Max Ernst Research Paper

Max Ernst is one of the founders of Dadaism and Surrealism, he was one of the most influential contemporary artists in his time. Ernst was born on April 2, 1891, in Brühl, Germany. His father appreciated painting and enjoyed it as a pastime. Ernst’s artistic interest did not become prevalent until he attended the University of Bonn, where he studied philosophy and abnormal psychology which added plenty of inspiration and fueled his artistic endeavors. Ernst reportedly had remarkably vivid memories of his childhood in addition to remembering his dreams which also play a large inspirational role regarding the subjects and stories he told through his paintings. Ernst’s life was disrupted by World War I when he was drafted. Ernst was devastated by being drafted and thought of the event and an interruption of his life. He referenced the draft in his autobiography, he stated "On the first of August 1914 Max Ernst died. He was resurrected on the eleventh of November 1918,” which was when he separated from the German Army. Ernst’s life and his response to war-ravaged

The interesting way in which Ernst wrote the autobiography is that it is exclusively written in third person. In his notes, he completely avoided the use of 'I' or 'my', and instead used 'he' in reference to himself. "This detachment from himself reflects the ideas of Sigmund Freud which were influential in the surrealist movement. “Surrealists argued that we see only a surface reality. More important was uncovering the reality that, as Freud maintained, resided in the deep seated secrets and desires of the unconscious mind" Ernst profoundly believed in recognition and exploration of the unconscious, throughout his entire life as an artist to uncover his deep seated thoughts within the subconscious, the parts of one’s mind which remains unknown to most for their entire