Art History

Art History, BVA312, 

Questions on what my essay could be about??

Surrealism in history??

Is surrealism an art movement or is it more of a way of thinking???


Has Surrealism been expressed in further art forms and styles prior to its own movement?

How is the development of surrealism  observable in artworks prior to its definition as a movement by Andre Breton in his Surrealist Manifesto 19244 and while some mark its conclusion with the death of Breton in 1966, how does it surrealism continue to manifest in contemporary art today and why?



Has Surrealism been expressed in further art forms and styles prior to its own movement?



How is the development of surrealism observable in artworks prior to its definition as a movement by Andre Breton in his Surrealist Manifesto 19244 and while some mark its conclusion with the death of Breton in 1966, how does surrealism continue to manifest in contemporary art today and why?
From Da-Vinci and Michelangelo to Vermeer and Jacques-Louis David and finishing with Andre Breton and Salvador Dali. We search through the history of art and give them labels of when the movements started but has anyone ever thought about Surrealism always being in the midst art of history from the Renaissance (14th - 17th century) To the Baroque (16th-1750 century.) or even from the Neo classics to the Rococo era till now a contemporary status.

The idea of Surrealism art is the interpretation of dreams and the use of the 'Sub-conscious" mind. The old history of art has been so controlled with a touch of a brush stroke but how has the interpretation of the visual idea come to be? With dreams? or with the idea of movement?
Surrealism is a 20th era Advant-Garde movement in art and literature to release the potential of the “sub-conscious mind”. Which begun in the early 1920s, this was a movement that involved not only art but writing, poetry, plays and any expression of automatism. (Voorhies, 2004)

Automatism…

Carl G Jung


A theorist of analytical psychiatry Carl G. Jung has a diverged himself in the idea of the creation of the personality theory of the ego (conscious mind), Personal unconsciousness (personal memories and ideas) and collective consciousness (memories and ideas shared by society). Along with looking at what makes the "psyche" such as the persona - image of yourself that we present to the world. Shadow - Hidden anxieties and repressed thoughts - and the Anima/Animus - Male/female alter egos (https://www.psychologistworld.com) (World, 2019) . Jung also explains in in his book of his own adapted notes and the adaptation of associated theorist. “Man, of his symbols” (Jung C. G., 1964)  Is the “approach to the unconscious” and the “Importance of dreams”. Why is this important? Jung explains that the expression of written, spoken words or the visual idea show the meaning of what they want to convey, and the aspects of the unconsciousness perceives our reality. Jung also explains the general rule is always in a “form of a dream”, That the aspects of any event is related to the consciousness. Which is revealed to us in the mind as a dream and not appearing as a rationalized thought but maybe as a form of a symbolic image (Jung C. G., 1964)



The subconscious is the part of the mind that is not fully aware of what we think it means but it influences how feelings, actions and visual ideas are portrayed. (intellect, 2018) (Contributors, 2019)


“psychic automatism in its pure state, by which one proposes to express the actual functioning of thought. Dictated by thought, in the absence of any control exercised by reason, exempt from any aesthetic or moral concern.” Andre Breton quoted from his first manifesto of surrealism (Breton, 1924). Explains that the idea of Automatism- which is the suppression of conscious control, letting the un-conscious mind take over tin the art practice. (TATE, n.d.)– in the purest state can express the “Functioning Thought” (Breton, 1924) with the absence and loss of control.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                    


Has Surrealism been expressed in further art forms and styles prior to its own movement?


How is the development of surrealism observable in artworks prior to its definition as a movement by Andre Breton in his Surrealist Manifesto 1924 (Breton, 1924). While some mark its conclusion with the death of Breton in 1966, how does surrealism continue to manifest in historical and contemporary art today and why?


From Da-Vinci and Michelangelo to Vermeer and Jacques-Louis David and finishing with Andre Breton and Salvador Dali. We search through the history of art and give them labels of when the movements started but has anyone ever thought about Surrealism always being in the midst art of history from the Renaissance (14th - 17th century) To the Baroque (16th-1750 century.) or even from the Neo classics to the Rococo era till now a contemporary status.


