Studio and workshop of artist Joan Miró, at the Miro Foundation museum, Palma de Mallorca. Courtesy of Mark Green
This autumn, the enchanting world of surrealism will take center stage as we commemorate 100 years since André Breton founded the movement. September 2024 will see exhibitions across Europe celebrating this milestone, offering a unique opportunity to explore the homes and studios of these visionary artists from Mallorca to Sussex and Rome.
1. West Dean House, West Sussex
Salvador Dalí. Lobster Telephone. 1938. Courtesy of Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí
This 1920s hub of surrealism in England showcases iconic works, including Salvador Dalí’s Mae West sofa and a lobster telephone. Now a college focused on crafts and restoration, West Dean will host monthly tours starting in October to honor the centenary of surrealism. Located near Chichester at the foot of the South Downs, West Dean also offers B&B accommodations in its main Jacobean house. Nearby, the Newlands Gallery in Petworth is featuring an exhibition celebrating influential British surrealist Leonora Carrington until October 24 (£14.50, newlandshouse.gallery). Doubles from £95 B&B, http://westdean.org.uk
2. De Chirico, Rome
The end of a dream. De Chirico. Courtesy of Active Museum
Close to the Spanish Steps, visitors can explore the former home of Giorgio de Chirico (£7, fondazione dechirico.org). His paintings, known for their haunting cityscapes, embody the essence of surrealism. The exhibition includes some of his favorite works and his studio, preserved as if he just stepped out. Behind the house is the elegant Hotel Scalinata Di Spagna. Doubles from £168 B&B, http://hotelscalinata.com
3. Magritte, Brussels
Portrait of the painter Rene Magritte, with pipe, graffito, street art, Brussels. Courtesy of Nigel Simons
René Magritte infused the surrealist movement with humor and whimsy. In Brussels, around 230 of his works are on display at the Musée Magritte (£8, musee-magritte-museum.be), including his surrealist films and a fantastic museum shop. A 10-minute walk away, the Hotel Amigo features a Magritte-themed bar with inventive cocktails; the Sheherazade cocktail combines frozen vodka, lemon bitters, and rose champagne. The La Fleur en Papier Doré café is a historic spot where Magritte and fellow Belgian surrealists gathered in the 1920s. Doubles from £260, http://roccofortehotels.com
4. Miró, Mallorca
Studio and workshop of artist Joan Miró, at the Miro Foundation museum, Palma de Mallorca. Courtesy of Mark Green
Joan Miró, another leading figure in surrealism, spent his last 25 years in Mallorca. His studio and home, alongside a dedicated museum, are open to the public, providing a comprehensive view of the artist’s life (£8, miromallorca.com). The Miró Museum also offers art courses for the community. Stay at the nearby Hotel Joan Miró, which features a pool and bike service station. Doubles from £139, http://hoteljoanmiro.com
5. Pompidou Centre, Paris
Green Tea (La Dame ovale). 1942. Leonora Carrington. Courtesy of Centre Pompidou
Before its five-year renovation, the Pompidou Centre (£15, centrepompidou.fr) will host a surrealism exhibition from September 24 to January 13. André Breton penned the surrealist manifesto "Les Champs Magnétiques" at the Hotel des Grands Hommes when it was a budget boarding house for artists. The hotel has since been upgraded and boasts a prime location opposite the Pantheon. B&B doubles from £129, http://hoteldesgrandshommes.com
6. Lee Miller, East Sussex
Lee Miller’s Study at Farleys House, Sussex. Courtesy of Jim Holden/ Lee Miller Archives
Photographer Lee Miller lived near Lewes for 35 years with her husband, artist Roland Penrose. Their home is filled with art they collected from notable visitors, including Miró, Magritte, and Man Ray. The house is open from April to October (£10, farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk). Miller, a Cordon Bleu chef as well as a photographer, created surrealist culinary art. Kate Winslet portrays her in the biopic *Lee*, which opens this week. Doubles at the Star from £240, http://thepolizzicollection.com/the-star
Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com
Studio and workshop of artist Joan Miró, at the Miro Foundation museum, Palma de Mallorca. Courtesy of Mark Green
This autumn, the enchanting world of surrealism will take center stage as we commemorate 100 years since André Breton founded the movement. September 2024 will see exhibitions across Europe celebrating this milestone, offering a unique opportunity to explore the homes and studios of these visionary artists from Mallorca to Sussex and Rome.
