“The Word (Woman Bird)” is an artwork created by Max Ernst in 1921 in Cologne, Germany. It employs mixed media techniques, integrating collage, gouache, and paper to produce a striking surrealist composition. As a work under the Surrealism art movement, it measures 18.5 x 10.6 centimeters and is categorized as symbolic painting. This particular piece is held in a private collection.
The artwork is visually hallucinatory, showcasing a peculiar amalgamation of human and bird forms. A headless, voluptuous humanoid figure is prominently featured, with feminine physical attributes distinctly marked. A bird is superimposed over the figure’s torso, merging with its body in an enigmatic manner. Behind this figure, another form is present, reminiscent of a man encased in a full-body, multi-colored suit, further exuding an uncanny atmosphere. The figures are situated in a contained space with wooden, arched structures lining the background, adding a transitory, almost dreamlike quality to the setting. The composition of the artwork is a testament to Ernst’s innovative approach, blending disparate elements to provoke introspection and evoke a surreal narrative.
