"This books leads us into the visionary world of cosmic images that have taken on increasing importance in the latest period of Max Ernst's artistic creation. Enigmatic astronomical signs and mysterious fields of energy between stars, sun, moon and earth have been a characteristic element of Max Ernst's work from the beginning.
In 1964 he dedicated his graphic production, 'Maximiliana', to a brilliant but unappreciated astronomer, Ernst Wilhelm Leberecht Tempel, whom he admires as a like-minded and congenial companion in misfortune." (dust jacket text)

The book is in French, German and English.

The original work was 'Maximiliana ou L'Exercice Illégal de L'Astronomie'. Text by Guillaume Tempel. Illuminated by Iliazd. Illustrated with 34 coloured etchings and aquatints by Max Ernst, 6 being double-page. Paris: Iliazd et Le Degré Quarante et Un, 1964.