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
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - 'Wacky Blue Swirl' 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
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - 'Uprising Wave' 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
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - 'The Secret' 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
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - Colourful Floral 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
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - Quirky Abstract Shapes
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
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - Fantasy Bright Pink & Orange Bird
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
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - Colorful Fantasy 'Clowning'
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
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - Colorful 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
Flirt. 1970. Cardboard, mixed media, 50x40 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Flirt. Cardboard, mixed media, 50x40 cm
Abstract/Surrealist composition with two fasec
Vladimir Borisovich Glushenkov (May 21, 1948, Riga - December 26, 2009, Riga.) - painter, grap...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
"Skyraft, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Skyraft" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts wooden debris floating in an expansive skyscape.
Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri, ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
GENEVIEVE ZONDERVAN (1922-2013) SIGNED FRENCH SURREALIST OIL PAINTING - FRAMED
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
"Surrealist Landscape"
by Geneviève Zondervan (French 1922-2013)
oil painting on canvas, framed
dated '99'
signed lower corner
framed: 19.25 x 14 inches
A fine 20th century surreal...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Flying Shapes
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This painting reflects the ego and how, at our worst, we feel like the center of everything, dismissing the world around us as insignificant, like meaningless, flying shapes. It expl...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Frog. 2013 oil on canvas, 73x100 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Frog. 2013 oil on canvas, 73x100 cm
The artist Vadim Kovalev was born in 1968 in the capital of Latvia, Riga, where he is also presently living and creating his works.
When Vadim w...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Agnoiaphobia – The Collective Unconscious - Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
This 2019 painting is from Patrick Faure’s Agnoiaphobia series. The painting is unframed, oil on canvas.
About the Artwork:
According to the Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung, kollektives Unbewusstes, or collective unconscious, refers to structures of the unconscious mind that are shared among beings of the same species. The human collective unconscious is populated by instincts and by universal symbols such as hell, water, the tree of life, or the concept of god. Jung states that the collective...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Untitled
Located in Hollywood, FL
Artist: Matija Bobicic
Title: Untitled
Size: 23 x 29 Inches (Framed: 24.5 x 30.5 inches)
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Edition: Original
Year: 2018
Not...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Agnoiaphobia: Per Sempre, Non C’E - Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
This 2019 painting is from Patrick Faure’s Agnoiaphobia series. The painting is unframed, oil on canvas.
About the Artwork:
“For ever and ever” is part of the doxology that falls...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Midsummer Night’s Dreamers and Midsummer Ballet Suite diptych
Located in Deddington, GB
Midsummer Night’s Dreamers and Midsummer Ballet Suite diptych
Overall size cm : H60 x W80
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAMERS
A dancer looks upwards towards the sun as her fellow dancers s...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
20th Century French Surrealist Oil Painting Cubist Abstract Beautiful Colors
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figurative Abstract
French School, signed
oil painting on canvas
overall size: 23.5 X 32
condition: overall very good and pleasing
provenance: from a private collection of this arti...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Male Bikers in Desert - Huge French Surrealist Oil Painting Figurative Scene
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figurative Abstract
French School, signed 'Andres'
dated 1972
oil painting on board
overall size: 36.5 X 36.75 inches
condition: overall very good and pleasing
provenance: from a pri...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
French Surrealist Colorful Futurist Abstract Painting Composition II
Located in Surfside, FL
actual image measures 11.25x7.5, titled Composition V on French Arches Mould made paper.
Georges DUSSAU est né le 14 Mars 1947, à Chalon-sur-Saône (France)
Il vit et travaille a...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Gouache, Handmade Paper
Ceiba Tree
By Jorge Yances
Located in Nashville, TN
Artwork Size: 24 x 16 in
"Ceiba Tree" is an oil-on-masonite painting mounted on wood panel by Colombian artist Jorge Yances. This piece is part of the ar...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil, Wood Panel
French Surrealist Colorful Futurist Abstract Painting Composition III
Located in Surfside, FL
actual image measures 7.5X11.25, titled Composition III on French Arches Mould made paper.
Georges DUSSAU est né le 14 Mars 1947, à Chalon-sur-Saône (France)
Il vit et travaille...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Gouache, Handmade Paper
Colorful Surreal Abstract Expressionist Painting of a Macabre Group of Clowns
Located in Houston, TX
Surreal abstract expressionist painting of a group of clowns in the style of Belgian painter James Ensor. Combining the macabre with the playful, the work features distorted clowns a...
