André Breton

André Breton was a seminal French writer, poet, and critic, renowned as the leading figure and theoretician of surrealism. His pioneering work in defining and shaping the movement includes the creation of the first Surrealist Manifesto in 1924, where he characterized surrealism as "pure psychic automatism." Breton's influence extended beyond literature to the visual arts, making him a major figure in 20th-century French culture.

Throughout his career, Breton authored several influential books, including:

• Nadja (1928): A novel capturing his imaginative encounter with a woman who later descends into mental illness, blending surrealist themes with personal narrative.
• L'Amour fou (Crazy Love): A poetic exploration of love and obsession, emblematic of his surrealist ideals.

Born in Normandy to modest means, Breton's early interest in mental health and his experiences during World War I significantly shaped his artistic and philosophical outlook. He was actively involved in the Dada movement before establishing surrealism, founding key publications and promoting automatic writing as a creative technique. His leadership and theoretical contributions profoundly impacted both literary and visual arts, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in modern art and literature.