Max
Ernst (1891-1976): Born in Brúhl, near Cologne, studied
philosophy, psychiatry and art history in Bonn, and founded the Cologne
branch of Dada. In 1922 he moved to Paris, where he became a prominent
member of the Surrealist group around Andre Breton. One of Ernst's sources
of inspiration was in fact primitive art, as it was for so many avant-garde
artists at the beginning of the century. In Ernst's case it was the art
of the American Indians. Due however to the fact that many of his sculptures
are bronzes (as well as the occasional work in stone), they possess a different
character.