Ernest the Poet Musical Automaton. Switzerland: Michel Bertrand, ca. 1982. Sitting atop the back of a white wooden chair with a satchel of paintbrushes at one side, the poet holds a sketchbook in one hand and a pencil in the other. When the mechanism is activated, the automaton apparently draws further in the book, while moving his eyes, lips, and hands. Handsomely dressed in the bohemian style, including plaid pants, hat, yellow shirt with purple bow tie, and bearing a monocle in one eye. Composition head and hands with glass eyes. Height 36?. Modeled on the Victorian design by Vichy.