Category
1990s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Tempera
"Seed of Icarus, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
David Cheifetz's "Seed of Icarus" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a blue background dotted with grapes hanging from stems and one red grape with a halo of yellow a...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Migration" Colorful Contemporary Surrealist City Landscape Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Colorful surrealist landscape painting by contemporary Texas artist Henry David Potwin. The work features a group of tanks moving from one side of the city to the other. Signed in fr...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Vanita. Abstract still life with scull. 2004, oil, collage on canvas, 100x120 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Vanita. 2004, oil, collage on canvas, 100x120 cm
In 1958 he graduated from the Riga Art School of J. Rosenthal, in 1964 Art Academy of Latvian State, paintin...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
French Surrealist Colorful Futurist Abstract Painting Composition I
Located in Surfside, FL
actual image measures 11.25x7.5, titled Composition V on French Arches Mould made paper.
Georges DUSSAU est né le 14 Mars 1947, à Chalon-sur-Saône (France)
Il vit et travaille a...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Gouache, Handmade Paper
Contemporary Surrealist Mythical Creatures
Located in Houston, TX
Surrealist painting of an armored mythical creature riding another crocodile creature into battle by local Houston artist Philip Durbin.
Category
20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Going Steady, Surreal Oil Painting by Shirley Kaplan circa 1964
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Shirley Kaplan, American
Title: Going Steady
Year: circa 1964
Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed lower right, titled verso
Size: 48 in. x 48 in. (121...
Category
1960s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
“Mssr. Violette” Pink, Purple, and Grey Abstract Aristocratic Figure Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Pink, purple, and grey surrealist figurative portrait painting by contemporary Houston artist Scott Woodard. The work features an abstract woman figure wearing an aristocratic dress ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
City birds. 2014. Oil on canvas, 80x100 cm
Located in Riga, LV
City birds. 2014. Oil on canvas, 80x100 cm
The artist Vadim Kovalev was born in 1968 in the capital of Latvia, Riga, where he is also presently living ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Unzipped" Contemporary Pastel Blue Toned Risqué Surrealist Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Pastel blue-toned surrealist painting done by artist Henry David Potwin. This work features an enlarged unzipped zipper acting as a woman's genital parts. Signed at bottom left corner. Titled and dated on reverse. Currently unframed, but options are available.
Artist Biography: Born in Dallas, Texas David Potwin is the oldest of three children. He first started to paint at the age of 8 years old. As a young boy, Potwin's family would summer vacation in Taos, New Mexico. During the family vacations in 1965, he met artist Eric Gibberd...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Circus Dreams" Large Surreal Black and Blue Toned Dancing Performers Painting
By Doug Whitfield
Located in Houston, TX
Surreal abstract painting by contemporary artist Doug Whitfield. The work features various dancing performers flanked by an elephant and a central sphin...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Waves of Fish No.2, Surrealist Abstract Oil Painting, Signed
By Kate Orr
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Waves of Fish No.2, Surrealist Abstract Oil Painting, Signed
By British artist, Kate Orr, 20th Century
Signed by the artist on the lower right hand corner
Signed and titled by the ar...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Surrealist Expressionist Painting, "Honoring The Prodigy"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind abstract expressionist oil painting on wood panel by San Diego artist, Daniel Ketelhut.
Ketelhut is a self-taught painter who...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Surrealist Woman Oil painting French-Moroccan Israeli Bezalel School Painter
Located in Surfside, FL
Two Women. Colorful Surrealist Portrait
Genre: Surrealism
Subject: woman
Medium: Oil
Surface: Canvas
Country: Israel
Simon Avissar, painter, born 1948, Morocco. Moved to U.S.A. Wo...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Conocimientos" Unframed Contemporary Surrealist Desert Landscape with Cacti
Located in Houston, TX
Colorful whimsical abstract contemporary painting by Houston, TX artist Moisés Villafuerte. The work features a surreal collection of items including a large sculpture of a head, an ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Wings of Fascism - Oil on Canvas - Contemporary Painting
Located in New York, NY
This painting is artwork of Patrick Faure, Creator of Faurism. The painting is unframed, oil on canvas.
