The artwork is titled “Towers,” created by Max Ernst in 1916 in Cologne, Germany. This symbolic painting, executed in oil on canvas, measures 60 by 43 centimeters. Demonstrating elements of both Cubism and Metaphysical art movements, the painting is currently housed in the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The artwork is a complex composition featuring a variety of geometric shapes and forms that build up to create the titular towers. Predominantly utilizing shades of red, blue, and black, Ernst combines angular and cylindrical elements with abstract representations of architectural forms. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the juxtaposition of colors, lends a depth and three-dimensional aspect to the painting. The towers appear almost fantastical, exuding a sense of surrealism within their structured arrangement. The incorporation of bricks, arches, and other structural details evoke an urban environment, possibly symbolic of the architectural innovation of the time. The abstract and somewhat fragmented style is characteristic of Cubism, while the enigmatic and thought-provoking nature aligns with Metaphysical art.
