"Humboldt Current is dedicated to a cold current in the Pacific Ocean. Ernst placed the canvas on top of a wooden board during painting and allowed the grain to become part of the composition. Thus Nature herself has a direct hand in the work. The current gleams coolly in the nocturnal sea – accompanied across the water by a full moon that makes the painting feel reminiscent of the Romantic era." http://www.fondationbeyeler.ch/en/collection/max-ernst