Max Ernst was a German-born Surrealist painter who was a major figure in the Dada and Surrealist movements of the early 20th century. He is best known for his pioneering work in collage and frottage techniques, which he used to create dreamlike and often nightmarish images. Ernst was born in Brühl, Germany in 1891 and died in Paris in 1976. He was a prolific artist who produced a wide range of works, from paintings and sculptures to prints and books. His work has been exhibited in major museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.