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Surrealist Art

SURREALIST STYLE

In the wake of World War I’s ravaging of Europe, artists delved into the unconscious mind to confront and grapple with this reality. Poet and critic André Breton, a leader of the Surrealist movement who authored the 1924 Surrealist Manifesto, called this approach “a violent reaction against the impoverishment and sterility of thought processes that resulted from centuries of rationalism.” Surrealist art emerged in the 1920s with dreamlike and uncanny imagery guided by a variety of techniques such as automatic drawing, which can be likened to a stream of consciousness, to channel psychological experiences.

Although Surrealism was a groundbreaking approach for European art, its practitioners were inspired by Indigenous art and ancient mysticism for reenvisioning how sculptures, paintings, prints, performance art and more could respond to the unsettled world around them.

Surrealist artists were also informed by the Dada movement, which originated in 1916 Zurich and embraced absurdity over the logic that had propelled modernity into violence. Some of the Surrealists had witnessed this firsthand, such as Max Ernst, who served in the trenches during World War I, and Salvador Dalí, whose otherworldly paintings and other work responded to the dawning civil war in Spain.

Other key artists associated with the revolutionary art and literary movement included Man Ray, Joan Miró, René Magritte, Yves Tanguy, Frida Kahlo and Meret Oppenheim, all of whom had a distinct perspective on reimagining reality and freeing the unconscious mind from the conventions and restrictions of rational thought. Pablo Picasso showed some of his works in “La Peinture Surréaliste” — the first collective exhibition of Surrealist painting — which opened at Paris’s Galerie Pierre in November of 1925. (Although Magritte is best known as one of the visual Surrealist movement’s most talented practitioners, his famous 1943 painting, The Fifth Season, can be interpreted as a formal break from Surrealism.)

The outbreak of World War II led many in the movement to flee Europe for the Americas, further spreading Surrealism abroad. Generations of modern and contemporary artists were subsequently influenced by the richly symbolic and unearthly imagery of Surrealism, from Joseph Cornell to Arshile Gorky.

Find a collection of original Surrealist paintings, sculptures, prints and multiples and more art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Surrealist
Leonor Fini, rare lithograph on Arches paper, circa 1980
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Rare print handsigned by surrealist artist Leonor Fini, inscreasingly esteemed with the movement of rediscovering art by women. This rare original lithograph is an artist proof in ve...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper

Cat with Hat
Located in Columbia, MO
LEONOR FINI Cat with Hat 1973 Color lithograph Ed. 157/230 12.5 x 9 inches
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Faucet, Surrealist Photorealist Screenprint by Doug Webb
By Doug Webb
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Doug Webb, Turkish (1946 - ) Title: Faucet Year: 1985 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: AP 54/75 Size: 29.5 in. x 36 in. (74.93 cm x 91.44 cm) Frame...
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

Salvador Dali - Raspberry - Original Hand-Signed Lithograph
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Salvador Dali - Raspberry - Original Hand-Signed Lithograph 1969 Dimensions: P. 57 x 37 cm Sheet: 75 x 56 cm Handsigned, EA (Epreuve d'Artiste) Excellent Condition Reference: Field...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

City of Palms - Abstract Urban Color Drenched Collage Mixed Media Art on Paper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

Joan Miro, Untitled, from Joan Miro, 1956
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the 1956 publication Joan Miro. Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and printed by M...
Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Lovers, surrealism painting on canvas
Located in London, London
original painting on canvas sold separately or together certificate of authenticity 40x50cm. 30x40cm 40cx50cm all framed
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sainte Lucie
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Saint Lucie MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISHER: Michelle Broutta, Paris EDITION NUMBER: 268/450 MEASUREMENTS: 35.5" x 25" YEAR: ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

