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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
Heroic / Sartyr - Lithograph - 1973
Located in Roma, IT
Color lithograph on Arches paper from the series "Four Dreams of Paradise". Image dimension 54x42 cm. Signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 514/1000. Ref. Michler/Löpsinger 13...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Les Marionettes I — Erotic Surrealism
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, Les Marionettes I, etching with hand coloring, 1969, edition 150. Signed and annotated 'HC' in pencil. A fine impression on brown Roma hand-made laid paper; the full sheet with margins (1 to 2 5/8 inches), in excellent condition. Archivally sleeved, unmatted. Image size 11 13/16 x 11 1/8 inches; sheet size 15 5/8 x 13 1/4 inches. A 'Hors Commerce' impression. From a suite of 11 etchings created by Bellmer to illustrate 'On the Marionette Theatre...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

"Mont Saint Michel Abbey" (2024) By Christopher Clark, Oil Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Christopher Clark's "Mont Saint Michel Abbey" is an original, handmade oil & acrylic painting that depicts an abstracted church interior with a large crowd of people gathered. Chris...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel

Alice in Wonderland : Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill - Handsigned Woodcut
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador DALI Alice in Wonderland : The Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill, 1968 Heliogravure and Woodcut Handsigned on pencil Printed signature in the plate Justificated E.A (artist pro...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching, Woodcut

Spanish signed limited edition original art print engraving 21x15 in. n28
Located in Miami, FL
Andrés Barajas (Spain, 1941) 'Untitled from Portfolio "Los Deseos"', ca.1990-1999 mixed media on paper 20.9 x 15 in. (53 x 38 cm.) Edition of 200 ID: BAR1017-028-200 Hand-signed by a...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Engraving, Screen

Le Cosmonaute (The Cosmonaut)
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Le Cosmonaute (The Cosmonaut) Drypoint etching from 1969. The edition 25/145 on Arches paper. Dimensions of work: 66 x 51 cm. Hand signed. Publisher:...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Enigma : Liberty - Original handsigned lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Franvis de SAINT GENIES (1925-) Enigma : Liberty Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil Limited /250copies On vellum 56 x 76 cm (c. 22 x 30 in) Excellent condition
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Enigma : Woman - Original handsigned lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Franvis de SAINT GENIES (1925-) Enigma : Woman Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil Limited /150copies On vellum 56 x 76 cm (c. 22 x 30 in) Excellent condition
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Kiss On The Moon - Original handsigned lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Francis de SAINT GENIES (1925-) Kiss On The Moon Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil Limited /250copies On vellum 56 x 76 cm (c. 22 x 30 in) Excellent condition
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Fantasy : Woman with Unicorn - Original handsigned lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Francis de SAINT GENIES (1925-) Fantasy : Woman with Unicorn Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil Limited /275 copies On vellum 76 x 56 cm (c. 30 x 22 in) Excellent condition
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Daughter of the Moon, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Yamilet Sempe draws inspiration from the Moon as a timeless symbol of feminine strength and intuition. Its gentle glow through darkness reflects the abil...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Large French Surrealist Oil Painting Figurative Scene Nudes on Motorbikes
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figurative Abstract French School dated 1972 oil painting on board overall size: 19.5 X 19 condition: overall very good and pleasing provenance: from a private collection of this art...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Doll : Backlighting - Original handsigned lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Henri CADIOU Doll : Backlighting Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil Limited /275 copies On Arches vellum 65 x 50 cm (c. 25.59 x 19.68 in) Excellent condition
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surrealist Beach - Original handsigned lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Jean-Pierre HENAUT (1942-) Surrealist Beach Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil Limited /275 copies On vellum 54 x 76 cm (c. 21.25 x 29.92 in) Excellent condition
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"The Sea" by José Gerson - Oil on Canvas - 73x92 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
José Gerson is a multifaceted Swiss artist whose career spans photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, and film. From an early age, he showed a natural talent for the visual arts a...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Land of Men" by José Gerson - Oil on Wood - 63x78 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
José Gerson is a multifaceted Swiss artist whose career spans photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, and film. From an early age, he showed a natural talent for the visual arts a...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood

