Surrealist Abstract Paintings
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
Siren
Located in Nashville, TN
Alison Underwood's work evokes various emotions of desires as her artwork proves to display the ideas of temptation and anticipation. These profound feelings are demonstrated in the ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Acrylic, Oil Crayon
Sky Garden - New Surrealism Painting, 2022
Located in Porto, 13
Sky Garden is an original work of art by the Brazilian artist Gabriela Lukschal.
This painting titled "Sky Garden" is an hommage to surrealism artists.
Acr...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
YiJian Wang Surrealist Original Oil Painting "Caprice 3"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Caprice 3
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 12 x 15 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition.
Note: This painting is unstretched
Year: 2015
Artist: YiJian Wang...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Trophy, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, unique signed painting w/provenance
Located in New York, NY
David Humphrey
Trophy (Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago), 1983
Oil on Canvas painting
Signed Twice: Hand signed and dated verso, also artist has signed his name and written his ho...
Category
1980s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Changes, Decisions and Perspectives" Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting
Located in Lisboa, PT
"Changes, Decisions and Perspectives" Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting 2023
Artwork is on supported wooden frame. Ready to hang.
Tam Ess makes oil paintings that explore the subcon...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Tribe" Mother and Children Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mother and Children - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting, 2023
Artwork on supported wooden frame. Ready to hang.
"A tribute to the spiritual and ancestral ties that bind us, with a v...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Contemporary French Surrealist Oil Painting Evolving Shapes and Movement
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Abstract Composition
signed by Jack Penouel (French 1936-2018)
oil on canvas, framed
framed: 18.5 x 15.5 inches
canvas : 18 x 15 inches
provenance: the ar...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Rebirth
By Jorge Yances
Located in Nashville, TN
"Rebirth" is an oil-on-canvas painting by Colombian artist Jorge Yances from his "Illusions" series. In this series, Yances reflects the Latin literary tradition of magical realism b...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Walking on Thread - Large Original Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mohamad Khayata’s original figurative artworks are the result of five years of displacement and deal with themes of migration, memory, and identity. Mohamad’s paintings convey an arr...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Surrealist Oil Painting Evolving Shapes and Movement
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Abstract Composition
signed by Jack Penouel (French 1936-2018)
dated 02'
signed oil on canvas, framed
framed: 26 x 21.5 inches
canvas : 25.75 x 20.75 inch...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
1939 Surrealist Cityscape by Mystery Artist
Located in Larchmont, NY
Mystery Artist
Untitled, 1993
Watercolor on paper
Sight: 13 x 19 1/4 in.
Framed: 25 1/2 x 29 1/2 x 1 1/4 in.
Signed and dated lower right
Category
1930s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Looking at the Swallow Birds - Large Original Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mohamad Khayata’s original figurative artworks are the result of five years of displacement and deal with themes of migration, memory, and identity. Mohamad’s paintings exhibit an ar...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Canvas
"Two Seas and a Moon" Surrealism American Scene WWII Modern WWI Denver WPA Era
Located in New York, NY
"Two Seas and a Moon" Surrealism American Scene WWII Modern WWI Denver WPA Era
Arnold Ronnebeck (1885 - 1947)
Two Seas and a Moon
30 x 22 1/2 inches
Oil on Canvas, c. 1943
Signed u...
Category
1940s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Surrealist Painting By Philip Krevoruck Wpa Era
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Philip Krevoruck 1919-1999 an accomplished WPA artist . Surrealist Oil on board painted during the 1950s .
Dimensions:
30inch X 25.5inch including frame . 24 X 19.5 without frame .
M...
Category
1950s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
French Neo-Romantic Surrealist Painting "Circus" by Kristians Tonny
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Kristians Tonny
(French, born Holland; 1907-1977)
Circus
Oil on prepared board, 16 1/2 x 13 inches
Framed: 22 x 19 inches (approx.)
Inscribed on reverse: (in pencil) "cadre noir/ave...
Category
1920s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Surrealist Oil Painting By Fernand Carette, 20th Century
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Fernand Carette 1921- 2005 Futuristic surrealist landscape . oil painting by Belgian artist Carette painted during the 1960s while he was working with the Phases group . 64cm x 49cm ...
Category
1960s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
3 Dimensional Sculptural Surrealist Acrylic on Board. 'Swimfest'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century acrylic on plywood board sculptural painting by British artist Derek Carruthers. The work is not signed but was acquired along with a collection of the artist’s wor...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Board
Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Birds Eating Men
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - 'Pansy Presence' Fantasy Abstract
By Elvic Steele
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Stunning original oil painting by Elvic Steele depicting this surrealist fantasy abstract painting.
