Surrealist Black and White Photography
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
Rosemary Ellis Pipes Gelatin Silver Photograph Proof Print for published book
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Wires Gelatin Silver Print for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Wires II Gelatin Silver Photograph for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
One from a series of photographs we have listed, to see the others scroll down to 'More from this seller' and click on 'View all from seller' and then search.
Rosemary Ellis
Wires I...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Pipes II Gelatin Silver Photograph Proof Print 1975 for book
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows X Silver Gelatin Photograph Print architectural machinery
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows X
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelatin...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Dam VI Surreal Photograph Silver Gelatin Print for Bodley Head
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Dam II Silver Gelatin Print Photograph for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis
Dam II
Original photography for Pipes and Wires in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, composed by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelatin Ph...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Dam V Gelatin Silver Photograph Print for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XIV Silver Gelatin Photograph Black and White Print
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis
Windows XIV
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelatin Photograp...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Pipes VII Gelatin Silver Print for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
From a series of similar photographs, to see the others scroll down to 'see all from seller'.
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1938)
Pipes VII
Original proof photograph for 'Pipes and Wires' in...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows Gelatin Silver photograph Print for book: Windows
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows
Original photography for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelatin Photog...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Dam III Gelatin Silver Photograph Proof Print for Bodley Head
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Pipes IV Gelatin Silver Photograph Proof Print published in book
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Pool Gelatin Silver Photograph Print for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Dam IV Gelatin Silver Photograph Print for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Pool II Gelatin Silver Photograph Print proof for book
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XII Silver Gelatin Photograph Mid Century Print
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows XII
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelat...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Dam (detail) Gelatin Silver Photograph Print mid century modern
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Dam Gelatin Silver Print Photograph for the book:Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows II Gelatin Silver Print for book: Windows
Located in London, GB
From a series of photographs, to see the others scroll down to 'sell all from this seller'.
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows II
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outloo...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows V Gelatin Silver Photograph Surreal Print for book
Located in London, GB
From a series of similar photographs, to view the others scroll down to 'more from this seller'.
Rosemary Ellis
Windows V
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and I...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows III Gelatin Silver Print for book: Windows
Located in London, GB
From a series of similar photographs by Rosemary Ellis. To see the others, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this seller" and search for Elli...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XI Surrealist Gelatin Silver Print Photograph Published
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis
Windows XI
Original photography for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, composed by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Gelatin Silver Print
...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Power Station Gelatin Silver Photograph for book Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
One from a series of photographs we have listed, to see the others scroll down to 'More from this seller' and click on 'View all from seller' and then search.
Rosemary Ellis
Power S...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Pipes VI Gelatin Silver Print surreal published photograph
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis
Pipes VI
Original photography for Pipes and Wires in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, composed by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Gelatin Silver ...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows VI Silver Gelatin Print for book: Windows Surrealist
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows VI
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelati...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XVI Gelatin Silver Photograph Print for book: Windows
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XVII Silver Gelatin Photograph Print Windows Mid Century
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows IX Silver Gelatin Photograph Print Gothic Architecture
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows IX
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelati...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XV Silver Gelatin Photograph Black & White Architectural
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows XV
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelati...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XIII Gelatin Silver Photograph Print horse stable
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows XIII
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gela...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows VIII Silver Gelatin Photograph Print Palm House Hot Warm
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows VIII
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gela...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Pipes III Gelatin Silver Print Photogragh surreal Pipes 1975
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis
Pipes III
Original photography for Pipes and Wires in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, composed by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Gelatin Silver...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows VII Silver Gelatin Photograph Print Mid Century House
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows VII
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelat...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Untitled, from the New Mexico Portfolio
By Van Deren Coke
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 125
Signed and dated in ink on print margin.
Photograph is from The New Mexico Portfolio published in 1976 by the Center of the E...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Cooling Towers Silver Gelatin Photograph Print Surreal electric
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Cooling Towers
Original photography for Pipes and Wires in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, composed by Rosemary & Charlotte Elli...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XVIII Silver Gelatin Photograph Print Surreal published
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Cooling Towers II Silver Gelatin Print Photograph for Pipes Wires
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Cooling Towers II
Original photography for Pipes and Wires in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, composed by Rosemary & Charlotte E...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Pipes V Gelatin Silver Photograph Print 1975 Surreal Pipes
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Pipes V
Original photography for Pipes and Wires in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, composed by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Gela...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Untitled (Paper Globe)
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 25
Gelatin silver print
Signed, dated and numbered in pencil on print verso.
Paper size: 16 x 12 in., Image size: 8 1/2 x 7 1/4 in.
Printed 2011
Chema Madoz is one of the...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Untitled - (High heel shoe with Eiffel Tower)
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 15
Signed, dated and numbered in pencil on print verso by Chema Madoz
Paper size: 24 x 19 3/4 in., Image size: 22 3/4 x 18 in.
