Surrealism Ultimate Guide – What Is Surreal Art?

What is Surrealism?

Melting clocks, lobster telephones, men in bowler caps, trains escaping fireplaces, wordplay, and optical illusions. But what does it all mean? What is surrealism? This guide will identify and define the essential characteristics of what is surrealistic art, who were the key players in the surrealism movement, and the legacy and lasting impact of surrealism today.

What is a Simple Definition of Surrealism?

Surrealism, (Noun) may refer to:

1. An international literary and visual arts movement led by Andre Breton that began between the world wars in Paris. It relied on Freud’s theories of the unconscious mind and was heir to but distinct from the Dada movement.
2. A genre of art that vividly and realistically depicts the contents of the psyche, imagination, and the impossible

The Story of the Surrealist Art Movement

The surrealist art movement emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the destruction and trauma of World War I. Surrealism was founded by the poet and writer André Breton. Breton sought to use art as a way of exploring the depths of the human unconscious and challenging the rationalism and materialism of the modern world. Surrealist artists tapped into the power of the imagination and to create art that was irrational, illogical, and dreamlike. They employed a variety of techniques, including automatic writing and drawing, to access the unconscious mind and to create art that was spontaneous and unpredictable.

Several other art movements and philosophical traditions, including Dadaism, psychoanalysis, and Marxism influenced the surrealist movement. Surrealist artists created a new revolutionary art form attempting to challenge the existing order and inspire political and social change.

Surrealism was a highly influential movement, and its impact can be seen in many different forms of art and culture, including literature, film, and music. Surrealist ideas and techniques continue to be explored and developed by contemporary artists, who seek to use art as a way of expressing the mysteries and complexities of the human experience.

Influential Surrealist Artists

Many influential surrealist artists emerged during the 20th-century movement, and their contributions were instrumental in the development and evolution of the movement. Some of the most notable include Andre Breton, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Joan Miró, Giorgio de Chirico, Marcel Duchamp, Paul Éluard, Luis Buñuel, Louis Aragon, Guillaume Apollinaire, Antonin Artaud, Francis Picabia, Pierre Reverdy, Tristan Tzara, Yvan Goll, Alberto Giacometti, Frida Kahlo, and Diego Rivera.

These are just a few examples of the many important surrealist artists who emerged during the 20th century movement. The surrealist movement was characterized by its diversity and creativity, and was influenced by a wide range of artists from different countries and backgrounds. These artists continue to be celebrated and admired for their unique and imaginative contributions to the art world.

Important Surrealist Works in Visual Art

There are many important works of surrealism in visual art, and these works have had a significant impact on the development of the movement and on the art world in general. Some of the most notable and influential works of surrealist visual art include:

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

The Persistence of Memory is a painting created by the Spanish artist Salvador Dali in 1931. The painting is one of Dali’s most famous works, and is widely considered to be a masterpiece of surrealist art.

The painting depicts a dreamlike landscape, with several strange and bizarre objects floating in space. The most famous of these objects is a melting clock, which has become an iconic image of the surrealist movement.

The title of the painting, “The Persistence of Memory,” refers to the way in which the objects in the painting appear to be defying the laws of physics and time. The melting clock, in particular, suggests a kind of surrealist interpretation of the concept of the persistence of memory, as it seems to be both solid and liquid at the same time.

The Persistence of Memory is an important and enduring work of surrealist art, and continues to be celebrated and admired for its unique and imaginative vision. The painting has been widely reproduced and imitated, and continues to inspire artists and audiences alike.

Time Transfixed by Rene Magritte

Time Transfixed is a surrealist painting created by the Belgian artist Rene Magritte in 1938. The painting depicts a train emerging from a fireplace, with its steam billowing out into the room. The title of the painting, “Time Transfixed,” refers to the way in which the train seems to be frozen in time, as if it has been suddenly halted in the midst of its journey.

The painting is characteristic of Magritte’s surrealist style, which often featured bizarre and irrational imagery that challenged the viewer’s expectations and assumptions. In this painting, Magritte has juxtaposed two familiar everyday objects in a way that is strange and bizarre.

Time Transfixed is also notable for its exploration of the theme of time, which was a central concern for many surrealist artists. The frozen train suggests a moment of stasis, in which time seems to have stopped, while the steam emanating from the engine suggests the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

The Son of Man by Rene Magritte

Rene Magritte’s The Son of Man: The painting depicts a man in a dark suit and a bowler hat, with his face obscured by an apple. The title of the painting, “The Son of Man,” is a reference to the Biblical figure of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the “Son of Man” in the New Testament. In this painting, Magritte uses the image of the man with an apple covering his face to create a sense of mystery and ambiguity, as the viewer is left to wonder about the identity and motivations of the figure.

