Famous Surrealism Artists

An artist style and movement that began in 1924 by Andre Breton, surrealist works focus on creating art that was defined as a philosophical movement. The movement spread across the globe and eventually found its way into theater and music. Surrealist images were intended to surprise and humor, many artists had intentions of creating illogical pieces that were not meant to be fully understood. 

Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali grew up in Spain and attended the School of Fine Arts in Madrid. However, he was expelled due to the fact he told faculty they were not competent enough to grade or test his works. By age 26, he was an accomplished artist, writer and illustrator. In his 30s, in the 1940s he moved to the United States and wrote an autobiography. He also asked a monk to perform an exorcism on himself in exchange for a sculpture of Jesus Christ on the cross. Dali continued his arts, which were used in advertising campaigns such as for the lollipop company Chupa Chups and by the chocolatier Lanvin.

Yves Tanguy

Born in 1900, Yves Tanguy spent time in the military where he saw a painting that inspired his career as an artist. In 1927, he held his first solo art exhibition, however led his life as the starving artist. He was becoming well-known for his art work of landscapes and abstract shapes. Some of his famous works include Mama, Papa is Wounded, Reply to Red and Promontory Palace.

Max Ernst

Max Ernst began as a philosophy student at the University of Bonn in Germany, however changed his major due to his love of art. In 1925, he developed the technique of art called frottage. Frottage was pencil rubbings that were used to form images. A few years later he developed an alter ego called Loplop, which was a bird. Loplop has appeared in a few of his art works. He is known for his works Saint Cecilia, Totem and Taboo, Marlene and The Wavering.