Army Of Caine Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
Located in London, GB
Army Of Caine by B A T I K Pop art work featuring multiples of Michael Caine in Get Carter mode - possibly his most iconic movie role. Archival pigment pop art print signed & limi...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Black and White, Archival Pigment

Salvador Dali etching, signed with monogram, Tristan and the Dragon, 1970
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904–1989) Tristan and the Dragon Drypoint etching in colour From the 1970 Tristan and Iseult series, British book edition, printed on Mandeure paper, with ‘A...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Wild Encounters-original abstract surreal wildlife oil painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Psychedelic and Surrealist Dali - Original Gelatin Silver Photography, SIGNED
Located in Paris, IDF
Marc LACROIX (1927-2007) Psychedelic Dalí, 1971 Original silver gelatin photography Signed in ink Numbered on 15 copies On silver print paper 50.5 x 61 cm (c. 19.7 x 24 inch) INFO...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Jax, the Mischievous Pumpkin Lad" By Timothy Von Rueden, Graphite Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
"Jax, the Mischievous Pumpkin Lad" (2024) by Timothy Von Rueden is an original handmade graphite drawing that depicts a monster with a pumpkin for a head and a bag of jacks.
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Graphite

Mid-Century Danish Surrealist Pastel on Paper. "Sunset over the Docks".
Located in Cotignac, FR
Danish surrealist oil pastel on paper of a harbour scene by Poul Møller. The pastel is signed PM and dated 71 to the bottom right. Presented in a plain wood tray frame. Provenance: ...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Oil Pastel

Suitor with Voyeur
Located in Miami, FL
Roy Carruthers is a brilliant mix of George Tooker and Fernando Botero but with unexpected charm. "The Suitor with Voyeur", A variation of this concept was done in oil twenty years later. "The Venus of Ponte Vedra...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Graphite

Pool Player (male portrait)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful ca. 1970's portrait by American artist, Vito Tomasello. Oil on masonite panel measures 8 x 11 inches. Signed and dated lower right. A lifetime NYC resident, Tomasello i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Veggie Head - Original contemporary artwork - surrealistic animal painting
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

surreal scene with magical colors, blue shadows and illuminated buildings
Located in Carballo, ES
Ventura A. Pérez (1992) is one of the most seductive artists on the contemporary Spanish scene. After earning a doctorate in contemporary art from the University of Vigo, he moved to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

La Grande Guerre - 20th Century, Surrealist, Lithograph, Figurative Print
Located in Sint-Truiden, BE
Color lithograph after the 1964 oil on canvas by René Magritte, printed signature of Magritte and numbered from the edition of 300. The lithograph features the dry stamps of the Mag...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Florals Anemone per Anti-Pasti
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Florals Anemone per Anti-Pasti MEDIUM: Etching on Heavy Arches Paper SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali EDITION NUMBER: 62/350 MEASUREMENTS: 29....
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Comfort in Motifs, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Marie-Eve Champagne combines collage and surrealist techniques in this work, using carefully curated imagery to spark curiosity about our constructed nar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Birds of a Feather, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Marie-Eve Champagne combines collage and surrealist techniques in this piece, using carefully curated imagery to invite reflection on our constructed nar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

