Background of Surrealistic Art
Surrealism began in the 1910's to 1920's as a literary, intellectual, and political movement. Surrealist writers were people who sought to uncover and release the imagination from the constraint of traditional literature. This movement was heavily inspired by the similar Dadaist movement which had a similar disregard for society's norms.
At first, artists were not included in this movement, as it was considered that the tedious process of producing artwork worked against the purpose of unencumbered creativity that Surrealism sought to achieve. However, this soon changed, as artists like Max Ernst, André Masson, Joan Miró, and Man Ray began working with Surrealist techniques. They were soon joined by the leading artists René Magritte and Salvador Dalí, and Surrealism art finally took off. The official movement lasted until the start of World War II, although it did not die there. Many modern artists consider themselves Surrealists, and many more are influenced by Surrealist techniques. The movement itself separated into many different branches of art, still active today.
At first, artists were not included in this movement, as it was considered that the tedious process of producing artwork worked against the purpose of unencumbered creativity that Surrealism sought to achieve. However, this soon changed, as artists like Max Ernst, André Masson, Joan Miró, and Man Ray began working with Surrealist techniques. They were soon joined by the leading artists René Magritte and Salvador Dalí, and Surrealism art finally took off. The official movement lasted until the start of World War II, although it did not die there. Many modern artists consider themselves Surrealists, and many more are influenced by Surrealist techniques. The movement itself separated into many different branches of art, still active today.