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
Impossible Walls, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
My surrealist paintings are always inspired by nature and the fact that we come from it. I am intrigued by both, nature and the meaning of our own existence. The more connected we ar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Drummer and the Flutist IV painting from Afric, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
It's a painting from Central Africa of a music duo singing and playing flute and drums by Cameroon artist Angu Walters. This painting will ship from t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
The Winds of Change, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Brent Hanson
Located in Yardley, PA
Original acrylic triptych (three canvases 36x36 each) varnished for protection, sides painted black, and wired for hanging. Entire piece is 36x108x1....
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Romantic Energy, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Amelia Galli
Located in Yardley, PA
In the platforms of the future, poetry takes over. Light, energy, warmth but with romance. So that these metal monsters in the middle of the sea, become a destination for poets and "...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Corredor de Tornados surreal painting oil on canvas- large
Located in Miami, FL
Professionally known as Vignoli, was a Brazilian painter and sculptor. He began his career in 1982 creating canvases in oil on canvas, where he appli...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The noises of the houses, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Amelia Galli
Located in Yardley, PA
They are houses, spaces full of stairs that lead you nowhere, windows that never close, chandeliers that are cradled in this desire to find a dimension. A cradle remained there by ch...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Um Quarto Ambiente- surreal painting oil on canvas
Located in Miami, FL
Professionally known as Vignoli, was a Brazilian painter and sculptor. He began his career in 1982 creating canvases in oil on canvas, where he applies his own technique, which, acco...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Harbinger, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Sandra Lamb
Located in Yardley, PA
The title, as usual, is key. Is the black dog a harbinger of doom or a harbinger of joy? There's a great luminosity just behind and around the corner. Is it the light from the apocal...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Eva, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The painting depicts the moment of seduction of Eve by the serpent tempter. The apple looks like a hand grenade, this is explained by the fact that the choice of Eve was like an exp...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
HALCYON, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Poetic Art Statement: Days of Halcyon - All is Well. Halcyon expresses whatever the viewer decides (modern seascape, landscape, sky, water, fantasy). May be reversed for different contemporary abstract-modern or surreal effects. I am an environmental oil artist and use the highest grade water-based oils to produce paintings that are healthy for our environment, homes, and offices. 1.5" gallery wrap neutral grey edges and therefore needs no frame. Halycon is a ready to hang archival ecofriendly fine art...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Surreal Collage: 'Watching'
Located in New York, NY
Combining found elements with those fashioned by my own hand, my work encompasses two- and three-dimensional collage as well as sculptural objects. Infused with a rich sense of histo...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
"Small Study in White 3" - surrealist still life, lace, skull, patterns, shell
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting features the colors of the rainbow as they appear in white objects.
Guy Robinson is inspired by the work of Paul Klee, Albrecht Durer and Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
Atlanta based artist Guy Robinson attended the Atlanta College Of Art on a Ford Foundation grant and has worked extensively in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. His surrealists works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and have a place in important collections including the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Georgia (MOCA,GA). Robinson has over thirty-five years experience teaching drawing and painting for Emory...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Man with the swan, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Portrait of a man with a swan. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Yes :: ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
My grandfather was a light maker, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Every family has its own legends. Those of my family are centered on the figure of my grandfather. My grandfather made his living by inventing a thousand jobs: he was a blacksmith, b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Lili Ocean Part II
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Lili Ocean Part 2 Pink Abstract.
Mixed media: acrylic, ink marker, pastel on paper, white frame under Plexiglas.
Malgosia Kiernozycka was born i...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Pastel, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Birth of Time, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
A vision about the birth of Time :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Yes :...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Tree, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Acrylics on stretched canvas. :: 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
Atlas Served, Original Contemporary Playful Surrealist Narrative Oil Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Atlas Served, Original Contemporary Playful Surrealist Narrative Painting
49" x 28" x 1.5" (HxWxD) Oil and Print on Canvas
A humorous work by artist Sarah Jacobs...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Color
Ocean dwellers '1', Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
One of the beauty of nature is the ocean which is filled with various kinds of creatures. I am attracted to the fishes in these water bodies and the beauty of them moving to and fro ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Urban Jungle, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Acrylic painting on canvas. Surrealism landscape, ships in a tube. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Nature's Time" - Horizontal surreal painting, oil on canvas - dark blue sky.
