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Surrealism Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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surrealism

sur-re-al-ism

🇺🇸 /sɝˈiəˌɫɪzəm/ · 🇬🇧 /səɹˈiəlɪzəm/

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

art movement

Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 20th century, known for its visual artworks and writings that seek to challenge the conventional perception of reality. It emphasizes the portrayal of the unconscious mind, dreams, and the juxtaposition of unexpected elements. Surrealist artists often create disorienting imagery that defies logic, aiming to provoke thought and disclose hidden truths. This movement has influenced various art forms, literature, and even philosophy, making it a significant point of reference in modern artistic discussions.

Synonyms

absurdism, dreamlike art, fantastical art.

Examples of usage

  • Salvador Dalí is a famous surrealism painter.
  • The dream-like quality of surrealism fascinates many art lovers.
  • Many literary works embrace surrealism to explore psychological themes.

Translations

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Quick facts about “surrealism”

Surrealism is a 4-syllable noun (sur-re-al-ism). It is pronounced /sɝˈiəˌɫɪzəm/ in American English and /səɹˈiəlɪzəm/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #28,600 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'surrealism'

The term 'surrealism' was coined by French poet Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917, who referred to a performance of his play 'Les Mamelles de Tirésias' as having 'surrealist' elements. However, the movement gained significant traction with the publication of André Breton's 'Manifesto of Surrealism' in 1924, which established the principles and philosophy of the movement. Surrealism sought to explore the subconscious mind and promote creativity free from reason and social constraints. Artists like Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, and René Magritte became key figures in this movement, shaping its visual language through dream-like scenes and bizarre imagery. By blending reality with the irrational, surrealism became an influential force, extending beyond visual arts into literature, film, and even psychoanalysis.

Rhymes

Surrealism rhymes with entrepreneurialism.

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Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,600, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.