Surrealist Surrealist Painters of the Painters of the

1940s1940s

By: Natalie Murphy

Meanings Behind the Meanings Behind the PaintingsPaintings

Throughout the centuries, artists have Throughout the centuries, artists have created paintings that are pleasing to the created paintings that are pleasing to the eye. eye.

There is meaning behind the existential There is meaning behind the existential colors.colors. The reason of the subject.The reason of the subject. The reason of the color choices.The reason of the color choices. The story behind the painting.The story behind the painting. Personal relation with the artist who Personal relation with the artist who

painted it.painted it.

The Time Period: WWIIThe Time Period: WWII

During the 1940s, much was happening all around the During the 1940s, much was happening all around the globe. globe.

-WWII was currently taking place. -WWII was currently taking place.

-This influenced the artist’s subjects, colors, and -This influenced the artist’s subjects, colors, and reason for painting.reason for painting.

Some other events that were occurring during the 1940s Some other events that were occurring during the 1940s

-The first transmission of FM radio with clear, static--The first transmission of FM radio with clear, static-free signalfree signal

-Italian Art Masterpiece exhibit opening at the -Italian Art Masterpiece exhibit opening at the Museum of Museum of Modern Art in New YorkModern Art in New York

-Many multicultural books/movies were being -Many multicultural books/movies were being publishedpublished

The Styles of PaintingsThe Styles of PaintingsThe styles of paintings in the 1940s were academic, surrealistic, The styles of paintings in the 1940s were academic, surrealistic, abstract, and primitive.abstract, and primitive.They document a country at war.They document a country at war.Surrealism is a style in which fantastical visual imagery from the Surrealism is a style in which fantastical visual imagery from the subconscious mind is used with no intention of making the work subconscious mind is used with no intention of making the work logically comprehensible.logically comprehensible.The Surrealist group was formed in Paris in Oct. of 1924, among The Surrealist group was formed in Paris in Oct. of 1924, among them were: them were:

ErnstErnst Miro Miro MassonMasson

Deeply affected by the tragedies and turmoil of World War I, Deeply affected by the tragedies and turmoil of World War I, the artists were looking for an escape as well as a reform of the the artists were looking for an escape as well as a reform of the existing art world. existing art world.

Freud also exerted a strong influence: to tap the creative and Freud also exerted a strong influence: to tap the creative and imaginative mind in the unconscious.imaginative mind in the unconscious.

The ArtistsThe Artists

Pablo PicassoPablo PicassoPicasso took many risks in his life. Picasso took many risks in his life. The Nazis said that sculptors could not use bronze to create The Nazis said that sculptors could not use bronze to create

statues with after they had captured Paris.statues with after they had captured Paris. He still used bronze after one of his close friends He still used bronze after one of his close friends

commented to him that plastic was temporary and bronze commented to him that plastic was temporary and bronze forever.forever.

Picasso's palette grew somber with the onset of World War II Picasso's palette grew somber with the onset of World War II (1939-1945), and death is the subject of numerous works, (1939-1945), and death is the subject of numerous works, such as Still Life with Steer's Skull and The Charnel House. such as Still Life with Steer's Skull and The Charnel House. He formed a new liaison during the 1940s with the painter He formed a new liaison during the 1940s with the painter Françoise Gilot who bore him two children, Claude and Françoise Gilot who bore him two children, Claude and Paloma; they appear in many works that recapture his earlier Paloma; they appear in many works that recapture his earlier styles. styles. The last of Picasso's companions to be portrayed was The last of Picasso's companions to be portrayed was Jacqueline Roque, whom he met in 1953 and married in 1961. Jacqueline Roque, whom he met in 1953 and married in 1961. He then spent much of his time in southern France.He then spent much of his time in southern France.

Café a RoyanCafé a Royan

The Charnel HouseThe Charnel House

Salvador DaliSalvador Dali

Dali claimed that his images were “dream Dali claimed that his images were “dream sequences” or inspired by his subconscious.sequences” or inspired by his subconscious.To evade World War II, Dali chose the U.S.A. as his To evade World War II, Dali chose the U.S.A. as his permanent residence in 1940. permanent residence in 1940. He had a series of spectacular exhibitions, among He had a series of spectacular exhibitions, among others a great retrospective at the Museum of others a great retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Modern Art in New York. Besides creating a number of great paintings, Dali Besides creating a number of great paintings, Dali caused the attention of the media by playing the caused the attention of the media by playing the role of a surrealist clown. role of a surrealist clown. He made a lot of money and was contemptuously He made a lot of money and was contemptuously nicknamed nicknamed Avida DollarsAvida Dollars (greedy for dollars) by (greedy for dollars) by Andre BretonAndre Breton. .

The Face of WarThe Face of War

The Poetry of AmericaThe Poetry of America

Norman RockwellNorman RockwellIn 1942, Rockwell painted one of his most overtly political In 1942, Rockwell painted one of his most overtly political and important pieces.and important pieces. In response to a speech given by President Franklin In response to a speech given by President Franklin

Roosevelt, Rockwell made a series of paintings that dealt Roosevelt, Rockwell made a series of paintings that dealt with the Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom with the Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear.from Want, and Freedom from Fear.

Throughout the mid-1940s these paintings traveled around Throughout the mid-1940s these paintings traveled around the country being shown in conjunction with the sale of the country being shown in conjunction with the sale of bonds. bonds.

Viewed by more than a million people, their popularity was Viewed by more than a million people, their popularity was considered an important part of the war effort at home. considered an important part of the war effort at home.

During the late 1940s and 1950s Rockwell continued as one During the late 1940s and 1950s Rockwell continued as one of the most prolific and recognized illustrators in the country. of the most prolific and recognized illustrators in the country. While his allegiance to the While his allegiance to the Saturday evening PostSaturday evening Post remained, remained,

he produced work for other magazines including he produced work for other magazines including Ladies’ Ladies’ Home Journal,Home Journal, McCall’sMcCall’s,, Literary Digest, Literary Digest, andand Look. Look.

April Fool’s with the April Fool’s with the ShopkeeperShopkeeper

Girl at MirrorGirl at Mirror