SurrealismSurrealism

Rene Magritte, The Son of Man, 1964

Surrealism began as a literary movement Surrealism began as a literary movement after World War I.after World War I.

Surrealist literature was based on the non Surrealist literature was based on the non rational, its creators being drawn to the rational, its creators being drawn to the Dadaist.Dadaist.

Cover of the first edition of the publication Dada. Edited by Tristan Tzara. Zürich, 1917.

Dada was a movement started in Dada was a movement started in 1916 during WWI.1916 during WWI.

Dadaists believed that art, a Dadaists believed that art, a reflection of the absurdity of war reflection of the absurdity of war and the insanity of the world was and the insanity of the world was basically stupid and must be basically stupid and must be destroyed.destroyed.

However, in order to express their However, in order to express their outrage, the Dadaists created outrage, the Dadaists created works of art.works of art.

This contradiction would be their This contradiction would be their downfall. downfall.

Dada ended in 1922.Dada ended in 1922.Marcel Duchamp, Fountain,1917

Surrealism is a style in which fantastic visual imagery Surrealism is a style in which fantastic visual imagery from the subconscious mind is used with no intention from the subconscious mind is used with no intention of making the artwork logical or comprehendible.of making the artwork logical or comprehendible.

It began in France in 1924 with the publication of the It began in France in 1924 with the publication of the First Surrealist ManifestoFirst Surrealist Manifesto by Andre Breton.by Andre Breton.

Yves Tanguy, Indefinite Divisibility,1942

From the beginning, Surrealism developed along two very From the beginning, Surrealism developed along two very different lines.different lines.

Automatist Surrealism which was expressed by artist such Automatist Surrealism which was expressed by artist such as Joan Miro and Andre Masson.as Joan Miro and Andre Masson.

Illusionistic Surrealism which was exemplified by artist such Illusionistic Surrealism which was exemplified by artist such as Salvador Dali, and Rene Magritte.as Salvador Dali, and Rene Magritte.

Andre Masson, Automatic Drawing, 1924

Salvador Dali, Invisible, 1929-33

Automatists Surrealism was a direct relationship to automatic writing Automatists Surrealism was a direct relationship to automatic writing Automatic writing meant that the mind was to be emptied of all purposeful Automatic writing meant that the mind was to be emptied of all purposeful

thought and free associations were to be expressed in writing.thought and free associations were to be expressed in writing. Automatist Surrealism leaned towards an interest in biomorphic (life Automatist Surrealism leaned towards an interest in biomorphic (life

forms) and abstraction. forms) and abstraction. It dictated thought without the control of the mind.It dictated thought without the control of the mind. It was abstract but sometimes its imagery would suggest organisms or It was abstract but sometimes its imagery would suggest organisms or

natural formsnatural forms..

Joan Miro, Harlequin’s Carnival, 1925

Illusionistic surrealism Illusionistic surrealism also called Naturalistic also called Naturalistic Surrealism presented Surrealism presented recognizable scenes that recognizable scenes that would Metamorphose would Metamorphose into a dream state.into a dream state.

Artist would sometimes Artist would sometimes use irrational content or use irrational content or absurd Juxtapositions.absurd Juxtapositions.

Rene Magritte, La Chateau des Pyren, 1959

Joan Miro i Ferra ( 1893- 1983) was born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Joan Miro i Ferra ( 1893- 1983) was born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.Spain.

He was a painter, sculptor and ceramist who studied at the Barcelona He was a painter, sculptor and ceramist who studied at the Barcelona school of Fine Arts and the Academia Gali.school of Fine Arts and the Academia Gali.

Before 1920 Miro’s work showed a wide range of influences including Before 1920 Miro’s work showed a wide range of influences including Fauvism, Cubism and the Romanesque style of Spain.Fauvism, Cubism and the Romanesque style of Spain.

Later he was influenced by Surrealism and Dada although he never Later he was influenced by Surrealism and Dada although he never became a member in any artistic movementbecame a member in any artistic movement..

Joan Miro, The Tilled Field, 1923-24

When asked about the When asked about the creation of his paintings creation of his paintings Miro replied “How did I Miro replied “How did I think up my drawing and think up my drawing and my ideas for painting? I’d my ideas for painting? I’d go to bed and sometimes go to bed and sometimes I hadn't had supper. I I hadn't had supper. I saw things, and I jotted saw things, and I jotted them down in a them down in a notebook. I saw shapes notebook. I saw shapes on the ceiling..”on the ceiling..”

