SURREALISM

Surrealism first started in Paris by a small group of artists and writers who focused on creating images by exploring the subconscious and what imaginations they can explore from it. They went against rationalism and realism and where greatly influenced by Sigmund Freud (The most famous psychology figure who was the most influential and controversial thinkers of the 20th century). Surrealists believed that the conscious mind held an individual's power of imagination back. Their emphasis on the importance of imagination sends them back to the tradition of Romanticism, but unlike Romantic artists, they managed to see revelations in things that could be found commonly and in everyday life. Surrealism became one of the most influential movements in the 20th century. 

Salvador Dali - The Persistence of Memory c.1931.

Salvador Dali - Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee c.1944.

Salvador Dali - Geopolitics Child Watching the Birth of the New Man c.1943.

Rene Magritte - The Red Model II.

Rene Magritte - The Blank Cheque.

References:

Surrealism Movement, Artists and Major Works | The Art Story. 2013.Surrealism Movement, Artists and Major Works | The Art Story. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theartstory.org/movement-surrealism.htm. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

Famous Paintings by Salvador Dalí. 2013. Famous Paintings by Salvador Dalí. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.show-your-own-art-gallery.com/paintings-by-salvador-dali.html. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

Salvador Dalí. Short and informative about his life and work.. 2013. Salvador Dalí. Short and informative about his life and work.. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.show-your-own-art-gallery.com/salvador-dali.html. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

Freud - The Life, Work and Theories of Sigmund Freud. 2013. Freud - The Life, Work and Theories of Sigmund Freud. [ONLINE] Available at:http://psychology.about.com/od/sigmundfreud/p/sigmund_freud.htm. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

Salvador Dalí Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com . 2013.Salvador Dalí Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/salvador-dal%C3%AD-40389. [Accessed 15 May 2013].