The Fraudulents - Plate n. 20 - Hell - Woodcut attr. to Salvador Dali - 1963
Located in Roma, IT
The Fraudulents from the Series "The Divine Comedy" -Plate n. 20 - Hell is a woodcut print realized in 1963 for a series illustrating the Medieval poem of the "Divine Comedy" by ...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Nude Man Spouting in the Desert - Gay Interest- Born from Mother Earth
Located in Miami, FL
We are all born from Mother Earth. Mimicking a plant or tree, a muscular man standing on his head emerges upward from the desert ground with is legs spread out like branches. Seen f...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Aliyah, Return, O Virgin of Israel Salvador Dali original lithograph
Located in Paonia, CO
Salvador Dali ( 1904 - 1989 ) Aliyah, Return, O Virgin of Israel, Aliyah suite edition 232/ 250 published Shorewood Press 1968 on Arches paper paper size 25 x 19.63 image size 20....
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Grande Place-original cityscape wildlife animal architecture-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Mallet s Majesty - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Horse, Men Polo Player
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The dynamic brushstrokes capture the intensity of the polo player in action. The mallet, an extension of the rider’s skill and strength, is elevated to a symbol of elegance and power...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Alexander Calder, The Triangles, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Les Triangles (The Triangles), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Published by Mae...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Joan Miro, Homage to Miro, from XXe siecle, 1972
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Hommage a Miro (Homage to Miro), from the album XXe Siecle, Numero special hors abonnement, Hommage a Miro, originates from...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

A Loving Couple - Original etching handsigned and numbered
Located in Paris, IDF
Pierre-Yves Tremois A loving couple Original etching, 1970 Handsigned by the artist Numbered / XXIV copies (total edition of 90 + XXIV) Size 57 x 45 cm ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Wart Hog, 20th Century Oil Painting by Magical Surrealist, Cleveland School
Located in Beachwood, OH
Paul Riba (American, 1912-1977) Wart Hog Oil on paper Signed lower right 18 x 15 inches 24.25 x 21 inches, framed Paul Riba was a painter of Magic Realism. He explored the unreal j...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Mayor Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surre...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Salvador Dali "Untitled II (Le Tricorne)"
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: Dali, Salvador Title: Untitled II (Le Tricorne) Series: Le Tricorne (The Three-Pointed Hat) Date: 1959 Medium: Wood engraving Framed Dimensions: 20" x 17.5" Signature:...
Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

The Holy Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Tit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Joko Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Tit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

A ballerina. Limited edition print, Surrealism, Established Polish artist
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary colorful figurative surrealistic print on paper by Polish artist Rafal Olbinski. This print shows woman ballerina dancer with skirt shaped like a tabletop with teapot an...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Color

Baptism Portrait Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Tit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

In Memory of Dante Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, T...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Paris"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
One of my best works in this series is ""Art from Money."" This painting has a philosophical meaning. It reflects the philosophy of human impact on the planet. This prophetic paintin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Oil

Surrealist Mixed Media Sculptural Assemblage, Toucan .
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century mixed media sculptural assemblage by British artist Derek Carruthers. The work is not signed but was acquired along with a collectio...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Wood, Plywood, Paper, Acrylic

Thinking Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Tit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Hanna Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2019 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Tit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Mrs. Jonathan Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2019 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Tit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Sinner, Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2020 Style: Portrait Surrealism, T...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Five stories about Ms. Janet, Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, T...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Óleo sobre tela - Primavera
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra va firmada por el artista en la parte inferior En la parte trasera, va nuevamente formada, fechada del año 1982 y titulada "Primavera" Se presenta sin enmarcar la obra El ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Lithographs II (1039), Modern Abstract 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

Portrait of Woman, Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2019 Style: Figurative Surrealism, ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Le centurion
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Le centurion Lithograph from 1972. The edition of 187/250. Dimensions of work: 68 x 50 cm On B.F.K Rives paper as stated in the Field catalogue. Refe...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Le centurion
Le centurion
$6,611 Sale Price
20% Off
original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1952 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, published by the Artists Equity Association of New York on the occasion of the 19...
Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

L Académie de Paris - Etching - 1971
Located in Roma, IT
L'Académie de Paris (The Academy in Paris). Etching on Arches wove paper (watermark), 1971. Signed and numbered 184/250 A. Plate 42.5 cm x 59.5 cm. Sheet approx. 56.5 cm x 75.5 c...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

"T ou t se tient" original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Issued in 1975 for XXe Siecle (issue no. 45), published in Paris by San Lazzaro. Sheet size 12 1/8 x 9 1/2 inches (310 x 240mm). Not signed.
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

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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