The Son of Man is also notable for its exploration of the theme of identity, which was a central concern for many surrealist artists. The apple covering the man’s face suggests a kind of mask or disguise, and raises questions about who the man really is and what he is trying to hide.

Object by Meret Oppenheim

Object is a surrealist sculpture created by the Swiss artist Meret Oppenheim in 1936. The sculpture is composed of a teacup, saucer, and spoon, which are covered in real fur. The title of the sculpture, “Object,” refers to the way in which the familiar, everyday objects of the teacup, saucer, and spoon have been transformed into something strange and unexpected.

The sculpture is characteristic of Oppenheim’s surrealist style, which often featured objects that were altered or combined in unexpected ways. In this sculpture, Oppenheim uses the image of the fur-covered teacup, saucer, and spoon to create a sense of disorientation and confusion.

Object is also notable for its exploration of the theme of transformation, which was a central concern for many surrealist artists. The transformation of the teacup, saucer, and spoon into something wild and animalistic suggests a kind of metamorphosis and raises questions about the nature of identity.

The Triumph of Surrealism by Max Ernst

The Triumph of Surrealism is a painting created by German artist Max Ernst in 1937.

One of Ernst’s significant themes centered on humanized birds. Ernst painted The Triumph of Surrealism after the defeat of the Spanish Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. The painting is intended to conjure a sense of chaos and destruction.

The painting is characteristic of Ernst’s surrealist style, which often featured dreamlike and irrational imagery that challenged the viewer’s expectations and assumptions.

The Alchemist by Remedios Varo

In “The Alchemist,” Remedios Varo depicts a woman in the pursuit of alchemy, which is a metaphor for creating positive change in the world. The painting shows various objects and symbols associated with alchemy, including towers and spinning wheels, which represent the processes and energy required to extract the essence or essence of the unconscious psyche.

This essence can then be used for personal growth and for improving society. The painting is an exploration of the role of women in this process and how they can use their knowledge and skills to bring about positive change in a world dominated by men and characterized by misogyny.

Ubu Imperator by Max Ernst

Ubu Imperator is a painting created by the German artist Max Ernst in 1923. The painting depicts a humanized top standing in an empty landscape. The title of the painting, “Ubu Imperator,” refers to the character of Ubu Roi, a grotesque and absurd figure who was created by the French playwright Alfred Jarry.

The painting is characteristic of Ernst’s early work, which was heavily influenced by the Dada movement and featured absurd and irrational imagery. In this painting, Ernst uses the image of the figure of Ubu Roi to create a sense of absurdity and ridicule, as the viewer is forced to confront the ridiculousness of the figure.

Ubu Imperator is also notable for its exploration of the theme of power, which was a central concern for many Dada and surrealist artists. The figure of Ubu Roi suggests a kind of parody of authority and power, and raises questions about the nature of leadership and how it can be challenged and subverted.

These are just a few examples of the many important and influential works of surrealist visual art. The surrealist movement was characterized by its creativity and its willingness to challenge the conventions of traditional art, and these works continue to be celebrated and admired for their unique and imaginative vision.

Essential Works of Surrealist Literature

There are many important works of surrealist literature, and these works have had a significant impact on the development of the movement and on the world of literature in general. Some of the most notable and influential works of surrealist literature include:

The Surrealist Manifesto: This document was written by André Breton in 1924, and is one of the defining texts of the surrealist movement. It outlines the principles and ideas of surrealism, and explains the movement’s goals and ideals.

The Umbrella: This novel was written by Victor Brauner in 1950 and is one of the most famous works of surrealist literature. It tells the story of a man who discovers that he can make objects and people disappear and explores the themes of identity, reality, and the unconscious mind.

The Chairs: This play was written by Eugène Ionesco in 1952 and is one of the most famous works of absurdist literature. It tells the story of two old people who are waiting for guests to arrive at their house and explores the themes of memory, time, and the human condition.

The Lovers: This novel was written by Marguerite Duras in 1984, and is one of the most famous works of surrealist literature. It tells the story of a man and a woman who meet on a train, and explores the themes of love, desire, and the human heart.

These are just a few examples of the many important and influential works of surrealist literature. The surrealist movement was characterized by its exploration of the irrational and the unconscious, and these works continue to be celebrated and admired for their unique and imaginative vision.

