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1. 1 2020-09-23T12:46:24-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9 The spindle-like base is reminiscent of a spinning top, illustrating how precariously powerful figures are often balanced and how easily they can be toppled. Alexander King 3 plain 2020-09-23T12:58:07-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9
2. 1 2020-09-23T12:57:58-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9 The body of the Ubu Imperator is architectural in nature, bringing to mind a resolute tower or a strong cage. It contrasts the seeming strength and stability of power with the instability of its base. Alexander King 2 plain 2020-09-23T12:58:07-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9
3. 1 2020-09-23T13:02:34-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9 The strange juxtaposition of a scythe in an environment where it would be totally useless lends an ominous undertone to the scene. Alexander King 2 plain 2020-09-23T13:06:25-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9
4. 1 2020-09-23T12:58:58-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9 The setting of the painting is a desert that seems to stretch infinitely in every direction. Alexander King 1 plain 2020-09-23T12:58:58-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9
5. 1 2020-09-23T13:05:24-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9 The Ubu Imperator's hand position and expression seem to portray surprise. Alexander King 1 plain 2020-09-23T13:05:25-07:00 Alexander King 1437124d36579509ca7e8b4ae04f5d51482112f9

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• 1 2020-09-23T13:44:03-07:00 Ubu Imperator 8 plain 2020-09-23T15:35:28-07:00 The Ubu Imperator was painted by surrealist Max Ernst in 1923. Ernst, born in 1891, was one of the pioneers of the Dada movement in his home country of Germany. He was drafted into WWI, which heavily influenced his later works. He also developed a fascination with visiting insane asylums and viewing the work of the mentally ill. In 1919 he and several others founded the Cologne Dada group. A few years later he moved to Paris and became a part of the Surrealist movement. 
  
  The name of the painting comes from imperator, the Latin word for commander, and Ubu, the main character in Ubu Roi, a play written by Alfred Jarry in 1896. The play drew riotous responses because of its obscenity, but also because of the cultural norms which it challenged. It was a satirical commentary on the tendency of the bourgeoise to abuse their power. Ubu was representative of the modern man, who, in the words of Jane Taylor, "... is notorious for his infantile engagement with his world. Ubu inhabits a domain of greedy self-gratification". He was portrayed with many other negative traits, ones which Ernst clearly saw reflected in the real bourgeoise of his time, and laid the foundation for Ernst's Ubu Imperator. 
  
  Ubu Imperator (1923)