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Фрида Кало 1907–1954
Мексиканка From Койоакан Сюрреализъм, мексиканско народно изкуство, реализъм On Wikipedia in 32 of 32 languages
The Surrealist names to know
If you remember one Surrealist артист, make it Фрида Кало (1907–1954), the name behind Viva la Vida и Двете Фриди. After that come Салвадор Дали, Жоан Миро, Рене Магрит и Макс Ернст. Our 86 picks go from Pierre Roy (born 1880) to Джордж Кондо (born 1957), from 45 countries.
How we picked them. We list the artists our catalogue links to Surrealist, from the most famous down. Artists born after 1955 that we cannot yet check on Wikidata are left out. The Wikipedia number shows in how many of our 32 languages Wikipedia writes about them.
Quick facts
Meet them one by one
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Мексиканка From Койоакан Сюрреализъм, мексиканско народно изкуство, реализъм On Wikipedia in 32 of 32 languages
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Испанска From Барселона ['Сюрреализъм', 'Фовизъм', 'Експресионизъм'] On Wikipedia in 32 of 32 languages
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Белгерец From Лесин Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 32 of 32 languages
A profound shadow fell over his adolescence in 1912 when his mother, Régina Bertinchamps, died by suicide. His formal training began in earnest at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, where he studied from 1916 to 1918.
See them at The preservation of his visual puzzles is distributed across several major institutions, ensuring his presence remains felt in both Europe and the Americas.
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Германец From Брюл ['Дадаизъм', 'Сюрреализъм'] On Wikipedia in 30 of 32 languages
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Италианец From Волос Метафизично изкуство On Wikipedia in 29 of 32 languages
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Полска From Санок Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 25 of 32 languages
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Американски From Филаделфия Дада, Сюрреализъм
Emmanuel Radnitzky, a name forever intertwined with the enigmatic “Man Ray,” was born in Philadelphia in 1890 into a family of Russian Jewish immigrants. His early life, steeped in the vibrant energy of New York City, proved to be a crucible for his artistic development – a melting pot of European modernism and the raw grit of American urban life.
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Испанско-мексиканска From Ангелес Пара-сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 19 of 32 languages
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British-Mexican From Клейтън ле Удс Surrealism On Wikipedia in 22 of 32 languages
Arca de Noé (1967), жизненопредставящо Ноевия ковчег, препълнен с фантастични същества, е отличен пример за нейното изследване на темите за сътворението и обновлението.
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Американка From Гейлсбърг Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 20 of 32 languages
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Аржентино-Италианка From Буенос Айрес Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages
Born in Buenos Aires in 1907, and raised amidst the shifting landscapes of Trieste, Italy, Leonor Fini was an artist whose life itself felt like a perpetual act of transformation. She quickly became immersed in the vibrant Surrealist scene, forging friendships with Paul Éluard, Max Ernst (with whom she had a significant romantic relationship), Georges Bataille, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Picasso, André Pieyre de Mandiargues, and Salvador Dalí.
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Френски From Балагни-сюр-Терейн ['Сюрелизъм', 'Кубизъм'] On Wikipedia in 21 of 32 languages
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Швейцарско-германска From Берлин Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 18 of 32 languages
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Кубински From Гауас Супрематизъм и Кубизъм On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages
The vibrant culture of Sagua La Grande – characterized by its lush vegetation and strong Catholic faith alongside Afro-Cuban rituals—provided an initial impetus for his artistic sensibilities.
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Румънско-френска From Пятра Нямц Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 14 of 32 languages
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Чилиански From Сантяго ['Сюрреализъм', 'Абстрактен експресионизъм'] On Wikipedia in 15 of 32 languages
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Германоеврейски From Оснабрюк Нова обективност и сюрреализм On Wikipedia in 17 of 32 languages
Nussbaum’s artistic journey began with formal studies in Hamburg and Berlin in 1920, continuing for as long as circumstances allowed. His early work reveals a clear debt to the Post-Impressionist masters, particularly Vincent van Gogh and Henri Rousseau.
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Американски From Някъд Асамбляж, сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 14 of 32 languages
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Австрийски From Виена Фантастичен реализъм On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages
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Френска From 6-ти район на Париж Сюрреалистична фотография On Wikipedia in 22 of 32 languages
Dora Maar (Henriette Theodora Markovitch, 1907-1997) remains a captivating figure in the annals of 20th-century art – a photographer, painter, and intellectual whose life was inextricably intertwined with the turbulent currents of Surrealism, political activism, and the passionate intensity of her relationship with Pablo Picasso. Early Life and Artistic Beginnings: Born in Paris to a Croatian architect father and a French mother, Maar’s early years were spent in Buenos Aires.
