The iconic visual art style known as surrealism was created by artists such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. Surrealism sought to challenge perceptions of reality by exploring the subconscious mind and dream imagery. Through innovative techniques, surrealist artists aimed to merge the fantastical with the ordinary, provoking thought and evoking emotion. This movement greatly influenced modern art, literature, and film, encouraging artists to embrace creativity beyond rational bounds and express deeper truths about human experience.