Chema Madoz is one of the most important co...
Category
1990s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Arco de Libros, Madrid (books)
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 15
Signed, dated and numbered in pencil on print verso.
Paper size: 20 x 16 in., Image size: 15 1/2 x 15 in.
Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish...
Category
1990s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Bog Dog by Keith Carter, 2014, Archival Pigment Print
Located in Dallas, TX
Bog Dog by Keith Carter presents a portrait of a dog looking off into the distance. This photograph is listed as a 20 x 16 inch archival pigment print, with the paper size measuring 22 x 17 inches. This print is available in an edition of 25. It is signed, titled, dated and numbered in pencil on print verso by Keith Carter. Bog Dog is from Carter's series, Ghostland.
Keith Carter is an American photographer who is known for his dreamlike black and white photographs of the figure, animals, and meaningful objects. He began photographing new and unknown realities using East Texas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Cuchillo, Madrid (knife-ruler)
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 15
Signed, dated and numbered.
Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish photographers, who is greatly known for his monochromatic, surreal still-life...
Category
1990s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Memorial to Anais Nin
By Val Telberg
Located in New York, NY
Val Telberg was a Surrealist-influenced photomontagist who famously collaborated with Anais Nin.
Mr. Telberg was born of Finnish-Russian parents in Moscow...
Category
1970s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Peine/Disco, Madrid
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 15
Signed.
Toned gelatin silver print.
Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish photographers, who is greatly known for his monochromatic, surreal st...
Category
1990s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Metro, Madrid
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 15
Signed and dated.
Toned gelatin silver print
Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish photographers, who is greatly known for his monochromatic, s...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Cypress Swamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 25
Signed, titled, dated and numbered in pencil on print verso.
Paper size: 17 x 22 in., Image size: 16 x 20 in.
Series: Ghostland
Keith Carter is an American photographe...
Category
1990s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Untitled, Madrid (Sandals w/ Grass)
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 15
Signed, dated and numbered.
Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish photographers, who is greatly known for his monochromatic, surreal still-life...
Category
1980s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Statue of Liberty Mooning
Located in Dallas, TX
Signed and dated.
Category
20th Century Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Untitled (Moon in Gong)
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition 2/7
Signed on print margin.
Printed 2011
Frame included.
Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish photographers, who is greatly known for his monochroma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Untitled, Madrid
By Chema Madoz
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 15
Signed, dated and numbered.
Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish photographers, who is greatly known for his monochromatic, surreal still-life...
Category
1990s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Fading Beauty
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Bud of the Bud
By Reka Nyari
Located in New York, NY
“Ink Stories”, which was introduced at Nyari’s very first solo gallery exhibit, consists of large-scale nude photographs that explore the concept of self-identity and female empowerment. The series joins six women together, each who have faced adversity, to demonstrate the creation of a strengthened self-image through tattoos. By highlighting the intricate woven threads of ink on each woman’s skin, Nyari proposes the idea that self-empowerment and reconciliation with one’s traumas can be linked to the act of greeting one’s “own skin” or inventing their own story.
Nyari has now elevated these intimate photographs in her new Punctured Ink series through the process of puncturing botanical-like references into the surface of each image (thus making each one of a kind). Her inspiration to physically puncture the previously pristine photographic prints stemmed from a childhood memory that occurred while she was living in Finland: “I remembered my parents had this big pad of paper next to the home phone...
Category
2010s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Photogram, Archival Pigment, Archiva...
Portrait of Roger Parry
By Maurice Tabard
Located in New York, NY
Stamped, verso
Vintage silver print
9 x 7 inches
18 x 15.5 inches, framed
Roger Parry learned photography from Maurice Tabard by working as his studio assistant in 1928. In 1929 the...
Category
1930s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Untitled [Science]
By Joseph Mills
Located in New York, NY
Varnished photo montage on paper
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
![Untitled [Science]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/a_9323/1584647427635/Mills_Untitled_Varnished_Photo_1200_2_master.jpg?width=240 "joe mills nude")
Can O' Nudes
Located in Dallas, TX
Signed and dated in black ink on print margin by Alfred Gescheidt
Gelatin silver print, 11 x 9 in.
Category
20th Century Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Man Playing his Favorite Instrument
Located in Dallas, TX
Signed and dated.
Category
1950s Surrealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Surrealist black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist black and white photography 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. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Rosemary Ellis, Chema Madoz, Brian Ziff, and Alfred Gescheidt. Frequently made by artists working with Silver Gelatin Print, and Paper 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 black and white photography, so small editions measuring 4.5 inches across are also available. Prices for black and white photography 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 $110 and tops out at $26,500, while the average work sells for $1,350.