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Италианска From Рим Сюрреалистична мода
"Царска колекция" от 1938 г. е свидетелство за нейната игрива практика, включваща театрални костюми, украсени с шантави мотиви и раздути силуети. Една вечерна рокля от 1936 г. демонстрира смелата й употреба на кожа във високата мода, показвайки нейната готовност да експериментира с необичайни материали.
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Испанец From Олала Фантастична илюстрация
He began publishing art within and on the covers of such magazines as Comix Rambla Internacional, El Vibora, Heavy Metal, National Lampoon and Comic Art, steadily building a reputation for his striking imagery and evocative storytelling. This visibility opened doors to collaborations with major American publishers, including Tor Books, Berkley Books, Avon, Warner Books, Bantam Books, and others.
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French From Lyon Surrealism
Maurice Tabard, born in Lyon, France on July 12, 1897, emerged as a significant figure within the burgeoning Surrealist movement, though his path to artistic recognition was uniquely shaped by a blend of familial influence and transatlantic experience. A pivotal moment arrived in 1914 when his father’s business necessitated a relocation to New York City, an event that irrevocably altered Tabard’s artistic trajectory.
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British Surrealism
George Wallace Jardine (1920–2002) remains a singular figure in British surrealism, celebrated for his evocative depictions of the Scottish Highlands and his masterful manipulation of printmaking techniques. Born in Glasgow, Jardine’s artistic journey began with formative years spent studying at Wallasey School of Art and furthering his education at the Royal College of Art under luminaries like Paul Nash and Stanley Spencer.
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British From Стреамъм Surrealism On Wikipedia in 13 of 32 languages
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French From Nantes Surrealism
Claude Cahun (Lucy Renée Mathilde Schwob), born Nantes, France in 1894, was a singular figure in the surrealist movement and beyond—a photographer, sculptor, writer, and performer who relentlessly interrogated notions of identity and gender. Cahun adopted the pseudonym ‘claude cahun’ in 1914, a deliberate act of defiance that signaled her commitment to exploring fluid boundaries between male and female experience.
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Ukrainian From Львов Soviet art, Printmaking
Oleksandr Aksinin emerged as a pivotal figure within the Soviet art scene, born in Lviv, Ukraine, in 1949. His oeuvre predominantly depicted scenes from Ukrainian life, particularly evocative winter landscapes and serene rural settings, rendered with breathtaking realism and imbued with palpable atmospheric richness.
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American Photography, Surrealism
Frederick Sommer (1905 – 1999) stands as a singular figure in American photography and visual art, recognized for his hauntingly beautiful desert landscapes and his pioneering exploration of photographic techniques.
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Romanian-American From Râmnicu Sărat Modernist Cartooning On Wikipedia in 17 of 32 languages
His journey began in Râmnicu Sărat, Romania, born into a family of Russian Jewish descent, and was shaped by a life defined by movement, displacement, and an ever-watchful eye for the absurdities of modern existence. After initial studies in Bucharest, Steinberg moved to Milan in 1933 to study at the Polytechnic University, graduating with honors in 1940.
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Испанец From Сан Кристобал де ла Лагуна Супрематизм On Wikipedia in 10 of 32 languages
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German From Катовице Surrealism, Photography On Wikipedia in 15 of 32 languages
Born in Katowice, Poland – then part of the German Empire – Bellmer’s artistic journey was shaped by personal trauma, political upheaval, and an increasingly acute awareness of the manipulation inherent within mass culture. However, a pivotal moment arrived in 1926 when he abandoned this career path, declaring an intention not to produce work that could serve the burgeoning fascist regime of Nazi Germany.
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Полша From Торун Сюрреализм
Born in 1952 in Toruń, Poland, Jacek Yerka emerged from a profoundly artistic lineage. Both his parents were graduates of the local Fine Art Academy, immersing him in an environment saturated with pigments, inks, and brushes from infancy – a formative influence that irrevocably shaped his artistic trajectory.
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From Monmouth, New Jersey
McBean’s initial artistic pursuits lay in the realm of theatrical design. He began his career crafting masks and scenery, developing a keen eye for visual storytelling and dramatic presentation.
