"Surrealism is the movement of the revolution of the spirit, a freedom of the imagination that is the liberation of the subconscious."
André Masson (1896–1987) was a French painter and Surrealist known for his innovative use of automatic drawing techniques and exploration of the unconscious mind. Born in Balagny-sur-Thérain, France, Masson began his art education at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris but was interrupted by World War I, which profoundly impacted his later work.
After the war, Masson became a prominent figure in the Surrealist movement, collaborating with artists like Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst. He is renowned for his "automatic" drawings, which emphasized spontaneous creation and the exploration of primal instincts. Major works include "The Battle of Fishes" (1926) and "Automatic Drawing" (1924).
In the later years of his career, Masson incorporated more abstract and expressionist elements into his art. He continued to influence modern art until his death on October 28, 1987, in Paris. His work remains celebrated for its contribution to Surrealism and abstract art.