Surrealist Paintings
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.
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
1990s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
A group of friends sail in a small ship that wallows atop rolling seas. Some engage in various activities to keep their spirits high while the lookouts have an ...
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
1940s Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Mixed Media
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Enamel
Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Charcoal, Mixed Media, Ink, Paper
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Board
20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Linen, Acrylic, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
An old-timey frog couple stands together, but they seem to be miles apart. The artwork delves into the profound exploration of human connections, revealing how ...
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
A mesmerizing underwater scene comes to life where an enchanting mix of sea creatures, humans, and scuba bunnies coexist in perfect harmony. The submerged world...
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
The painting reinterprets the Six of Pentacles tarot card, delving into the concept of gaining material wealth and enjoying one's work. The green hues symboli...
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
As a part of artist Rachel Srinivasan's Rodeo Series, the painting explores the symbolism of the five pentacles tarot card. The prominent green hues carry meanings of wealth, abundance, growth, and a connection to nature. The white bison adds a layer of mysticism, representing the power of the supernatural. Galloping horses adorn the edges, adding an intriguing touch to the composition.
About the Artist
For Rachel Srinivasan, an idea is worth putting on a canvas only if it still feels exciting after a few days. Rachel enjoys mulling the idea over in her mind for some time before creating an artwork. She hopes viewers will engage with her work and wonder about the subject matter, shapes and colors. "My current work is all about creating a connection between the person on the canvas with the viewer," she explains. She prefers large paintings and sometimes even makes her own canvases. She currently lives in Arizona and enjoys baking rhubarb pies, reading, running and going to art museums.
Words that describe this painting: tarot, wealth, abundance, magic, mystical, cards, oracle, white bison, buffalo...
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Canvas, Pencil
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Enamel
1930s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
A woman character is shown floating near an open window, where a giant bluebird is waiting as a spirit animal guide. The bird serves as a reminder to not give u...
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Enamel
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
The artwork reflects on the abundance of wildlife in Florida and the constant struggle humans face in controlling nature. Dominating the scene, a giant egret hovers over houses while alligators lurk in the water, signifying the untamable wildness of the environment.
About the Artist
Artist Kat Silver paints surrealist compositions with a whimsical and satirical approach. She draws inspiration from the imagery of her dreams and the symbolisms present in her surroundings. The image of the rabbit has become an important character and signature in Kat's work. For her, they represent power and taking control of one's life. Through her art, she invites the viewer to question the mundanity of daily existence and embrace the magic within them. "I believe human beings have a lot we can learn from nature," says Kat. "If we watch and listen to the earth and all its creatures, we can learn to fully enjoy our lives instead of being caught up in materialism, drama, and stress." Kat started to paint when she was seven years old, with her uncle as her teacher. She received her BA in Painting at Nazareth College in 2001 and succeedingly studied at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she mastered Art Therapy. Kat works in her home studio on a small desk strewn with supplies—surrounded by walls adorned with artwork that inspires her. Beyond her studio, Kat feeds her soul in nature, exploring wooded parks, forests, oceans, and streams. She often goes to antique shops to spark her creativity.
Words that describe this painting: Florida, wildlife, swamp, surreal, surrealism...
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
A whimsical scene unfolds as a group of ibis birds roam the lawns of the St. Petersburg neighborhood in Florida. Meanwhile, bunnies residing in the houses watch as the giant birds...
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Wool, Thread, Mixed Media, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Pencil
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Mixed Media, Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Charcoal
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1950s Surrealist Paintings
Gouache
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Oil
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Board
1990s Surrealist Paintings
Oil, Canvas