Max Ernst was born in Bhrul, Germany. He was living in France when World War I broke out. He was drafted. He fought on both the Eastern and Western fronts as a map charter. As World War II erupted Ernst was labeled as an enemy alien. He was sent to a detainment camp. Ernst's friends freed him. However once the Gestapo came to France Ernst was hunted and labeled a degenerate artist. During his painting of Europe After the Rain he escaped from the Gestapo to New York with the help of Peggy Guggenheim. Ernst had extremely negative views on the war. He was quoted "On the first of August 1914 M.E. died. He was resurrected on the eleventh of November 1918." Ernst means that his spirit died the day he was drafted. Once the war ended he resurrected.
Max Ernst demonstrates many of his well-known techniques. He uses juxtaposition by showing a figure with a spear and helmet in a field of death and destruction. The warrior like figure is strong but stands among ash. Ernst is known for using birds and humans intertwined. The left figure is a man with a bird head standing with a woman. He also uses collage frequently throughout his work. He used Victorian illustrations from books and pasted them into his work. The woman is a classic Victorian era woman. Max Ernst also used a process called decalcomania. The process was an early image transfer. Ernst used the process for his collage work.
Early decalcomania was a process in which an artist applied painted glass. After, the artist slowly pulled it off. The basic idea is similar to when you pull tape off paper and writing comes off with it. Ernst used this method on canvas for this piece. The process creates a hallucinatory picture which causes the different sectors of colors.
What is the artist communicating?
Max Ernst attempts to portray the feeling of emotional desolation through his piece.The piece itself is segregated through the different colors. The sky is the only color that is throughout the picture. Ernst also shows vivid figures in all of the sections of the piece. He depicts a nude woman on what looks like an abandoned carousel. A rotting bull’s head lays under the carousel. He has a woman and bird headed man looking over the destruction. I take it as they are looking over the destruction in despair. The two may be looking at the despair or looking at it as they caused it. In the fight for control they are left alone with nothing to control.
Ernst’s background and feelings toward war is blatant. Ernst tried to show war’s destruction. He used decalcomania to create a melancholy feel. The dark tones are equally important as the figures in the piece. Tones create devastation in the mood. As you gaze upon the varying images you not only see the destruction but feel it. Ernst meant all these symbols to depict that war will eventually destroy us. The title also is a symbol. The ‘rain’ is not just weather but a symbol for war’s gunfire and violence.
Why is it beautiful?
This piece is beautiful because of the different complex attributes. I agree with Europe After the Rain’s message with war and desolation. Ernst uses complex methods of decalcomania to make his masterpiece. He also depicts futuristic desolation that makes you contemplate life. This piece is not only a good piece of art but a beautiful piece of art.
Ernst’s use of colors to show an eerie mood to the work is highly technical. He also uses a calm, beautiful sky as a background behind all the isolation. Ernst shows technique and creativity with decalcomania. He took time to paint intricate pictures on glass then plaster it to the canvas. This process is time consuming but Ernst makes it worth it. The figures do not stay on the page but make you think after gazing upon the piece of art. The pair of figures standing atop of the ash is very interpretive. Are they the last survivors and alone or are they the warriors who won the battle but end up isolated? All these ideas prove not only that Max Ernst created is a piece of art but a phenomenal piece of art.
