Two Children are Threatened by a Nightingale (1924) by Max Ernst

Two Children are Threatened by a Nightingale - Max Ernst - 1924

Artwork Information

TitleTwo Children are Threatened by a Nightingale
ArtistMax Ernst
Date1924
MediumOil on wood with wooden elements
Dimensions69.8 x 57 x 11.4 cm
Current LocationThe Museum of Modern Art, New York

About Two Children are Threatened by a Nightingale

Two Children are Threatened by a Nightingale is a 1924 painting masterpiece created by Max Ernst during the Surrealist movement. It is widely recognized as one of his greatest works, and it symbolizes two important moments in Ernst’s life that shaped his existence.

The painting features a red wooden gate that opens onto a painted scene with a blue sky dominating the background. While the idyllic first impression makes way for terror upon closer inspection, this is typical for surrealist work; things aren’t always what they seem. The nightingale showers an array of different colors on its surroundings, masking the dark intentions lurking beneath its innocent facade.

To create this artwork, Max Ernst utilized collage cutting techniques to deconstruct genre notations and produce unpredictable combinations of elements into new meanings beyond their intended settings. This approach liberated art from traditional constraints and allowed artists to explore unconventional techniques in creating visual representations.

In conclusion, “Two Children are Threatened by a Nightingale” stands out as not only representing the end of an era but also presenting complexities of human nature through surrealist artistic expression.

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