What type of art was created during the Surrealist art movement?
Paintings, print, design, installations, literature, photographic trickery.
Surrealism was created and popular during which years?
1910s to 1930s
Where was Surrealist art made and popularised?
The Surrealist Art Movement began and was popularised in Europe.
What medium (media) and tools were used to make Surrealist pieces?
Oil, gouache, ink, printing, and odd objects for installations and mixed media art are used to make surrealist artworks.
Who are some famous Surrealist artists and artworks?
The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí,
The Son of Man by René Magritte,
Bond of Union by Maurits Cornelis Escher
Interesting observations about the Surrealist art movement – Art Op-Ed
In the early 1900’s Psychologist Sigmund Freud defined a topographical map of the human mind, in a manner of speaking. He mapped out 3 states of the human mind. The conscious mind – the thoughts that we control and are aware of. The subconscious mind – the thoughts that we are partially aware of. The unconscious mind – the thought of which we have no awareness or control. Theoretically speaking, the unconscious mind is where all the information we have absorbed, can form weird combinations. These unconscious thoughts are so far from reality or what is “real” that they are said to be “surreal.” Surrealist art is just like a ridiculous dream where you fly over a cotton candy mountain with balloons tied to your arms.
This concept of surreal thoughts in the uncontrolled, unconscious mind, inspired the Surrealist Art Movement to become even more famous. The father of Surrealist art is André Breton who wrote the Manifesto of Surrealism in 1924. Later on, artists like Salvador Dalí, René Magritte and Max Ernst made artwork in this movement that is considered enigmatic and popular even today. Their artwork challenged normal subjects and landscapes with the addition of ridiculous elements. This almost made the painted scenes and sculptures seem “dream-like.”
Which art movement(s) came before the Surrealist art movement?
Chronologically, Cubism was the Art Movement that came before Surrealism.
Which art movement(s) came after the Surrealist art movement?
Abstract Expressionism, Futurism, Dadaism and other forms of expressive modern art came during or after Surrealism.
Top 10 Artworks of the Surrealist Art Movement:
The Persistence of Memory – Salvador Dalí
Salvador Dalí’s “The Persistence of Memory” immerses viewers in a surreal dreamscape. Dalí, inspired by the relativity of time, painted melting clocks draped over distorted landscapes. This iconic work, born from Dalí’s fascination with time’s malleability, invites the viewer to think about the fluidity of reality and the subjective nature of perception.
The Son of Man – René Magritte
René Magritte’s “The Son of Man” is a mysterious masterpiece where a man in a bowler hat stands against an ocean backdrop, obscuring his face with a hovering green apple. Magritte, a surrealist maestro, challenges reality, by highlighting the enigmatic connection between identity, concealment, and the allure of the inexplicable.
The Philosopher’s Lamp – René Magritte
René Magritte’s “The Philosopher’s Lamp” unveils surreal brilliance, depicting a squiggly candle illuminating a man whose malleable nose has fused into the opening of his smoking pipe. Magritte, a master of paradox, toys with reality, by making you think about the contradictory and the mysterious. The artwork makes you question the boundaries of the ordinary and the extraordinary in everyday life.
Le Violon d’Ingres – Man Ray
Man Ray’s “Le Violon d’Ingres” is a whimsical photograph where the model’s back morphs into a stringed instrument. A clever play on the idiom “Violon d’Ingres,” meaning a hobby, it melds classical art and modern surrealism. Ray’s wit and innovation create an arresting visual pun that is suggestive of how music and intimacy are both “hobbies.”
Lobster Telephone – Salvador Dalí
Salvador Dalí’s “Lobster Telephone” epitomises his eccentricity. A surrealist masterpiece, it melds the mundane with the absurd, juxtaposing a functional telephone with a lobster. Dalí, known for his eccentricity, transforms ordinary objects into surreal wonders, infusing the everyday with a dreamlike fascination, and challenging conventional perceptions in his uniquely captivating way.
The Harlequin’s Carnival – Joan Miró
Joan Miró’s “The Harlequin’s Carnival” is a vibrant kaleidoscope of whimsy. Miró’s playful shapes and bold colours dance across the canvas, depicting a surreal carnival scene. The painting, a testament to Miró’s boundless imagination, captures the joyous spirit of a carnival while defying artistic norms by refraining from painting an ordinary carnival scene just as it is.
Woman with Flower – Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso’s “Woman with Flower” is an evocative testament to his mastery. In this portrait, Picasso depicts femininity through essential forms, using simple lines to convey emotion. The flower, a recurring motif, symbolises nature’s beauty. Picasso’s revolutionary abstraction showcases his ability to filter complex sentiments into minimalist elegance, leaving an indelible artistic imprint.
The Elephant Celebes – Max Ernst
Max Ernst’s “The Elephant Celebes” is an absurd dreamscape, featuring a totemic figure. This masterpiece, inspired by Ernst’s fascination with the mysterious, defies traditional representation. The elephantine form, rendered in bold and unexpected ways, takes viewers into a fantastical realm where reality blurs, reflecting Ernst’s pioneering approach to surrealism.
Eyes on the Table – Remedios Varo
Remedios Varo’s “Eyes on the Table” is a surreal marvel. This painting unveils a mysterious narrative where disembodied eyes rest upon a table. Varo, a master of magical realism, weaves an intricate tale of the uncanny. A play on the term “cards on the table” which means to be completely honest is projected on this painting. “Eyes on the Table” perhaps is meant to highlight an honesty and acceptance of what one sees.
Bond of Union – Maurits Cornelis Escher
Maurits Cornelis Escher’s “Bond of Union” weaves a mesmerising tapestry of interlocking forms. Escher, renowned for his mathematical artistry, explores the symbiosis between shapes, uniting them in an intricate dance. This optical illusion is the result of a blend of implication, art and mathematics.
One of the best ways to describe any Surrealist artwork is simply to call them “dreams on a canvas.” It can be a good cream, a fantasy or even a nightmare, Surrealism highlights the absurdism of the human mind through whimsical compositions.
*Images from Wiki Commons
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