Study for "Icarus", No. 1 1964

This 1964 abstract watercolor by Jimmy Ernst, titled “Study for “Icarus”, No. 1”, is a study for a larger painting. The work captures a dynamic, chaotic energy through swirling black lines and forms, reminiscent of the myth of Icarus. Ernst, the son of renowned surrealist Max Ernst, experimented with abstract expressionism, employing gestural brushstrokes and vibrant colors to evoke a sense of movement and emotion. The piece utilizes a limited palette of black, blue, and yellow, enhancing the visual tension and evoking a dramatic sense of the artist's internal world.