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.
$43,521
Sirens Combing Their Hair with Coral and Ant, 108-Piece Porcelain Set, 1977
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) “Sirenas peinadas con coral y hormiga” 108-Piece Porcelain Dinner, Tea and Coffee Service Designed in 1977 and produced in 1978 An extensive porcelain tab...
Porcelain
The Posters of Picasso, 1957 first printing; J.K. Forster, Crown Publishers
Located in Spokane, WA
The Posters of Picasso 1957 — A Complete Visual Archive Own a piece of art history with this rare 1957 first edition of "The Posters of Picasso," one of the most sought-after collec...
Offset
Rues et Visages de Paris - Surrealist Book with 20 Etchings, 1926
Located in Roma, IT
Rues et Visages de Paris (Streets and Faces of Paris) is a rare book whose purpose is to introduce the city of Paris in the first page of 20th Century, written by Valery Larbaud and ...
Paper
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
DALI, The Work and the Man - by Robert DESCHARNES # Hardcover Art Book
Located in Paris, IDF
Dali The Work and the Man by Robert Descharnes Hardcover coffee table art book. Master artist Salvador Dali large coffee table book. Dated 1984. This 453-page book is in English...
Paper
Swaying, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Benjamin Xu presents a striking, minimalist exploration of architectural form and organic movement. A stark grey building frames a lone, slender tree, cr...
Oil
Les Chants de Maldoror
Located in New York, NY
Heliogravure, etching, and drypoint, 1934. From the deluxe edition of 40 with the drypoint remarqué, before the published edition of 100 printed from the reduced plate. From the po...
Etching, Drypoint
Work or Play?, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The way a fox approaches life appears to be a beautiful blend of work and play. The surreal animal painting inspires the viewer to use their own sense of grace,...
Oil
Jeune Fille, Photogravure, Modern, 1937, Excellent
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
Floral Fawn, Surrealist Acrylic on Canvas, Original 122 x 76 Artwork
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
$2,689
A Stroll Through the Forest, Original surrealism wildlife painting-Realism
Located in London, Chelsea
Gallery service: Complimentary worldwide shipping is offered, with Signet Contemporary Art covering all tariffs, customs duties and import taxes, making international collecting simp...
Canvas, Acrylic
Daphnes and Chloé, Planche XXIII, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1961, Framed
By Marc Chagall
Located in OPOLE, PL
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Daphnes and Chloé, Planche XXIII (trial proof) Lithograph from 1961. Trial proof - unique work. On Arches paper with watermark. Dimensions of work: 56 x...
Etching
Lost in Paradise, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by her travels, artist Marie-Eve Champagne paints a curated collection of imagery that combines collage and surrealist pictorial approaches. Two oversi...
Acrylic
La Maestra Interior, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Elena Done
Located in Yardley, PA
She raises her hands not to command, but to listen. The space around her is surreal, broken, shifting - a theatre of past selves, masks, fragments. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: T...
Oil
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
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
Eternal Love, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A pair of cardinals perches on a slender branch beside a nest holding three pale blue eggs. The branch rises from a pedestal, while golden leaves cling to it an...
Oil
The Familiar Wild - original surrealist painting- contemporary landscape artwork
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
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
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
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
Winter, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1938, Framed, Excellent
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
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
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
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
Spring's First Present, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A vibrant American goldfinch perches on a slender branch, taking center stage as nature's most charming messenger. The striking contrast between the bird's sunn...
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
Early Bird, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Sometimes, when painting a New York cityscape at sunrise, an artist takes liberties. They turn gray buildings blue, the blue sky gray, or replace the expected. ...
Oil
$12,598
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
$4,040
Blush – original surrealism wildlife painting for sale - contemporary artwork
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
Celestial Steed, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This watercolor painting features a pegasus rendered in warm earth tones accented with bright blue feathers. Playful in spirit yet gentle in pose, the winged ho...
Watercolor
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
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
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
Discovering New Worlds, Oil Painting
By Eric Vanasse
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
Large Seascape Oil painting DEEP INSIDE 130, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
DEEP INSIDE is an large original abstract seascape oil painting inspired by the quiet horizon where sea and sky meet. Soft gradients create a feeling of infinity, while a thin horizo...
Oil
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
$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
Le Grand Ordinaire - Rare Book Illustrated by Oscar Dominguez - 1943
Located in Roma, IT
Le Grand Ordinaire is an original modern very rare book illustrated by Oscar Dominguez (San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 1906 – 1957) and written by André ...
Paper
$1,797
Lemon Tang-Original citrus wildlife painting-modern surrealist 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
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
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
Cobalt Pot-original realiist still life 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
$870Sale Price|20% Off
Glass sculpture Merkuce from the series The Italians 2008, glass, 37, 5x11x10 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Glass sculpture Merkuce from the series The Italians 2008, glass, 37, 5x11x10 cm
Glass
JAMES JEAN Pistil and Stamen — Diptych Art Deck Set Joyce × Hong Kong
By James Jean
Located in Draper, UT
Joyce × James Jean Hong Kong Exclusive, 2017 Pistil and Stamen — Diptych Art Deck Set A pristine, sealed diptych art deck set from one of the most signi...
Wood
$7,973
Splash – original surrealism wildlife contemporary art - horse painting for sale
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
Please, don't look, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Elena Done
Located in Yardley, PA
Please, don’t look. I’m not offering you this moment. I’m not hiding — I’m just not performing. ? I turn away, and in that gesture, I become mine again. Please, D...
Oil
Vitraux pour Jérusalem - Illustrated Book by M. Chagall, 1962
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
"Vitraux pour Jerusalem" is one of the most important books illustrated by Marc Chagall and considered as one of his editorial masterpieces. Th...
Paper, Lithograph
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
Chants de Maldoror - Rare Book Illustrated by René Magritte - 1948
Located in Roma, IT
Les Chants de Maldoror is an original modern rare book written by Comte de Lautréamont, pseudonym of Isidore Lucien Ducasse (Montevideo, 1846 — Paris, 1870) and illustrated by René ...
Paper, Photogravure
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
2-sided lithographic announcement to Galerie Maeght vernissage
By Joan Miró
Located in New York, NY
2-sided lithographic announcement to Galerie Maeght vernissage, 1953 2 sided Lithographic invitation (header image shows both front and back on one panel) Unsigned (not framed) 3 3/1...
Lithograph
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
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
Sentiments Rare Book, Surrealist Etching on Paper, 1928 Edition of 100
By Raoul Dufy
Located in Roma, IT
Edition of 100 copies including a portrait of the author engraved with etching by Raoul Dufy. Copy on Hollande van Gelder. Perfect conditions and uncut.
Paper
Rien que la terre - Rare Book Illustrated by Demetrios Galanis - 1926
Located in Roma, IT
Edition of 206 copies including 11 original engravings by Demetrios Galanis and one original frontispiece. Copy on reservede to Librairie Champion. Includes a printsuite and an origi...
Paper
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
Odes - Rare Book Illustrated by Demetrios Galanis - 1926
Located in Roma, IT
Edition of 300 copies including 6 original etchings/sanguines and many gouaches inside the text by Demetrios Galanis. One of 243 copies on Vergé de Rives. Original editorial softcov...
Paper
Migrant, Painting, Acrylic on Watercolor Paper
By Esam Jlilati
Located in Yardley, PA
The migrant Many people are run away from civil wars, looking for peaceful new home and new life, they left their home without knowing if they would arrive safe to the new home or ...
Acrylic
Cover for Menu, Trial Proof, Original Lithograph, Surrealist, 1964, Framed
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