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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
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

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 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 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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Walking on Thread - Large Original Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mohamad Khayata’s original figurative artworks are the result of five years of displacement and deal with themes of migration, memory, and identity. Mohamad’s paintings convey an arr...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Menemsha Daybreak, a massive framed still life of an ice cooler by the beach
Located in Edgartown, MA

 

 

 

From an incandescent sunset on Long Island Sound to an iconic pop-kitsch ice storage bin at the neighborhood  corner store, Rob Brooks offers us a vi...

Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blue Heart with Sin
Located in PARIS, FR
Panchat Yodmanee-Ice (1993 - ) Blue Heart with Sin Acrylique sur toile 97 x 130 cm 38.2 x 51.2 in. 2023 Born in 1993 in Nakornsrithammarat, Thailand, Panchat holds a B.F.A. from th...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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 Paintings

Materials

Oil

1939 Surrealist Cityscape by Mystery Artist
Located in Larchmont, NY
Mystery Artist Untitled, 1993 Watercolor on paper Sight: 13 x 19 1/4 in. Framed: 25 1/2 x 29 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. Signed and dated lower right
Category

1930s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

French Surrealist Oil Painting Evolving Shapes and Movement
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Abstract Composition signed by Jack Penouel (French 1936-2018) dated 02' signed oil on canvas, framed framed: 26 x 21.5 inches canvas : 25.75 x 20.75 inch...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Devil Emerges from Surrealist Voodoo Drum - Sans titre (Diable)
Located in Miami, FL
An image of a horned devil with pointy claws and bat-like wings emerges from a Voodoo drum. He has with arms stretched out like a Christ figure. The drum grows out of a yellow plant-...
Category

1970s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Sinopia, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Sinopia is a term that refers to a reddish pigment used in the past and also to the underlayer drawing of frescoes, also realised with that pigment. This painting is “unfinishedâ€
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

PPP, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A humble homage to one of the greatest Italian scholar of all times, the port, director, author, journalist and painter Pier Paolo Pasolini. Acrylic on stretched canvas, 60x80x4 ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Tsundere, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Tsundere, adj. Japanese word used especially in the Anime/Manga world to describe a character who shows initially a cold, hostile and impulsive behaviour, then let gradually emerge ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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 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 Paintings

Materials

Oil

Surrealist Watercolour and Gouache on Paper. 'The Picnic'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century surrealist watercolour and gouache on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right. An intriguing and beautifully...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

"Two Seas and a Moon" Surrealism American Scene WWII Modern WWI Denver WPA Era
Located in New York, NY
"Two Seas and a Moon" Surrealism American Scene WWII Modern WWI Denver WPA Era Arnold Ronnebeck (1885 - 1947) Two Seas and a Moon 30 x 22 1/2 inches Oil on Canvas, c. 1943 Signed u...
Category

1940s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Looking at the Swallow Birds - Large Original Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mohamad Khayata’s original figurative artworks are the result of five years of displacement and deal with themes of migration, memory, and identity. Mohamad’s paintings exhibit an ar...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Incredible Vintage Surreal Religious Framed Signed Latin American Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Oil on canvas. Framed. Signed lower right.
Category

