“Birds also Birds, Fish Snake and Scarecrow,” created by Max Ernst circa 1921 in Cologne, Germany, is an oil painting on canvas that resides in the Neue Pinakothek in Munich, Germany. This work, measuring 58 x 62.8 cm, is emblematic of the Surrealism art movement and falls under the genre of symbolic painting.
The artwork presents a surreal and symbolic landscape where various intriguing elements interact in unexpected ways. Central to its composition are two figures donning bird masks, each head crowned with the visage of a large beak, possibly pointing to themes of avian transformation or masquerade. The figures exhibit eclectic clothing styles that are meticulously detailed. Below them lies a green boat-like structure filled with seemingly random objects, including a bundle of clothing and what appears to be part of a snake, further emphasizing the surreal nature of the piece. To the right, a dog tugs at a dismembered human arm while a fish floats mid-air. In the background, a fragmented neck and upper body of a female mannequin is depicted alongside what resembles an oversized pipe or musical instrument. The peculiar juxtaposition of elements and the dreamlike ambiance invites viewers to decipher the enigmatic symbolism within Ernst’s surrealistic universe.