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Austrian-Mexican From Vienna Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages
Wolfgang Paalen, born in Vienna in 1905 into a family steeped in both wealth and intellectual curiosity, embarked on an artistic journey that would defy easy categorization.
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American Surrealist photography
Clarence John Laughlin (1905 – 1985) wasn’t merely a photographer; he was an architect of atmosphere, a conjurer of forgotten landscapes and spectral narratives. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, into a family grappling with the sudden loss of their rice-growing fortune, Laughlin's early life instilled within him a profound sense of melancholy and a deep connection to the evocative spirit of the American South.
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Датска From Копенхаген Абстрактно изкуство, реалистичен сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 12 of 32 languages
The Definite Rejection of a Request for a Kiss (Det definitive afslag på anmodningen om et kys) (1949).
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Mexican Surrealist photography; Mexican muralism
Manuel Álvarez Bravo stands as Mexico’s inaugural principal artistic photographer and remains the cornerstone of twentieth-century Latin American visual culture. Born in Mexico City on February 4, 1902, his creative journey began amidst a formative backdrop—the historic center of Mexico City nestled behind the cathedral, populated by former colonial buildings transformed into residences for the city’s burgeoning middle class.
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Armenian, Ukrainian From Tbilisi Surrealism, Folklore
His parents, Iosif Paradjanov and Siranush Bejanova, were both artists – his father a painter, his mother a sculptor – fostering an environment where art was not merely a profession but a way of life.
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Argentine-British From Буенос Айрес Surrealism On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages
Eileen Forrester Agar, born in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires in 1899 to a Scottish father and American mother, was an artist whose life and work embodied a fascinating interplay of cultures and artistic movements. Agar’s formal training began at Heathfield St Mary's School, followed by studies at the Byam Shaw School of Art in 1919 and later, the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art from 1925 to 1926.
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Португалска From Лисабон Сюрреализъм, Поезия
(Смърт). Без заглавие (DD2CNP). Национален театър и музей на танца. Национален театър и музей на танца, Лисабон, Португалия. Португалка мрежа на съвременното изкуство на север, Порто, Португалия.
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Hungarian From Kiskunfélegyháza Surrealism
Szanto’s early life was marked by a keen sensitivity to social issues, leading her initially towards applied arts before gravitating to the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts in 1932. Joining the Socialist Group of Artists in 1934 signaled her early engagement with politically charged themes, but it was her move to Szentendre in 1937 that proved pivotal.
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
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From Amadora 1920s Art Deco
His time in Angola, beginning in 1951, proved particularly significant; he worked at the Luanda Museum while simultaneously developing his poetic production. Early exhibitions during this time sparked considerable debate, demonstrating Seixas’s willingness to challenge expectations and provoke thought through unconventional imagery and object-based works.
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Роден в Русия From Дубровка Сюрреализъм, Неоромантизъм On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages
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Brazilian From Sao Joao do Rio Preto Engraving and draughtsmanship
Transitioned from wood engraving to metal engraving in the 1950s, marking a significant shift in his artistic practice. These influences shaped his early style and thematic concerns.
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Мексиканка From Сан Хуан де лос Лагос Сюрреализъм, Народно изкуство On Wikipedia in 11 of 32 languages
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American From Watervliet Surrealism On Wikipedia in 11 of 32 languages
Katherine Linn Sage, known to the art world as Kay Sage, emerged as a distinctive voice within the Surrealist movement, yet her journey was one often overshadowed – first by societal expectations and later by the prominence of her husband, Yves Tanguy. Born in 1898 into a prosperous family in Albany, New York, Sage’s early life was marked by a sense of displacement.
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Аржентински From Сан Фернандо Авангард, Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages
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German From Magdeburg Surrealism On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages
Born in Magdeburg, Germany, Richard Oelze began his artistic journey at the School of Decorative Arts in Magdeburg. Between 1914 and 1918, he trained as a lithographer, while also attending evening classes to learn nude drawing under teachers such as Richard Winckel and Kurt Tuch. Oelze's travels took him through several European cities, including Dresden, Ascona in Switzerland, Berlin, and Paris.
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Романски и американски From Букурещ Абстрактен експресионизъм и сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 8 of 32 languages
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French From Nantes Surrealist On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages
Born in 1880, Pierre Roy was a French surrealist painter. In 1905, he committed himself to painting, beginning his exhibition history in 1906 at the Salon of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts (SNBA). Roy's career saw him exhibiting with the Société des Artistes Indépendants in 1907, 1908, 1913, and 1914.
