“A painter may know what he does not want.
But woe betide him if he wants to know
what he does want! A painter is lost if he finds himself.
The fact that he has succeeded in not finding
himself is regarded by Max Ernst as his only
'achievement.”

— Max Ernst

Quote from 'Max Ernst', exhibition catalogue, Galerie Stangl, Munich, 1967, U.S., pp.6-7, as cited in Edward Quinn, Max Ernst. 1984, Poligrafa, Barcelona. p. 12
1951 - 1976

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Max Ernst20

German painter, sculptor and graphic artist 1891–1976

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“A painter may know what he does not want.But woe betide him if he wants to knowwhat he does want! A painter is lost if he finds himself.The fact that he has succeeded in not findinghimself is regarded by Max Ernst as his only'achievement.”

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“A painter may know what he does not want.
But woe betide him if he wants to know
what he does want! A painter is lost if he finds himself.
The fact that he has succeeded in not finding
himself is regarded by Max Ernst as his only
'achievement.”