The Elephant Celebes

The Elephant Celebes

Max Ernst

1921

This is one of the more known Max Ernst pieces called The Elephant Celebes that was painted in 1921 and was "the first substantial masterpiece of Ernst's early Surrealist phase" (Fantasy Art, 2007). This piece is one of my favourite Max Ernst works, showing a huge metal shaped elephant that has a look of a war machine, as it was drawn straight after the First World War, which presumably was his inspiration. Even the eye like black dots on the tip of the trunk look angrily on the white headless figure as if to destroy it. It has a dark and gloomy presence as if mankind is responsible for all that happened during those years of war. I how the colours are used to create this feeling as well which are dark, not bright even a bit gloomy and sad (although though i like bright colours more). This Max Ernst’s piece portraits are very well condemned response to humans of what they done. It's also one of the finest examples of Surrealism, showing an overall good set of artistic skills


Sources:

Image Link: http://www.fantasyarts.net/images/ernstelelg.jpg

Fantasy Art History, 2007, Max Ernst: The Elephant Celebes, [online], avalible at: http://www.fantasyarts.net/ernstele.html (accessed at 07/11/12)