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Surrealist 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
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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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 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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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 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 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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cosmos
Located in Kansas City, MO
Stella Jae Cosmos 2023 Oil on Canvas Size: 51.96 x 35.03 inches (132 x 89cm) Signed by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-2112 ---------- Tags: #StellaJRichey #VisualArtist #Designer #...
Category

2010s Surrealist 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 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 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 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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Spring Herald" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 19” x 25” Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Golik (also kn...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Honey and Bees" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
An 18” x 18” Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Golik (also k...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel, Color Pencil, Graphite

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Mack" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 8.5” x 10.5” x 1” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The Bee...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Watercolour/Gouache on Paper. 'The Birth of Sculpture''
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century surrealist gouache and watercolour on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. The painting is signed to the bottom right and title...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

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 Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Surrealist Gouache on Paper, 'Threshold or Pagans'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Contemporary surrealist watercolour and gouache on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right. An intriguing and beautifully pain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Sailor" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 10.5” x 16.5” x 2.5” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Lloyd" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 10” x 12” x 1” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Mothboy: W...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Lily" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 9” x 14” x 1” Surrealism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “T...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting, "Iris" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 7” x 10” x 1” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Vellum by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase o...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Vellum

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "The Air On A G String" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 20.5” x 16.5" x 1.5" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Gol...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Ink, Color Pencil

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Charlie" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 9” x 12” x 2” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The Human C...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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 Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Surrealist Mixed Media Portrait, "'Prince' The Guide" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 16” x 16” x 2” Surrealist Mixed Media Portrait Painting executed on Wood Panel with Acrylic and Graphite by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Graphite

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on canvas by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for ar...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Found Objects, Oil

Mixed Media Surrealist Portrait, "Mad Barber" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 13” x 15” x 2” Surrealist Mixed Media Portrait Painting executed on Wood Panel by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “The Mad Barber is not quite ‘mad’ in the conventional sense, but rather exhibits a peculiar imbalance. With an eccentric flair reminiscent of characters like Sweeney Todd...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel, Graphite

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Timmy" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 12” x 14” x 1.5” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “The Boy In The Iron Mask...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

The forgotten
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Surreal figurative painting. An insect man in slow metamorphosis who lives in a world inaccessible to us, in a parallel reality that is forbidden to us. A magical place where there i...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Marlowe" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 14” x 16” x 1” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The L...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on canvas by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for ar...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Found Objects, Oil

Boy and puppy
Located in Belgrade, MT
Madeline Luka (French 1894-1989) was a self taught painter known for her landscapes, portraits, nudes and still lifes. She typically portrayed her family and close friends set within...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Lithograph

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on canvas by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for ar...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Found Objects, Oil

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Cid" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 8” x 11” x 2” Surrealism Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Carnivale’s...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Clark" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 8.5” x 11.5” x 2” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “Gopher...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting, "Mr.P" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 12” x 19” x 5” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Vellum with Found Objects by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Found Objects, Acrylic, Vellum

Surrealist Acrylic Figurative Painting, "Whole" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
An original 10” x 12” x 1.5” Surrealist Acrylic Figurative Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or deliver...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Graphite

Nancy Baker, Alien Nation , 2010, Oil on board, Surrealist Landscape
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

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 Paintings

Materials

Ink, Illustration Board, Watercolor

Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting, "Opium" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 18” x 22” x .75" Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Canvas with Gold Leaf by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its pu...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Nancy Baker, Tree in Moonlight, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nancy Baker, Green Night, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape, Painting
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nancy Baker, Pretty Pearls, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape, Painting
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nancy Baker, Pretty Circles, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape, Painting
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Tal Vez - 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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ernő Tóth Surrealist Painting
Located in Larchmont, NY
Ernő Tóth (Hungarian, b. 1949) Untitled, c. 20th-21st Century Oil on board 32 3/8 x 22 3/4 in. Framed: 36 3/4 x 27 x 1 1/4 in. Signed lower right Exhibition labels verso Ernő Tóth was born in 25. December 1949 in Sajóecseg, Hungary. Schools: 1964-68, Secondary School of Fine Arts; 1974-79 Academy of Fine Arts. His masters: Szilárd Iván, Jenő Barcsay and László Patay. Membership: National Association of Hungarian Artists, Hungarian Artist’s Association, Hungarian Painters’ Society, DunapART Art Society, Inner City Artists’ Society, Hungarian Art Workshop Society. His works were shown - apart from Hungary - also in Sweden, Finnland, Austria, and Germany. He made study trips in France, The Netherlands, USA, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. At various national and international exhibitions he was awarded several prizes, among others the international first prize for painting at the Humor-Satire Art...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Contemporary French Surrealist Oil Painting Evolving Shapes and Movement
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Abstract Composition signed by Jack Penouel (French 1936-2018) oil on canvas, framed framed: 18.5 x 15.5 inches canvas : 18 x 15 inches provenance: the ar...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

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 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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fashion Beauty Kaleidoscope, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A parade of models have been depicted in this painting displaying their beauty,attire and jewellery. Its show time and every model is at her best showing her beauty ,body shape,attir...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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 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 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 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 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 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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Right by You - original painting surreal wildlife interior animals-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
This original artwork by contemporary artist Nathan Neven captures a delightful fusion of subject matter through exuberant expressive gestures and vibrant colors. The artist skillful...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrealist paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist 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 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, orange, purple, green and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Elvic Steele, Rudolf Kosow, Isabel Rock, and Henry David Potwin. 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 paintings, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are also available. Prices for 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 $1 and tops out at $400,000, while the average work sells for $2,999.

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