Surrealism and design
Originally a radical art movement, in the 1930s Surrealism transformed the design world
Surrealism
Surrealism is one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century. The Surrealists explored unique ways of interpreting the world, turning to dreams and the unconscious as inspiration for a new vision. During the 1930s, the movement escaped the bounds of the radical avant-garde and transformed the wider world of design.
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Our collection illustrates how Surrealist imagery and ideas inspired designers in the fields of photography, theatre, furniture, fashion, textiles, ceramics and graphic design, and includes work by Jean Cocteau, Man Ray and Salvador Dalí among other leading Surrealists.
Collection highlights
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Evening jacket, designed by Charles James, 1937, Paris, France -
Table, designed by Méret Oppenheim, 1938 – 39, manufactured by Simon International, 1972 – 84, Paris, France -
Normandie, French Railways, poster, by Salvador Dali, 1969, France -
(Detail) Evening coat, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli and Jean Cocteau, 1937, London, England. -
The Lonely Metropolitan, photograph, by Herbert Bayer, 1932, Berlin, Germany -
A pair of champagne standard lamps, by Salvador Dalí and Edward James, 1937 – 39, London, England -
Mainbocher Corset (pink satin corset by Detolle), photograph, by Horst P. Horst, 1939, Paris, France -
Mae West Lips sofa, designed by Salvador Dalí and Edward James, made by Green and Abbott, 1938 – 39, England -
Eléctricité, photogravure, by Man Ray, published by Compagnie Parisienne de Distribution de l'Eléctricité, 1931, France -
Beste Elenique, furnishing fabric, designed by Salvador Dali, made by Schiffer Prints, 1954, US -
Shoe Hat, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli, 1937 – 38, France.
Features
Header image: Mae West Lips sofa, Salvador Dalí and Edward James, 1938 – 39, England. Museum no. W.6-2018. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London