Abstract vs. Surrealism: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 13, 2024
Abstract is an artistic style focusing on shapes, colors, and textures, not representing reality. Surrealism is an artistic movement blending dream and reality to create bizarre, fantastical imagery.
Key Differences
Abstract art emphasizes visual elements like shapes, colors, and forms, often devoid of recognizable subjects, focusing on emotional expression and the intrinsic properties of art. Surrealism, in contrast, merges dreamlike scenes with realistic details, creating an uncanny blend of the familiar and the bizarre, rooted in Freudian psychoanalysis and the unconscious mind.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
While Abstract art is non-representational and does not depict specific objects or scenes, it often evokes emotions through its use of abstract elements. Surrealism, however, often uses realistic imagery in illogical or strange ways to challenge viewers' preconceptions, tapping into the subconscious and dream states for inspiration.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
In Abstract art, the process and materials are often as important as the final product, with artists experimenting with various mediums and techniques. Surrealism, while also experimental, relies more on narrative and symbolic content, often using meticulous techniques to depict unreal scenarios in a realistic manner.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
Abstract art is more about the artist’s internal process, expressing feelings, and concepts without direct representation. Surrealism, conversely, is externally focused, often commenting on society, politics, and human nature through bizarre, dream-like scenarios.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
Abstract art can be seen as a rebellion against traditional representation, breaking down subjects to their essential forms. Surrealism rebels against rational thought, delving into the illogical and the irrational, often drawing on dreams and the unconscious for inspiration.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Representation
Non-representational, focuses on forms and colors.
Often representational, combines reality with dream elements.
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Jan 13, 2024
Inspiration
Emotional expression, intrinsic properties of art.
Subconscious, dreams, and Freudian psychoanalysis.
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Jan 13, 2024
Technique
Emphasizes the process and experimentation.
Combines meticulous, realistic techniques with irrational scenarios.
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Jan 13, 2024
Focus
Internal, artist’s emotions and concepts.
External, societal and psychological commentary.
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Jan 13, 2024
Rebellion Against
Traditional representation and realism.
Rational thought and conventional reality.
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Jan 13, 2024
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Abstract and Surrealism Definitions
Abstract
In writing or speaking, abstract means to summarize the content of a document or speech.
The scientist wrote an abstract of her research for the conference.
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Surrealism
Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that seeks to express the workings of the subconscious and is characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter.
The surrealism in his art comes through in the way clocks melt over the landscape.
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Dec 20, 2023
Surrealism
Surrealism often involves elements of surprise and unexpected juxtapositions.
The surrealism of the scene was evident as fish flew through the air in the middle of the city.
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Dec 20, 2023
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Surrealism
Surrealism in literature and film often involves a mixture of reality and dream-like elements to create a fantastical narrative.
The novel's surrealism left readers questioning the line between reality and imagination.
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Dec 20, 2023
Surrealism
Surrealism can also describe a situation that is so strange it seems like a dream or fantasy.
The sudden shift in scenery was surrealism at its peak, confusing yet fascinating.
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Abstract
Denoting something that is immaterial, conceptual, or nonspecific, as an idea or quality
Abstract words like truth and justice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Surrealism
In a broader sense, surrealism refers to something that is bizarre or dream-like, beyond normal reality.
Walking through the misty forest felt surreal, like a scene from a fairy tale.
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Dec 20, 2023
Surrealism
A literary and artistic movement of the 1900s that attempts to express the workings of the subconscious and is characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
Having an intellectual and affective artistic content that depends solely on intrinsic form rather than on narrative content or pictorial representation
Abstract painting and sculpture.
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Dec 13, 2023
Surrealism
An artistic movement and an aesthetic philosophy that aims for the liberation of the mind by emphasizing the critical and imaginative powers of the subconscious.
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Dec 13, 2023
Surrealism
A 20th century movement of artists and writers (developing out of Dadaism) who used fantastic images and incongruous juxtapositions in order to represent unconscious thoughts and dreams
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To take away; remove
Abstract the most important data from a set of records.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To remove without permission; steal
A painting that was abstracted from the museum.
