Artists

Max Ernst was born in Brühl, near Cologne in 1891. He studied art history, philosophy and psychology at the University of Bonn from 1908 to 1914. He already drew and painted in his youth and never signed up for any artistic education. At the age of 22 he had his first group show. During World War I he worked very conscientious. In 1919 Ernst founded the Cologne Dada group with Arp and Baargeld. Furthermore, he became a member of the artist circle around Andre Breton in 1922. During this time he had first exhibition participation at the Surrealists. He was persecuted during the Nazi period and emigrated to Arizona in the United States. In 1953 he returned to France and got there the citizenship. Max Ernst died in 1976. Max Ernst had no artistic education and worked as autodidact. He revolutionized the language of 20th century art. He turned against traditional norms and joined the surrealists. Aside from his paintings, drawings and graphics, he also made sculptures.