ABOUT THE WORK

Un chinois égaré showcases the iconic imagery of Max Ernst’s alter ego, Loplop or the Bird Superior, a recurring motif in Ernst’s oeuvre. Stemming from a childhood experience, Ernst associated birds with themes of mortality and renewal. This association birthed the enigmatic Loplop character, a symbolic guide through his creative subconscious. In this sculpture, a bird perches atop an easel, embodying Ernst’s belief in the symbiotic relationship between his subconscious and the artistic process. Notably, the upper circular form, a hallmark of Ernst's work, features distinct facial markings, including a more prominently indented left eye. This detail alludes to the spiritual or subconscious realm, a concept often linked with the left eye in various psychological traditions. Through this sculpture, Ernst vividly expresses his profound exploration of subconscious visual symbolism.

This sculpture was first cast in 1960 from a 1960 plaster. There were 10 casts in total, signed and numbered “0/6-6/6, EA 1/3- EA 3/3.” This cast is signed and numbered “Max Ernst, E.A. 2/3” on the base, left side and inscribed “Susse Fondeur, Paris” on the back of the base.