About the Artwork:
Wings of Fascism is a perfect example of Faurism, a styl...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Spirit of 76
By Martha Hamlin Visser't Hooft
Located in Buffalo, NY
A whimsical gouache painting by American female surrealist Martha Visser't Hooft depicting a butterfly in a patriotic color scheme.
Martha Visser't Hooft was born in Buffalo in 19...
Category
1970s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Archival Paper, Gouache
Untitled - Surrealist Unique painting on paper/board - Max Walter Svanberg, 1957
Located in New York, NY
Max Walter Svanberg (1912-1994)
Untitled, 1957
Gouache on paper
Paper: 36 x 29 cm 14 1/8 x 11 in.
Frame: 57 x 49 cm 22 1/2 x 19 1/3 in
Signed and dated
Max Walter Svanberg artwor...
Category
1950s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Gouache, Laid Paper
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
Visitor In My Studio 2021 colorful oil on canvas abstract Armenian Artist VATCHE
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
"Visitor In My Studio" is a colorful, abstract, surrealist painting by Armenian artist, Vatche Geuvdjelian painted in 2022.
Artist’s Statement
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱�...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Calling Out
Located in Kingston, WA
A solitary scene unfolds as a small silhouette of a dog perches on a weathered ledge overlooking a vast, serene seascape. Against a backdrop of calm waters, two boats, painted in war...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
ShaoHua Nong Surrealist Original Oil Painting "Separate"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Separate
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 11.5 x 8 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition.
Note: This painting is unstretched
Year: 2015
Artist: ShaoHua Nong...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
ShaoHua Nong Surrealist Original Oil Painting "Embrace"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Embrace
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 16 x 12 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition.
Note: This painting is unstretched
Year: 2015
Artist: ShaoHua Nong...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"The Thinker" Modern Tribal Surrealist Figure
Located in Houston, TX
This modern surrealist figure sits alone in the corner of an orange room. Evocative of tribal masks, this piece harkens back to the influence of such masks in the surrealist works of...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Postumi
Located in Genève, GE
Woodworking
Golden wooden frame
76.5 x 86 x 2.5 cm
This painter painted during his incarceration.
This captivating work presents a surreal landscape in vivid, dynamic colors. Flamboy...
Category
1990s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Ruby Wall" Surrealist Minimal Landscape Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Red and white structure on a grey sky with a few white clouds and a black obloid with a shadow. Artist signed the work in the bottom right corner, as well as titled and dated the wor...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"The Divided Electorate" Contemporary Figurative Painting
Located in Houston, TX
"The Divided Electorate" is a surrealist oil painting on canvas completed in 2016 that is meant to be a social commentary on the political climate of its day by artist Henry David Potwin.
Artist Biography:
Born in Dallas, Texas, David Potwin is the oldest of three children. Potwin first put brush to canvas at 8 years old. As a young boy, Potwin's family would summer vacation in Taos, New Mexico. "During our vacation in 1965, I met my first true mentor, Taos artist Eric Gibberd. Eric was a fine impressionist artist who took a strong interest in me. Eric remained a vibrant and reverent influence in my life until his death" says Potwin.
After completing 12 years of Catholic school education and under Gibberd's mentorship, Potwin attended the University of Houston Fine Arts program from 1969-1974, studying under William Anzalone and Dr. Peter Gunther with classmate Julian Schnabel.
Potwin says: "To list all the great artists who’ve inspired me would be some list indeed. My inspiration and style are drawn from many quarters such as impressionism ,and the great German expressionists such as Otto Dix, and Max Beckman, as well as a nod to pop surrealism. Perhaps conceptual impressionism would be a more precise description. What I continually seek is to refine my vision and my craft. My goal is to create a body of work that is multi-layered and resonates with the public as well as the collector. My subjects range from landscapes, portraits, cityscapes; to those that are personal, idiosyncratic, humorous and socially aware. Many of my paintings, still lifes, landscapes and underwater scenes are meant to be eye candy. At times I feel that perhaps my style is too broad; but then I’m not a one trick pony!"