Essential Works of Surrealist Film

There are many important works of surrealist film, and these works have had a significant impact on the development of the movement and on the world of cinema in general. Some of the most notable and influential works of surrealist film include:

Un Chien Andalou

This film was made by Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí in 1929, and is one of the earliest and most famous works of surrealist cinema. It is known for its use of bizarre, irrational imagery and its exploration of the unconscious mind.

L’Age d’Or: This film was made by Luis Buñuel in 1930, and is one of the most famous works of surrealist cinema. It tells the story of a man and a woman who are unable to consummate their love, and explores the themes of sexuality, desire, and repression.

The Seashell and the Clergyman: This film was made by Germaine Dulac in 1928, and is one of the earliest and most famous works of surrealist cinema. It tells the story of a woman who is pursued by a man, and is characterized by its use of non-linear storytelling and its exploration of the unconscious mind.

The Phantom of Liberty: This film was made by Luis Buñuel in 1974, and is one of his most famous and surreal works. It tells the story of a series of interconnected events, and is characterized by its use of absurd, irrational imagery and its exploration of the human condition.

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie: This film was made by Luis Buñuel in 1972, and is one of his most famous and surreal works. It tells the story of a group of friends who are unable to have dinner together, and explores the themes of social norms, hypocrisy, and the human condition.

These are just a few examples of the many important and influential works of surrealist film. The surrealist movement was characterized by its exploration of the irrational and the unconscious, and these works continue to be celebrated and admired for their unique and imaginative vision.

Important Surrealist Concepts

The importance of the subconscious mind or unconscious mind in the human experience provided the foundation of the surrealist movement’s theoretical underpinning. This concept was initially outlined by Sigmund Freud, and the surrealists ran with it in their work.

Surrealism was a complex and multifaceted movement, and there were many different concepts and ideas that were important to the surrealists. Some of the most critical surrealist concepts include:

The Unconscious Mind

Surrealist artists believed that the unconscious mind was a vast and mysterious realm, filled with strange and unpredictable thoughts, feelings, and desires. They sought to access the unconscious mind through their art, in order to explore its depths and to express the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience.

Dreams: Surrealist artists were also interested in dreams and believed that they provided a window into the unconscious mind. They often used dreamlike imagery and themes in their art, in order to explore the surreal and irrational aspects of the human experience.

The Irrational: Surrealist artists sought to challenge the rationalism and materialism of the modern world, and to embrace the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience. They believed that the irrational could be a powerful force for change and creativity, and sought to express it in their art.

The Marvelous: Surrealist artists also sought to create a sense of the marvelous in their art and to inspire awe and wonder in the viewer. They believed that art could be a way of escaping the mundane and everyday and experiencing the world in a new and magical way.

The Surreal: The term “surreal” was coined by the poet and writer André Breton, who was one of the founders of the surrealist movement. It refers to the idea of creating dreamlike, irrational, and unexpected art that challenges traditional art conventions. Surrealist artists sought to create a new, surreal aesthetic and to use it to explore the unconscious mind and the irrational aspects of the human experience.

Essential Surrealist Techniques

Surrealist artists employed a wide range of techniques in their work, in order to access the unconscious mind and to create art that was irrational, illogical, and dreamlike. Some of the most important surrealist techniques include:

Automatic Writing: This technique involves writing without conscious thought or control, in order to access the unconscious mind and to create art that is spontaneous and unpredictable. Surrealist artists would often use automatic writing as a way of exploring the depths of the human unconscious, and of expressing the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience.

Automatic Drawing: This technique involves drawing without conscious thought or control to access the unconscious mind and create spontaneous and unpredictable art. Surrealist artists would often use automatic drawing to explore the depths of the human unconscious and express the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience.

Frottage: This technique involves placing a piece of paper over a textured surface and rubbing it with a pencil or other implements to create a textured image. Surrealist artists would often use frottage as a way of making strange and unpredictable textures and patterns and expressing the irrational and unexpected aspects of the human experience.

Collage

This technique involves cutting up and rearranging images or objects from different sources to create a new, surreal composition.

Surrealist artists would often use collage as a way of challenging the conventions of traditional art and of expressing the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience.

These are just a few examples of important surrealist techniques. Surrealist artists employed a wide range of techniques in their work, in order to challenge the conventions of traditional art and to express the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience.

Important Surrealist Games

Surrealist games are a type of art form that emerged within the surrealist movement in the early 20th century. Surrealist games are designed to challenge the players’ assumptions and to create a sense of disorientation and confusion. They often feature illogical or nonsensical rules and actions, and can be seen as a way of exploring the unconscious mind and the irrational aspects of human experience.

