Surrealism began in 1924 in Paris with the publication of the Surrealist Manifesto by Andre Breton. It was influenced by Freudian theories such as dreams, the unconscious mind, and free association. Key characteristics included automatism, using dreams as inspiration for art, and collage. Major surrealist artists included Joan Miro, Max Ernst, Rene Magritte, and Salvador Dali. Each developed unique styles like biomorphic forms, frottage, and optical illusions while continuing to explore the subconscious. World War 2 displaced many surrealists and ended the cohesive movement, though its influence continues.
2. Intro
Officially started in Paris in 1924
Publication of The Surrealist Manifesto
by Andre Breton
Focused on theories of Freud
Started as literary movement
3. FREUD!
Psychologist
Lots of crazy theories
Ones important to surrealism are:
1. Dream Theories
2. General hidden desires in unconscious
(mention first to come up with it)
3. Free Association (form of therapy, explain it
and how leads into Breton)
4. Key Characteristics
Common Characteristics of Surrealism:
1. The use of collage in every medium including
film
2. Automatism: method artist let the subconscious
be hand that created art
3. Influenced by Dadaist and Cubist
4. Influenced the early Abstractionist
5. Idea based on anti- war art (WWI)
5. Differences from other
movements
The Dada movement: purpose was to show life
has no meaning or purpose, protest of the war, for
surrealism peaceful protest
Cubism: idea of shapes working together, all in the
conscious mind
Abstractionism: branched from surrealism, created
mainly on feelings, surrealism more dream like
6. Andre Breton
Created The Surrealist
Manifesto based on the
“pure psychic automatism”
8. Joan Miro
Leading artist Automatist Surrealism art
movement
Bright primary colors
Biomorphic forms,
Rough geometric shapes
Marginally recognizable objects.
9. Joan Miro cont.
Symbols in work: the
moon, birds and
women
Most work
incorporated themes
of: the sea, stars, birds
and animals
13. Max Ernst
Leading Veristic Surrealist artist
Invented a new method called frottage
Transferring textures suggest proactive
approach to composing image
Experiment with mediums like, collage,
decalcomania and exquisite corpse
14. Max Ernst cont.
Got impression from
dreams/nightmares
A reoccurring
character is some of
his work is Loplop
24. End
Start of WWII ended it in Europe
Breton and others moved it to New York
Breton died, movement no longer
organized group
Some artists continued as self- labeled
surrealists
Surrealism itself hasn’t really ended and
can still be seen today