Max Ernst A Retrospective

Max Ernst (1891-1976) is one of the few incontrovertibly great artists of the twentieth century. This book provides a unique opportunity of assessing Max Ernst's achievement. The extensive plate section includes works in all medias and genres -- painting, sculpture, works on paper, book illustration -- and from all periods of the artist's career. In his introductory essay, Werner Spies reviews the artist's oeuvre, pointing to certain basic attitudes and procedures that informed all his work. Essays by other well-known scholars discuss the symbolism of his Surrealist imagery, the influence of Romanticism and of the North American Indians on his work, and his ties with England. Max Ernst's own 'Biographical Note', lavishly illustrated with documentary photographs and further examples of his work, and interspersed with other writings by the artist, provide profound and fascinating insights into his life and art. "Max Ernst: A Retrospective" is an indispensable volume on the life and art of one of the few truly international artists of the twentieth century. -- From publisher's description.