1891
Was born April 2, 1891 in Brühl, near Cologne
1909-1914
Studies in philosophy, psychology, ancient philology and history of art at the University of Bonn
1913
Participation in the exhibition “Rheinische Expressionisten” at the art salon of Fritz Cohen
1914
Military service during World War I
1916
Solo exhibition at the gallery “Der Sturm”
1919
Foundation of the Cologne Dada Movement in conjunction with Johannes Theodor Baargeld (Alfred Ferdinand Gruenwald) and Hans Arp
1925
Ernst invented a new type of graphical work technique – the so called “Frottage” which he transferred to the art form of painting – the “Grattage”
1933
Ernst’s art was defamed “degenerate” by the National Socialists
1939
Relocation to Saint-Martin d’Ardèche (southern France) in company with Leonora Carrington. With the outbreak of World War II, Ernst had been interned in France for several times
1941
Escape across Madrid and Lisbon to the United Stated of America. Marriage with the art collector Peggy Guggenheim
1942
Participation in the magazine “VVV”
1951
Retrospective in celebration of his 60th birthday in Brühl
1955
Won the Grand Prize for Painting at the Venice Biennale
1956
Member of the Berlin Academy of Arts
1958
French citizenship
1964
Was awarded the title of honorary professor by the government of North Rhine-Westphalia. Relocation to Seillans
1970
Honorary doctorate at the University of Bonn
1976
Died April 1, 1976 in Paris