Some examples of important surrealist games include:

The Exquisite Corpse

This game was invented by the surrealist artists André Breton, Marcel Duchamp, and Yves Tanguy.

It involves a group of players who each contribute a part of a drawing or sentence without seeing what the others have written or drawn. The resulting image or sentence is often strange and unpredictable.

The Cadavre Exquis: This game is similar to the Exquisite Corpse, but instead of drawing or writing, players use objects or images to create a surreal and dreamlike composition. For example, one player might place a toy car on a table, and the next player might add a toy airplane, and so on, until a strange and surreal scene is created.

The Surrealist Dinner Party: This game involves players bringing an object to a dinner party. The objects are placed on a table, and the players must use them to create a surreal and dreamlike scene. For example, one player might bring a toy elephant, and another might bring a toy snake, and the players must then use these objects to create a dreamlike landscape or scene.

These are just a few examples of surrealist games, and there are many other variations and variations on these themes. Surrealist games can be seen as a way of exploring the unconscious mind and of creating art that is spontaneous, unpredictable, and dreamlike.

Surrealism and Dadaism

Surrealism and Dadaism were two closely related artistic movements that emerged in the early 20th century. Both movements sought to challenge the conventions of traditional art and explore the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience. Surrealism as a movement grew out of Dadaism, with many Dadaists later joining the surrealist movement. There were also some crucial differences conceptual differences between the two movements.

One of the main differences between surrealism and Dadaism was their approach to the irrational. Surrealist artists sought to access the unconscious mind and to express the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience in their art. They believed that the irrational could be a powerful force for creativity and change and sought to embrace it in their work.

In contrast, Dadaist artists were more interested in using the irrational as a way of subverting and disrupting the existing order. They believed that the irrational could be used to challenge the conventions of traditional art and to create a sense of confusion and disorientation in the viewer.

Another important difference between the two movements was their relationship to politics. Many surrealist artists were actively involved in political activism, and believed that art could be a powerful tool for social and political change. In contrast, Dadaist artists were more interested in using their art to challenge and subvert the existing political and social order, and were less focused on promoting specific political causes.

Despite these differences, surrealism and Dadaism were both important movements that challenged the conventions of traditional art and explored the irrational and unpredictable aspects of the human experience. Both movements significantly impacted the development of modern art and continue to influence artists today.

Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism

Surrealism and abstract expressionism are two distinct art movements that emerged in the 20th century. While they share some similarities, they also have significant differences.

Surrealism was founded by the poet and writer André Breton, who sought to use art to explore the depths of the human unconscious and challenge the modern world’s rationalism and materialism. Surrealist artists employed various techniques, including automatic writing and drawing, to access the unconscious mind and create spontaneous and unpredictable art. Surrealist art often featured dreamlike imagery and irrational compositions.

Abstract expressionism, on the other hand, was a movement that emerged in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. Abstract expressionist artists sought to express their innermost emotions and experiences through gestural brushwork, expressive colors, and abstract forms. Unlike surrealism, abstract expressionism did not focus on the unconscious mind or the irrational but on the individual artist’s subjective experience and emotional response to the world.

While surrealism and abstract expressionism both sought to challenge the conventions of traditional art, they did so in different ways and with other goals. Surrealism was more focused on exploring the unconscious mind and challenging the rationalism of the modern world. At the same time, abstract expressionism concentrated more on the individual artist’s emotional experience and expression.

The Surrealists and Political Activism 

Many surrealist artists were actively involved in political activism and believed art could be a powerful tool for social and political change. The surrealist movement emerged in the aftermath of World War I and was deeply influenced by the political and social upheaval of the time. Surrealist artists were often associated with left-wing political movements and the ideas of Karl Marx, the communist party.

Surrealist artists sought to use their art to challenge the capitalist order and to inspire political and social change.

Surrealist artists often used their art to critique political and social issues and challenge the time’s dominant narratives. They sought to use their art to subvert and disrupt the status quo and to inspire people to question the world around them and to imagine new possibilities.

In addition to creating political art, many surrealist artists were involved in activism outside their art. They participated in protests, demonstrations, and other forms of political action. They used their art to express their political beliefs and inspire others to join the fight for social and political change.

Contemporary Surrealism and Surreal Artists Working Today

Many artists today continue to be inspired by the imaginative and inner world of dreams and visions. Be sure to check out the vast collection of surreal art on surrealism today and our online store.