Chéri Bibi. 1964.
Bronze, with green patina.
With the name, the number and the foundry mark "Cire Valsuani Perdue" on the reverse of the plinth. From an edition of 175 copies. 35 x 18.5 x 17.5 cm (13.7 x 7.2 x 6.8 in).
Made after a plaster model from 1964. In total, there are three editions with different degrees of patination.
Cast by Valsuani Paris, presumably around 1973 (with the foundry mark). [JS].

PROVENANCE: Galerie Thomas, Munich.
Private Collection Switzerland (2004 aquired from the above).
Private Collection Germany (inherited from the above).

LITERATURE: Jürgen Pech, Lieber Bibi, in: Max Ernst - Plastische Werke, Cologne 2005, p. 206 (with color illu. on p. 207, different copy).

"Chéri Bibi" refers to Gaston Leroux’s fictional character of the same name, who manages to escape from prison several times. At the same time, "Chéri Bibi", with its large eyes and pointed beak is reminiscent of a chick and thus falls into line with the bird iconography that is a central theme in Max Ernst's oeuvre. Although the bird is a key symbol of freedom for the artist, he shows the chick as if trapped within itself, cage and body have merged together, the little bird looks at the viewer for help and is unable to move. Formally, "Chéri Bibi" is based on Max Ernst's "Oiseau-tête" from around 1937, a bird's head looking out from a rectangular surface. To this day, Ernst's non-conformist formal language and his courageous implementation of a minimalist and at the same time naively liberated surreal composition style have maintained their fascinating appeal. [JS]

In good condition.