The idea of Surrealism art is the interpretation of dreams and the use of the 'Sub-conscious" mind. The old history of art has been so controlled with a touch of a brush stroke but how has the interpretation of the visual idea come to be? With dreams? or with the idea of movement? With myth, legends and any biblical sense? Or has artist un-knowingly put their imprint of their mind into these paintings to depict their stories?


This essay is to explore the notion of surrealism having always being seen through art with the use of the mind and visual depictions of stories of history. To not label surrealism as a movement from the birth of this idea. To give a sense that the classic’s and the Masters of Art where thinking about this underlying idea while painting a scene from biblical or historical sense. Did they already know about the idea of using their un-conscious mind to open them to the imagery they have portrayed?
Surrealism is a 20th era Advant-Garde movement in art and literature to release the potential of the “sub-conscious mind”. Which begun in the early 1920s, this was a movement that involved not only art but writing, poetry, plays and any expression of automatism (Voorhies, 2004).

The surrealism movement had many movements diverging off it, with a combination of using the sub-conscious mind and the idea of no control. Or the dream state of the mind from when we fall asleep to a state of un-consciousness. This is where the idea of Automatism came from, with the purpose of no control of the consciousness (Diagnosis, 2018).  Automatism as a term was investigated from the study of psychology, to describe movements of the body and the un-conscious state of where the mind goes through seizures of un-consciousness (Bauduin, 2015) (Diagnosis, 2018). Sigmund Freud and Andre Breton explored the idea of the unconscious through art, “Automatic drawings” and writing. Together the released the movement of Surrealism with the publication of Andre Breton’s “Manifesto of Surrealism” (1924) (Breton, 1924). This was defined as a “Pure Psychic Automatism”, dictating the idea of thoughts with absence and loss of control. To be exercised by reason, without moral and aesthetic apprehensions (TATE, TATE, 2018). This idea mainly influenced and exercised by artist from the 1920’ to twentieth-century artist, but in many older paintings the idea was exercised through myths legends and stories from the bible (TATE, TATE, 2018). To portray the depictions of what was going on through the artist’s mind and hidden perceptions behind the classic paintings to create this visual aspect and idea. The subconscious is the part of the mind that is not fully aware of what we think it means but it influences how feelings, actions and visual ideas are portrayed. (intellect, 2018) (Contributors, 2019)


A theorist of analytical psychiatry Carl G. Jung has a diverged himself in the idea of the creation of the personality theory of the ego (conscious mind), Personal unconsciousness (personal memories and ideas) and collective consciousness (memories and ideas shared by society). Along with looking at what makes the "psyche" such as the persona - image of yourself that we present to the world. Shadow - Hidden anxieties and repressed thoughts - and the Anima/Animus - Male/female alter egos (https://www.psychologistworld.com) (World, 2019) . Jung also explains in in his book of his own adapted notes and the adaptation of associated theorist. “Man, of his symbols” (Jung, 1964)  Is the “approach to the unconscious” and the “Importance of dreams”. Why is this important? Jung explains that the expression of written, spoken words or the visual idea show the meaning of what they want to convey, and the aspects of the unconsciousness perceives our reality. Jung also explains the general rule is always in a “form of a dream”, That the aspects of any event is related to the consciousness. Which is revealed to us in the mind as a dream and not appearing as a rationalized thought but maybe as a form of a symbolic image (Jung, 1964). Love is a state of confusion between the real and the Marvellous to show the true function of thought and outside all moral or prosthetic manifestations. (intellect, 2018)

“psychic automatism in its pure state, by which one proposes to express the actual functioning of thought. Dictated by thought, in the absence of any control exercised by reason, exempt from any aesthetic or moral concern.” Andre Breton quoted from his first manifesto of surrealism (Breton, 1924). Explains that the idea of Automatism- which is the suppression of conscious control, letting the un-conscious mind take over tin the art practice. (TATE, TATE, n.d.)– in the purest state can express the “Functioning Thought” (Breton, 1924) with the absence and loss of control  





Text Box: Hieronymus Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights” (SOTHEBY'S, n.d.)




