Max Ernst as personal as never before. Max Ernst is one of the most significant and fascinating artists of the 20th century. This new release presents the charismatic key figure of Surrealism from fresh perspectives. Art historian Werner Spies, who has explored the complete works of Max Ernst for art history, reflects on his first, consequential encounter with the artist. Through interviews with close friends, relatives, and companions, a multifaceted, at times contradictory image of the artist and his unconventional life and work emerges. Among those speaking are filmmaker Peter Schamoni, former head of the Chancellery Horst Ehmke, the "master lithographer" (M. E.) and gallery owner Pierre Chave, as well as Max Ernst's only grandson, Eric Ernst. The poems of artist Dorothea Tanning, created over three decades, speak a language of their own.