Max Ernst

 

Max Ernst

"Fireside Angel"

Oil on Canvas

Two Dimensional

1937

 

Max Ernst was a German artist who continued his efforts to gain popularity for his art pieces, it was not until he moved into the United States towards the end of WW I that he gained momentum and drive for his inspirational pieces. His art became accustomed to distorted images of everyday objects. Additionally, Ernst’s works became well known by the audience because of his constant use of seeking the unconscious mind of an individual. Ernst himself, openely spoke about his artwork and in one instance described that “every normal human being (and not merely the ‘artist’) has an inexhaustible store of buried images in his subconscious, it is merely a matter of courage or liberating procedures… of voyages into the unconscious, to bring pure and unaltered found objects to light.”

The painting “Fireside Angel,” was indeed influenced by the international affairs and war efforts of that time in history, through a representation of despair and sense of being conquered or controlled by a ferocious beast. Ernst completed this painting after what he described as “the defeat of the Republicans in Spain.” Although, the image itself is fantastical and imaginary, it is indeed based on the fears and terror being felt by much of the world population at the time.

The image related to the fantasy-theme, granting that it does no in a distinct way as opposed to other works throughout the exhibit. In this example, fantasy is not portrayed as something beautiful and dream-like, but instead takes the role of intensifying fear and creating a feeling of defenselessness. "Fireside Angel" was chosen for its creativity in adding the message to the government with the one object grabbing people's attention in figuring out what is the works purpose.