Where did Surrealism start?

Surrealism started in Paris, according to numerous historians. It was there that André Breton published the Manifesto of Surrealism in 1924, and the first collective exhibition of Surrealist painting was held at the Galerie Pierre in November of 1925. Surrealist art features dreamlike and uncanny imagery guided by a variety of techniques, such as automatic drawing, which can be likened to a stream of consciousness, to channel psychological experiences. Although Surrealism was a groundbreaking approach for European art, its practitioners were inspired by Indigenous art and ancient mysticism to re-envision how sculptures, paintings, prints, performance art and more could respond to the unsettled world around them. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Surrealist art.