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Surrealist Animal Paintings

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
"Portrait of a Horse (Pool with Two Figures)" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Shelli Langdale's "Portrait of a Horse (Pool with Two Figures)" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a white horse standing at the ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Panel, Oil

High Society-original surrealism wildlife interior oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
In “High Society,” Nathan Neven invites viewers into an extraordinary world where animals take center stage, challenging traditional roles and perspectives. At the left of the compos...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hall of Fame-original surrealism wildlife interior oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
In “Hall of Fame,” Nathan Neven transports viewers into a fantastical realm where reality and imagination converge in a regal spectacle. At the heart of this mesmerizing painting sta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Sidekick" Grackle Bird with Red Handkerchief Oil Painting by Christy Stallop
Located in Denver, CO
Christy Stallop's "Sidekick" (2022) is an original oil painting on linen, measuring 14 x 11 inches. This striking portrait features a grackle adorned with a vibrant red bandana, set ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Changement (~47% OFF LIST PRICE, Oil Painting, Symbolist)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Stella Jae Changement 2024 Oil on Canvas Size: 26.06 x 31.04 inches (60 x 80cm) Signed by hand COA provided ---------- Tags: #StellaJRichey #VisualArtist #Designer #OilPainting #An...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Acecho
By Gonzalo Morales
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oil on Canvas, Signed Dated 2013 14 x 18 Inches
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Right by You-original surreal wildlife interior oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
In Nathan Neven's captivating masterpiece, "Right by You," the wild comes alive within the confines of an interior setting. Crafted with oil on canvas, this original work brings toge...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Sea Creatures Frolic" Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sea Creatures Frolic - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting 2022 Artwork is on supported wooden frame. Ready to hang. "This piece is a whisper of whimsy and a bold leap into the fantastical, destined to infuse any space with a surge of creative spirit and the thrill of the unknown and absurd." Tam Ess...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil

Yijian Wang Contemporary Original Oil On Canvas "Let Me Enjoy It 2"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Let Me Enjoy It 2 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 21 x 13 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Moody (black dog, hat man, green vintage suit, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Moody," the painter Rudolf Kosow presents a composition that captivates with its emotional depth and surreal creativity. The subject, a soulful canine with eyes that gleam with a...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cleaning Day (dog, snout, pug, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Cleaning Day" by Rudolf Kosow offers a playful twist on the ordinary, infusing a routine activity with a sense of wonder. In this striking painting, a magnified pug’s face, with eve...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Tense (pet dog, bulldog, baseball, animal portrait art, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Tense," a thought-provoking piece by Rudolf Kosow, presents a surreal interplay between a colossal bulldog and a diminutive baseball player. The dog's face, detailed with astonishin...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Magic (red fox, lady, foxy lady, vintage dress, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Magic," Rudolf Kosow weaves a scene of serene enchantment, where the wild and the gentle collide in quiet companionship. Central to the painting is a red fox, its fur a vibrant f...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Wonderers (coyote, ukulele, man, nature, animal portrait, surrealist painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Wanderers" by Rudolf Kosow is an evocative painting that captures the kindred spirit of the traveler and the wild. A coyote, poised and attentive, gazes upward, its fur rendered wit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Parting (pet dog, bulldog, cowboy, animal portrait art, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Parting," a surrealistic painting by Rudolf Kosow, masterfully employs scale to create a poignant narrative of farewell. The canvas is dominated by the face of a bulldog, each hair ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hungry (pet dog, pug snout, cooking lady, animal art, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Hungry" is a captivating painting by Rudolf Kosow that beautifully illustrates a moment of connection between a gargantuan, doleful-eyed bulldog and a diminutive woman. The dog’s fa...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hopeful (black labrador, dog pet, woman, vintage, animal, surrealist painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this moving piece by Rudolf Kosow, the canvas captures a tender and intimate moment between species. The focus is a deeply expressive black dog, portrayed with a level of detail t...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Sweet Sounds (cat, feline, lady, flute, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Sweet Sounds," a mesmerizing painting by Rudolf Kosow, depicts a tranquil scene of harmony between a young girl and a slumbering cat. The girl, seated and playing an instrument, see...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cuddly (black old dog, snout, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Cuddly," a charming painting by Rudolf Kosow, depicts a tender and affectionate moment between a dog and its human companion. The dog’s face, with soulful eyes and a furrowed brow, ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Big Boss (horseshoe, man, horse, animal, americana, surrealist painting, nature)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this striking oil painting by Rudolf Kosow, we are presented with a surreal vision where the dimensions of reality are altered, provoking thought and stirring the imagination. The...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Dreamer (dog, pet, man, baseball, vintage, animal, surrealist painting, american
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Rudolf Kosow once again challenges our perceptions with this captivating painting, merging the familiar with the surreal in a composition that both delights and intrigues. The canvas...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Baddie (coyote, man, wild animal, americana, surrealist painting, nature, field)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
This surrealistic painting on canvas titled "Baddie" by Rudolf Kosow is an enthralling visual narrative that masterfully weaves together three essential elements: man, animal, and na...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Peaceable Kingdom with Boston Terrier surrealist painting
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Surrealist painting based on Edward Hicks painting, Peaceable Kingdom. Oil on wood panel, 14 x 20 inches. Signed Sovjani, 1970. Most remarkable about the image is the appearance of...
Category