Joan Miro, Dutch Interior I, 1928

Under the influences of poets and writers he developed a Under the influences of poets and writers he developed a unique style using organic forms and flattened picture planes unique style using organic forms and flattened picture planes drawn with sharp line.drawn with sharp line.

He also drew on his memory, fantasy and the irrational to He also drew on his memory, fantasy and the irrational to create his works of art.create his works of art.

His dreamlike visions often have a whimsical quality with His dreamlike visions often have a whimsical quality with images of playful distorted animal forms, twisted organic images of playful distorted animal forms, twisted organic shapes and odd geometric objects.shapes and odd geometric objects.

Joan Miro, The Escape Ladder, 1939

Miro worked in a variety of media including Miro worked in a variety of media including etching, lithographs, watercolor, pastel, collage etching, lithographs, watercolor, pastel, collage and ceramic sculpture. and ceramic sculpture.

Joan Miro, Wall of the Moon, and Wall of the Sun, 1957-1959, at the UNESCO building in Paris

Andre- Aime- Rene Masson (1896-1987) was a French Andre- Aime- Rene Masson (1896-1987) was a French artist who studied in Brussels and Paris.artist who studied in Brussels and Paris.

He fought and was wounded for France during world war I.He fought and was wounded for France during world war I. Masson's first work showed his interest in cubism.Masson's first work showed his interest in cubism. He developed a strong interest in automatic drawing and He developed a strong interest in automatic drawing and

later became associated with Surrealismlater became associated with Surrealism..

Andre Masson, Pedestal Table in the Studio, 1922

(early cubism work)

Masson would often force Masson would often force himself to work under himself to work under extreme conditions such as extreme conditions such as long periods without food or long periods without food or sleep, or even under the sleep, or even under the influence of drugs.influence of drugs.

He believed that this would He believed that this would help his art be free from help his art be free from rational thought and control, rational thought and control, and influence his work and influence his work through the subconscious through the subconscious mind.mind.

Andre Masson, The Louis XVI Armchair, 1938

By the end of the 1920’s Masson found automatism too By the end of the 1920’s Masson found automatism too restricting.restricting.

He turned from Surrealism to more structured style often He turned from Surrealism to more structured style often producing works with violent or erotic themes.producing works with violent or erotic themes.

He also created a number of painting in reaction to the He also created a number of painting in reaction to the Spanish Civil War.Spanish Civil War.

By the end of the 1930’s he had return to Surrealism. By the end of the 1930’s he had return to Surrealism.

Andre Masson, The Workshop of Dedalus,1939

During War World II his work was condemned by the Nazis who had occupied During War World II his work was condemned by the Nazis who had occupied France.France.

Masson was arrested but managed to escape and make his way to the United Masson was arrested but managed to escape and make his way to the United States.States.

U.S customs officials found some of Masson’s erotic drawings during their U.S customs officials found some of Masson’s erotic drawings during their inspection of his luggage. They considered them pornographic and tore them inspection of his luggage. They considered them pornographic and tore them up.up.

After the War, Masson returned to France where he began painting After the War, Masson returned to France where he began painting Landscapes.Landscapes.

Andre Masson, In the Tower of Sleep, 1938

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) was a Spanish Painter who Salvador Dali (1904-1989) was a Spanish Painter who studied at the school of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain.studied at the school of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain.

Before 1929 Dali painted in various styles including Before 1929 Dali painted in various styles including Impressionism, Pointillism, Classicism and Futurism.Impressionism, Pointillism, Classicism and Futurism.

When introduced to Surrealism, Dali accepted the style When introduced to Surrealism, Dali accepted the style with full force, later considering himself the only true with full force, later considering himself the only true Surrealism artist.Surrealism artist.

Salvador Dali, The Metamorphosis of Narcissus, 1937

Dali’s work could be Dali’s work could be described as Illusionistic described as Illusionistic or Naturalistic Surrealism.or Naturalistic Surrealism.

His paintings included His paintings included recognizable subjects and recognizable subjects and scenes that were scenes that were represented in a dream represented in a dream like state.like state.