GENEVIEVE ZONDERVAN (1922-2013) FRENCH OIL PAINTING - ROLLING FRENCH FIELDS
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
"Far Reaching Views" by Geneviève Zondervan (French 1922-2013) oil painting on board, stamped verso board: 10.75 x 13.75 inches A lovely, original oil painting on board by the Fren...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Gloomy (pet english bulldog dog surrealism animal men neutral tones)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Please note, the whites areas in the painting are trully white as opposed to bluey as shown in the pictures. Painting is signed at the front. COA provided keywords; surrealism, humo...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Dizzy (lady woman legs high heels black and white flesh tones monochrome city)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Dizzy“, something inexplicable has happened in the middle of a sleepy city; a traffic accident where the fire brigade is trying to rectify and underst...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Joan Miro, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1967 (after)
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph after Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the 1967 folio Derriere le miroir, L'oiseau solaire, l'oiseau lunaire, etin-celle...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Nights over Egypt – 13-11-18, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Nights over Egypt – 13-11-18 I found this picture of Jenna J. Ross on Instagram and I liked it a lot. It was dark and blue. I found it fit for my Egypt project and decided to tu...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Pencil

French Abstract Surrealist Color Lithograph Andre Masson
Located in Surfside, FL
Published Benincasa Carmine. Edizioni SEAT, Torino, Italy. Offset directly from the original plates. Limited edition. This is not hand signed or numbered. Signature in the printing p...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

Official letter
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This picture is included in the series of artworks "Pathos of the Bureaucracy". 100x100cm / oil on canvas/ 2018 The picture is ready to hang (edges of a picture is painted) Signed o...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

original ceramic pendant " Chêvre-pied Double Masque "
Located in CANNES, FR
Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) céramiques originales de Jean Cocteau . Pendentifs : "Chèvre-pied " 1958. pendentif ovale (9cm x7cm) . variante terre blanche en relief. " double masque " 1...
Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Ceramic

Two Faces
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Two Faces" 2006 is an original color serigraph by Ukrainian/American artist Anatole Krasnyansky. It is hand signed and numbered 323/350 in blac...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

Hell 8 - The Angry - woodcut - 1963 (Field p. 189)
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Hell 8 - The Angry woodcut Plate signed 1960/63 Printed on paper Vélin BFK Rives Size 32,8 x 26,4 cm (c. 13 x 10") REFERENCES : Field p. 189 à 200 / Michl...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

"Cardinal Bundled" (2022) by Nathan Durfee, Mixed Media painting
Located in Denver, CO
Nathan Durfee's "Cardinal Bundled " is a mixed media painting that depicts a bird on a branch as a snow storm surrounds them. Artist bio: Nathan Durfee has garnered notoriety for ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Mixed Media, Wood Panel

surreal scene oil on canvas painting surrealism
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Francesc Gironés (1904-1997) - Surrealist scene - Oil canvas Oil measures 38x46 cm. Frame measures 47x55 cm. Francesc Gironés was a painter from Poblenou about whom little is known,...
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lithographs II (1043), Modern Lithograph by Joan Miro
Located in Long Island City, NY
Joan Miro was a Spanish Surrealist artist, world-renowned for his unique art style that blended surrealist fantasy and modern life. This lithograph is part of the series "Lithographs...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Pilgrimage #6, Surrealist Screenprint by Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000) Title: Pilgrimage #6 Year: 1977 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200, 30 AP Size: 26 in. x 34 in. ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

Salvador Dali, "Reverence de Grosillier (Gooseberry), " hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece was created in 1969 by Salvador Dali, it is a photolithograph of a original gouache painted on printed illustrations with original engraving. This piece is hand signed and...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surreal Landscape with Floating People
Located in Miami, FL
Playboy Female Illustrator Shaleen Pedersen paints a surreal landscape stuffed with a plethora of faceless people, devoid of eyes, mouths, or noses. Yet, they are fully dressed in t...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache, Illustration Board

Millefleurs Unicorn, Kate Willows, LImited Edition Print, Fantasy Animal Artwork
Located in Deddington, GB
Millefleurs Unicorn by Kate Willows [2019] limited edition Ink and pencil on paper Edition of 50 Image size: H:20 cm x W:30 cm Sold Unframed Please n...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Pencil

The Hills - Original Abstract Colorful Urban Still Life Collage Artwork Framed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

