Surrealism is an influential art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in Europe, and later spread to other parts of the world. Surrealism is characterized by its exploration of the irrational, dreamlike, and subconscious realms of the human mind. It sought to liberate the creative process from rational thought and conventional norms, often resulting in artworks that juxtaposed unrelated or contradictory elements to create a sense of mystery and intrigue.