Roberto Matta

Chilean, 1911–2002

2.2k followers

Roberto Matta

Bio

Chilean, 1911–2002

Followers
2.2k
Biography

Like Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory (1931), Crucifiction (1938) by Chilean painter Roberto Matta is considered a Surrealist masterpiece. Indeed, Matta was heavily influenced by Dalí and Yves Tanguy, and became an important figure in the evolution of Surrealism, painting dreamlike, internal "inscapes" early on and, later, intense compositions reflecting the psychic damage caused by Europe’s ongoing wars. Shifting biomorphic shapes painted or drawn in vivid colors populated Matta’s often-apocalyptic scenes, conveying confusion and angst. Additionally, Matta's style and willing exploration of the Surrealist philosophy of "automatic composition" heavily influenced the development of the Abstract Expressionist school’s exploration of Action painting.

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Career Highlights
Learn more about artist insights.
Blue chip status
Blue chip representation
Represented by internationally reputable galleries.
Auction
High auction record
$5m, Christie's, 2012
User
Solo show at a major institution
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and 1 more
Group
Group show at a major institution
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and 8 more
Institution
Collected by a major institution
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and 2 more
Publication
Reviewed by a major art publication
Artforum, and 1 more
Biography

Like Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory (1931), Crucifiction (1938) by Chilean painter Roberto Matta is considered a Surrealist masterpiece. Indeed, Matta was heavily influenced by Dalí and Yves Tanguy, and became an important figure in the evolution of Surrealism, painting dreamlike, internal "inscapes" early on and, later, intense compositions reflecting the psychic damage caused by Europe’s ongoing wars. Shifting biomorphic shapes painted or drawn in vivid colors populated Matta’s often-apocalyptic scenes, conveying confusion and angst. Additionally, Matta's style and willing exploration of the Surrealist philosophy of "automatic composition" heavily influenced the development of the Abstract Expressionist school’s exploration of Action painting.

Career Highlights
Learn more about artist insights.
Blue chip status
Blue chip representation
Represented by internationally reputable galleries.
Auction
High auction record
$5m, Christie's, 2012
User
Solo show at a major institution
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and 1 more
Group
Group show at a major institution
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and 8 more
Institution
Collected by a major institution
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and 2 more
Publication
Reviewed by a major art publication
Artforum, and 1 more
Shows Featuring Roberto Matta
Articles Featuring Roberto Matta
What Sold at FIAC
Oct 21st, 2019
What Sold at FIAC
When Mexico Became a Surrealist Mecca
Jun 25th, 2019
When Mexico Became a Surrealist Mecca
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