André Breton Autograph

Profession:
(1896-1966) French writer, poet, and anti-fascist - he is known best as the founder of Surrealism. His writings include the first Surrealist Manifesto (Manifeste du surrealisme) of 1924

Year of Birth: 1896

André Breton was a French writer, poet, and founder of the Surrealist movement. He was born on February 19, 1896, in Tinchebray, France. Breton is known for his contributions to the literary and artistic world, and his belief in the power of the subconscious mind.

As a young man, Breton studied medicine and psychiatry, but ultimately chose to pursue a career in writing and art. In 1924, he published the Surrealist Manifesto, which outlined the principles of the Surrealist movement and its focus on tapping into the unconscious mind to create art.

Breton was a key figure in the Parisian art scene of the 1920s and 1930s, and his writings and ideas influenced artists such as Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, and Man Ray. He was also known for his collaborations with other Surrealist artists and writers, including Paul Éluard, Louis Aragon, and André Masson.

Throughout his life, Breton continued to write poetry, essays, and manifestos that explored the connection between art, politics, and the subconscious mind. He also curated exhibitions and organized events that helped promote the work of other Surrealist artists.

André Breton passed away on September 28, 1966, but his legacy as a pioneer of the Surrealist movement lives on. His writings and ideas continue to inspire artists and writers around the world, and his influence can be seen in many forms of contemporary art and literature.