"To the Editors"

1997

In his essay “A Banner With a Strange Device,” James Fenton dilates on some painting techniques. May I remind him and the readers of the New York Review that:

1. Frottage (rubbing) was used and expanded by Max Ernst, serving as his principle lifelong method of painting and drawing, beginning with his seminal Histoire Naturelle (Natural History), 1929, a now well-known series of images wrested from the most varied and improbable rubbings. Sari Dienes, mentioned by Mr. Fenton, was a devoted friend and admirer during Max Ernst’s New York period (1941-1945).

2. Encaustic: Victor Brauner (1903- 1966), Parisian painter summarily mentioned in the same article, is admired by artists everywhere for his perfected encaustic technique. His still-fresh and luminous encaustics (1930s-1940s) may be seen in museums both here and abroad.

Dorothea Tanning
New York City

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