1. West Dean House, West Sussex
Salvador Dalí. Lobster Telephone. 1938. Courtesy of Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí
This 1920s hub of surrealism in England showcases iconic works, including Salvador Dalí’s Mae West sofa and a lobster telephone. Now a college focused on crafts and restoration, West Dean will host monthly tours starting in October to honor the centenary of surrealism. Located near Chichester at the foot of the South Downs, West Dean also offers B&B accommodations in its main Jacobean house. Nearby, the Newlands Gallery in Petworth is featuring an exhibition celebrating influential British surrealist Leonora Carrington until October 24 (£14.50, newlandshouse.gallery). Doubles from £95 B&B, http://westdean.org.uk
2. De Chirico, Rome
The end of a dream. De Chirico. Courtesy of Active Museum
Close to the Spanish Steps, visitors can explore the former home of Giorgio de Chirico (£7, fondazione dechirico.org). His paintings, known for their haunting cityscapes, embody the essence of surrealism. The exhibition includes some of his favorite works and his studio, preserved as if he just stepped out. Behind the house is the elegant Hotel Scalinata Di Spagna. Doubles from £168 B&B, http://hotelscalinata.com
3. Magritte, Brussels
Portrait of the painter Rene Magritte, with pipe, graffito, street art, Brussels. Courtesy of Nigel Simons
René Magritte infused the surrealist movement with humor and whimsy. In Brussels, around 230 of his works are on display at the Musée Magritte (£8, musee-magritte-museum.be), including his surrealist films and a fantastic museum shop. A 10-minute walk away, the Hotel Amigo features a Magritte-themed bar with inventive cocktails; the Sheherazade cocktail combines frozen vodka, lemon bitters, and rose champagne. The La Fleur en Papier Doré café is a historic spot where Magritte and fellow Belgian surrealists gathered in the 1920s. Doubles from £260, http://roccofortehotels.com
4. Miró, Mallorca
Studio and workshop of artist Joan Miró, at the Miro Foundation museum, Palma de Mallorca. Courtesy of Mark Green
Joan Miró, another leading figure in surrealism, spent his last 25 years in Mallorca. His studio and home, alongside a dedicated museum, are open to the public, providing a comprehensive view of the artist’s life (£8, miromallorca.com). The Miró Museum also offers art courses for the community. Stay at the nearby Hotel Joan Miró, which features a pool and bike service station. Doubles from £139, http://hoteljoanmiro.com
5. Pompidou Centre, Paris
Green Tea (La Dame ovale). 1942. Leonora Carrington. Courtesy of Centre Pompidou
Before its five-year renovation, the Pompidou Centre (£15, centrepompidou.fr) will host a surrealism exhibition from September 24 to January 13. André Breton penned the surrealist manifesto "Les Champs Magnétiques" at the Hotel des Grands Hommes when it was a budget boarding house for artists. The hotel has since been upgraded and boasts a prime location opposite the Pantheon. B&B doubles from £129, http://hoteldesgrandshommes.com
6. Lee Miller, East Sussex
Lee Miller’s Study at Farleys House, Sussex. Courtesy of Jim Holden/ Lee Miller Archives
Photographer Lee Miller lived near Lewes for 35 years with her husband, artist Roland Penrose. Their home is filled with art they collected from notable visitors, including Miró, Magritte, and Man Ray. The house is open from April to October (£10, farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk). Miller, a Cordon Bleu chef as well as a photographer, created surrealist culinary art. Kate Winslet portrays her in the biopic *Lee*, which opens this week. Doubles at the Star from £240, http://thepolizzicollection.com/the-star
