In Ernst's piece, Approaching Puberty or the Pleiads, he mostly shows levitation. Several objects, including the female figure are levitating in the composition.

Ernst demonstrates irrational combinations, juxtaposition, and relative size in the Ubu Imperator.

The male figure has human hands and an object for a body, rather than a human form. His hands are also too large for the body. Compared to a normal human form, the figure is top heavy.

The L'ange Du Foyer is one of Ernst's somewhat whimsical pieces. The loplop, the bird like creature featured in this painting, was an alter ego Ernst created for himself and it often appeared in his work.

This piece utilizes several common characteristics of surrealism.

One is juxtaposition. The light, natural colors of the female figure contrast deeply with the dark background and darker figures surrounding her.

The second is relative size. The anatomical features of the female figure are off, including her head and calf size.

The third is irrational combinations, displayed by the use of a horse head on the red female figure.

Frottage is a form of art involving pencil rubbings on paper and canvas.

This method transforms into grottage in paintings, where the artist utilizes scrapings to achieve the desired effect.