Leonora Carrington. And Then We Saw the Daughter of the Minotaur. Featured in The British Surrealists.
1. Surrealists in New York
From smoky cafés to artists’ ateliers, Surrealists in New York takes us deep into the creative spaces of mid-century America. Following the story of the European Surrealists who fled war-torn France for the bright lights and opportunities of the US, the book captures the excitement and energy of this artistic exchange between the Old World and the New.
This group biography delves into the lives of the most important figures of the time. It looks at how the exodus of artists from Europe shifted the centre of the art world from Paris to New York and how this influx of creativity sparked the movement that would grow into Abstract Expressionism. A fantastic portrait of a golden era, this evocative book is a great introduction to the work of Surrealists in New York.
Explore Surrealists in New York to learn more.
2. The Lives of the Surrealists
Unlike many books on Surrealism, this wonderful study was written by someone who was actually there. Author Desmond Morris played a key part in the Surrealist movement and was close friends with many of its main figures, making him the perfect person to discuss what actually went on.
In his book, The Lives of the Surrealists, Morris paints a vivid picture of the personalities behind the masterpieces. His invaluable insight brings these iconic artists back to life, and reveals their character strengths and flaws, their social lives, their loves and their artistic endeavours. Vividly illustrated throughout, the book gets us closer than ever before to the lives and creations of these legendary artists.
3. The British Surrealists
Fêted for their idiosyncratic and imaginative works, the surrealists marked a pivotal moment in the history of modern art in Britain. Many banded together to form the British Surrealist Group, while others carved their own, independent paths. Desmond Morris’s The British Surrealists tells this extraordinary story.
Though part of a global movement, the British Surrealists had a distinctive style and a unique approach all of their own. This intimate study, written by one of the last-surviving members of the group, features thirty-four Surrealists, some famous, some forgotten, and takes us right into the heart of the movement.
The British Surrealistsis a fantastic mix of fact, biography and personal recollection. From the rebellious Leonora Carrington to the beguiling Eileen Agar, the book looks at the love lives, foibles and frailties of this unique assortment of individuals and their role in the movement that played a pivotal role in British art. If you’re looking for an original and authentic take on Surrealism, this book will make a great addition to your library.
4. Women Artists and the Surrealist Movement
Women Artists and the Surrealist Movement is one of the very best books on Surrealism. First published in 1985, it inspired a wholesale revision of the Surrealist story and transformed the fortunes of many of the previously overlooked artists featured within its pages.
The book overlays the stories of the most important women in the movement with the turbulent events of the 1920s, 30s and 40s. It paints colourful portraits of the greats, including Leonora Carrington, Léonor Fini, Frida Kahlo and Dorothea Tanning. The book also examines the lives of lesser-known artists who played an important role in the movement. Enhanced with beautiful illustrations and unpublished writings, this sensational study deserves a place on your bookshelf.
Explore Women Artists and the Surrealist Movement to learn more.
5. The Militant Muse
Engaging, thought-provoking and engrossing, this fantastic book documents what it meant to be young, ambitious and female in a movement defined by celebrated men. In The Militant Muse, author Whitney Chadwick charts five key friendships between female Surrealist artists.
Using meticulous research, as well as personal correspondence, Chadwick shows how these women supported, encouraged and inspired each other. From the fascinating story of Claude Cahun and Suzanne Malherbe and their subversive activities in occupied Jersey, to the experiences of Lee Miller and Valentine Penrose at the frontline, the book shows how loss, trauma and the experiences of war shaped the lives and careers of these extraordinary artists.
Delve into The Militant Muse to better know these extraordinary women.
6. Surrealism (Art Essentials)
Surrealism (Art Essentials) is a concise, digestible study of the movement and its key figures, and one of the best introductory books on Surrealism. The book takes us right back to 1924, when French poet André Breton launched the movement that would eventually spread across the world.
We’re then led on a narrative journey through the key events in Surrealism and introduced to the movement’s most influential figures. To help the reader get to grips with the subject, a glossary of specialist terms and a chronology of important events are included in the study. Part of the Art Essentials series, this comprehensive book offers the perfect entry point for those who want to learn about Surrealism and its impact on the world.
Read Surrealism (Art Essentials) for a comprehensive introduction to the movement.
7. Dalí (World of Art)
One of the most important and recognisable artists of the twentieth century, Salvador Dalí played an important role in taking the Surrealist movement mainstream. The colour, form and originality of his reality-warping images leap off the pages of this beautiful book, daring the viewer to dig deeper into the dreamscapes they seem to represent.
Dalí (World of Art), is one of the most accessible and comprehensive works on the artist. Author Dawn Ades uses interviews with Dalí himself, as well as a wide range of other source materials, to craft a full and colourful portrait of the man and his incredible creations. She also attempts to discover just what makes Dalí so enduringly popular – his genius as an artist, or his gift as a self-publicist?
Read Dalí (World of Art) to learn more.
8. Miró (World of Art)
The works of Joan Miró stand out for their spontaneity, wit and colour. Look at one of his pictures, and it’s almost impossible not to smile. The shapes that dance across the page seem to come alive, evoking a sense of joy and intrigue that make the works irresistible.
In Miró (World of Art), we’re given a portrait of the surrealist that’s almost as colourful as the images he created. Written by Roland Penrose, a friend of the artist for almost five decades, the book offers unique insight into Miró’s life, character and art. This most recent edition of the book is fully illustrated in colour, making an already fascinating study even more vibrant.
Explore Miró (World of Art) for more on the artist.
9. The Duchamp Dictionary
As you’d expect from a book on one of art’s most original minds, The Duchamp Dictionary is laid out in a thoroughly new and engaging manner. Designed to make Duchamp’s work enjoyable for a wider audience, this innovative book contains a series of two hundred brief dictionary descriptions, deliberately written in accessible, jargon-free prose.
Entries range from alchemy and anatomy to Warhol and windows. You’ll also find sections on the Bicycle Wheel, chess and the fourth dimension. Easily digestible and always interesting, these short blocks of text make a fantastic introduction to the artist. As well as dictionary entries, the book contains a number of carefully curated artworks by the master.
Delve into the The Duchamp Dictionary to learn more.
10. Man Ray (Photofile)
No list of the best books on Surrealism would be complete without a tome on Man Ray. A Dadaist and pioneer of Surrealism, Man Ray is one of the most famous names of the twentieth century. Though he considered himself a painter above all, Man Ray is best known for his photography. In fact, he was so famous in the field that a key photographic technique, the ‘rayograph’, is named after him.
In Man Ray (Photofile), we explore some of his best experimental works as well as a selection of portraits of the most important figures in modern art. This fantastic collection of photos offers insight not only into the incredible talent and creative process of Man Ray, but into the characters and relationships of the era.
Leaf through Man Ray (Photofile) to find out more about this iconic artist.
Explore all our titles on Surrealism, the World of Art series and art to find your perfect read.
