ABOUT THE WORK

Petit genie de la Bastille, the Little Spirit of the Bastille, stands as a symbolic self-portrait, embodying Max Ernst as a bird, a recurring motif in his artistic journey. Stemming from a childhood experience, Ernst associated birds with themes of mortality and renewal. This association birthed the enigmatic Loplop character or the Bird Superior, Max Ernst’s alter ego and a symbolic guide through his creative subconscious. The sculpture itself adopts the form of a bird, with outstretched wings and a beak-like profile, encapsulating Ernst's deep dive into visual symbolism while also mimicking his own facial features.       

This sculpture was first cast in 1960, with 12 casts in total. There are four casts numbered “0/3-3/3” and eight posthumous casts signed, dated and numbered “1/8 - 8/8.” This cast is signed and numbered “Max Ernst, 5/8, Susse Fondeur, Paris 99” with a Susse seal.