The Triumph Of

Surrealism
PAINTING BY MAX ERNST, 1937
 1926 The Blessed Virgin Chastises the Infant Jesus Before
Three Witnesses

Media and
Description
The artwork was
painted with oils on a
canvas.
This artwork refers
directly to a political
incident, it was painted
after the defeat of the
Republicans in Spain
Other artworks by Max:

City of Animals
Analysis

The artist uses shape and color to express the creatures scary look, texture
and value to bring the character to life and give it an eerie feeling.
Organic and geometric shapes are used so the creature doesnt look like
anything we have ever seen.
Bright and unnatural colors make the creature stand out against the
background.
Implied texture can be seen around the "clothing", making it look as if it
could be sharp or pointy.
Value is used to exaggerate the artwork.
Interpretation and Evaluation
Interpretation
The artist shows a sense of
destruction and violence, in the
original title "The Angel of Hearth
and Home" The word angel is used
to give a the piece a religious
feel.
Evaluation
He created this painting for the
Exposition international du
surrealism which took place at the
Galerie de Beaux-Arts in Paris. This
piece is one of few in his career
that were inspired from political
events.