Ubu Imperator by Max Ernst, 1923 (Musee National d'Art Moderne)
“Surrealism: The chance meeting on a dissecting table of a sewing machine and an umbrella!" —Les Chants de Maldoror, Comte de Lautréamont, 1869
One of the major art movements of the 20th century, Surrealism opened the door to the exploration of the unconscious and the creation of art based on inner reality. It was an art of disquiet, sabotaging the existing order of things. Freud’s dream research liberated Surrealist artists to see the truth of who we really are, and in their work, dreams became equivalent to imagination itself.
Artist and art historian Joseph Cassar explores the origins of Surrealism, its widespread influence, and many of its most prominent artists including Max Ernst, Jean Arp, Joan Miró, André Masson, René Magritte, Alberto Giacometti, and Salvador Dali.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
General Information
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