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Abstract
To consider (an idea, for example) as separate from particular examples or objects
Abstract a principle of arrangement from a series of items.
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Abstract
(ăbstrăkt′) To write a summary of; summarize
Abstract a long article in a paragraph.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To create artistic abstractions of (something else, such as a concrete object or another style)
"The Bauhaus Functionalists were ... busy unornamenting and abstracting modern architecture, painting and design" (John Barth).
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
Something that concentrates in itself the qualities of a larger item, or multiple items.
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Abstract
(medicine) A powdered solid extract of a medicinal substance mixed with lactose.
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Abstract
The theoretical way of looking at things; something that exists only in idealized form.
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Abstract
(real estate) A summary title of the key points detailing a tract of land, for ownership; abstract of title.
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Abstract
Not concrete: conceptual, ideal.
Her new film is an abstract piece, combining elements of magic realism, flashbacks, and animation but with very little in terms of plot construction.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
Apart from practice or reality; vague; theoretical; impersonal; not applied.
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Abstract
(grammar) As a noun, denoting a concept or intangible as opposed to an object, place, or person.
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Abstract
Difficult to understand; abstruse; hard to conceptualize.
The politician gave a somewhat abstract answer when asked about their plans to cut spending.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
Separately expressing a property or attribute of an object that is considered to be inherent to that object: attributive, ascriptive.
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Abstract
Pertaining comprehensively to, or representing, a class or group of objects, as opposed to any specific object; considered apart from any application to a particular object: general, generic, nonspecific; representational.
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Abstract
(arts) Pertaining to the formal aspect of art, such as the lines, colors, shapes, and the relationships among them.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
Free from representational qualities, in particular the non-representational styles of the 20th century.
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Abstract
Being a partial basis for subclasses rather than a complete template for objects.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To conceptualize an ideal subgroup by means of the generalization of an attribute, as follows: by apprehending an attribute inherent to one individual, then separating that attribute and contemplating it by itself, then conceiving of that attribute as a general quality, then despecifying that conceived quality with respect to several or many individuals, and by then ideating a group composed of those individuals perceived to possess said quality.
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Abstract
(transitive) To consider abstractly; to contemplate separately or by itself; to consider theoretically; to look at as a general quality.
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Abstract
(transitive) To draw off (interest or attention).
He was wholly abstracted by other objects.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To produce an abstraction, usually by refactoring existing code. Generally used with "out".
He abstracted out the square root function.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
Considered apart from any application to a particular object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only; as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal; abstruse; difficult.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
Expressing a particular property of an object viewed apart from the other properties which constitute it; - opposed to concrete; as, honesty is an abstract word.
A concrete name is a name which stands for a thing; an abstract name which stands for an attribute of a thing. A practice has grown up in more modern times, which, if not introduced by Locke, has gained currency from his example, of applying the expression "abstract name" to all names which are the result of abstraction and generalization, and consequently to all general names, instead of confining it to the names of attributes.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To withdraw; to separate; to take away.
He was incapable of forming any opinion or resolution abstracted from his own prejudices.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To draw off in respect to interest or attention; as, his was wholly abstracted by other objects.
The young stranger had been abstracted and silent.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To separate, as ideas, by the operation of the mind; to consider by itself; to contemplate separately, as a quality or attribute.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To take secretly or dishonestly; to purloin; as, to abstract goods from a parcel, or money from a till.
Von Rosen had quietly abstracted the bearing-reins from the harness.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To separate, as the more volatile or soluble parts of a substance, by distillation or other chemical processes. In this sense extract is now more generally used.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
To perform the process of abstraction.
I own myself able to abstract in one sense.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
That which comprises or concentrates in itself the essential qualities of a larger thing or of several things. Specifically: A summary or an epitome, as of a treatise or book, or of a statement; a brief.
An abstract of every treatise he had read.
Man, the abstractOf all perfection, which the workmanshipOf Heaven hath modeled.
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated things.
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Abstract
An abstract term.
The concretes "father" and "son" have, or might have, the abstracts "paternity" and "filiety."
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Abstract
A powdered solid extract of a vegetable substance mixed with sugar of milk in such proportion that one part of the abstract represents two parts of the original substance.
