The artwork titled “The Chinese Nightingale” was created by Max Ernst in 1920 in Cologne / Cöln / Köln, Germany. It is a photomontage medium adhering to the Dada art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 12.2 x 8.8 cm, and it falls within the genre of symbolic painting.
The artwork features an enigmatic composition that juxtaposes various elements to portray an abstract figure. Central to the piece is a humanoid shape with what appears to be a mask or elongated face. This figure is adorned with a fan-like structure on its head that resembles a crest and has an indistinct backdrop filled with dynamic, crisscrossing lines reminiscent of straw or twigs. Human arms emerge from the figure, one holding an object close to what might be considered the mouth, contributing to the surreal and symbolic nature of the representation. The overall arrangement evokes a dreamlike and unsettling ambiance, characteristic of Dadaist influences.
