What are the principles of Surrealism of André Breton?

The principles of Surrealism of André Breton held that the art movement was “a violent reaction against the impoverishment and sterility of thought processes that resulted from centuries of rationalism.” In his 1924 Surrealist Manifesto, he established that Surrealism sought to explore the unconscious workings of the human mind, a concept first explored by psychiatrist Sigmund Freud. Breton also wrote that Surrealism was "the invisible ray which will one day enable us to win out over our opponents," suggesting that he believed the ultimate aim of the movement was to impart social change during the turbulent time between the two world wars. Find an assortment of Surrealist art on 1stDibs.