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.
The Spilt, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A surrealist painting captures the tension between prey and predator. In the foreground, a rabbit stands wary while a fox snarls nearby. Others of their kind sc...
Oil
Divine Comedy
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dalí’s Divine Comedy is a series of 100 color wood engravings, each corresponding to a canto from Dante Alighieri’s epic poem. Created between 1960 and 1964, these engraving...
Woodcut
Diving Deep, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
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 wor...
Oil
Discovering New Worlds, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A large white polar bear lies on a cliff with its eyes closed, while a dodo bird leans beside it. To their side, an easel holds a Rembrandt painting of a stormy...
Oil
Mirò Album 19 - Vintage Catalogue of the Exhibition Sala Gaspar - 1963
Located in Roma, IT
Includes 4 original lithographs by J. Mirò, one of which in double page. Vol in-4°. Original editorial cover on paper, with a lithograph by Mirò as wel...
Paper
Grayish Pink, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The artwork offers a geometric reimagining of a coastal village from a unique perspective with a thoughtful color palette. The high vantage point shifts focus f...
Oil
$297Sale Price|33% Off
Analphabetogramme - Signatur Objekt Nr. 23 (Collages, Assemblages, Surrealism)
By Jiri Kolar
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jiri Kolar (Jiří Kolář) Analphabetogramme - Signatur Objekt Nr. 23 (Collages, Assemblages, Poetry, Surrealism) Analphabétogramme (hand-pressed copper print) with matte Year: 1995 Size: 12×11.6×0.6in Edition: 756 of 990 Signed, numbered by hand Publisher: First Edition, Verlag Rommerskirchen, Rolandseck - Germany COA provided Ref.: 924802-1933 White original cardboard in a Plexiglas slipcase, signed and numbered, number 756 of 990. 28 pages in block book form, texts and colored illustrations of collaged sculpture photographs, 1 loosely enclosed hand-signed original hand-pressed copper print ("Analphabétograms") under passepartout. The cardboard cover is cut out like a passe-partout so that the title illustration is visible when the book is hung on the wall as an art object using the acrylic glass frame provided. Tags: Czech artist,Poet,Visual artist,Political activist,Collages,Assemblages,Poetry,Surrealism,Dada...
Copper
Veggie Head - Original contemporary artwork - surrealistic animal painting
By JJ Galloway
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Canvas
Jeux Olympiques - Rare Book Illustrated by L.T. Foujita - 1925
Located in Roma, IT
Edition of 816 copies on vélin simili curve des papeteries Navarre, including a portrait of the author by Foujita. Very good conditions, uncut.
Paper
Dessins - Rare Book by Jean Cocteau - 1923
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Roma, IT
Edition of 625 copies, including reproductions of drawings by J. Cocteau, in which are portrayed for example I. Strawinsky, J. Hugo, P. Picasso, F. Poulenc and many others. Book dedi...
Paper
A View from the Platform, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Benjamin Xu renders the familiar landscape of Venice, Italy, into an idealized, dreamlike painting by exploring color, form, and stillness. A stone moori...
Oil
Water Town, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The painting embraces modernist sensibilities with a surrealist touch, challenging conventional rules of depth and perspective. It distills the vibrant canal vi...
Oil
Leeward, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Benjamin Xu presents a geometric architectural scene that conveys a strong sense of shelter, stillness, and spatial harmony. The viewer is drawn into a d...
Oil
Optimist, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Benjamin Xu paints a vibrant architectural scene that explores hope, resilience, and bright horizons. The artwork highlights a balance between structure ...
Oil
Sunny Day IV - Original Textural Lace Surrealist Figurative Floral Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figurative surrealistic paintings of Carlos Gamez de Francisco are heavily influenced by his Cuban upbringing in a Russian governed academia setting. This presence exposed Franci...
Canvas, Acrylic
Venus, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by the classical painting, The Birth of Venus, artist Miranda Gamel shows a surrealist portrayal. The subject stands beautifully with long wavy hair and glistening eyes under a turquoise moon...
Oil
Purfectly Peaceful, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A surreal domestic scene features two cats resting in a room, gazing directly at the viewer. Whimsical moments unfold around them as a tiny animal stands by a m...
Oil
Unicorn Pigeon - Original contemporary artwork - surrealistic animal painting
By JJ Galloway
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Jeune fille
Located in OPOLE, PL
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) - Jeune fille Photogravure from 1937. Dimensions of work: 35.5 x 26.4 cm Publisher: Tériade, Paris. The work is in Excellent condition. Fast and secure...
