Surrealism

Giorgio de Chirico's painting The Enigma of the Oracle, dating back to 1910, is considered a precursor to Surrealism and showcases his pittura metafisica (metaphysical art) approach.

Giorgio de Chirico's painting 'The Anxiety of Waiting' from 1914 depicted a desolate Italian piazza with classical architecture, devoid of people but filled with an assortment of objects like statuary and mannequins. The painting evoked anxieties of the Industrial Age and skepticism towards modernity.

The term 'Surrealism' was first used by Guillaume Apollinaire in his play Les Mamelles de Tirésias (The Breasts of Tiresias).

In 1922, the concept of 'motion blur' was created, which later evolved into the art movement known as Surrealism in 1924.

Surrealism had a significant impact on films, animation, and television by rejecting rational values and liberating the unconscious mind. Artists like Man Ray, Salvador Dali, and Luis Buñuel were notable contributors to this movement.

Surrealism, an art movement that explored the realm of dreams and the unconscious mind, emerged as a continuation of the Dada movement's rejection of societal norms and artistic traditions. It aimed to unlock the creative potential of the subconscious through fantastical and dream-like imagery.

On February 18, 1925, artists Miró and Masson applied Surrealism to painting, leading to the first Surrealist exhibition. The show featured works by Masson, Man Ray, Klee, Miró, and others, solidifying Surrealism's position in the visual arts.

On November 13, 1925, the Exposition Surréaliste opened in Paris, featuring artists like Arp, Klee, Man Ray, Ernst, Miró, de Chirico, and Picasso, marking the debut of Surrealist art under Breton's banner.

Galerie Surréaliste opened its doors on March 26, 1926, featuring an exhibition by the American artist Man Ray. Man Ray, a significant figure in the Surrealist movement, showcased his avant-garde photography and other works at the gallery.

The Treachery of Images is a famous painting by René Magritte, depicting a pipe with the text 'Ceci n'est pas une pipe' (This is not a pipe) below it. Magritte aimed to challenge viewers' perceptions of reality with his thought-provoking art, making them question the nature of representation.

In June 1929, Variety magazine released a special issue focusing on Surrealism, a significant art movement that emerged in the early 20th century.

In October 1929, the film 'Un Chien Andalou' by Salvador Dali and Luis Buñuel was screened at studio 28 in Paris, a groundbreaking surrealist film that shocked audiences with its provocative imagery.

In March 1930, Robert Desnos published the third Surrealist Manifesto, a key document that outlined the principles and goals of the Surrealist movement.

In June 1930, Éditions Kra published the second Surrealist Manifesto, further solidifying the ideas and direction of the Surrealist movement.

The Persistence of Memory is a renowned artwork by an artist. It is known for its surreal depiction of melting clocks in a dream-like landscape. The painting is a significant piece in the Surrealist movement, inviting viewers to ponder the nature of time and reality.

Gala Dalí, originally the wife of Surrealist poet Paul Eluard and lover of Max Ernst, became the wife of Salvador Dalí. Salvador Dalí dedicated all his work to her, even signing her name to his paintings because she inspired them.

The first issue of the Paris-based magazine Minotaure published the prologue to the book 'Interprétation paranoïaque-critique de l'image obsédante 'L'Angélus' de Millet', which remained unpublished until 1963. The book focused on the Paranoiac-critical Interpretation of the Obsessive Image 'The Angelus' by Millet.

In 1934, Salvador Dali, the renowned surrealist artist, visits the City of New York for a significant event.

On April 9th, 1935, the first issue of the International Surrealist Bulletin is published, marking a significant moment in the dissemination of surrealist ideas and art.

The London Surrealist Exhibition in 1936 was a significant event that marked a high point for Surrealism, showcasing works by artists like Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. This exhibition played a key role in popularizing the movement internationally.

In June 1936, the Museum of Modern Art in New York hosted the exhibition 'Fantastic Art, Dada and Surrealism', featuring groundbreaking works by artists associated with these avant-garde movements. The exhibition contributed to the recognition and appreciation of Surrealism in the United States.

In 1937, Max Ernst, a former Dadaist, started to explore decalcomania and grattage techniques. Decalcomania involves pressing a sheet of paper onto a painted surface and then peeling it off, while grattage is the act of scraping pigment across a canvas laid on a textured surface. Ernst combined these methods in his artwork The Barbarians (1999.363.21), depicting anthropomorphic figures in a postapocalyptic setting with themes of violence and annihilation.

The Exposition Internationale du Surréalisme of 1938 was a significant art exhibit co-curated by André Breton and Paul Éluard, with Marcel Duchamp, Dalí, and Ernst as advisers. It featured nearly 300 works by 60 contributors from 14 countries and showcased the movement's cultural impact.

The New International Surrealist Exhibition held in 1938 was a significant event that showcased the works of Surrealist artists from around the world. This exhibition further solidified Surrealism as a prominent art movement with a global reach.

With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, many Surrealist artists, including Breton and Masson, sought refuge in the United States and became part of the 'European Artists in Exile'. Their presence in New York influenced the emergence of the Abstract Expressionist movement.

The International Exhibition of Surrealism took place in Mexico City in 1940, showcasing the works of various surrealist artists from around the world.

A new International Surrealist Exhibition took place at the Beaux-arts Gallery in Paris, showcasing over 300 paintings, objects, and photographs by more than 60 artists. The exhibition, designed as a cave with coal bags suspended from the ceiling, scandalized viewers and aimed to be a creative act.

World War II came to an end, causing European artists to flee to North America. The New York art scene, already influenced by Surrealism, saw a convergence of Surrealist artists like Arshile Gorky, Jackson Pollock, and Robert Motherwell with American artists, leading to the rise of Abstract Expressionism.

In 1947, the International Exhibition of Surrealism took place, showcasing various artworks from the Surrealist movement.

In 1950, the Drouin Gallery in Paris exhibited works by Max Ernst, showcasing his artistic creations to the public.

In 1963, a significant international exhibition focusing on Surrealism was held in Paris, showcasing the artistic movement to a global audience.

On December 25th, 1964, the prominent figure Tristan Tzara passed away in Paris, France, leaving behind a legacy in the world of art and literature.

In 1965, the Charpentier Gallery in Paris hosted a retrospective exhibition dedicated to Surrealism, highlighting the impact and evolution of the artistic movement.

The role of women in Surrealism was complex and contradictory, as they were both infantilized and empowered, treated as erotic objects and supported in their sexual emancipation. Despite being a minority within the Surrealist group, many women artists achieved significant recognition within the movement.

The Satin Tuning Fork, painted by Yves Tanguy in 1999, features an illusionistic space filled with unidentifiable yet sexually suggestive objects. The artwork is characterized by mysterious lighting, long shadows, deep receding space, and a sense of loneliness, reminiscent of de Chirico's style.

The painting titled The Eternally Obvious by René Magritte, created in 2002, depicts a dismembered female nude in an emotionally shocking manner. This artwork is a significant example of Magritte's artistic style within the Surrealist movement.

An exhibition on Surrealism in Mexico is showcased at Di Donna Galleries in New York City, United States from 25 April to 29 June 2019.

In 2022, a retrospective exhibition dedicated to Meret Oppenheim was held at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This exhibition celebrated Oppenheim's artistic career spanning over 50 years.

A major show at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice includes works by Surrealist artists like Leonora Carrington and Dorothea Tanning, focusing on Surrealism's fascination with the occult.

An auction event showcasing the art and legacy of Rothko, culminating in record-breaking sales of his paintings.

Surrealism celebrates its 100th anniversary with unmissable exhibitions at two key art institutions in Brussels since February 21, 2024.