: One of the most innovative and influential artists of the
Twentieth Century, Max Ernst (1891-1976) was a seminal figure in
the Dada and Surrealist movements. Through paintings, collages
and sculptures filled with Freudian overtones, mythology and
childhood memories, he played a central role in the invention of
modern artistic styles and techniques.
"Max Ernst: A Retrospective" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
through July 10 utilizes some 180 works to explore this
remarkable artist's stylistic, thematic and technical
achievements. On view are important Ernst paintings, as well as
collages, frottages, drawings, sculptures and illustrated books.
They are drawn from a wide range of public and private
collections in Europe and the United States.
Organized by Ernst scholar Werner Spies and Sabine Rewald, a
curator in the Met's department of Nineteenth Century, modern and
contemporary art, the exhibition traces Ernst's peripatetic
career, which began in Germany before World War I, moved to
France between the wars, shifted to America during World War II,
and concluded in France.