The expression of surrealism has defiantly occurred in art dated back to the 14th and 15th century with Hieronymus Bosch Bible depiction of the garden of Eden and the birth and death of man (SOTHEBY'S, n.d.). Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delight’s” (1490-1510) has clear elements of surrealism with merging of faces and combining different elements of animals, men, woman and other fundamentals of tree’s and portraits (SOTHEBY'S, n.d.)

The three-piece scene depicts the peaceful paradise of heaven leading into the poisoned sanctuary from the lust of humanity. Where the garden creatures are entwined and mingled with people, along with the idea of myths and legends having creatures such as unicorns and mermaids, tainting the paradise of Eden. Then the third panel leading into the destruction of humanity and torment from their sins (TATE, TATE, 2018). The elements of surrealism progress further and further. With battered tree stumps merging into a beast with a human face. The closer you look there is torment and destruction with surreal character’s diverging into one-another.




In more contemporary art This painting is about love, life and the inevitable death that comes with life. This was expressed by her feelings to her husband Diego Rivera. The representation depicts Diego with adult features in the face but attached to the body of a baby’s, along with the third eye on his forehead- giving the symbol of wisdom and being wise. While Frida has depicted herself to cradle him like a mother figure relating back to her own child loss and trauma of it. 

Giving a merge of identities between Frida and Diego combining their relationship as one. With the aesthetic relating back to Mexican mythology which relates to her own roots and upbringing (www.FridaKahlo.org, n.d.)

This also relates to a “mother nature” figure with the organic depiction of the earthy mother holding them together as one. The hidden messages behind it feels as though it is all related to mother hood and the abandonment of the baby that never came to be. There is an emotional feel of loss, love and the growth of life becoming death.

She has used this surrealistic style to construct this idea of abandonment and loss from mother-hood. Reflecting this to my own works, the organic emotions I have portrayed in my art. Even though she didn’t prefer to call herself a surrealist artist more of an expressionist. These elements of surrealism are confronted with her trauma and events of life.



Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s sculpture is from the baroque era dating back to 1625 after the Renaissance period (made from stone in Rome, Italy) (Artble, 2019). Inspired by book 1, a myth of “Ovid’s Metamorphosis. Visualizes the idea of Apollo (god of poetry and light) trying to pursue and seduce Daphne (A Naiad Nymph – goddess associated with gods). But Daphne did not want Apollo’s lust and hand in marriage. She tried to run away from him and called for god for his help, with that help god transformed her into the “Tree of eternal youth” (Artble, 2019)

This sculpture creates a moving image with surreal elements of a woman becoming and morphing into a tree and whittling away into bark and merging into the stone. (Artble, 2019)The perception of this sculpture was created in a way were the feet were not flat on the ground but lifting to gain the perception of Apollo running. While Daphne was given the perception of her trying to run away but feeling as if she is merging into the ground to become the tree. This gives us a clear example of surrealism being present in prior history to the birth of the movement (Lubow, 2008)

The Baroque period (1600-1750 century) of art history was evolving from the renaissance period prior (14th-17th century), pushing the extravagances and drama of sculpture, music, architecture and art (Richman-Abdou, 2018). Baroque was very much known for its pushing of the boundaries between painting and audience.

 Creating a new and evolved “Cultural movement” (Richman-Abdou, 2018). To characterized firm and stable figures, human proportions or architecture by this Exaggerated and flamboyant style or aesthetic. Pushing boundaries by using tenebrism (paintings lit by candle light.) or pushing the interest of “Dynamism” (The idea of movement, motion or action’s) (Richman-Abdou, 2018). Giving artist a new incentive to push boundaries and unlock this new form of art pushing through old elements of surrealism undermining logic.







