The artwork titled “After Us Motherhood,” painted by Max Ernst in 1927 in Paris, France, is an exquisite oil on canvas creation embodying the Surrealism art movement. This symbolic painting, measuring 146.5 x 114.5 cm, is housed in the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The artwork presents a composition dominated by biomorphic forms, rendered principally in vivid red tones against a stark black background, giving the piece a dramatic and intense visual impact. The organic shapes appear to be intertwined, suggesting a complex, almost enigmatic narrative associated with motherhood. The surrealistic style is evident through the dream-like and fantastical shapes and forms, which invoke deeper symbolic meanings and invite viewers into an exploration of subconscious themes and emotions. The contrasting blue element adds another layer of intrigue, creating a dynamic interplay of colors and forms that is characteristic of Ernst’s work within the Surrealism movement.