Potwin has experienced times of frenetic creative activity as well as periods when life interrupted his pursuits. In 1994 he was sentenced to federal prison...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Gidget's Hideaway" Minimal Surrealist Landscape Painting
Located in Houston, TX
White and grey structure on a grey sky with a few white clouds, a black palm tree, and bright blue water. Artist signed the work in the bottom right corner, as well as titled and dat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Jinapin Chen Surrealist Original Oil Painting "Path In My Dream"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Path In My Dream
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 23.5 x 31 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition.
Year: 201...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Yu Wang Contemporary Art Original Mixed Media "Long Love"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Long Love
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 18.5 x 18.5 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition.
Note: This painti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Surrealist Mythical Creature's Head
Located in Houston, TX
Surrealist mythical creature of a bird like figure. Painted in red, gold, and other colors. The painting is not framed but is painted in a nice whit...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Elbow Against Grey Sky" Minimal Surrealist Landscape Painting
Located in Houston, TX
White and grey structure on a grey sky with a few white clouds. Artist signed the work in the bottom right corner, as well as titled and dated the work on the back. Canvas is not fra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Wheatfield With Crows, after Vincent". Contemporary Surrealist Oil Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
The Billion Dollar Hand has created this richly shaded painting as something of an homage to Van Gogh, channeling and expanding the style in a unique way. However, not satisfied with...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"Aswan IV, " Enrico Donati, Surrealist Biomorphic Abstraction, Mid-Century
Located in New York, NY
Enrico Donati
Aswan IV, 1984
Signed, dated and inscribed as titled on the reverse
Oil and sand on canvas
36 x 42 inches
Provenance:
Gimpel & Weitzenhoffer Gallery, New York
Doyle, October 12, 2022
Enrico Donati, a surrealist and abstract expressionist painter, was born in Milan, Italy in 1909 and died in Manhattan on April 25, 2008. He was known for his association with the surrealist movement of the 1940's, but his artwork continued to transform itself through the many trends that have occurred during his long career.
In Italy he attended the Universita degli Studi in Pavia where he studied economics. In 1934, he moved to the United States settling in New York where he studied at the New School for Social Research and the Art Students' League.
Considered the surviving dean of the Surrealist Movement and a member of the New York School, Donati painted with Ernst, Matta and Tanguy in the thirties and forties, and in particular with Andre Breton, regarded by many to be the grand master of Surrealism.
He helped organize the Exposition Internationale du Surrealisme in Paris in 1947 where he exhibited three of his pieces. The Surrealists were known to avoid presenting or representing reality, and put the emphasis on invention and creativity by uncovering the poetic aspect of life with its kaleidoscopic multidimensional images, using reality only to enhance imagination.
Donati survived the decline of Surrealism in the late 1940's by adapting his style to current art trends as he worked with new materials and textures throughout the 1950's.
One trend with which he became involved was Abstract Expressionism, which originated in the 1940s, and became popular in the 1950s. It was a movement in which artists typically applied paint, rapidly and with force, to large canvases, in an effort to show feelings and emotions.
Paint might be applied with large brushes, sometimes dripping or even throwing it onto canvas. Abstract Expressionist work is characterized by a strong dependence on what appears to be accident and chance, although it is actually highly planned.
Donati held a retrospective at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1961 and went on to exhibit at the Betty Parsons Gallery with other forerunners of American Abstract Expressionism: Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, and Jackson Pollock. It was at this time that Donati created some of his most inventive and extraordinary work, some of which was featured in a survey exhibition at the Alter & Gil Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, in January 2000.
He has held many teaching positions and has been an active lecturer, while continuing to add to his artistic repertoire. From 1960 to 1962 he was a Visiting Lecturer at Yale University, and from 1962 to 1972 a Member of the Yale University Council for the Arts and Architecture.
He has had seventy-five one-man shows, among them an exhibit of new paintings at the Maxwell Davidson Gallery (57th St., New York) in the fall of 1997. Donati's work is held in collections throughout the world, and his work has appeared in over 300 articles and publications, two hard cover books...
Category
1980s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Surrealist Collection Number 6
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Sax Berlin has embarked on a journey through Surrealism. This collection writhes & flows from his "Billion Dollar Hand" creating a complexity of interwoven rhythms. Berlin has been e...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Surrealist Collection Number 6
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Sax Berlin has embarked on a journey through Surrealism. This collection writhes & flows from his "Billion Dollar Hand" creating a complexity of interwoven rhythms. Berlin has been e...
Category
2010s Surrealist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
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.