Brauner, Victor

Victor Brauner was a prominent Romanian-French surrealist painter and sculptor, known for his dreamlike and symbol-laden style. He was born on June 15, 1903, in Piatra Neamț, Romania, into a Jewish family. From a young age, he showed an interest in the arts, studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bucharest, where he experimented with various artistic movements, including Dadaism and Expressionism.
In the early 1930s, Brauner moved to Paris, where he met key figures of surrealism such as André Breton, Salvador Dalí, and Max Ernst. He officially joined the movement in 1933, contributing to his introspective and mystical approach. His work is characterized by a unique visual language filled with occult symbolism, anthropomorphic figures, and depictions of inner worlds.
In 1938, the Romanian artist lost his right eye while trying to intervene in a heated fight between Spanish artists Óscar Domínguez and Esteban Francés. This experience deeply influenced his work. Interestingly, Brauner had already anticipated this loss in a self-portrait he created in 1930, where he depicted himself without that eye, highlighting the prophetic power of art and the subconscious.
During World War II, he lived in southern France, seeking refuge from Nazism due to his Jewish heritage. After the war, he resumed his career in Paris, gaining international recognition. Brauner explored various techniques and materials, from oil painting to wax and assemblage, solidifying his reputation as a tireless innovator.
He passed away in Paris on March 12, 1966. His legacy lives on as a unique voice of surrealism, celebrated for his ability to merge the magical, the spiritual, and the visionary.