Century-old words, but of great importance. Art-based movements that blew up in the 19th and 20th centuries. An artistic term brought to us by the artists that actually bloomed in every perspective of life, and not just the non-living painting perspective. Realism basically refers to the actual perspective and truth of one’s life; on the other hand, surrealism explores the world of dreams and subconsciousness. These artists showed the world the reality and fictional imagery together at the same time, emphasizing the brainy thinking and understanding of one’s brain. As far as realism is concerned, the realist artist responded to the romanticism movement, the movement that threw light on imagination and the power of thinking, which replied by the act of real-life problems, happenings, actuality, and pain faced by a person.

Realism focuses on the external world that’s completely visible and the truth, whereas surrealism is concerned with the internal world of imagery, thinking that might be romantic or absurd, and dreamy verses of the brain. Surrealism was first brought into picture by a French writer in 1924 who was influenced by the works of earlier writers and artists that emphasized on irrational and the absurd. It even includes fantasies and also a technique called automatism which involves creating art without a definite, clear thought that indirectly leads to spontaneous imaginative work of art, along with this it also challenged all the traditional ideas of only realistic thinking towards something that just can be felt and understood and cannot be directly hand touched or so.

Realism, on the contrary, holds features like accurate and truthful depiction of life’s reality with the absence of absurd and inappropriate imagery. Also, it has characteristics like attention to detail and nothing extraordinary in its work, it rejects romantic emotions and subconscious thinking. It focuses on a particular picture in somebody’s life rather than random thoughts that appear out of the blue.

Both of these words play an important role not just in art or writing but also in the daily lives of everyone. May it be magical realism that came later, which combines a realistic description of everyday life with magical and fantastical elements, which indirectly gets connected to the term of surrealism through the imagery. In the end, it can be concluded that these words could describe a life, a piece of art, and even the verses of a writer, most expressively and completely.

In the visual arts, Realism paved the way for later movements like Impressionism and Modernism, but its influence remained strong. The 20th century saw new waves of Realism in literature, theatre, and cinema, including social realism and neo-realism, which focused on contemporary social issues and the human condition.

While Realism sought to document the visible world, Surrealism aimed to explore the invisible realms of the mind. Surrealism emerged in the early 20th century, following the devastation of World War I. It was partly a response to the chaos and disillusionment caused by the war, and partly an outgrowth of Dadaism, an anti-art movement that challenged traditional values and rational thought.

The Surrealist movement was officially launched in 1924 with the publication of the Surrealist Manifesto by André Breton, a French poet and writer. Influenced by the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud, Breton and his contemporaries sought to unleash the power of the unconscious mind through art and literature. They believed that reality was not just what we perceive with our senses but also what exists in dreams, fantasies, and irrational thoughts.

Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Max Ernst are among the most well-known Surrealist artists. Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory (1931), with its melting clocks and dreamlike landscape, is perhaps the most iconic Surrealist painting. It challenges our perception of time and reality, blending the familiar with the bizarre.

Magritte’s work, such as The Treachery of Images (1929), which shows a pipe with the caption “This is not a pipe,” plays with language, symbolism, and perception, questioning the relationship between objects and words. Max Ernst used experimental techniques like frottage and collage to create fantastical images that drew from the unconscious.

In literature, Breton, Louis Aragon, and Paul Éluard explored automatic writing, a method of letting the subconscious mind dictate the text without censorship or rational control. Their goal was to bypass logical thinking and reveal hidden truths of the psyche.

Surrealism wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was also deeply political. Many Surrealists were involved with leftist politics and believed that the liberation of the mind could lead to the liberation of society. They criticized the rationalism that had led to war and destruction, advocating instead for a new way of seeing and being.

The movement spread across Europe and into the Americas, influencing not just visual art and literature but also theatre, film, and philosophy. Filmmakers like Luis Buñuel collaborated with Dalí to create Surrealist films such as Un Chien Andalou (1929), which shocked audiences with its disturbing and illogical imagery.

In Latin America, artists like Frida Kahlo and Leonora Carrington incorporated Surrealist techniques into their work, blending dream imagery with personal and political themes. Kahlo, though she denied being a Surrealist, used vivid symbolism and emotional honesty that aligned with the movement's ideals.

Both Realism and Surrealism have had profound and lasting impacts on global art and culture. Realism laid the groundwork for modern journalism, documentary filmmaking, and social critique in art and literature. It emphasized the importance of truth, objectivity, and empathy in representing human experience.

Surrealism, on the other hand, opened up new avenues for creativity by legitimizing the irrational and the unconscious as sources of artistic inspiration. It encouraged artists to break free from traditional forms and to experiment with new techniques and ideas. Its influence can be seen in psychedelic art, fantasy literature, abstract expressionism, and contemporary digital art.

Even today, the tension between Realism and Surrealism remains relevant. In a world flooded with images and narratives, the debate between what is “real” and what lies beneath the surface continues to inspire artists, writers, and thinkers.

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