The Sea and Rain (La Mer et la pluie) from Natural History (Histoire naturelle)

The Sea and Rain (La Mer et la pluie) from Natural History (Histoire naturelle) is a seminal print by Max Ernst, created circa 1925 and published in 1926. This work is one of thirty-four collotypes based on the revolutionary technique of frottage, which Ernst pioneered during this defining period of Surrealism. Frottage, derived from the French word for "to rub," involves placing a sheet of paper over a textured surface-such as wood grain, leaves, or netting-and rubbing it with graphite or crayon to transfer the patterns directly.

Ernst used this semi-automatic process to generate images that bypassed conscious intention, embracing chance and the subconscious mind, key tenets of the French Surrealist movement. The resulting textures in The Sea and Rain evoke ambiguous, dynamic forms suggesting natural phenomena-geological strata, the ripple of water, or violent weather systems captured in a dream-like state. The transition from the original graphite rubbings to collotype prints allowed for the precise reproduction of these delicate, often intricate patterns, ensuring the accessibility of the portfolio.

The complete series, Histoire naturelle, served as an essential manifesto for Ernst's radical experiments with non-traditional media, influencing generations of artists who sought to unlock the subconscious through automatic techniques. As a defining example of early Surrealist prints, this piece showcases how the artist transformed common, everyday textures into landscapes of cosmic or psychological significance.

Produced in France when Surrealism was at its peak, the series established Ernst as a master innovator. This specific impression is housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, highlighting the continuing institutional recognition of the artist's groundbreaking contribution to modern art since its creation c. 1925, published 1926.