Photogravure
$4,763
Who? Why? What?-Original realism animal surrealism oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Island. Tan Horse, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting features a horse standing against a stylized coastal landscape. Geometric shapes define the sky, clouds, and buildings, while background elements ...
Acrylic
The Edge of a Dream
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The bison and the beetle have a prehistoric elegance about them that I thought would compliment each other perfectly. Symbolically, both represent life and mortality, which has been on my mind lately. To Native Americans, bison are symbolic of sacred life and abundance. And in ancient greek mythology the beetle became revered as a symbol of rebirth and immortality -- its daily journey across the sky became an allegory of human life. The Wallpaper collection is a juxtaposition of masculine meets feminine. I wanted to create a unique series that stands apart from traditional nature paintings, where the wild and somewhat prehistoric aspects of my animals featured contrast against their delicate backdrops. In addition to this, many of my paintings are created with a little bit of underlying symbolism usually sparked from a world event or life moment that I am experiencing. I concentrate on this theme as a therapeutic mantra throughout the creation of the painting. For each painting, different techniques and layers of design are implemented when creating the wall paper effect. To keep the patterns consistent I create a stencil to outline the shapes of my hummingbirds, bugs and fish, and then I hand paint each shape individually. In the areas where I wanted a little more chaos, I would forgo the stencil and eyeball each design. My animals are always painted first, and then I layout the design around them.
About the Artist
Australian-born Alana Clumeck...
Acrylic
Flip of the Coin, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This is the second painting in artist Kat Silver’s ongoing series of cozy cat scenes celebrating calm indoor moments. At first glance, it appears to be a play...
Oil
LOVE ISLAND - Original people surrealistic painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Chelsea Pig - contemporary artwork - original 3D surrealistic painting
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Acrylic, Board
Italian Surrealist Colorful Metal Enamel Plaque Painting Wall Hanging Art Luigi
Located in Surfside, FL
Biomorphic Surrealism. Signed Luigi, Enamel on metal (probably copper). Mounted to a plexi or acrylic purple mounting. I am assuming it is Italian as it is signed Luigi but it might ...
Enamel
Pippin Bumble's Favorite Time of Day, Oil Painting
By Diane Flick
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A robot elephant balances an heirloom tomato and a pot of daisy flower on its head. This is artist Diane Flick's first painting using AI-generated reference p...
Oil
Heaven Touches Kawela: 3, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Mountains and sea merge in this abstract landscape, where shifting forms and colors reveal a world suspended between calm and chaos. Each stroke carries depth, ...
Oil
$12,927
La Femme Visible - Editions Surréalistes 1930 - Hand Dedication attr. to S. Dalì
Located in Roma, IT
Edition of 175 specimens (plus 29 out of commerce) of this important book by Dalì, published by Editions Surréalistes in 1930 and one of the first books to...
Paper, Engraving
Sainte Anne
Located in New York, NY
Drypoint, aquatint and heliogravure, 1965. Signed by the artist and dated in pencil, lower right margin. Numbered 42/150 in pencil, lower left margin. Printed by Robbe, Paris. Pub...
Drypoint, Aquatint
Bixby's Compromise, Oil Painting
By Diane Flick
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A white chicken with a quirky stack of objects on its head balances on a unicycle. The pile includes a coffee cup, a potted plant, an egg, a toy truck, books,...
Oil
The Butterfly Giver - original still life surrealism painting - contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Calligrammes, by Guillaume Apollinaire and Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Roma, IT
Format : 2 Volumes, In-4° Typology : Print Suite Edition of 100 copies, including 65 original lithographs by Giorgio De Chirico in the text. This copy is in two volumes, unlike the standard edition printed in a unique volume. This edition is part of the only 6 made on Japan Supernacré Paper...
Handmade Paper
Autumn - Original Surrealist Hyperrealist Figurative Sunglass Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figurative surrealistic paintings of Carlos Gamez de Francisco are heavily influenced by his Cuban upbringing in a Russian governed academia setting. This presence exposed Franci...
Canvas, Acrylic
Red Bow II - Original Framed Surrealist Figurative Portrait
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figurative surrealistic paintings of Carlos Gamez de Francisco are heavily influenced by his Cuban upbringing in a Russian governed academia setting. This presence exposed Franci...
Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper, Graphite
$6,791
Memory of a Day, The Lighthouse- original surrealist painting - contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Acrylic
Between, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The artwork presents a geometric interpretation of classical architecture through a modernist approach. Bold architecture meets a quiet waterway, creating subtl...
