Max —, painter (5)
I believe the answer is:
ernst
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'max' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'painter' is the second definition.
(Max Ernst)
(Other definitions for ernst that I've seen before include "Max -, twentieth century German Surrealist artist" , "German-born painter, Max, co-founder of dadaism, d. 1976" , "artist's name" , "Young partner" , "Max __; Dadaist" .)