Aquis Submersus

Infobox Painting|

backcolor=#FBF5DF
painting_alignment=right
image_size=300px
title=Aquis Submersus
artist=Max Ernst
year=1919
type=Oil on canvas
height=54
width=43.8
height_inch=21.26
width_inch = 17.24
diameter_cm =
diameter_inch =
city=Frankfurt
museum=Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie

"Aquis Submersus" (1919) is a painting by the German dadaist/surrealist Max Ernst. It is one of Ernst’s earliest known surrealist works.

It depicts a swimming pool surrounded by buildings. The sense of dimension is unclear. The features of the buildings appear to be hand-drawn. The buildings leave shadows against the sky like a wall. Hanging in the sky is a clock that reflects on the water like the moon.

In the foreground is a figure that appears to have been made out of clay. It bears the handlebar mustache that was worn by Ernst’s father.

The painting carries the same name as a famous novella by Theodor Storm, published in 1876. See http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquis_submersus

ources

* [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/portrait/story/0,11109,740302,00.html The Guardian] - Analysis of "Pietà or Revolution by Night" that describes Ernst’s father.