The artwork “Hat in Hand, Hat on Head” was created by Max Ernst around the year 1919 in Cologne, Germany. This piece, part of the Expressionist art movement, is an oil painting on panel. It measures 36.8 x 29.2 cm and is categorized under the genre of genre painting. Currently, it is housed at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh, UK.
In the artwork, the scene is imbued with a surreal and expressive quality, characteristic of Max Ernst’s early style before he fully embarked on surrealism. The composition features figures and elements that appear both fantastical and everyday, against a richly colored, textural backdrop. A man, holding a hat in hand, stands opposite a woman who wears a hat on her head, resonating with the title. The environment is detailed with lush, exaggerated vegetation and contrasting architectural forms under a vibrant, almost dream-like sky. The painting’s dynamism and emotional intensity reflect the core principles of Expressionism, portraying deeper psychological and emotional truths through bold, vivid imagery.
