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Surrealist 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
Children in the Ukraine 2022, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Difficult time now for children in the Ukraine . 2022 is the year of fear, immigration, war, terror. Hommage L.Reber :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

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 Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Villosa
Located in Dallas, TX
This work was featured at ComplexCon 2019 - November 2nd and 3rd in Long Beach, CA.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

Cock Fight. Two Fighting Birds. A Riot of Aggression, Masculinity & Feathers
By David Wilde
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
David Wilde. English ( b.1913 - d.1974 ). Cock Fight. Acrylics. Signed and Titled. Image size 15.4 inches x 22.2 inches ( 39cm x 56.5cm ). Frame size 19.1 inches x 26 inches ( 48.5c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Nietzsche Forever Young, w/ Turin Horse in Elysium, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
“Man is the cruelest animal," says Zarathustra. "When gazing at tragedies, bull-fights, crucifixations he hath hitherto felt happier than at any other time on Earth. And when he in...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "Petal Head"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 9 x 9 x 1.75 in. A certificate of authenticity will...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Encaustic

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 Paintings

Materials

Encaustic, Oil

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 Paintings

Materials

Oil

French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - L’Escalier
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas, Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, she crea...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Ocean Girl
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic on canvas Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, she cr...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - El Aire
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas with knife Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - El Fuego
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas with knife Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - El Cielo
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas with knife Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Abajo
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas with knife Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Untitled by Anton Kushaev - Surrealist painting, oil and acrylic on canvas, 2022
Located in Basel, BS
The Untitled is part of the series "Frame of Sorrows" created by Anton Kushaev for the installation at Voskhod Gallery's showcase in Basel in 2022. This painting was exhibited in the...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Lusus naturae, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
"Lusus Naturae" is an expression used by scientists during the 16th-17th centuries to describe a phenomenon that didn't follow the Nature's rules. The expression wasn't used in a pos...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Vortex XVI, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Light is streaming out of the vortex, looking into a ray of hope. Shipping: if your country is not in the shipping table contact me and I'll get a price. :: Painting :: Surreali...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Little fish, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series “Small fishâ€
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Corn Snake and White Wedding Cake, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
It's a nice day to...start again. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Yes...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

The Bitchin' Cheesecake Has Arrived, Painting, Acrylic on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Cheesecake was a favorite treat of my Dad’s. He would grab some after a decent meal when dining out. “Your cheesecake has arrived.â€
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Soft furnishings
Located in Nottingham, GB
Original Artwork ~ Oil on Board Anna starts by sketching her figures. Based on everyday people, everyday life. Embossing her art boards with telephone directory before adding oils. ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Other Side 7
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
I don't know why I keep believing That one day they'll bring us together When they've shown, in more ways than one That all they care about is the money You belong to the one politic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Sunset Prayer, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Intriguing surreal painting that will make a strong statement once it hangs in your home or business! Each window on these boxes has a message that is connected with my childhood. Th...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Sequence of Life, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
I am fascinated by nature and the calmness it brings. That's where we all belong. That's my inspiration. This painting comes with a contemporary floater frame. It's ready to hang! ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Last Tree
Located in Palm Desert, CA
What would the last tree do? Would it come through a window, a door? There are several of the works that I have generated that express the deep concern I hold for our home planet. Th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Acrylic, Board

4579 Transformaciones 3, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A sensitive study of our society.Belongs to my human and social behaviour series. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

4570 Transformaciones 2, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A study of human social behaviour. Inspired by the artworks of the famous spanish master Francisco Goya :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Enjoy Life #1
Located in Singapore, SG
Many people feel that life is heavy with all its problems and complexities. Whereas the beauty of life can be found in simple things such as the sight of small children playing in th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Family
Located in Singapore, SG
The ideal family life is like a fairy tale where parents give love to their children unconditionally. A harmonious family environment can be described as one full of flowers in the b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

4505 Transformaciones 1, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Belongs to my uman social behaviour series Inspired by the crude realities that Francisco Goya painted :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Pawn, Painting, Oil on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
"Pawn" is an oil and mixed media collage on hand pressed archival watercolor paper. The piece depicts the abstracted head of a warrior in profile, using many symbols including an ear...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Rise Up Anyway!
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Even when the heaviness and challenge offered in life blocks your view, rise up anyway. This was personal. Each time there is a a challenge, for me to rise u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Gesso, Linen, Acrylic

The Masterpiece: Dharma
Located in Palm Desert, CA
The Sakyamuni (Historical) Buddha is credited with developing the teaching known as The Dharma. For me, that teaching is a masterpiece. Perfect understanding of the human condition a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Linen, Acrylic

Golden, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series "Please do not kill butterflies", pins and oil on thick paper mounted on a wood panel. Please, all these dead animals ... Of course, not every o...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Castle, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This surreal painting was created using oil paint on canvas. It measures 24x30 inches, with a depth of 0.75 in. The sides were painted so it may hang without a frame though it wo...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Carp, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
The medieval illustrators represented animals that they had never seen, described by others, or derived from mythology. This generated monstrous creatures. From here comes the idea o...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

WOW Is An All Purpose Exclamation, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
WOW IS An All Purpose Exclamation is fueled by feminism and gender equity in culture, social life and in the home. Balancing and breaking down expectations of gender roles, living do...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Surrealist Figurative painting, "Therapy"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original painting by southern California artist, Kathleen Kane Murrell. Its dimensions are 24" x 36" x 2" It is oil on canvas. It is unframed. A certificate o...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Xylophone Player IV, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Cameroon artist Angu Walters often paints African musicians. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Prayer IV, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Here is a reverent painting of African Christians at prayer by Cameroon artist Angu Walters. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

The Drummer, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Here is an oil painting of an African street musician, a vivid character, performing for tips. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenti...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Blues Band I, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of African blues musicians in muted colors by Cameroon artist Angu Walters who is himself a musician and often paints about music. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece c...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Mvet Player II, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Here is a painting of an African musician playing the mvet, a traditional African musical instrument. The pointed roof at the top center is the way traditional village homes look...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Three on One, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Here is a painting from Africa in sparling bright pink and violet acrylic colors of three women. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes wit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

BREAKING BAD AGAIN, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Created during and inspired by Covid-19 pandemia. Like a musician playing by ear and improvising as he goes, my art begins not with cautious preliminary sketches but working directly...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Dialogue #1
Located in Singapore, SG
A young child in the wilderness, playing with a butterfly and a tiger. There are so many life lessons that we can learn from nature. The beautiful butterfly symbolizes that in life, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Image of Peace #2
Located in Singapore, SG
Coneflower is a type of flower that is easy to grow and easily adapts to the environment. The little girl on the coneflower hugs her beloved cat lovingly, as if to tell everyone that...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Grateful for Life
Located in Singapore, SG
Inspired by sunflowers as flowers that carry hope, happiness, energy and love of God. While the calico cat is a symbol of good luck. An imagination about life in the universe that al...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Shuzeng Liu Landscape Original Oil On Canvas "New World 2"
Located in New York, NY
Title: New World 2 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 23.5 x 31 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Year: 2013 Ar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Jianping Chen Surrealist Original Oil Painting "The Word In My Mind No.26"
Located in New York, NY
Title: The Word In My Mind No.26 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 19 x 23 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Ye...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Jianping Chen Surrealist Original Oil Painting "No.25"
Located in New York, NY
Title: No.25 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 19 x 23 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Year: 2000 Circa Arti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Arrival of Madness by Lucas Aoki
Located in New York, NY
Mixed Media Original Charcoal, powder paint, acrylic, resin, and paper
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Resin, Charcoal, Pen, Acrylic

Nebula, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Miranda Gamel depicts an ethereal being with a glowing crown and wings. Star nebulas and light beams surround her in lustrous prismatic hues. The nude fi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Her Transformation, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Miranda Gamel shares a dreamy portrait of a woman with a neon pink crown surrounded by glowing butterflies. Miranda portrays the subject with illuminated...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Dolls" Contemporary Yellow Toned Surrealist Portrait Painting of a Young Girl
Located in Houston, TX
Pastel-toned surrealist painting done by contemporary artist Henry David Potwin. This work features a girl figure with yellow-toned skin playing with a smaller nude, doll figure. Signed at bottom left corner. Titled and dated on reverse. Currently hung in a wooden, brown frame. Dimensions Without Frame: H: 11 in. x W: 10in. 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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Abstract Art #1" Painting, Oil on Birch, Bright Colors, Surrealism, Rainbows
Located in New York, NY
"Abstract Art #1" by Robin Tewes was featured in "Art4Equality x Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness" group exhibition at The Untitled Space from September 26 – November 3, 2020...
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Birch, Oil

Inclination, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This painting is a part of a much larger project called "The Love Garden," a collection of paintings turned into sculptures that people visit to remember the ones they've loved and t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Surrealist paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist 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 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, orange, purple, green and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Elvic Steele, Rudolf Kosow, Isabel Rock, and Henry David Potwin. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil 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 paintings, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are also available. Prices for 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 $1 and tops out at $400,000, while the average work sells for $2,999.

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