The Surrealist Coin: Heads or Tales?

This book Le surréalisme et l’argent beckons us into the labyrinthine world of Surrealism and its complex relationship with money. Mallarmé’s words echo ominously, reminding us that art, in its purest form, transcends the grubby hands of commerce. Yet, this collection of essays boldly explores the economic underbelly of this avant-garde movement, shining a light on the dealers, galleries and shadowy intermediaries who shaped its destiny.

• Surrealism, far from existing in a vacuum, was deeply entwined with the art market, even as it outwardly challenged capitalist systems. The very act of exhibiting, selling and promoting Surrealist works, particularly on an international stage, involved navigating the complexities of commerce.
• Was this a Faustian pact, or could Surrealism, like a chameleon, adapt to its environment without losing its subversive soul? This question haunts the pages of this volume. We encounter figures like Edgar Jené, a passionate advocate for Surrealism who orchestrated the “Surrealist Painting in Europe” exhibition in Saarbrücken in 1952, a politically charged event that highlighted the intricate dance between art, politics and commerce.
• The book examines specific instances where Surrealist artists grappled with the allure and repulsion of the market. Jean Arp’s humorous anecdote about the challenges of selling his art reveals the practical realities faced by artists who sought to reconcile their creative visions with the demands of the market.
• The complex dynamic between artist and patron is vividly illustrated through the relationship between Salvador Dalí and Edward James. Their collaboration in the 1930s, culminating in the infamous “Lobster Telephone” and other surrealist objects, reveals how patronage could fuel creative output while blurring the lines between artistic vision and commercial viability.
• The book also challenges conventional narratives of Surrealism as a purely European phenomenon. The inclusion of the 1937 “Exhibition of Foreign Surrealist Works” in Japan demonstrates the movement’s global reach and how it resonated with diverse audiences.
• The role of specific galleries, such as the London Gallery under the direction of E.L.T. Mesens, is scrutinized, revealing how these spaces became crucibles for the dissemination and commodification of Surrealist art. Mesens’s efforts to establish Paul Delvaux in the British market underscore the strategic maneuvering required to elevate an artist’s profile and commercial value.
• Internal conflicts within the movement are brought to the fore, as with the contentious 1954 Venice Biennale. The organizers’ decision to focus solely on Surrealist painting, excluding objects, while awarding prizes to Ernst, Arp and Miró, sparked outrage among certain factions of the movement. These events highlight the internal contradictions and evolving definitions of Surrealism.
• The book ultimately leaves us pondering the legacy of Surrealism. Is it a fossilised relic of the past to be dissected in museum exhibitions, or does its spirit of subversion and exploration continue to resonate in the contemporary art world? The enduring popularity of Surrealist works in the global art market suggests that the movement’s allure remains potent, even as its historical context recedes into the past.

This collection of essays offers a provocative and insightful lens through which to view Surrealism’s complex dance with the market. It reminds us that art, even in its most radical forms, cannot escape the gravitational pull of commerce. Yet, within this tension, Surrealism found ways to subvert, manipulate and even transcend the market, leaving behind a legacy that continues to provoke, inspire and challenge our understanding of art’s place in the world.