1970s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Shy (Lab pet dog, girl, Child, vintage dress, animal, surrealist oil painting
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Shy," a tender and evocative work by Rudolf Kosow, portrays an encounter that is wrapped in quietude and gentle introspection. A sizable, soulful-eyed dog fills the canvas, its gaze...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Defender (dog, hunter, pet black Lab, man, animal, surrealist painting, american
Located in Quebec, Quebec
This poignant painting by Rudolf Kosow presents us with a remarkable visual allegory rich with surrealistic influences. The canvas is occupied by a colossal, detailed black labrador ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cuddly Snout (dog, snout, nose, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Cuddly Snout" by Rudolf Kosow is a stirring piece that captures the tender relationship between a human and an animal, portrayed through the striking close-up of a pet dog's snout, ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Trophy, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, unique signed painting w/provenance
Located in New York, NY
David Humphrey Trophy (Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago), 1983 Oil on Canvas painting Signed Twice: Hand signed and dated verso, also artist has signed his name and written his ho...
Category

1980s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Soulmates (brown pet dog, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Soulmates," a poignant work by Rudolf Kosow, tenderly illustrates the profound bond shared between a dog and a human. In this intimate portrayal, the dog's gaze is imbued with an emo...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Owner (black Lab dog, sleeping lady, vintage dress, animal, surrealist painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Owner," Rudolf Kosow captures a tender moment of connection that is as powerful as it is subtle. The main subject of the painting is a large black Lab, soulful dog, its fur textu...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lazybone (st-bernard, dog pet, baseball, vintage, animal, surrealist painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Rudolf Kosow delivers a surreal masterpiece that encapsulates his fascination with the interplay of scale and the deep connection between humans and animals. In this painting, a Sain...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Boss (paw, feline, cougar, wild cat, man, animal, americana, surrealist painting
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this evocative piece by Rudolf Kosow, we are confronted with the signature elements of surrealism that define his work. The canvas is dominated by the vastness of a feline's paw, ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Secret ( fennec, fox, lady, vintage dress, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Secret," Rudolf Kosow weaves a narrative of intimacy and whispered confidences through the surreal interplay of a fox and a human figure. The painting is dominated by the image o...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Game (bob cat, female tennis player, ball, vintage, animal, surrealist painting
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this captivating painting by Rudolf Kosow, the canvas comes alive with a surreal and dynamic encounter. At first glance, we see a massive bob cat head, rendered in repose with a t...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Traveller On A horse - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting
Located in Lisboa, PT
Traveller On A horse - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting, 2023 Artwork is on supported wooden frame. Ready to hang. Tam Ess makes oil paintings that explore t...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil

Wild Encounters-original abstract surreal wildlife oil painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
This original artwork by Nathan Neven joyfully presents an unusual scene of wildlife merged with a grand interior space. The artist adds contemporary touches to his subject matter su...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Surrealist Hound
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Amazing surrealist painting by Italian artist Nuccio Fontanella (1936-2005). Ink and watercolor on cold pressed illustration board. Image measures 13 x 18 inches; 20 x 25 inches fram...
Category

1980s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Ink, Illustration Board, Watercolor

