The artwork, titled “Commonplaces – Everyday,” was created by Max Ernst in 1971 in Paris, France. This piece is a symbolic painting, executed in the medium of collage on paper, and is part of Ernst’s “Commonplaces” series. It falls under the Surrealism art movement.
The artwork portrays an intricately detailed, surreal domestic scene. On the left side, there is a medieval-style black dress with a purple skirt, seemingly animated despite being void of a wearer. Nearby, there is an open window with shutters revealing minimal light against an otherwise muted color palette. The right side of the artwork features a mantel adorned with vases containing flowers, and a large mirror reflecting an ambiguous scene. Below, a striped cat is seated on the floor, staring towards the mantel. There are elements such as a chair partially hidden in the background and a broom leaning against the wall, contributing to the everyday yet mystifying ambiance of the piece. This composition blends ordinary objects in an extraordinary and thought-provoking manner, characteristic of Surrealist themes.