Dali’s works are Dali’s works are characterized by realistic characterized by realistic detail with brilliant colors detail with brilliant colors especially in his fantastic especially in his fantastic landscapes.landscapes.

Salvador Dali, Shades of Night Descending, 1931

Dali studied the writings of Sigmund Freud and invented what he called Dali studied the writings of Sigmund Freud and invented what he called the “Paranoiac-critical method” to assist him in creating his work.the “Paranoiac-critical method” to assist him in creating his work.

In his paintings, he aimed “ to materialize the images of concrete In his paintings, he aimed “ to materialize the images of concrete irrationality with the fury of precision…in order that the world of irrationality with the fury of precision…in order that the world of imagination and of concrete irrationality may be evident”.imagination and of concrete irrationality may be evident”.

Dali’s most famous work, The Persistence of Memory. (1931) is an Dali’s most famous work, The Persistence of Memory. (1931) is an example of precision, reality and imagination.example of precision, reality and imagination.

Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory, 1931

Although Dali considered Although Dali considered himself a true Surrealistic, himself a true Surrealistic, other members of the other members of the Surrealistic Movement would Surrealistic Movement would not accept him because they not accept him because they considered him overly considered him overly commercial.commercial.

Dali also designed and Dali also designed and produced Surrealistic films, produced Surrealistic films, illustrated books and crafted illustrated books and crafted jewelry.jewelry.

His later paintings often His later paintings often depicted religious themes depicted religious themes and were more classical in and were more classical in style.style. Salvador Dali, Christ of St. John on

the Cross, 1951

Rene Magritte (1898-1967) was a Belgian painter born in Lessines, Rene Magritte (1898-1967) was a Belgian painter born in Lessines, Belgium.Belgium.

He studied at the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels.He studied at the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. Until 1926 Magritte worked in a wallpaper factory and also designed Until 1926 Magritte worked in a wallpaper factory and also designed

posters and advertisements.posters and advertisements. During that year he produced his first surrealist painting, During that year he produced his first surrealist painting, The Lost The Lost

Jockey (Le jockey perdu), and in 1927 had his first exhibition in Jockey (Le jockey perdu), and in 1927 had his first exhibition in Brussels.Brussels.

Rene Magritte, The Lost Jockey, 1926

Critics were not kind in their comments about the Critics were not kind in their comments about the exhibition.exhibition.

Feeling like a failure, Magritte moved to Paris Feeling like a failure, Magritte moved to Paris where he became friends with Andre Breton.where he became friends with Andre Breton.

He also became involved with the surrealist group.He also became involved with the surrealist group.

Rene Magritte, The mysteries of the Horizon, 1955

Magritte’s work often involved a juxtaposition of ordinary Magritte’s work often involved a juxtaposition of ordinary objects.objects.

He would also use an unusual context in order to give He would also use an unusual context in order to give new meanings to familiar things.new meanings to familiar things.

An excellent example of this is his painting, An excellent example of this is his painting, The The Treachery of Images (La trahison des images), Treachery of Images (La trahison des images), which which shows a very simple pipe.shows a very simple pipe.

Below the pipe, Magritte wroteBelow the pipe, Magritte wrote “This is not a pipe.” “This is not a pipe.”

Rene Magritte, The Treachery of Images, 1929

There were many influences in Magritte’s life that help to There were many influences in Magritte’s life that help to inspire his paintings. Not all of them were positive.inspire his paintings. Not all of them were positive.

In 1912 his mother committed suicide by drowning herself In 1912 his mother committed suicide by drowning herself in the River Sambre.in the River Sambre.

Magritte was present when her body was recovered.Magritte was present when her body was recovered. The image of his mother floating in the water with her dress The image of his mother floating in the water with her dress

obscuring her face would be a life altering and lasting obscuring her face would be a life altering and lasting image that would influence a body of work. image that would influence a body of work.

Rene Magritte, The Lovers (Les Amants), 1928

Just as other Just as other Surrealists, Surrealists, Magritte’s work Magritte’s work makes the makes the viewer question viewer question their reliance on their reliance on the conscious the conscious and the rational.and the rational.

Rene Magritte, Time Transfixed, 1938

Salvador Dali, Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man, 1943

Salvador Dali, Galatea of the Spheres, 1952

Georgio de Chirico (1888-1978), Love Song 1914

Pierre Roy (1880-1950), Papillon, 1933

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