Who Was the Leader of the Surrealist Movement?

Andre Breton (1896-1966) served as the primary leader and theorist of Surrealism from its founding in 1924 until his death. Known as the ‘Pope of Surrealism,’ Breton wrote the movement’s manifestos, organized key exhibitions, edited Surrealist publications, and maintained ideological authority over who belonged to the movement. His leadership style was famously authoritarian-he expelled members including Salvador Dali for political or personal transgressions. Breton’s background as a poet and his deep engagement with Freudian psychoanalysis shaped Surrealism’s theoretical foundations. While his authoritative approach caused conflicts, Breton’s sustained intellectual leadership gave Surrealism its coherent identity across decades of evolution.