1940s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Celestial Cloudscape-original realism surreal seascape-ocean-cloudscape painting
Located in London, Chelsea
Anna Geerdes' "Celestial Cloudscape II" invites viewers into a realm where the boundaries between sky and sea blur into a mesmerizing dreamscape. This original seascape painting captures the essence of surrealism, transporting observers into a world where imagination reigns supreme. The focal point of the artwork is a meticulously detailed monochrome cloudscape, where wisps of celestial vapor dance gracefully across the canvas. Against this ethereal backdrop, a wave, frozen in motion, rushes towards the shore, embodying the eternal ebb and flow of nature's rhythm. In the foreground, delicate vines and plants intertwine, their earthly presence contrasting with the celestial elements above. The rich color scheme of blues, browns, and earth tones imbues the scene with depth and warmth, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in its enchanting beauty. This captivating artwork is framed, signed by the artist, and ready to be proudly displayed. Whether gracing the walls of a gallery or adorning a private collection, "Celestial Cloudscape II" captivates the imagination and sparks contemplation of the boundless wonders of the natural world. "Celestial Cloudscape II" by Anna Geerdes is available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art, located in Chelsea, as well as online for art enthusiasts to acquire and cherish. Artist Bio: Born in Katwijk aan Zee, the Netherlands, she moved to Scotland in 1991. She graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 2010, achieving a 1st Class BA Hons Degree in Painting Fine Art. On meeting Anna at her highly successful degree show, she was invited to have a solo exhibition in Compass Gallery in 2015 which was met with critical acclaim from audiences both in Scotland and abroad. Her paintings display equally intriguing and superbly powerful scenes which explore and develop her interest in human interaction with our planet, the maps of our land and the nature of the landscape, relating to today’s shifting circumstances. Since graduating, she has had eight successful solo exhibitions in Compass Gallery, Glasgow; Meffan Institute, Forfar; and in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Orkney. She has participated in numerous group exhibitions and events including: the Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition; Islington Art Fair; the SSA; a regular exhibitor at Aberdeen Artist Society; Paisley Art...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Candido Ballester Sueño original Magical Surrealism mixed media paper
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Sueño original magical Surrealism mixed media paper painting Cándido Ballester is a contemporary Mallorcan painter who was born in 1926. As a child he had to emigrate to Argentina. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Cardboard

The Sensual Landscape- original surrealism landscape painting - contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"The Sensual Landscape" by George Callaghan invites viewers into a captivating realm of softness and allure, where cool and earthy tones intertwine in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrealist Painting on Paper, 'Godot', Artefacts of Civilisations Lost
Located in Cotignac, FR
A late 20th century watercolour, gouache and acrylic on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right and dated 1985 and titled, 'Godot' to the reverse. A ch...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Gouache, Watercolor, Paper

Thoughtful - XXI Century, Contemporary Figurative Painting, Surrealism, Nocturn
Located in Warsaw, PL
Mariusz Zdybal (born in 1955) He was awarded with "Golden Palm" at the international painting competition in Cannes and his works has been shown in Cannes, Warsaw, Gdansk and Berli...
Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Surrealist Gouache and Watercolour on Paper, 'Sunday School Ghosts'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Surrealist watercolour and gouache on handmade paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right and signed, dated and titled 'Sunday School Ghosts' to the reverse. A wo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Gouache, Watercolor, Handmade Paper

Passed the Poplars - original surrealism landscape painting - contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
Title: "Passed the Poplars" by George Callaghan invites viewers into a serene and enchanting landscape, where earthy tones juxtapose harmoniously with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

HUGE ORIGINAL 1970'S FRENCH ABSTRACT MODERNIST PAINTING - SURREALIST NUDE
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist: Claude Lagouche (French 1943-2020) Claude Lagouche was born January 2, 1943 in Naves, died January 16, 2020. He quickly gained recognition for his talent and his work, exh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

French Neo-Romantic Surrealist Painting "Circus" by Kristians Tonny
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Kristians Tonny (French, born Holland; 1907-1977) Circus Oil on prepared board, 16 1/2 x 13 inches Framed: 22 x 19 inches (approx.) Inscribed on reverse: (in pencil) "cadre noir/ave...
Category

1920s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Surrealist Gouache Watercolour on Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century gouache and watercolour on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. The painting is signed to the bottom right and signed and dated 1985 to the reverse. An impos...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Midnight on the Water- original surrealism landscape painting - contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Midnight on the Water and How It Used to Be" by George Callaghan is a captivating exploration of a mystical nocturnal landscape, where the boundaries...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

20th Century Surrealist Painting By Philip Krevoruck Wpa Era
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Philip Krevoruck 1919-1999 an accomplished WPA artist . Surrealist Oil on board painted during the 1950s . Dimensions: 30inch X 25.5inch including frame . 24 X 19.5 without frame . M...
Category

1950s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

20th Century Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
20th century modernist oil painting on canvas . Signed with artists monogram and Dated 1991. This large and impressive painting evokes a range of emotions and interpretations. With...
Category