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Abstract
A concept or idea not associated with any specific instance;
He loved her only in the abstract--not in person
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Dec 13, 2023
Abstract
Consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
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Abstract
Consider apart from a particular case or instance;
Let's abstract away from this particular example
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Abstract
Existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment;
Abstract words like `truth' and `justice'
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Abstract
Not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature;
A large abstract painting
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Abstract
Dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention;
Abstract reasoning
Abstract science
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Abstract
Abstract refers to art that does not attempt to represent reality, but seeks to achieve its effect through shapes and colors.
The abstract painting was a swirl of blues and greens, evoking the ocean.
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Dec 20, 2023
Abstract
In general terms, abstract means existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
Love is an abstract concept that's difficult to define.
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Abstract
Abstract also refers to theoretical; not applied or practical.
Her abstract thesis on philosophy challenged conventional beliefs.
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Abstract
To abstract something means to consider it theoretically or separately from something else.
To understand the concept, you need to abstract it from its historical context.
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Dec 20, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the main goal of Surrealism?
Surrealism aims to explore and express the subconscious mind, often through bizarre and dream-like imagery.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
How does Abstract art differ in its approach from Surrealism?
Abstract art focuses on emotional expression and the intrinsic properties of art, while Surrealism blends dream and reality, often with a psychological or societal commentary.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
Can Abstract art be figurative?
No, by definition, Abstract art is non-representational and does not depict specific, recognizable subjects.
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Jan 13, 2024
What defines Abstract art?
Abstract art is characterized by the use of shapes, colors, and textures to create compositions that may not represent reality.
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Jan 13, 2024
Who are some famous Surrealist artists?
Salvador Dalí and René Magritte are among the most renowned Surrealist artists.
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Jan 13, 2024
What techniques are common in Abstract art?
Techniques in Abstract art vary widely but often include experimental use of materials and a focus on color and form.
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Jan 13, 2024
How does Surrealism impact the viewer?
Surrealism aims to surprise and provoke the viewer, often causing them to question reality and their own perceptions.
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Jan 13, 2024
Is Surrealism always based on dreams?
While dreams are a significant inspiration, Surrealism also draws from broader subconscious and psychoanalytic concepts.
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Jan 13, 2024
How did Abstract art emerge?
Abstract art emerged as a rebellion against traditional art forms, focusing more on emotional expression and form than on depicting reality.
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Jan 13, 2024
Can Abstract art convey specific messages?
Yes, though indirectly. Abstract art can evoke emotions or concepts through its composition and use of color and form.
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Jan 13, 2024
How do viewers interpret Abstract art?
Interpretation of Abstract art is subjective and varies widely among viewers, often based on personal emotion and perception.
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Jan 13, 2024
Is Surrealism influenced by any particular philosophical theories?
Yes, Surrealism is heavily influenced by Freudian psychoanalysis and theories about the subconscious mind.
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Jan 13, 2024
Does Abstract art have rules?
Abstract art is characterized by a lack of rules, focusing on artistic freedom and individual expression.
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Jan 13, 2024
Are there different types of Abstract art?
Yes, including Abstract Expressionism, Geometric Abstraction, and Color Field painting, among others.
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Jan 13, 2024
Is Surrealism only a visual art movement?
No, Surrealism extends to literature, film, and even philosophy, anywhere the subconscious can be explored.
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Jan 13, 2024
What role does the unconscious play in Surrealism?
The unconscious is central to Surrealism, guiding the creation of artworks that delve into dreamlike and fantastical realms.
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Jan 13, 2024
What is the significance of objects in Surrealist works?
In Surrealism, objects are often used symbolically or placed in unusual contexts to challenge normal perceptions.
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Jan 13, 2024
Can Abstract art be emotional?
Absolutely. Many abstract artists use color and form to express complex emotions and moods.
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Jan 13, 2024
What themes are common in Surrealism?
Common themes include dreams, the subconscious, absurdity, and the melding of reality and fantasy.
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Jan 13, 2024
What makes Abstract art unique in its representation?
Abstract art's uniqueness lies in its ability to convey ideas and emotions without relying on recognizable forms or scenes.
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Jan 13, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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