Robert White "The Articulated Form" 2017 Oil, Symbolist Study of AI Identity
Located in Miami, FL
ROBERT KENNETH WHITE – "THE ARTICULATED FORM" ⚜ Oil on canvas ⚜ Hand signed on verso ⚜ Frameless display MECHANICS OF HUMANITY In “The Articulated Form,” Robert Kenneth White presen...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Origin: How God and I Created the World
By Tony Smith
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
"Origin: How God And I Created The World" acrylic on canvas, 45.5 x 61.5 inches (unframed), $9,500 Tony Smith’s paintings are works in motion. They are tho...
Category

1990s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Max Ernst Untitled 1965 #107A Surrealist Etching Aquatint in colors Blue Yellow
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Max Ernst "Untitled" 1965 Etching and aquatint in colors, on Arches paper. 7.8 x 5.39 inches Publisher: Georges Visat, Paris. Total edition: 100 copies +...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Etching, Aquatint

Subterfuge, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
It has makings of A jigsaw feel. And the shapes Are anonymous. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: R...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Untitled - XXVIII, Surrealist Lithograph by Wojtek Kowalczyk
Located in Long Island City, NY
Untitled - XXVIII Wojtek Kowalczyk, Polish (1960) Date: circa 2005 Lithograph, signed in pencil Size: 19.5 in. x 13.5 in. (49.53 cm x 34.29 cm) Frame Size: 21 x 18 inches
Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Big Apple, Surrealist Screenprint by Israel Rubistein
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Israel Rubinstein (1944 - ) Date: 1980 Screenprint on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 350 Image Size: 26.5 x 32.5 inches Size: 31 x 41 in. (78.74 x 104.14 cm)"
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

Last Hit (surreal painting golf player vintage blue Grey golf course)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Rudolf Kosow’s Last Hit presents a striking surrealist vision, blending elements of vintage Americana with an eerie sense of absence. The golfer, depicted in muted monochrome tones w...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Apocalyptische Reiter (Apocalyptic Rider)
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Apocalyptische Reiter (Apocalyptic Rider) MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed EDITION NUMBER: 166/175 MEASUREMENTS: 22" x 30" YEAR: 1974 CONDITIO...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

La Tia - figurative painting, landscape painting
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful surrealist painting by Mauricio comes rolled in a tube and needs to be stretched when received. In his pieces, Mauricio combines his figurative expertise along with su...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Seahorse Cat
Located in Columbia, MO
LEONOR FINI Seahorse Cat 1973 Color lithograph Ed. 157/230 12.5 x 9 inches
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Outfit
Located in Columbia, MO
LEONOR FINI The Outfit 1973 Color lithograph Ed. 157/230 12.5 x 9 inches
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Horse acrylic on canvas painting surrealism
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Canvas measures 38x38 cm. Frameless. Venezuelan artist, he is a painter of multiple disciplines, he likes to work the texture in his works.
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Surrealist Modern Furniture Study Signed Original Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modern surrealist ladnscape. Oil on canvas, circa 1987. Signed. Image size 18.5L x 218.5H. Housed in a period modern frame.
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Large French Surrealist Oil Painting Nude Woman Standing in Fantasy Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Surrealist Nude Woman in Landscape French, mid 20th century signed oil on board, framed framed: 30.5 x 35.5 inches board: 23.5 x 27.5 inches Provenance: private collection, France Co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Sorcière Bleue Blue Witch Color lithograph on Arches paper
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Artist: Leonor Fini (Buenos Aires, 1907 – Paris, 1996) Title: Sorcière Bleue (Blue Witch) Date: ca. 1970–1972 Technique: Color lithograph on Arches paper Edition: E.A. 4/35 (Épreuve ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Magus - Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar, Large Magician Surreal Painting
Located in Beachwood, OH
Dean Drahos (American, 1937-2010) Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar, 1990 Oil on canvas Signed and dated lower left 72 x 48 inches Provenance: Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Drahos, No...
Category

1990s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Hold Your Horses – 04-01-22, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A Bit of Extra Fun This graphite pencil drawing ‘Hold Your Horses – 04-01-22 was a done deal in my head already during the live session. That was the same one spawning ‘Julia...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Pencil

Nura Ulreich Musical Dreamscape Original Oil Painting c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
Nura Ulreich (American, 1899-1950) Musical Dreamscape Original Oil Painting c.1930s Absolutely wonderful dream-like oil painting with a touch of vintage ...
Category

