馬克斯·恩斯特

Executed in 1957. 

紐約，Alexander Iolas畫廊
紐約，Alex Lantiez
現藏者購自上述來源

倫敦，Hanover畫廊〈馬克‧恩斯特：早期與近年油畫與雕塑〉一九六五年八月七日至十五日，圖錄編號24，圖版
芝加哥，當代藝術博物館〈芝加哥收藏:達達與超現實主義〉一九八五年

〈馬克‧恩斯特作品1954-1964〉Werner Spies編（一九九八年）104頁，圖錄編號3246，圖版

This work is in very good condition overall. There is evidence of very light craquelure across the surface of the work and handling wear at the top left corner and along the top right edge, consistent with the age of the work. Under UV light, there is no evidence of restoration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

馬克斯·恩斯特最知名的畫作往往虛構夢幻世界，點綴奇獸。恩斯特為達達主義及現實主義等藝術運動的先鋒，其於第一次世界大戰參加德軍征戰的痛苦創傷，大大影響其藝術視角。藝術家對西方文化加以撻伐，且認為現代世界為非理性之存在，遂將藝術用以探索無意識世界，批判社會成規。

是次上拍作品，其標題引自藝術家本人的自傳《傳記隨筆》，副題為《真相組織與謊言組織》。佛洛依德透過探索潛意識揭示自我，啟發恩斯特在書中以第三人稱寫下自身經驗。此外，在恩斯特的生涯中，以鳥為主題的作品不斷出現，以Hornebom、Dadamax或是Loplop的各種型態存在著，顯現了藝術家的內心狀態，並逐漸變成其個人創造的神話故事角色。在此作中，藝術家將一隻鳥及一隻狐狸描繪於一色彩鮮豔卻空間侷限的牢籠中。鳥一方面代表了自由、人類淺能、馳騁的幻想，另一方面卻可看作是被誘捕的受難者。狐狸則被視為騙子、終極的掠奪及吞噬力量。這兩種神祕的動物從一疏離的空間浮現，似乎皆被困於他們自身的命運中。 恩斯特在此利用極盡平面的意象表現出近似萬花筒的風格，創造出一被切割的世界，這或許正反映了歐洲戰後的普遍情懷。藝術家的創作生涯到此，已可放任他畫作主題中的各種形式自由成長，界定自身。