Out and About - Original wildlife New York cityscape oil painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Out and About" by Nathan Neven beckons viewers into a lively exploration of the urban landscape as ostriches take a whimsical stroll across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, with the vibr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Noble Creatures-original wildlife architecture interior animal oil painting- art
Located in London, Chelsea
In this original painting by Nathan Neven the artist depicts a grand interior space filled with the endearing presence of a courageous lion and great elephant. This captivating juxta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Grande Place-original cityscape wildlife animal architecture-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Grande Place" by Nathan Neven is a captivating portrayal that transports the viewer to the heart of Brussels, Belgium. In this magnificent artwork, two lions roam the iconic citysca...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Family Day Off - London modern cityscape wildlife surreal abstract oil painting
Located in London, Chelsea
In this contemporary surrealist painting Nathan Neven juxtaposes a familiar city scene and classic underground entrance with the unusual presence of apes. This charming dream-like sc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Take Care of You- original abstract wildlife interior oil painting- modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
In "Take Care of You" by Nathan Neven, a heartwarming scene unfolds within the canvas, inviting viewers into a surreal and vibrant interior setting. This captivating wildlife paintin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Eiffel-original Paris impressionist Cityscape painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Eiffel" by Nathan Neven is a captivating exploration of the iconic Eiffel Tower set against a vibrant Parisian panorama. Crafted with oil on canvas, Neven's abstract expressionist ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sapient Business-original abstract surreal wildlife oil painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
This original artwork by Nathan Neven joyfully presents an unusual scene of wildlife merged with a grand interior space. The artist adds contemporary touches to his subject matter su...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Emperors and Albert Bridge - surrealist wildlife animal oil painting- modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
In this contemporary surrealist painting, Nathan Neven skillfully merges a familiar cityscape and classic architectural elements with the unexpected presence of an Arctic penguin nea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Flamingos exploring France-original abstract landscape wildlife oil painting-Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Flamingos Exploring France" by Nathan Neven takes viewers on a whimsical journey through an iconic French architectural setting. The expressive portrayal of flamingos against a back...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Red Royal Ostrich Buckingham Palace -original interior wildlife oil painting-Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Red Royal Ostrich" by Nathan Neven is a mesmerizing oil on canvas painting that brings the regal beauty of four ostriches into a vibrant interior setting, with the backdrop adorned ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Live it Up-original surreal contemporary wildlife interior painting- modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Live it Up" by Nathan Neven is a captivating masterpiece that seamlessly blends abstract expressionism with a playful composition. In this oil on canvas creation, two ostriches and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Golden Lady - original wildlife interior Leopard contemporary oil painting- art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Golden Lady" by Nathan Neven is an enchanting piece that captures the essence of abstract expressionism. In this oil on canvas masterpiece, a leopard gracefully lounges on a red set...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Mrs. Goodshoe Takes a Holiday, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A slow-moving sea turtle swims with determination, balancing a cupcake on its head. It evokes feelings of solitude, peace, and joy. The artwork, painted over a ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil

9 of Pentacles, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
The artwork depicts the Nine of Pentacles card, symbolizing rapidly growing success, incoming financial satisfaction, and wealth. White bison figures represen...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil

10 of Pentacles, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
The artwork portrays the Ten of Pentacles card, symbolizing success, financial satisfaction, and the completion of a wealth cycle. White bison figures, repres...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil

Blue Dream
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Immerse yourself in a unique visual experience with this oil painting in shades of blue and violet. The artwork features enigmatic figures of men and animals coming to life in a noct...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Oil, Cotton Canvas

Mind Field
By Chris Leib
Located in Dallas, TX
Featuring casts of astronauts and Bonobo chimps, Leib’s meticulously layered and detailed paintings provide his subjects with a corporeal quality that pull us into their narrative an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Condensation
Located in Dallas, TX
In 2003, Sérgio adopted the name “Odeith” after years of painting street murals under the name “Eith”. It was during this time that he began gaining international recognition for his...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Cock Fight. Two Fighting Birds. A Riot of Aggression, Masculinity & Feathers
By David Wilde
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
David Wilde. English ( b.1913 - d.1974 ). Cock Fight. Acrylics. Signed and Titled. Image size 15.4 inches x 22.2 inches ( 39cm x 56.5cm ). Frame size 19.1 inches x 26 inches ( 48.5c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Ferjo - Surrealist Interior - Signed Oil on Canvas
By Ferjo
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
FERJO Intérieur surréaliste Signed Oil on Canvas 51 x 61 cm Ferjo, Brazilian (1946 - ) Ferjo Technical achievements in art not only in painting...
Category

1990s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Keep the Fire Alive" - Oil Painting Astronaut with Flame
Located in Denver, CO
"Keep the Fire Alive," an evocative piece from Andreas Claussen's 'FLOOD' series, is a 2023 oil on canvas that elegantly captures the essence of determination against a serene, wintr...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

'No Paradise Without Food': Astronaut on Inflatable Pig Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Andreas Claussen's 2023 masterpiece "There Is No Paradise Without Food," a significant work from his acclaimed 'FLOOD' series, is a compelling oil on canvas that stretches over dimen...
Category

2010s Surrealist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Surrealist animal paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist animal paintings 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 animal paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, green, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Nathan Neven, Rudolf Kosow, Linda Ridd Herzog, and Isabel Rock. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint 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 animal paintings, so small editions measuring 2.76 inches across are also available. Prices for animal paintings 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 $190 and tops out at $50,000, while the average work sells for $2,313.

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