Transcript Surrealism - Ms. Urioste's Art Classes

Surrealism
By Megan Walsh
What is Surrealism?
• Surrealism is a style of art and literature that
focused on imagery from the subconscious mind
and irrational significances.
• It began in the 20th century in Europe.
• Andre Breton pioneered the movement in 1924
when he wrote “The Surrealist Manifesto”.
• The movement was influenced by Sigmund Freud.
• Surrealism focused on automatism. This is the
idea that the random and free interaction
between artist and material produces an image of
the artist's subconscious and inner state.
Artists of the Movement
• Andre Breton
• Salvador Dali
• Rene Magritte
• Giorgio De Chirico
• Max Ernst
Andre Breton
• Andre was born in 1896 in
Tinchebray, France.
• He was primarily known as a
poet but became the “Pope of
Surrealism” after he published
“The Manifesto of Surrealism”.
• He also Published “La Revolution
Surrealiste”. It was a collection of
articles on surrealist painters.
• He fled to the United States
during World War II. While he was
there he continued to publish
works on Surrealism.
Salvador Dali
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Salvador was born in Catalonia,
Spain in 1904.
His mother died of cancer when
he was 17.
In 1928 Dali met Pablo Picasso
and Joan Miro in France.
Dali also painted some historical
paintings in his later years.
He is the only known artist to
have 2 museums dedicated
solely to his works within his
lifetime.
His last painting is The
Swallowtail
He died of heart failure at the
age of 84.
Discovery of America By Christopher Columbus
(top right). The Swallowtail (below)
Rene Magritte
• In 1898 Rene was born in
Lessines, Belgium.
• When he was 14 his mother
threw herself into a river and
committed suicide.
• He served in the military for a
while and when he returned
home he began work as a
graphic artist.
• His first surrealist painting was
"Le Jockey Perdu”.
• Magritte and Breton became
friends and Magritte even
worked on the last issue of
Revolution Surrealiste.
Le Jockey Perdu.
(bottom)
Giorgio De Chirico
• Giorgio was born in Volos,
Greece in 1888.
•His first metaphysical
painting was The Enigma of
an Autumn Afternoon.
• He designed scenery and
costumes for the ballet Le
Bal.
• He inspired many
surrealist artists; including
Rene Magritte.
• At the end of his career
he painted more realistic
and naturalist paintings.
Enigma of an Autumn
Afternoon. (bottom)
Max Ernst
• Max was born in 1891 in
Bruhl, Germany.
• He never had formal
training as a painter but after
studying psychiatry and
philosophy he took interest
in painting.
• He developed the
technique of frottage. This is
rubbing pencil shavings on
canvas or paper.
• He was sent to internment
camps 3 times during WWII
but he escaped to the U.S.
Silence (top)
Ocell De Foc
Conclusion
• Surrealism is a mix of realistic painting with
unrealistic subject matter. Surrealists are
inspired by dreams and the subconscious
mind.
CITATIONS
• http://www.surrealist.com
• http://viggomortensen.ning.com/profiles/profile/show?id=JackieBaker
• http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com/Facts-on-Salvador-Dali.html
• http://www.magritte.com/2.cfm
• http://www.huntfor.com/absoluteig/chirico.htm
• http://www.abcgallery.com/E/ernst/ernstbio.html