Elvic Steele is a fascinating English painter. Her works entrance the observer, d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Cascade. Contemporary Surrealist Oil Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Once again Berlin gifts us a different aspect of his art. Within Cascade he is able to echo and reference simultaneously several of the Great Masters and also include his own unique ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Colourful Surrealist Painting on Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
An early 21st century surrealist acrylic on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right and signed and dated to the reverse.
A colourful and lively painting...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Jardin: After Monet. Contemporary Surrealist Oil Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
A riotous explosion from the palette of Sax Berlin. This garden uses the beautiful colours familiar to those who have travelled the southern reaches of France and used to such amazin...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Acrylic
Surrealist Painting on Paper. '43 Stones'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Surrealist acrylic on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Initial signed DC in the bottom right and signed and dated and titled '43 Stones' to the reverse..
An intriguing and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Handmade Paper
Kyle Andrew Szpyrka - Where Have You Been, Where Are You Going?, Drawing 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
The Paths series was born out of a trip I took one summer to LA. The trip itself was more of an escape from my life in New York. At the time I was at a crossroads. Having just gone t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paper, Graphite
Kyle Andrew Szpyrka - Honesty, Drawing 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
The Paths series was born out of a trip I took one summer to LA. The trip itself was more of an escape from my life in New York. At the time I was at a crossroads. Having just gone t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paper, Graphite
Kyle Andrew Szpyrka - Babel, Drawing 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
Sutra, a Sanskrit word meaning “thread”, is a word or small group of words that summarize an entire complex web of ideas, truths, wisdoms, or teachings all woven together into a sing...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paper, Graphite
Kyle Andrew Szpyrka - Don't You Recognize Me?, Drawing 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
The Paths series was born out of a trip I took one summer to LA. The trip itself was more of an escape from my life in New York. At the time I was at a crossroads. Having just gone t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paper, Graphite
Motherhood: Contemporary Surrealist Oil Painting by Sax Berlin
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Motherhood is a self portrait of Sax Berlin’s experience as a single father. He had to be mother and father at a time when he was aggrieved after his beautiful wife Susan’s passing ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Bold Eagle And Figurative Abstraction
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Bold Eagle And Figurative Abstraction
Artist signed lower right corner, : 54 X 68 X 1.25 in.
Yankel (Jacob) Ginzburg (Russian/American, Born 1945). An original Surrealist acrylic pa...
Category
1980s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cotton Canvas
Surrealist cubism acrylic on board painting picassian
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gustavo Úbeda (1930-1994) - Picasso Cubism - Acrylic panel
Acrylic measurements 81x100 cm.
Frameless.
The painting by Gustavo Úbeda Romero (Herencia, 1930 – Sao Paulo, 1994) comes f...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Board
Boats in the harbor, Original Painting by Federico Castellon, Spanish Surrealist
Located in PARIS, FR
This oil on paper piece by Federico Castellón exhibits the hallmarks of his artistic style, blending elements of surrealism with a striking, yet subtle, realism. The composition is r...
Category
1950s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Laid Paper
C. Ballester Sueño Original Surrealism Mixed media paper painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Sueño Original Magical Surrealism Mixed media paper painting. virtual frame
Cándido Ballester is a contemporary Mallorcan painter who was born in 1926. As a child he had to emigrate...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Floating in a Surrealist Space - Abstract Composition in Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
Floating in a Surrealist Space - Abstract Composition in Acrylic on Canvas
Surrealist composition by California and Washington state artist David Sherburne (American, b. 1943). A fl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
The Mountaintop
Located in New York, NY
The Mountaintop, 1997
Oil on canvas
54 x 68 in. (137.2 x 172.7 cm)
Signed, titled, and dated, verso
At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of color and tactile ...
Category
1990s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Lovescape
Located in New York, NY
Lovescape, 1999
Acrylic on canvas
46 x 64 in. (116.8 x 162.6 cm)
Signed, titled, and dated, verso
At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of color and tactile se...
Category
1990s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Bearing the Light
Located in New York, NY
Bearing the Light, 1994
Oil on linen
46 x 48 in. (116.8 x 121.9 cm)
Signed, titled, and dated, verso
At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of color and tactile...
Category
1990s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Surrealist orixa Brazil acrylic on board painting surrealism Ubeda
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gustavo Úbeda (1930-1994) - Orixa - Acrylic on panel
Acrylic measurements 61x91 cm.
Frameless.
The painting by Gustavo Úbeda Romero (Herencia, 1930 – Sao Paulo, 1994) comes from a f...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Board
YiJian Wang Surrealist Original Oil On Canvas "Caprice 2"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Caprice 2
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 15.5 x 11.5 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition.