A contemporary and still alive Russian Euro Surrealist artist now uses surrealism in a completely new form of art. By joining the style and aesthetic of renaissance, classism and Baroque with surrealism and the thought of the “Sub-conscious mind” (Safonkin, n.d.).  He demonstrates artistic techniques such as “Tenebrism”, Renaissance and Baroque in his earlier 2000 – 2012 work’s. While combing the uniqueness and informalities of surrealism, creating a story merging from the painting. (Safonkin, n.d.)Giving himself the description of becoming a Euro surrealist artist (mixture of combined techniques basing in Europe) (Kitson, 2019). He draws his inspiration from artist such as Bosch, Beksinski and other surreal artist involving the topics of “gothic horror” into their work’s. Bringing forth is unique creative ability of his “Sub-conscious” and his own impression of what Reality is (Kitson, 2019).

Linking back to my question of how this is relevant, contemporary artist now are influencing there works from other artist from history right through to the renaissance and Baroque period pushing through the surreal elements to a further extent. Making it clear that sub-consciously the idea of Surrealism has been pushed through in and out of art History.

The overall development of observing surrealism from prior centuries, gives us the conclusion that artist from earlier centuries where thinking like artists from the surrealist movement. Comparing them to each other shows clear element’s that Surrealism was a “Thing” from early renaissance, Baroque and to contemporary artist now. Surrealism continues to branch from its original birth into contemporary art today by the Euro-Surrealist and more. Surrealism continues to manifest in historical and contemporary art today to give a broader and fresher look into visual depictions from the “Sub-conscious” mind.




Works Cited

Artble. (2019). Artble. Retrieved from Artble: https://www.artble.com/artists/gian_lorenzo_bernini/sculpture/apollo_and_daphne
Bauduin, T. M. (2015). The ‘Continuing Misfortune’ of Automatism in Early Surrealism. Communicatio, 4(10), 1-42. Retrieved 6 7, 2019, from http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=cpo
Breton, A. (1924). Manifesto of surrealsim. Yvan Goll .
Contributors, T. A. (2019, June 6). www.Theartstory.com. Retrieved from The art story - movements: https://www.theartstory.org/movement-surrealism.htm
Diagnosis, N. P.-B. (2018). ScienceDirect. Retrieved from ScienceDirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/automatism
Edwards, S. H. (n.d.). Nashville arts Magazine. Retrieved from Nashville arts Magazine: https://nashvillearts.com/2014/09/see-berninis-apollo-daphne/
intellect, m. (2018, january 24). Dada and Surrealism: Europe After the Rain documentary . Retrieved from you tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdBaS8fgwNs&t=1s
Jung, C. G. (1964). “Man and his symbols”. In C. G. Jung, “Man and his symbols” (p. page 23 ). New York, United States: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc.
Kitson, W. (2019). Seymour magazine. Retrieved from Seymour magazine: https://magazine.seymourprojects.com/2015/06/viktor-safonkin-interpretation-of-the-irrational-world/
Lubow, A. (2008, october). Smithsonian.com. Retrieved from Smithsonian.com: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/berninis-genius-11934809/
Richman-Abdou, K. (2018, march 25). Modern Art Met. Retrieved from Modern Art Met: https://mymodernmet.com/baroque-period/
Safonkin, V. (n.d.). www.safonkin.com. Retrieved from www.safonkin.com: https://www.safonkin.com/author.htm
SOTHEBY'S. (n.d.). SOTHEBY'S EST.1744. Retrieved from SOTHEBY'S EST.1744: https://www.sothebys.com/en/videos/hieronymus-bosch-the-garden-of-earthly-delights
TATE. (2018). TATE. Retrieved from TATE: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/a/automatism
TATE. (n.d.). TATE. Retrieved from TATE: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/a/automatism
Voorhies, J. (2004, october). metmuseum. Retrieved from metmuseum: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/surr/hd_surr.htm
World, P. (2019). www.psychologistworld.com. Retrieved from Psychologist World. Parts licensed under GNU FDL.: https://www.psychologistworld.com/cognitive/carl-jung-analytical-psychology

www.FridaKahlo.org. (n.d.). www.FridaKahlo.org. Retrieved from www.FridaKahlo.org: https://www.fridakahlo.org/the-love-embrace-of-the-universe-the-earth-mexico-myself-diego-and-senor-xolotl.jsp

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