The Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid opens its doors to one of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year: a retrospective dedicated to the genius of surrealism, Max Ernst.

Considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Ernst forever changed the landscape of contemporary art with his innovative vision and his ability to blend the absurd, the dreamlike, and the experimental.

Max Ernst (born April 2, 1891 – died April 1, 1976) explored an endless array of techniques and styles from his early works in 1910s Germany to his final productions in the 1970s, leaving an invaluable legacy. In this exhibition, over 200 works are displayed, including painting, sculpture, collage, and printmaking, offering a comprehensive view of his artistic evolution.

What characterizes Ernst's work is his constant search for new visual languages. He was one of the first to use frottage (rubbing textured surfaces to create shapes) and grattage (scraping layers of paint to reveal hidden images), techniques that challenge the boundaries of traditional painting and pave the way for the abstract and the spontaneous.

These innovations not only influenced surrealism but also later artistic movements.

The exhibition places special emphasis on the dreamlike world that fueled much of Ernst’s work. Through his collages, paintings, and sculptures, he invites us to enter a personal and disturbing universe where the rational gives way to the irrational.

Elements of nature, animals, monsters, and humans combine in unexpected ways, creating a visual landscape that evokes both fascination and bewilderment.

The Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid has created a unique space that not only presents the works but also contextualizes them, allowing for a deep immersion into the artist’s universe.

Additionally, the exhibition includes documentary material, period photographs, and biographical elements that enrich the experience.

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