Wood and Blue Moon

Max Ernst, 1891 - 1976


Wood and Blue Moon

Max Ernst 1891 - 1976

Summary

An abstract scene that suggests three tree trunks growing towards a full moon. Three vertical forms created in a woodgrain effect reach up towards a blue circle at the centre, which is slightly severed by the upper edge of the work. There is a red shape in a wood knot to the right of the composition and a yellow shape to the bottom left. Wood and trees were important artistic stimuli for Ernst. As a child he was taken on forest walks by his father and patterns in the grain of his bedstead led to dreams. Later he developed a technique called frottage by which he would take rubbings of bare floorboards to inspire the imaginary compositions of finished works. Here he echoes frottage with lithographic crayon to depict blasted trees that resemble female torsos.

Display Label

Wood and Blue Moon 1960 Max Ernst 1891-1976 Lithograph on paper Wood and trees were important artistic stimuli for Ernst. As a child he was taken on forest walks by his father and patterns in the grain of his bedstead led to dreams. Later he developed a technique called frottage, by which he would take rubbings off bare floorboards to inspire the imaginary compositions of finished works. Here he echoes frottage with lithographic crayon to depict blasted trunks that resemble female torsos. Purchased 1960.124


Object Name

Wood and Blue Moon

Creators Name

Max Ernst

Date Created

1960

Dimensions

support: 54.9cm x 44.5cm

accession number

1960.124

Place of creation

Europe

Support

paper

Medium

ink (black)
ink (blue)
ink (red)
ink (yellow)

Legal

© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2009


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