy Guggenheim Art of This Century Book
By Max Ernst, Frederick John Kiesler, Peggy Guggenheim
Located in New York, NY
Catalog of the seminal avant-garde exhibition held at Peggy Guggenheim's Art of This Century Gallery in 1942 and published in an edition of 2500. Edited by Peggy Guggenheim with cont...
Paper
'Zodiaque' edition 95/100 print by Max Ernst, signed
By Max Ernst
Located in London, GB
Framed 'Zodique' colour etching on Lana laid paper by Max Ernst. Signed in pencil lower right 'Max Ernst' and numbered '95/100' lower left. 2964 Provenance from the collection for '...
Paper
Chéri-Bibi
By Max Ernst
Located in Paris, FR
Edition in bronze with green patina, founder's stamp A. Valsuani (Paris) Signed and numbered Chéri-Bibi, the central character in a fascinating work by Gaston Leroux, is a captivat...
Bronze
Max Ernst "Veilleuse Au Seuil De Nos Terrassements", 1968
By Max Ernst
Located in Dallas, TX
Max Ernst Lithograph titled "Veilleuse au Seuil de Nos Terrassements" 1968, 18/70.
"Entre Chiens et Loups" Etching by Max Ernst
By Max Ernst
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A charming etching and aquatint by Max Ernst entitled "Entre Chiens et Loups" pencil signed and numbered 57/100. Published by Editions Georges Visat, Paris. Dimensions given below ar...