Galapagos. by Max Ernst, 1891-1976

Max Ernst, 1891-1976
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Galapagos.

Original etching with aquatint in colour. 1951/55. Signed in pencil. Numbered 25 from the edition of 50 impressions. Printed at the studio of Visat, Paris 1951. Issued by
Broder, Paris 1955, at the same time as the album also titled Galapagos (with a 1932 text by Antonin Artaud). Rare.
Ref: Spiess-Leppien Ernst Graphic Work no 59. Brusberg - Ernst no 73

Excellent impression with very good unfaded colour. On pale cream laid paper. Generally excellent condition; just the slightest hint of time discoloration on the reverse only, one minuscule margin-edge nick. Full small (c. 1/2inch) margins, as issued. Sheet: 15 3/8 x 22 1/2ins. Plate: 14 1/2 x 21 3/8ins. 368x543mm

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A very rare impression of the large format colour etching which Ernst drew in 1951 inspired by Antonin Artaud's 1932 text about the Galapagos Islands. The imagery of fantastical undersea creatures is central to the whole concept of forms generated from the subconscious mind which was a prime motif of Surrealist thinking. Expression of 'uncontrolled' emotion, i.e: emotion stemming from the non-logical inner areas of the mind was an idea widely developed by the whole circle of writers and artists around André Breton in Paris in the 1930's. Ernst, like Miro, became very interested in the use of 'automatic writing' - forms created whilst under hypnosis or drugs. He went on to link this with images using celestial or undersea forms woven together in a pattern of constant movement and light.

Galapagos, taking its title from the legendary islands in the South Pacific surrounded by exceptional under-water life, is the one of the most complex and complete expressions of Ernst's imagery on this theme in his graphic work dating from his most important period in the years just after the Second War. Swirling lines, patterns of half-recognisable forms, and the background abstract texture printed in glowing yellow against the black line, make it an image of constant and powerful fascination.

Impressions of this etching in its signed and unfolded form are extremely rare. (There was also an unsigned, folded and trimmed edition of 135 impressions as the cover to the Galapagos album). Only two examples have appeared for sale in the last 12 years to our knowledge.