Note: This painting is unstretched
Year: 2015
Artist: YiJian Wang...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Pianeti, satelliti ed una citta nello spazio.
Located in Firenze, IT
Pianeti, satelliti ed una citta nello spazio.
Firmato da artista Gregor Alexis Vogt - Tamaroff.
Data e luogo della creazione sul retro: Marsiglia 1972.
In un paesaggio surreale appar...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil, Acrylic
"Plutonium Messenger" Symbolic Visionary Art in Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
"Plutonium Messenger" Symbolic Visionary Art in Acrylic on Canvas
Detailed symbolic work by Dana Lynn Andersen (American, b. 1962). This piece is a stylized version of the astrologi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Glitter, Acrylic
Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Artist Cat Blue Flowers
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "Growth at a Snails Pace (Diptych)"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 6.1 x 12 x 1.6 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Encaustic, Oil
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "The Golden Hour 1"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 11.9 x 11.9 x 1 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Create...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Encaustic
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "The Family Garden"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 16 x 16 x 2 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created th...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil Pastel, Encaustic, Oil
cubist composition oil on board painting expressionism Ubeda
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gustavo Úbeda (1930-1994) - cubist composition - Oil panel
Oil measurements 50x42 cm.
Frame measurements 58x50 cm.
The painting by Gustavo Úbeda Romero (Herencia, 1930 – Sao Paulo, ...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Meet Me @ Dawn
Located in Belfast, GB
Meet Me @ Dawn, 2019
Signed and dated on reverse
Oil on Canvas
35 3/8 x 23 5/8 in
90 x 60 cm
"The quirky manner in which Johnston pulls and twists narratives, highlighted by the rea...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Landscape Original Oil On Canvas "Bucket With Dripping Red"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Bucket With Dripping Red
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 27 x 23 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Year: 2000 Circa
Artist: Unclear
Provenance: Direct from the art...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Genovart Gray Background Yellow original surrealist acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Luces original surrealist acrylic painting.
GENOVART LLOPIS, Jaume (Barcelona, 1941-1994).
Basically self - taught painter, was released in 1972. Grandson of typesetter and booksell...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Qiang Li Still Life Original Oil On Canvas "Comedy 3"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Comedy 3
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 27 x 23 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Year: 2000 Circa
Artist: Qiang Li
Signature: Unsigned
Signature Location: N/A
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Original-Framed-Lovers-Surrealism-Abstract-UK Woman artist-GSY House Collection
Located in London, GB
Inspired by Picasso's Surrealism, cubism and abstract techniques, artist Gloria L. has crafted a captivating series that pays homage to the romantic allure of lovers. Through a use o...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Night fishing oil on board painting surrealist
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Josep Vergés Grau (1925-1989) - Night fishing - Oil on panel
Oil measurements 73x92 cm.
Frame measurements 77x96 cm.
Category
1980s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Genovart Grey Background Yellow original surrealist acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Luces original surrealist acrylic painting.
GENOVART LLOPIS, Jaume (Barcelona, 1941-1994).
Basically self - taught painter, was released in 1972. Grandson of typesetter and booksell...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Genovart. Little Red original surrealist acrilic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Paisaje original surrealist acrilic painting
GENOVART LLOPIS, Jaume (Barcelona, 1941-1994).
Basically self - taught painter, was released in 1972. Grandson of typesetter and booksel...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Wood, Acrylic
Dos Cuba Libres
Located in Cazadero, CA
Dos Cuba Libres
Never been here before? The busy rhythm, around every corner another bay, and resting will not come soon but still an elegant chaos
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Clay, Canvas, Charcoal, Oil
I Burnt My Hand on a Hot Cake
Located in Cazadero, CA
I Burnt My hand On a Hot Cake
Morning Light through the aging blinds of indecision, together, moving, catching up to the sounds of the opening day.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Clay, Canvas, Oil
Philanthropic Device
Located in Cazadero, CA
Philanthropic Device is a choice to be made, to give or better to be open to receive, lingering at the point of conveyance. A relationship between here and there and ribbons arrayed ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Clay, Charcoal, Oil
Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Pink Woods
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen
Vintage Signed Contemporary Surreal Apple Strength Portrait Rare Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Oil on canvas. Image size, 24H x 30L. Signed verso.
Category
1990s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Surrealist abstract paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist abstract paintings 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 abstract paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Clarence Holbrook Carter, Michael William Eggleston, Sax Berlin, and Elvic Steele. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Acrylic Paint 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 abstract paintings, so small editions measuring 2.25 inches across are also available. Prices for abstract paintings 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 $244 and tops out at $225,000, while the average work sells for $1,846.