What was Max Ernst's theory of the subconscious in art?

Answered in Max Ernst's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

My 'theory' was less a formulated doctrine and more an intuitive exploration. I believed that the subconscious mind held a vast, untapped reservoir of imagery and emotion, a place where dreams and desires coalesced. By employing methods that bypassed conscious control, like automatic drawing and frottage, I could tap into this realm. The goal was to allow the irrational to speak, to let unexpected associations and visions emerge, thereby challenging the viewer's perception of reality.

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