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British From Shillong Surrealism, Occult art On Wikipedia in 6 of 32 languages
Born in the distant landscapes of Shillong, Assam, British India, in 1906, Margaret Ithell Colquhoun embarked on a life that would defy easy categorization. Her formal training continued at the Cheltenham School of Arts and Crafts, followed by a pivotal period at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art in London (1927-1930), where she studied under Henry Tonks and Randolph Schwabe.
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Мексикански From Мексико Сюрреализъм и народно изкуство On Wikipedia in 10 of 32 languages
From a young age, Toledo demonstrated an exceptional talent for drawing and painting, honing his skills under the tutelage of local maestros who recognized his innate potential.
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Унгарска From Borota Експресионизъм, Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 8 of 32 languages
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French From Saint-Mandé Surrealism On Wikipedia in 6 of 32 languages
Born in the quiet French suburb of Saint-Mandé, Jacqueline Lamba’s early life was a tapestry woven with threads of profound tragedy. Her childhood excursions to the Louvre, accompanied by her sister, planted the seeds of a lifelong devotion to visual splendor.
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Modern Art
Born in 1950, though specific details regarding his early life are intentionally scarce, Vlady’s artistic journey began with a profound fascination for the human condition and an exploration of inner emotional landscapes. The influence of classical masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer is palpable – particularly in Vlady's masterful use of light and shadow to create dramatic effect and evoke a sense of intimacy.
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Australian
Born on 16 April 1978, Caleb Lewis grew up within the orbit of a father whose profession was as demanding as it was physically isolating. His formal path into the dramatic arts began at the Flinders University Drama Centre.
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Argentine From Buenos Aires Expressionism, Surrealism On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages
Raquel Forner (1902–1988) stands as a monumental figure in the landscape of Latin American modernism, an artist whose brushstrokes did not merely capture light, but rather channeled the profound tremors of a century defined by upheaval. Born in Buenos Aires to a family of Basque heritage, Forner’s artistic consciousness was ignited at the tender age of thirteen during a transformative journey to Spain.
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Австралиец From Австралия Сюрреализъм On Wikipedia in 4 of 32 languages
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Британски From Доркинг Сюрреализъм, Графично изкуство On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages
Trevelyan остави след себе си богат художествен репертоар и повлия върху поколения художници, които се възхищават на неговия талант и творчески подход. Той е смятан за един от най-важните британски художници на XX век и неговото творчество продължава да бъде изучавано и оценявано от критици и историци на изкуството до днес.
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Australian From Adelaide Precisionism On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages
Frank Jeffrey Edson Smart, known universally as Jeffrey Smart, emerged onto the Australian art scene from a childhood steeped in both encouragement and constraint.
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English From Ledbury Surrealism On Wikipedia in 4 of 32 languages
Conroy Maddox, born in the quiet Herefordshire town of Ledbury in 1912, was a figure destined to disrupt artistic conventions. He delved into the works of Max Ernst, Óscar Domínguez, and Salvador Dalí, not as objects of imitation but as catalysts for his own unique vision. Maddox quickly became a central figure in the burgeoning Birmingham Surrealist movement, alongside John and Robert Melville.
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English From Пекин Surrealist On Wikipedia in 2 of 32 languages
After receiving an education at Downside School and studying at Christ's College, Cambridge, Hillier sought the true essence of modern art in Paris. It was there, amidst the vibrant energy of the French capital, that he immersed himself in the study of masters like André Lhote and encountered the burgeoning Surrealist movement, finding inspiration in the dreamlike works of Giorgio de Chirico and Max Ernst.
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Spanish From Pontevedra Abstract Expressionist On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages
Born in Galicia, Spain, in 1933, his early life was shaped by an emigration to Argentina at just one year old, a move that would indelibly influence his artistic perspective – blending European sensibilities with the vibrant energy of Latin American culture.
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Canadian From Saskatchewan Abstract Figurative, Prairie Landscape On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages
Eyre's formal training began in Saskatoon with lessons from Ernest Lindner, followed by studies at the University of Saskatchewan and later, the University of Manitoba, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1957.