Oil
Ramen Pigeon - Original contemporary artwork - surrealistic animal painting
By JJ Galloway
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
$4,069
Diamonds in Bloom - Original floral realism painting - modern surrealistic art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. Mysterious and radiant, Diamonds in Bloom reveals Hallie Packa...
Canvas, Oil
Six of Swords, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of her series about the divinatory meanings of the swords tarot cards, artist Rachel Srinivasan paints a minotaur with blades and a caduceus. She feature...
Oil
Cherie Floriferous - original surrealist oil painting - wildlife art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Out of This World, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"A panther in space, now that's out of this world," says artist Miranda Gamel. She depicts a surrealist image of the ebony fe...
Oil
Pablo Picasso Christian Zervos 33 Volume Books
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Christian Zervos. Pablo Picasso. Œuvres de 1895 à [1972]. Paris: Éditions Cahiers d'Art, 1949-1986. 33 volumes in 34 (volume 2 in two parts), small folio (325 x 252 mm.), numerous p...
Offset
Plumb, Original Painting
By Dwight Smith
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A towering stack of pancakes, topped with butter and dripping syrup, balances as a plumb line ensures its perfect level. The precise measurement keeps the foo...
Watercolor
$10,459
Surrealism Acrylic on canvas “Checkerboard Landscape” Andrés Segovia, Argentina
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind work or art with a unique, somber, and overwhelming atmosphere. It recalls the legacy of the great Giorgio De Chirico (1888-1978), the foremost representative of the ...
Canvas
$2,177Sale Price|20% Off
Beach Houses I - Original 3D surrealistic painting - contemporary illusion art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. Marek Letkiewicz’s Beac...
Acrylic, Board
Sea Horse Bunnies, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by her relocation from the Midwest to Florida, artist Kit Silver paints a whimsical fusion of seahorses and bunnies. The warm hues and intricate deta...
Oil
Banana Bangs - Original contemporary artwork - surrealistic animal painting
By JJ Galloway
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
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...
Oil
Coffee Hour - Original contemporary artwork - surrealistic animal painting
By JJ Galloway
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Winter
By Paul Klee
Located in OPOLE, PL
Paul Klee (1879-1940) - Winter Lithograph from 1938. Dimensions of work: 35 x 26 cm Publisher: Tériade, Paris. The work is in Excellent condition. Fast and secure shipment.
Lithograph
Frog Couple, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
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 ho...
Oil
Joan Miró Litografia Original IV – 1972 Color Lithograph, Mourlot 860
By Joan Miró
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Litografia Original IV by Joan Miró, a 1972 color lithograph from Litografo (Volume I, Spanish edition), listed as Mourlot 860. Published by Ediciones Poligrafa, Barcelona, with ve...
Lithograph
$502Sale Price|20% Off
Chroessi Schnell - "Schizophrenic Landscape" - surrealist landscape drawing
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Chroessi Schnell - "Schizophrenic Landscape". Surrealism, abstract forms, dream universe. It is an extended version of the Alienations of the maps of "Münsterland" where my mother ...
Paper
The Dreambird's Voyage, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A symbolic bird moves through a surreal, vibrant landscape of dreams. Rich, luminous colors fill the scene, evoking a sense of limitless imagination and emotion...
Acrylic
Cover for Menu (trial proof)
By Marc Chagall
Located in OPOLE, PL
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Cover for Menu (trial proof) Lithograph from 1964. Trial proof - unique work. Dimensions of sheet: 45 x 32 cm Dimensions in frame: 53.2 x 43.2 cm Publ...
Lithograph
Isolation III, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Guigen Zha paints red lotus flowers under the shining sun. Square blocks of gradient color fill the fragmented scene. He pain...
Oil
Ace of Swords, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"This painting is inspired by the tarot card called the 'Ace of Swords'," states artist Rachel Srinivasan. A veiled woman peeks behind a tall sword as she is ...
Oil
Bearbrick 400% & 100% figures (Salvador Dali MoMa BE@RBRICK)
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Salvador Dali Bearbrick 400% (Salvador Dali MoMa BE@RBRICK): This collaboration between MoMA and BE@RBRICK features the famous bear figure printed with the classic surrealist art of ...
Resin, Vinyl
La Thora Rouge
By Marc Chagall
Located in OPOLE, PL
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - La Thora Rouge Etching and aquatint from 1981. An unnumbered and unsigned copy outside from signed edition of 60. Dimensions of sheet: 49.5 x 32.5 cm D...
Etching, Aquatint