1891-1976 - Ernst Max favoured subject matter derived from his childhood fantasies. His work embraces his unconscious, tackling both his desires and demons. He had no formal training yet his talent was clear from an early age. A work such as 'Men Shall Know Nothing of This' (1923) can be considered a Surrealist masterpiece while 'Blind Swimmer: the Effect of Contact' (1934) is a work of an artist completely in control of his technique. He did not succeed financially until 1954 when he won the Venice Biennale. After this, based in Paris with his second wife Dorothea Tanning(he was married briefly to Peggy Guggenheim), his work finally received the recognition it deserved.