Max Ernst. Rare original collage, ca. 1968

Various colours and types of paper, yarn and small attached metal object on wove paper, 10 x 7.1 cm. Signed 'Max Ernst' in black ink below the image. The work is mounted onto the first sheet of the catalogue 'Max Ernst. Le Néant et son Double'. Published by Galerie Iolas, Paris, 1968. The facing title sheet features a handwritten dedication in pencil 'Pour Jacques, Max'. We could not identify 'Jacques'. Marginal chafing to lower part of collage, title page shows slight trace of the collage image. Else in good condition. No comparable miniature collages found in trade. Stunning piece acquired in the early 1990s at the renowned antiquarian bookstore Posada Art Books in Brussels.

Preeminent Dada and Surrealist artist Max Ernst (French and American, born Germany, 1891–1976) worked in a variety of media including film and painting, but used collage techniques throughout his career. He created his first collages in 1919 using source materials that include illustrations, periodicals, catalogues, newspapers, and scientific journals. The catalogue (Nothingness and its Double) from Galerie Iolas featured samples of collages exhibited from 30 January to 24 February 1968. Softcover, 22.2 x 17 cm, 36 pp. Illustrated b/w and colour, including eight colour reproductions of collages. Photographed by André Morain. Published in an edition of 1500 copies.