Max Ernst
Photograph
1946 (photographed)
1946 (photographed)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The Surrealist Max Ernst (1891–1976) had a significant influence on Frederick Sommer. They first met in 1941 and became closer when Ernst moved to Arizona in 1946, where Sommer also lived. In his portrait of Ernst, Sommer uses double exposure, combining a photograph of the artist with one of water stains on cement. In doing so, he evokes the Surrealist technique of frottage (rubbing) and transforms an otherwise straightforward portrait into an uncanny homage.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Max Ernst (assigned by artist) |
Materials and techniques | photographic paper, photography |
Brief description | 'Max Ernst', 1946 photograph by Frederick Sommer (1905-1999) |
Physical description | Portrait of Max Ernst. |
Dimensions |
|
Gallery label | Arizona avant-garde
These two photographs show Sommer's mastery of photographic technique and his engagement with the ideas and practices of Surrealism.
Sommer settled in Prescott, Arizona, in 1935. In the same year he travelled to New York to show his drawings to Alfred Stieglitz, the great pioneer of modern photography. This encounter, and the introduction to other artists associated with Stieglitz's gallery, had a decisive impact on Sommer. The following year he also met Edward Weston, whose photographs he greatly admired. Stieglitz and Weston became mentors and encouraged Sommer to pursue his interest in photography.
Another significant influence was the Surrealist Max Ernst. They first met in 1941 and became closer when Ernst also moved to Arizona in 1946. In his portrait of Ernst, Sommer uses double exposure, combining a photograph of the artist with one of water stains on cement. In doing so, he evokes the Surrealist technique of 'frottage' (rubbing) and transforms an otherwise straightforward portrait into an uncanny homage. |
Credit line | Given by the photographer |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | The Surrealist Max Ernst (1891–1976) had a significant influence on Frederick Sommer. They first met in 1941 and became closer when Ernst moved to Arizona in 1946, where Sommer also lived. In his portrait of Ernst, Sommer uses double exposure, combining a photograph of the artist with one of water stains on cement. In doing so, he evokes the Surrealist technique of frottage (rubbing) and transforms an otherwise straightforward portrait into an uncanny homage. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.997-1993 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | July 30, 2003 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON