Surrealist 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
In Voluptas Mors (Dalí)
Located in Dallas, TX
In 1951, Salvador Dali, everyone's favorite mustachioed surrealist, teamed up with Magnum photographer Philippe Halsman to create one of the most enchanting, morbid and bizarre photo...
Category
1950s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Invisibility Hat" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Invisibility Hat" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Av...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Original Ed 1/15 Photograph “Boy with Four Arms” GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM Provenance
Located in New York, NY
Up for sale is an original Joel-Peter Witkin photograph. It’s an original photograph, Edition 1 of 15
Guggenheim Museum Provenance and also sold through Sotheby’s 2012
The Boy wit...
Category
1980s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Surreal Brooklyn Bridge with Blue Sky Golden Windows and Red Kite
Located in Miami, FL
Why is this view of the Brooklyn Bridge, a blue sky, and golden windows no longer visible? The image is a creation from Mitchell Funk's mind. It comprises three photographs with colo...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
"Aerial 2" Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Aerial 2" Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Available...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Prunella and Sylvie
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Helmut Newton (1920-2004) was one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, known for his unflinching, heavily eroticized images of women.
Born in 1920 in Berlin, Newton’...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Polaroid
"Place for People" Photography 27.5" x 24" inch Edition 5/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Place for People" Photography 27.5" x 24" inch Edition 5/15 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Japanese Samurai-exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
In the circus sideshows, where audiences gathered to witness the exotic and the extraordinary, there was a remarkable performer named Hiroshi, who portrayed a samurai. His act was a ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
"Aerial 2" Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Aerial 2" Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Availabl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Aerial 3" Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Aerial 3" Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Available...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Mystical Transcendent Orange Sunset Big Sky
Located in Miami, FL
A spectacular vast orange sunset dominates the sky as tiny onlookers gaze up and out with amazement. The image has a surreal quality to it and the relationship to the sky and people...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
The Writer
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Maggie Taylor's digital creations are emblematic, afterimages that invite, transport, and are unforgettable. Taylor's images are built, layer by layer and object by object, through a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
"I Love You Anna" Photography 24" x 35.5" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"I Love You Anna" Photography 24" x 35.5" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Wonder Room, limited edition color print, signed and numbered
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Wonder Room, limited edition color print, signed and numbered
Maggie Taylor's digital creations are emblematic, afterimages that invite, transport, and are unforgettable. Taylor's ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Realist
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Maggie Taylor's digital creations are emblematic, afterimages that invite, transport, and are unforgettable. Taylor's images are built, layer by layer and object by object, through a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Vanilla
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Maggie Taylor's digital creations are emblematic, afterimages that invite, transport, and are unforgettable. Taylor's images are built, layer by layer and object by object, through a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Transport of Delight
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Maggie Taylor's digital creations are emblematic, afterimages that invite, transport, and are unforgettable. Taylor's images are built, layer by layer and object by object, through a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Night Feast
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Maggie Taylor's digital creations are emblematic, afterimages that invite, transport, and are unforgettable. Taylor's images are built, layer by layer and object by object, through a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
"Man 's World" Photography 27.5" x 20" inch Edition 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Man 's World" Photography 27.5" x 20" inch Edition 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Ol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
quartet of circus images -exotic daguerreotype reproductions Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
Here are 4 small framed images of daguerreotype reproductions featuring the Circus. The images are of a circus announcer, bingo, the Circus Elephant , a gypsy fortune teller , and ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Three Circus Pugs - enchanting exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
n the circus, laughter and delight were paramount. At the heart of this spectacle was the head clown, a jolly and charismatic figure who brought joy to audiences with every mischievo...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Vintage René Magritte press photograph
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Rare René Magritte press photograph published on the occasion of a 1990 Magritte exhibition held at the world famous Pace/Macgill gallery New York.
Silver-gelatin print. 8x10 inches...
Category
1990s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
"Pygmalion and Galatea" Photography 16" x 16" in Edition of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pygmalion and Galatea" Photography 16" x 16" in Edition of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Gamekeeper's Charge, limited edition photograph, archival, signed
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
The Gamekeeper's Charge, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evok...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Fragment Attraction, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Fragment Attraction, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a moo...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
"Moon Birth" Photography 16" x 16" in Edition of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Moon Birth" Photography 16" x 16" in Edition of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Availabl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Morning On The Grand Canal, limited edition photograph, archival, signed
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Morning On The Grand Canal, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Tart to the Taste, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Tart to the Taste, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a m...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
“A Bridge Too Far” Photography 36" x 24" inch Edition of 1/7 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“A Bridge Too Far” Photography 36" x 24" inch Edition of 1/7 by Brian Ziff
Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag
Not framed.
American Dreams - "Park Drive" seri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Rag Paper, Archival Ink, Giclée
"Adam" Photography 16" x 16" in Edition of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Adam" Photography 16" x 16" in Edition of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Available size...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Dream Landscape - Woman Strolls in Fantasy Forest of Blue Green
Located in Miami, FL
Questions about the nature and boundaries of reality are contextualized in this dreamy image of a woman strolling in a fantasy forest that breathes high-pitched color. Pioneering pho...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
"Ladybugs" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Ladybugs" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Available...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
12"x12" photograph of three circus pugs - enchanting exotic daguerreotype repro
Located in Lafayette, LA
this is a unframed 12" by 12" photograph.
In the circus, laughter and delight were paramount. At the heart of this spectacle was the head clown, a jolly and charismatic figure who...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
"Flight Risk" illustrative photography, surrealism, paper airplane motif
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "Flight Risk" is a limited edition photographic print by Andrew Pinkham and is made from archival pigment on cotton rag. This piece measures 20"h x 20"w unframed an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Rag Paper
"Modern Traditions 1" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Modern Traditions 1" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
“Bait and Tackle 1” (FRAMED) Photography 24 x 36 in Edition of 1/7 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Bait and Tackle 1” (FRAMED) Photography 24 x 36 in Edition of 1/7 by Brian Ziff
Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag
American Dreams - From "Park Drive" series ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
“Foreign Bodies” Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Foreign Bodies” Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff
Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag
From "Rite of Spring" series
In this melancholy se...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
"Modern Traditions 2" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Modern Traditions 2" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Modern Traditions 1" Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Modern Traditions 1" Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Cannons of Vicksburg - Civil War on My Mind Surrealism
Located in Miami, FL
A silhouetted man looks out to infinity and ponders the buried memories on the hallowed grounds of Vicksburg. He is seen in silhouette in the bottom half of the composition. The top half shows two Civil War...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper, Archival Ink
Viking woman -Shield maiden- exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
This is an exotic daguerreotype reproduction of a circus sideshow performer in the 1890s.
ChatGPT
In the heart of the 1890s, amidst the allure of the circus, there existed a unique act that captivated audiences far and wide. At the center of this spectacle was a remarkable blonde Viking shield...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
"Modern Traditions 2" Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Modern Traditions 2" Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Carnival worker -exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
This is an AI-generated daguerreotype reproduction.
In the waning years of the 19th century, a young man named Benjamin found himself at a crossroads in life. Born to a modest fami...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Three Circus Elephants - exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
this is an AI generated daguerreotype reproduction Framed.
In the dazzling world of the 1890s circus, amidst the vibrant tents and the melodious tunes t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Circus Fatman -exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
This is an AI generated daguerreotype reproduction Framed
ChatGPT
In the extravagant and captivating world of the 1890s circus sideshows, amidst the ar...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Escape Artist - exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
this is a daguerreotype reproduction--In the vibrant tapestry of the 1890s circus, amidst feats of daring and spectacle, one performer stood out among the rest—a master of escapism, the enigmatic escape artist. His name was Alexander Grant...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Indian Guide - exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
this is an AI generated daguerreotype reproduction.
ChatGPT
In the colorful tapestry of the 1890s carnival sideshows, amidst the allure of exotic acts, there existed a remarkable ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Snake Charmer - exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
this is an exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
In the enchanting world of the 1890s circus, amid the vibrant colors and exotic acts, there existed a mesmerizing performer who c...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Indian Yogi Contortionist - exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
This is an AI-generated daguerreotype reproduction.
In the enthralling landscape of the 1890s circus sideshows, among the diverse array of captivating acts and intriguing performer...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
"Mirrors" Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mirrors" Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Available s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Nubian Prince -exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
this is an AI generated daguerreotype reproduction.
NUbian Prince
In the vibrant and often fantastical world of the 1890s circus sideshows, amidst the a...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
The Lion man - exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed
Located in Lafayette, LA
This is an AI generated exotic daguerreotype reproduction Framed.
In the mesmerizing world of the 1890s circus sideshows, where curiosity reigned supreme, there existed an extraordi...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Inkjet
"Mirrors" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mirrors" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Available s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Man 's World" Photography 35" x 28" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Man 's World" Photography 35" x 28" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Olha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Muscular Male and Leggy Female Figure on the Roof
By Robert Funk
Located in Miami, FL
This is a self-portrait with a 1950s girly cut-out set against a dramatic tropical sky.
It's is a straight shot. The camera is on a tripod while the photographer slides over to bec...
Category
1980s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
“Olé” Photography 24" x 36" inch Edition 1/7 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Olé” Photography 24" x 36" inch Edition 1/7 by Brian Ziff
Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
American Dreams - From "Park Driv...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
Surrealist photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist 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. If you’re looking to add photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, red, orange, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mitchell Funk, Rosemary Ellis, Brian Ziff, and FPA Francis Pavy Artist. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Photographic 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 photography, so small editions measuring 4.5 inches across are also available. Prices for 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 $28,800, while the average work sells for $1,750.