---
title: The Barbarians by Max Ernst
author: Regan Vercruysse
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20923/the-barbarians-by-max-ernst/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-09-02
---

# The Barbarians by Max Ernst

_Authored by Regan Vercruysse_

## Image File

[![The Barbarians by Max Ernst](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20923.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20923.png)

## Image Caption

A 1937 oil-on-cardboard painting, *The Barbarians* by Max Ernst (1891-1976). The [giant](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/) birds may represent the artist's fears regarding the devastation of [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) in the coming Second World [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) (1939-45). The work is an example of the [grattage](https://www.worldhistory.org/Grattage/) technique which Ernst pioneered. (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Vercruysse, R. (2025, September 02). The Barbarians by Max Ernst. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20923/the-barbarians-by-max-ernst/>
### Chicago
Vercruysse, Regan. "The Barbarians by Max Ernst." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 02, 2025. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20923/the-barbarians-by-max-ernst/>.
### MLA
Vercruysse, Regan. "The Barbarians by Max Ernst." *World History Encyclopedia*, 02 Sep 2025, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20923/the-barbarians-by-max-ernst/>.

## License & Copyright

[![copyright source](/images/partners/white-flickr.png)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/rverc/4304548761)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/rverc/4304548761) by [**Regan Vercruysse**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/rverc/4304548761). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 02 September 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.