Western Art Movements II Art Movements    

Lesson 29: Surrealism - The Seer (1915)

by Giorgio de Chirico

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's movement.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Surrealism rose to prominence circa 1917-1950. Surrealistic artwork represents the subconscious of the artist - seeking to tap the hidden images or ideas within the minds of the artists. Greek/Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico created the surrealist piece, 'The Seer,' in 1915. In the painting, a mannequin sits on a block of wood at a desk. An architectural drawing on an easel rests next to the mannequin. The mannequin's head twists around, as if looking over its shoulder at the viewer. A mystical star headpiece ornaments the mannequin's head. Wings of black material cover the mannequin's back. A shadow lurks across the floor, formed like a humanoid statue on a pedestal. A brick wall, a dark doorway, and a decorative structure with pillars make up the background.

Vocabulary

Surrealism: An artistic movement aiming for the liberation of the mind by emphasizing the critical and imaginative powers of the subconscious.
Subconscious: That part of the mind that is not consciously perceived; one's innermost thoughts.
Mannequin: A dummy, or life-size model of the human body, used for the fitting or displaying of clothes.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Surrealism
2. Peak Prevalence - 1917-1950

Movement Characteristics:

1. Representative of the subconscious
2. Dreamlike and subjective
3. The element of surprise
4. Mystical, magical, and oftentimes unsettling
5. Bizarre creatures and warped reality
6. See the fantastical surrealist creature in 'The Elephant Celebes' (1921) by Max Ernst

Common Coinciding Genres:

1. Landscapes - 'Catalan Landscape' (The Hunter) (1924) by Joan Miro

2. Portraits - 'Diana in the Autumn Wind' (1921) by Paul Klee

3. Symbolic Paintings - 'Birds also Birds, Fish Snake and Scarecrow' (1921) by Max Ernst

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Mannequin
• Easel
• Wooden Planks
• Architectural Drawing
• Lurking Shadow
• Star Headpiece
• Dark Doorway
• Pillars
• Arches
• Brick Wall

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Map the Artwork

De Chirico was born in Greece. Find Greece on the map of Europe.

Activity 4: Classify the Artwork

• This artwork belongs to the surrealism art movement.
• Find surrealism on the timeline.
• During which approximate years did surrealism flourish?
• Which art movement followed surrealism?

Activity 5: Recreate/Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 32 of 'Fifth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

What is surrealism?

1 / 5

Answer 1

Surrealism is an artistic movement aiming for the liberation of the mind by emphasizing the critical and imaginative powers of the subconscious.

1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The artwork depicts a mannequin wearing a star headpiece, an architectural drawing on an easel, a mysterious shadow, and some background decor.

2 / 5

Question 3

To which western art movement does this painting belong?

3 / 5

Answer 3

This painting belongs to the surrealism art movement.

3 / 5

Question 4

How does the artwork serve as an example of surrealism?

4 / 5

Answer 4

The painting shows a fantastical composition, representing not reality but the subconscious of the artist, characteristic of surrealism.

4 / 5

Question 5

During which century was this artwork created?

5 / 5

Answer 5

This artwork was created in the early 20th century (1915).

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. What is surrealism? Surrealism is an artistic movement aiming for the liberation of the mind by emphasizing the critical and imaginative powers of the subconscious.
2. What happens in the artwork? The artwork depicts a mannequin wearing a star headpiece, an architectural drawing on an easel, a mysterious shadow, and some background decor.
3. To which western art movement does this painting belong? This painting belongs to the surrealism art movement.
4. How does the artwork serve as an example of surrealism? The painting shows a fantastical composition, representing not reality but the subconscious of the artist, characteristic of surrealism.
5. During which century was this artwork created? This artwork was created in the early 20th century (1915).

References

'Surrealism.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Giorgio de Chirico.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.