How Did the Surrealist Movement Shape the Course of Art History?

The surrealist movement, a key aspect of the modernist art movement, fundamentally transformed the way artists approached reality, truth, and spirituality. This exploration went beyond conservative, realistic, and often idealized methods to delve into the realms of the subconscious and the irrational. The horrors of trench warfare in World War I were among the most significant of the challenges faced, and surrealism emerged as a powerful tool for artists to convey these harrowing experiences.

Revolutionizing Art through Bizarre Juxtapositions

Surrealism, along with its predecessor Dada, brought into art a subject matter and process that were once unimaginable. Artists, inspired by the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung in psychiatry, began to explore the subconscious for new kinds of imagery and inspiration. This movement democratized creativity, opening the door to a limitless blend of the real and the fantastical.

Isidore Ducasse, also known as the “Count of Lautreamont,” was a pivotal figure for surrealists. His epic poem, “Les Chants de Maldoror,” introduced the surrealists to the notion of poetry and art as shocking and evocative. In this poem, a “beautiful boy as the chance encounter of a sewing machine and an umbrella on a dissection table” became a celebrated line, embodying the surrealist aesthetic of juxtaposing the mundane with the bizarre.

Transformative Techniques and Discoveries

The key to surrealism was the shocking juxtaposition, which typically involved combining elements that did not make sense, but were provocative, evocative, and disruptive. This could range from Salvador Dali’s highly realistic yet dreamlike paintings to Max Ernst’s abstract works.

Chance and accident played a significant role in the surrealists' creative process. Poets created poems by cutting up words from magazines, putting them in a bag, and withdrawing them one at a time to assemble them in a unique order. Artists like Max Ernst used techniques such as frottage (rubbing) and grattage (scrapping) to harness randomness, adding a layer of unpredictability to the creation process.

Before the influence of psychoanalysis, the idea of the subconscious driving art was largely confined to the academic realm. However, with the advent of Freudian and Jungian theories, scholars began to apply these concepts to the work of the Old Masters, revolutionizing art history.

Impact on Art Historians and Critics

Notably, the surrealist movement influenced the way art historians and critics approached their work. The emphasis on the subconscious and psychoanalytic interpretation led to groundbreaking research. For instance, the psycho-biographical approach, where scholars delved into the life and psyche of artists, became a common practice. One of the most fascinating figures in this field was the late critic Leo Steinberg, known not only for his work on Michelangelo and Picasso but also for his innovative questioning techniques. In an interview with "Art and America," Steinberg posed a provocative question to a renowned artist: 'So, Mike, tell me about your mother.' This question highlighted the importance of personal and psychological insights in understanding an artist’s work.

The surrealist movement also contributed to the diversity and growth of contemporary art. It inspired new methodologies and creative processes, fostering an environment where artists were encouraged to explore beyond the conventional boundaries of their craft.