Max ERNST thinks he is being persecuted by an invisible occult force.

Max ERNST (1891.1976)

Autograph letter signed to Gala and Paul Éluard.

Four large octavo pages taken from a notebook.

Without place or date [c. 1925]

“The most disgusting thing about this “event” is that I don’t understand anything about it, unless there is an invisible character persecuting me. »  

Max Ernst believes he is being persecuted by an invisible, occult force.

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“My very dear friends, Paul and Gala, I ask you in advance not to blame me for my black, ugly, disgusting bad luck ; not to reproach me and not even to keep them in thought; not to be in a bad mood (I just have to be), nor angry, nor furious. The most disgusting thing about this “event” is that I don’t understand anything about it, unless there is an invisible character persecuting me. Call the character “bad luck” or whatever you want, for me he exists. I was ready to leave, the luggage was packed and so on. etc. – when I want to leave the house, I realize that my wallet has disappeared. Knowing how would not be of much interest, but the circumstances are too mysterious. I had it at noon, I put it in my pocket in the presence of Péret and Madame Piédanna, I only went out to make a few small purchases, for which I did not take it out of my pocket. It's also impossible that someone stole it from my pocket, or that it was slipped. So I must have gotten it when I got home. No one was in my workshop, where I had placed the jacket on the couch. (Curious resemblance to the other case you know). So I am almost convinced that this invisible thing exists. Péret laughed at this explanation, but he couldn't think of any other.

And after the few experiences of the game, there would be nothing too surprising, if, at the same time, things did not happen to me which mark incredible luck. I'm talking about the banquet of the magnificent, where my situation was still the worst. Among the people at the Léwy banquet, there were quite a few who did everything possible to direct the attention of the cops to me (notably it was Mr. Grünewald, a Swedish Jew, the owner of the Kahnweiler portrait, and Mr. Baseler, Polish Jew and art dealer). And it was only out of cowardice that they gave it up after the intervention of old Wassilieff.

Now, I'm going to try to find money (I see a not too vague possibility, Wednesday 15th), and leave immediately so that I arrive either on August 16th or the 17th at 12:20 p.m. in Luchon. My dear friends, I think of you and I'm bored here without you, and the only reason I'm depressed is that this dirty story cut off my ability to leave last night. I will send a telegram if successful.

Not much happened after my last letter. We have begun to make a declaration of principle and of a practical and political order as well. We no longer did anything towards the magnificent. Yes, Breton, at the last minute, changed the title for the reproduction of a portrait of the master with his gull: it is now called St-Pol-Roux le Coward. I consider that sufficient; let's not worry about this old man anymore and let's move on to more important things.

Goodbye my dear friends. Goodbye little Gala (you too lost 200 francs the other day, don't shout then). I love you very much and truly, I see it again in this fact of not having been able to come yet, which fills me with sadness - sadness. Mr. »