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Уелски From Дунвант Сюрреализъм, Експресионизъм On Wikipedia in 2 of 32 languages
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American From Richmond Surrealism, Realism On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages
Cortor’s early education at Englewood High School in Chicago brought him into contact with fellow artists like Charles Wilbert White and Margaret Burroughs, fostering a creative community that would nurture his developing talent. He continued his studies at the Art Institute of Chicago, graduating in 1936, where he absorbed European artistic traditions but found himself profoundly moved by an encounter with African sculptures at the Field Museum.
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British On Wikipedia in 4 of 32 languages
Her work has been featured in group exhibitions at the Tate Modern, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. In 2017, she was honored with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award. Her performance art has included works such as The Ultimate Form, a collaboration with choreographer Kenneth Tindall, and Children of the Stain.
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Spanish From Torre de Miguel Sesmero New Figuration On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages
Juan Barjola (1919-2004) was a Spanish artist whose work defies easy categorization, existing at the fascinating intersection of Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and deeply personal symbolism. Born in Barcelona, a city brimming with artistic ferment, Barjola’s journey wasn't one of immediate recognition but rather a slow, deliberate unfolding of a unique visual language.
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
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Spanish From Milan Catalan Modernisme On Wikipedia in 1 of 32 languages
Emilio Tadini was far more than a painter; he was a profound architect of meaning within the Italian cultural landscape. Born in Milan in 1927, his journey began not with a brush, but with the written word. A poet, novelist, and essayist, Tadini first emerged onto the prestigious literary stage in 1947 through Elio Vittorini's magazine, Politecnico.
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Catalan From Олеса де Балагер Surrealism, Non-figurative On Wikipedia in 1 of 32 languages
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From Chicago World Goes Pop On Wikipedia in 1 of 32 languages
Ellen Lanyon’s paintings are portals, inviting viewers into a realm where the familiar tilts on its axis and the subconscious takes visible form. But it was a childhood visit to the “Midget Village” at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, an undeniably surreal spectacle, that left a deeper, more lasting impression, seeding within her imagination a fascination with the uncanny and the disquieting juxtaposition of realities.
Pictures worth knowing
When it happened
Fun figures
| Испания | 6 |
|---|---|
| Мексико | 4 |
| Германия | 4 |
| Обединено кралство | 4 |
| France | 4 |
| Полша | 3 |
| Франция | 3 |
| САЩ | 3 |
| 1880s | 4 |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 29 |
| 1910s | 14 |
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 3 |
| 1940s | 9 |
| 1950s | 4 |
| MoMA - Музеят на модерното изкуство | 6 |
|---|---|
| Музеят на Израел | 6 |
| Метрополитън Музей на изкуствата | 3 |
| Walker Art Gallery | 3 |
| Tate Gallery | 2 |
| Kunsthaus Zürich | 2 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | 2 |
| Rede Portuguesa de Arte Contemporânea a Norte | 2 |
Just the names
Good questions
Фрида Кало (#1) is first in this ranking, followed by Салвадор Дали (#2) and Жоан Миро (#3).
Фрида Кало (#1), Салвадор Дали (#2), Жоан Миро (#3), Рене Магрит (#4) и Макс Ернст (#5).
Буенос Айрес: 2 of the артисти in this list were born there.
The highest-ranked living артисти in this list are Луис Ройо (#28), Джим Уорън (#30), Мишел Паркс (#31), Октавио Окампо (#37), Луиджи Серафини (#40) и Михаел Зова (#43).
The earliest-born артист in this list is Pierre Roy (#63), born in 1880.
20 women are in this ranking: Фрида Кало (#1), Ремедиос Варо (#11), Леонора Карингтън (#12), Доротея Танинг (#14), Леонор Фини (#15), Мерет Опенхайм (#17), Дора Мар (#25) и Елза Шиапаржели (#26).
Испания: 6 of the 86 артисти in this list were born there, then Мексико (4) и Германия (4).
The highest-ranked артисти born in Испания are Салвадор Дали (#2), Жоан Миро (#3), Ремедиос Варо (#11), Луис Ройо (#28) и Оскар Домингъез (#41).
The museums holding the most key works of this list are MoMA - Музеят на модерното изкуство (6), Музеят на Израел (6) и Метрополитън Музей на изкуствата (3).
“He avoided the expressive, messy brushwork favored by many of his contemporaries, opting instead for a style that rendered the impossible with startling clarity.” — from our biography of Рене Магрит (#4).
Most артисти in this list were born in the 1900s (29 of 86), between 1880 and 1957 overall.
Our catalogue holds 8,973 works by these артисти.
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