The Stallion

Max Ernst's The Stallion (1931) is a graphite frottage drawing on cream wove paper. The frottage technique, which Ernst invented, involves rubbing graphite over a textured surface to create random patterns that suggest images. Here, the frottage process has suggested the form of a stallion, the textured marks creating the muscular body and flowing mane of the horse.

The Stallion is a masterwork of Ernst's frottage technique, demonstrating how random textures could be transformed into powerful images.

This frottage drawing of a stallion transforms random textured marks into a powerful image of the horse, demonstrating Ernst's innovative technique.