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  • Empires - The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
    Empires - The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
    A fascinating and highly entertaining look at one of the most important families of the Renaissance era--the Medici.
  • Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (Story of Painting / Grand Tour / Odyssey / Pains of Glass)
    Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (Story of Painting / Grand Tour / Odyssey / Pains of Glass)

    “Sister Wendy Beckett has transformed public appreciation of art through her astonishing knowledge, insight and passion for painting and painters.” This set includes Sister Wendy's Story of Painting, Sister Wendy's Odyssey, and Sister Wendy's Grand Tour. Simultaneously delightful and scholarly--this is a must have for anyone interested in art history.

  • Exit Through the Gift Shop
    Exit Through the Gift Shop
    When British stencil artist Banksy traveled to Los Angeles to work, he came across obscure French filmmaker Thierry Guetta and his badly organized collection of videotapes involving the activities of graffiti artists. Inspired, Banksy assembled them with new footage to create this talked-about documentary, and the result is a mind-boggling and odd film (so strange as to be thought a hoax by some) about outsider artists and the definition of art itself.
  • The Impressionists
    The Impressionists
    A dramatization of the Impressionist movement as seen through the eyes of Claude Monet. Highly entertaining and informative.
  • The Impressionists: The Other French Revolution
    The Impressionists: The Other French Revolution
    A very personal and revealing look at the personalities that created Impressionism.

Entries in Surrealism (7)

Monday
Nov192012

Salvador Dali Etching Donated To Goodwill, Up For Sale On Their Website

Original hand signed and numbered colored etching by Salvador Dali, titled "Reflection" or "Reflections," from "The Cycles Of Life Suite." Item is listed as an original colored etching, 10.5 inches x 8.25 inchesAn etching by Surrealist master Salvador Dali was discovered at a Goodwill in Tacoma, Washington this week. The signed artwork was dropped off by an unidentified donor and was quickly identified by an art-savvy employee.

READ MORE... 

Wednesday
Apr042012

Salvador Dalí Illustrates Alice in Wonderland, 1969

Salvador Dali, The Queen's Croquet Ground, 1969

I knew he'd done this but hadn't see the work until now; it's pretty amazing. Alice in Wonderland is such a surreal story--and so layered in terms of how it can be understood (from both the adultt's and child's perspective) -- that it's a perfect fit for Dali's somewhat childlike mind--and surrealist view.

From BrainPickings.org:

Published by New York’s Maecenas Press-Random House in 1969 and distributed as their book of the month, the volume went on to become one of the most sought-after Dalí suites of all time. It contains 12 heliogravures, one for each chapter of the book, and one original signed etching in 4 colors as the frontpiece, all of which the fine folks at the William Bennett Gallery have kindly digitized for your gasping pleasure....

Click here to read the story and see more illustrations....

Wednesday
Mar212012

80 Works By Joan Miró, Never Before Shown in Italy, on View At Chiostro Del Bramante

Joan Miró, Senza Titolo, 1978. Olio su compensato (oil on plywood), 64 x 64 cm.Joan Miró was one of the most creative and delightful painters of the Modern era--and certainly is one of my inspirations. He articulated the ethic of Surrealism exquisitely--with his joyful paintings that have become a playground for our minds. An exhibit of 80 new works will be opening shortly in Rome. So if you happen to be traveling to Italy any time soon--check it out.

From ArtDaily.org:

ROME.- It has been many years since Rome hosted an exhaustive exhibition of the works of Joan Miró (1893–1983), the great Catalan artist who left his unmistakable mark on the European avant-garde art movements.

Read more...

Friday
Feb172012

Quote of the Day

Salvador Dali with ocelot and cane, 1965. Roger Higgins, World Telegram staff photographer, Library of Congress, New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection"One day it will have to be officially admitted that what we have christened reality is an even greater illusion than the world of dreams." - Salvador Dali

Monday
Feb132012

"In Wonderland" at LACMA

Frida Kahlo, Autorretrato con collar de espinas y colibri (Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird), 1940, Oil on canvas, Canvas: 30 x 24 in. (76.2 x 60.96 cm) © Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo courtesy Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin.In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States - at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) - Resnick Pavilion, January 29, 2012–May 6, 2012 

In the historically male dominated world of art--works created by women are always fascinating to consider. Sometimes gender plays a large role in style and approach--and at other times--it does not. But in Surrealism--there are notable differences that can be identified between the genders. Check out the following article (and exhibit) if you can--which will be up at LACMA through early May 2012.

“North America represented a place free from European traditions for women Surrealists from the United States and Mexico, and European émigrés. While their male counterparts usually cast women as objects for their delectation, female Surrealists delved into their own subconscious and dreams, creating extraordinary visual images.” MORE...