The artwork titled “Two Children are Threatened by a Nightingale,” created by Max Ernst in 1924, represents a unique blend of oil paint on wood and encapsulates the spirit of the Metaphysical art movement. Measuring 69.8 by 57.1 cm, this symbolic painting is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, United States. Ernst’s work typically features elements of surprise and juxtaposition, often drawing on dreamlike scenarios to challenge conventional perceptions of reality.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a seemingly simple yet enigmatic scene. A wooden frame creates a window through which one observes a surreal landscape marked by a clear, blue sky. On a small structure resembling a birdhouse or shed, a tiny figure stands brandishing a bright, circular object. Another figure appears partway up the frame, rendered in black and white, turning a crank as if causing the scene to come to life. On the ground lies another figure, perhaps in a state of distress, with two more figures nearby, one of whom appears to be in motion as if running away. The entire tableau seems to be infused with a sense of impending action or drama, underscored by a text inscribed at the bottom that translates to “The children are threatened by a nightingale.” The composition creates a narrative tension that is unresolved, daring the viewer to imagine what sequence of events might unfold from this curious arrangement of elements.
