Gérard de Nerval

1936–1939

Draws the cover and images for “Acéphale”

Masson draws the cover of the first issue of Georges Bataille's review “Acéphale” in 1936 and produces the images for all its issues until 1939.

late 1930s

Briefly reconciles with Breton

Masson briefly reconciles with Breton and the Surrealists, producing paintings of violent hybrids of figures and furnishings inspired by the concept of metamorphosis.

c. 1940

Escapes the Nazis with Varian Fry's help

The Nazis condemned Masson's work as degenerate; with the assistance of Varian Fry in Marseille he escapes on a ship to the island of Martinique and from there to the United States. On arrival in New York customs officials find a cache of his erotic drawings in his luggage.

1940–1945

Years in the United States: New Preston, Connecticut

Masson lives in New Preston, Connecticut; in exile he influences the development of the New York School and Abstract Expressionism, most notably Jackson Pollock and Arshile Gorky.