Early 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Decorative Figure - Portrait Decorative Figure French
Located in London, GB
Signed Felt-tip pen drawing signed by the artist Jean Cocteau with his monogram “JC” in the lower right image. The drawing was created in 1963. Note: This work is accompanied by a p...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Felt Pen

Surreal Figurative Sculpture, "Lovers"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original bronze surrealist figurative sculpture by San Diego artist, Debbie Korbel. Its dimensions are 41" x 42" x 34". A certifi...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Bronze

"Life in a Bottle" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Sybiline's (CAN based) "Life in a Bottle" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts pink Peonies blooming in a green vase as a pink butterfly swirls around the petals dreami...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Protector (diptych)
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
This artwork, part of the "Classical Series," is composed of two vertical canvases that engage in a dialogue through their shared symbolism and subtle narrative differences. At the t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Capture (girl soldier surrealist oil painting sleeping child portrait figurative
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Trapped, imprisoned and guarded - are there reasons to do so? Maybe "She" is dangerous, or possibly quite harmless, she is dreaming and serene. keywords; surrealism, portrait, oil p...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Alchimie des Philosophes The Angel of Alchemy
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Alchimie des Philosophes The Angel of Alchemy MEDIUM: Etching on parchment paper SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISH...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Nonplussed
Located in Nottingham, GB
Original, acrylic paints on cotton canvas. Joseph Gilgun is an English actor and producer known for several roles, including that of Vinnie O'Neill in the Sky Max series Brassic, which he also co-created, Marcus in Hollyoaks, Eli Dingle in the ITV soap opera...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Phot ID VII one of a kind of surreal framed painti, Mixed Media on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Photo ID VI one of a kind of surreal framed painting In this one of a kind original mixed media series, I have composed my work from many elements with layers of texture. manipulat...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Indian Summer, Abstract Surrealist Oil Painting 1970s
Located in Surfside, FL
Sebastian Matta-Clark was born in 1943, twin of Gordon Matta-Clark. Son Of Chilean Surrealist Roberto Matta Sebastian, known as Batan died in 1976. He showed 3 exhibitions in his sho...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Marc Chagall - The Candlestick - Original Lithograph
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
The Candlestick, from Jean Leymarie, Vitraux pour Jérusalem (Jerusalem Windows), André Sauret, Monte Carlo, 1962 (see M. 366-72; see C. books ...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Man Ray, The Studio on 8th Street, New York, from Electa Editrice, 1980 (after)
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite heliogravure after Man Ray (1890–1976), titled The Studio on 8th Street, New York, originates from the 1980 folio Man Ray, Electa Editrice Portfolios. Published by Gru...
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Man Ray, Solarized Portrait of Georges Braque, Electa Editrice, 1980 (after)
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite heliogravure after Man Ray (1890–1976), titled Solarized Portrait of Georges Braque, originates from the 1980 folio Man Ray, Electa Editrice Portfolios. Published by G...
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

My Artificial Gaze -21st Century, Contemporary, Surrealism, African Nature Woman
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
A portrait can tell a story, my artistic pieces highlight the exploration of the complexity of human identity, space and existence. My imagery embodies the unconventional expression ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Glitter, Acrylic

King Solomon - Lithograph - 1975
Located in Roma, IT
Etching and drypoint, with pochoir and gold overlay on japan paper. From the Series "Our Historical Heritage". Bland Stamp "LA" and "Dalì". Image dimension 56.9x39.9. Hand signed ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

New York by the Sea - Abstract Colorful Urban Still Life Collage Art on Paper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

Dierdre, Surrealist Woodcut Print on Rice Paper by Leonard Baskin
Located in Long Island City, NY
This woodcut print was created by American artist Leonard Baskin. Baskin is well known for his somewhat grotesque, intricate, surreal drawings and natural subject matter. This print ...
Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Rice Paper, Woodcut

Surrealist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist art available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, purple, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Salvador Dalí, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, and Leonor Fini. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Lithograph and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Surrealist art, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available. Prices for art made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1 and tops out at $1,450,000, while the average work sells for $1,426.

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