Page 48 - Studio International - December1996

André Breton :1886 1966

Roland Penrose

There is one word, Surrealism, which will be wilfully society in which the clairvoyance of poets should be able
and forever associated with the name of André Breton. to discover not only the sources of inspiration but a way
The reputation he has acquired in the growth of ideas in of life which could lead to greater understanding of our
the first half of this century makes us think of him as a human condition, that was the basis of his evolution.
man who did as much to inspire others by his active life `Changer la vie' was the watchword of those with whom
as by his own writings. His solemn leonine expression, his he associated as soon as the war was over. He found him-
imposing features, swollen eyelids, heavy lower jaw and self surrounded by an active, turbulent group of poets and
shaggy mane brushed back off the impressive contours of artists who were animated like him by an urgent desire to
his forehead, his concentrated distant look as he puffed at break with the past. 'Burn the museums, open the prisons,
his briar pipe, and the precise, authoritative articulation disband the Army, insult the Church, listen to madmen
with which he spoke gave him at once the position of a and descend into the street' were the battle-cries of the
leader among those who surrounded him. Capable of Dadaists with whom Breton formed his first liaison, and
violent and stormy reactions which could demolish his in the transition from Dadaism to Surrealism these senti-
critics, it was often a surprise to find that among strangers ments were kept alive. But Surrealism was to have a less
he could use every nuance of politeness. He could put negative approach. With these violent reactions to society
others at their ease by his gentle concentration on their still burning, its aim was to explore that which is marvel-
problems or make them uneasy by the way in which he lous and elusive in life. His companions who shared his
views enthusiastically were themselves poets in love with
Portrait of André Breton,
Drawing by André Masson, all that ranges from violent passion to tenderness in
1941 human relations. They shared the discoveries they made
from day to day in the mysterious unconscious motives of
human behaviour and the marvellous habits and forms
of the natural world. As a philosopher Breton found him-
self most in sympathy with those who had admitted the
necessity of contrasts and the tension provoked between
them. Perfect equilibrium, should it ever happen, was of
little interest to him except as an ultimate goal, and in
consequence he looked for the key to inspiration in con-
tradictions and hysteria. Beauty to him was only accept-
able when it was alive and convulsive.
By 1924 Breton had gathered around himself a group of
poets and painters of unusual brilliance. He had already
begun to co-ordinate the ideas that were taking shape
would agree superficially with everything they had to say. around him in publications and reviews of which the most
One of the most important things to remember about important was La Révolution Surréaliste. The contributions
Surrealism was Breton's insistence that it was not a in these papers which appeared sporadically kept a
theory or a school of thought ; it demanded a complete balance between poetry and painting and explored by
acceptance of an approach to life which was not limited means of articles and inquiries such matters as morals,
to the arts but combined with it a very definite attitude love, suicide, dreams and hysteria. Among those who
towards morals and politics among his followers. This in contributed on the literary side were Eluard, Aragon,
itself was the basis of devotion for the more simple and Desnos, Queneau, Soupault, Crevel, Péret, Prévert and
the grounds for disagreement for others. many others including Dadaists such as Tzara, while
Breton began life as a medical student, mobilized in the among the painters and sculptors were Max Ernst,
French medical service in the 1914-18 War. It was then Tanguy, Masson, Arp, Miró, Man Ray, Duchamp,
that he became conscious of the works of Freud in his Picabia, and later Giacometti, Magritte and Dali, while
investigation into the psychological troubles that beset so ever-present but without close participation was the
many of the shell-shocked patients of whom he had genius of Picasso.
charge. It was combination of revolutionary indignation In his efforts to pursue a clear and uncompromising line
at the stupidity of a society which could be led into a war Breton at times succeeded in exasperating other members
of such disastrous consequences, and his visions of a of the group. His desire for integrity and an inflexible