Max ERNST (1891-1976)
Red microbe
Gouache on paper
Signed in the margin
3.7 x 3.7 cm the subject; 28 x 28.6 cm the sheet
Our gouache belongs to a series of small images, actually representing vast landscapes, that Ernst began creating while living in Sedona, Arizona, in 1946.
These "microbes", as the artist called them, amazingly capture the eerie calm of the arid southwestern landscape that was home to Ernst and his wife, the artist Dorothea Tanning, at the time. From a practical point of view, working on this scale made it easier for Ernst to get his work ready for exhibition.
According to his friend and fellow artist Roland Penrose, "he decided to paint small works that could be easily carried in a suitcase".
A selection of these microscopic drawings was reproduced (in actual size) in Max Ernst's collection of poems "Sept Microbes vus à travers un tempérament" published in Paris in 1953, text interspersed among the images. (Les Editions Cerce des Arts) (Source: MOMA New-York)
We use cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience, perform site traffic analysis, and deliver content and advertisements most relevant to your interests.
Cookie management:
By allowing these cookies, you agree to the deposit, reading and use of tracking technologies necessary for their proper functioning. Read more about our privacy policy.