1990s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Down to the Lake - original surrealism landscape painting - contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Down to the Lake" by George Callaghan transports viewers to a serene countryside scene, where the boundary between reality and dreamscape blurs in a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ancient Stock Route - original surrealism landscape painting - contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Ancient Stock Route" by George Callaghan is a mesmerizing journey through a dreamlike realm, where reality merges with imagination in a captivating d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The High St - original surrealism landscape cityscape painting- contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"The High St" by George Callaghan beckons viewers into a bustling thoroughfare teeming with life and energy. Unlike some of George's other tranquil la...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrealist Gouache on Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Watercolour and gouache on paper painting titled 'Siamese Slaves' by British artist Derek Carruthers, signed to the bottom right and to the reverse and dated 2008 and titled. A colo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Surrealist Very Large Late 20th Century Oil on Canvas. 'The Temple'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Very large Late 20th century surrealist oil on canvas by British artist Derek Carruthers. The painting is signed to the bottom right. An imposing and highly colourful painting of co...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrealist Gouache, 'Kerouac, Orlovsky and Burroughs, The Beat Generation'
Located in Cotignac, FR
A late 20th century watercolour and gouache on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right. Carruthers at one period in his painting became quite interested...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Pencil, Watercolor, Crayon, Paper

Surrealist Oil Painting By Fernand Carette, 20th Century
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Fernand Carette 1921- 2005 Futuristic surrealist landscape . oil painting by Belgian artist Carette painted during the 1960s while he was working with the Phases group . 64cm x 49cm ...
Category

1960s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

3 Dimensional Sculptural Surrealist Acrylic on Board. 'Swimfest'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century acrylic on plywood board sculptural painting by British artist Derek Carruthers. The work is not signed but was acquired along with a collection of the artist’s wor...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Board

Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Birds Eating Men
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen

Voyage To India, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Travel is in your heart, and she beckons you to follow. Original oil painting by artist, painted live at i3 Arts Fest Art Car Ball in Pershing Square Los Angeles. :: Painting :: Surr...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Luna, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Wild, bright and bold, Luna's gaze of daydreaming wonder. Original oil painting of Heather Ireland's Surrealism series. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Antique Toys" Priscilla Roberts, Magic Realism, Surrealism, Still Life
Located in New York, NY
Priscilla Roberts Antique Toys Signed lower left; identified through gallery label affixed to backing Oil on board 20 x 24 inches Provenance: Grand ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

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 Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Oil, Cotton Canvas

Djinn- Original contemporary surrealistic seascape landscape painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Djinn" by Hallie Packard is an original seascape painting that transports viewers into a dreamlike realm where reality blends with fantasy. With bold colors and imaginative imagery,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Some Night in Spring- Original surrealistic floral wildlife painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Some Night in Spring" by Hallie Packard is an original painting that transports viewers into a whimsical world where elements of nature intertwine with dreamlike imagery. With a sur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Cascade. Contemporary Surrealist Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Once again Berlin gifts us a different aspect of his art. Within Cascade he is able to echo and reference simultaneously several of the Great Masters and also include his own unique ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Happiness - Contemporary Acrylic on Canvas Painting, Vibrant colors, Landscape
Located in Warsaw, PL
ABOUT THE ARTIST MARTA RYNKIEWICZ is a Polish contemporary artist (born in 1983). She studied painting with Professor Henryk Czenik and graphic arts with Professor Jerzy Krechowic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Hourglass butterfly, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series “Please do not kill butterfliesâ€
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Ark
Located in Bayonne, NJ
A small but very intricate painting by a Ukrainian artist, Vachagan Narazyan. This oil on linen painting was acquired from Tamara Tumasian gallery in Kharkiv in 2008. It is in excell...
Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Civic Center with Matrioska, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
From the series “Red Starâ€
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Chromatic butterfly - light blue, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series “Please do not kill butterfliesâ€
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Chromatic butterfly - white, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series “Please do not kill butterfliesâ€
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Tower Number 11
Located in Bayonne, NJ
This oil on linen framed painting is an example of an authentic stylistic composition created by Vachagan Narazyan. The painting was acquired from the gallery that represented the ar...
Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Beauty has thorns, original oil Roses surrealism, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original oil painting, Modern emotional Surrealism Art with Roses hold in hand in landscape environment The Painting title: Beauty has Thorns la beauté a des épines Schönhe...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

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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