The Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim is proud to present a sublime selection of graphics and sculptures by the legendary artist Max Ernst
Max Ernst (1891–1976) ranks among the most inspiring and influential artists of the 20th century, with a charismatic oeuvre that has lasted well beyond his era. Even aspects of his biographical notes are fictional, and he always remained ironically detached from his own works and techniques. His pictures feature figurative elements as well as imaginary forms and have been created from mixed media.
Max Ernst was a crossover artist and a master of the realm of ‘in-between-ness’. Like his life, his body of work is characterised by disjunctions and thematic changes, both of which combine to express his visionary, sceptical view of the world.
The pieces are on loan from the Würth Collection, where Max Ernst occupies a central artistic position. A unique collection of books and graphics constitutes the core of the Max Ernst section, making the surrealist’s otherworldly visual universe experientially accessible, starting from his very first creations all the way through to fantastic later works.
The exhibition’s focuses on a selection Ernst’s graphics, complemented by several of the artist’s sculptures, entering into a dialogue with pieces from the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim collection. Ernst took a libertarian, uninhibited approach to his art, something that opens up numerous possibilities for interplay between his works and the museum’s jewellery.
The Würth Collection
The Würth Collection comprises more than 18,000 works of art from the 16th century to the modern and contemporary eras – mainly paintings and sculptures. It ranks among the most renowned private art collections in Europe. The artworks are on display in Europe, admission is free in 15 museums, as well as in subsidiaries of the Würth Group. The costs of the activities related to the Würth Collection are borne by the respective international companies of the Würth Group.
The Max Ernst exhibition takes place at the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, Germany from 18 July 2020 to the 17 January 2021.
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