Located in Miami, FL
Professionally known as Vignoli, was a Brazilian painter and sculptor. He began his career in 1982 creating canvases in oil on canvas, where he applies his own technique, which, acco...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Guardian of the Castle -, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This guardian is called “Shachihoko.†It is a Japanese mythical creature that has a tiger head and fish body, and it creates waves and rains. Shachihoko is considered as a charm of fire protection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Guardian of the Shrine -, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Japanese Komainu is like a lion and dog shape animal and is dedicated to the shrine which is also believed to be an imaginary creature. The Komainu statue is placed in pairs at th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
VAGUE. IV Abstract white framed green painting, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By Sia Aryai
Located in Yardley, PA
Dynamic brushstrokes bring a sense of dancing like the waves in the VAGUE series. Painting is 8X10â€
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
VAGUE. VI Abstract framed vibrant yellow painting, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By Sia Aryai
Located in Yardley, PA
Dynamic brushstrokes bring a sense of dancing like the waves in the VAGUE series. Painting is 8X10â€
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Surreal Collage: 'Happy Valley'
Located in New York, NY
Barnett, a surrealist artist incorporates discarded mechanical objects and gadgets into his artwork. His work is characterized by its unique and ecl...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Copper Rain, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Timon Sloane
Located in Yardley, PA
I let the painting take me where it would on this one. The photo that inspired it was somewhat romantic and melancholy. I added the puddles, struggling with their imagery. I used to think that the copper in the puddles...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Untitled - oil canvas circa 1960s
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Signed lower right
Provenance
Private collection, New York
Private collection, New York (Descent from above)
This work can be viewed at our New York City showroom by appointment.
Category
1960s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Spring" - Surrealist still life, botanical, egg, rainbow, paint brushes
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Spring" features hues of blue, pink, yellow, orange, green, and red.
Guy Robinson is inspired by the work of Paul Klee, Albrecht Durer and Giuseppe Arcimboldo...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is a song by the Rolling Stones on their 1969 album Let It Bleed, which lyrics guided me when I was creating this painting. Allegory of expulsion...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Figure with Magnolia, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
When the magnolia trees bloom, I want to become one with the tree, the blossoms, and the scent, With this painting, I wanted to communicate that yearning. I painted this by first pai...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
VAGUE. VIII Abstract white framed surreal painting, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Sia Aryai
Located in Yardley, PA
Stunning shades of vibrant colors are contrasted and complemented by yellow with a twist in this one-of-a-kind abstract painting. This high-quality painting on canvas is 16X1...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Small Study in White 3" - surrealist still life, lace, skull, patterns, shell
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting features the colors of the rainbow as they appear in white objects.
Guy Robinson is inspired by the work of Paul Klee, Albrecht Durer and Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
Atlanta based artist Guy Robinson attended the Atlanta College Of Art on a Ford Foundation grant and has worked extensively in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. His surrealists works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and have a place in important collections including the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Georgia (MOCA,GA). Robinson has over thirty-five years experience teaching drawing and painting for Emory...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Emanation, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Slav Nedev
Located in Yardley, PA
A work (# 13) from the ELEMENTS series Why did I call this series elements? Because there is air in it, there is water, there are earth and fire… There are birth, life and death, s...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Fish in the Sky, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Slav Nedev
Located in Yardley, PA
A work (# 12) from the ELEMENTS series Why did I call this series elements? Because there is air in it, there is water, there are earth and fire… There are birth, life and death...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
New Order, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The sides of this canvas were painted so there is no need for a frame. It's ready to hang! Thank you for looking at my art. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an off...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Garden Gait, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Horse plowing through flower gardens fearfully. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Post-urban Vision No. 1, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Slav Nedev
Located in Yardley, PA
A work from the Post-urban Visions series - a series that transcends the existence of today's highly urbanized industrial society and envisages a future (post-urban) state when the h...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
20th Century Oil on Canvas French Signed Alain Cadoret Surrealist Painting, 1975
Located in Vicoforte, IT
French painting dated 1975. Oil on canvas artwork, first canvas, depicting a surrealist subject with a strong visual impact. Nicely sized and pleasantly decorated painting, signed an...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Work in Progress, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Newel Hunter
Located in Yardley, PA
Work in Progress is painted on a 24 x 30 inch canvas, edge-painted, ready to hang. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed b...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Blue Water"- Horizontal surreal painting with blue & grey shades, oil on canvas
Located in Miami, FL
Professionally known as Vignoli, was a Brazilian painter and sculptor. He began his career in 1982 creating canvases in oil on canvas, where he applies his own technique, which, acco...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Enigmas, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This painting continue the series of Oceans but incorporate some figures and silhouettes reflections making more complex the composition and the feelings behind the painting. Thank y...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Happy Days
Located in Nottingham, GB
Anna starts by sketching her figures. Based on everyday people, everyday life. Embossing her art boards with telephone directory before adding oils. Incredible style, akin with Franc...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Sprühen und Spüren
By Paul Pretzer
Located in Torino, TO
Paul Pretzer's canvases bring us into scenes of black humour: the absurd, disasters, strange happenings, fantastic scenes that reveal stylistic connections with the works of master o...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
Fences Make Good Neighbours
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary:
Exaggerated surreal landscape where a town is divided by fences. The left side is a town, the right side is 'other'.
Keywords: Twist, Braid, rolling hills, desert...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Surreal Collage: 'Six Feet Apart, Six Feet Under'
Located in New York, NY
Barnett, a surrealist artist incorporates discarded mechanical objects and gadgets into his artwork. His work is characterized by its unique and ecl...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on canvas by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame.
Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for ar...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Found Objects, Oil
Angel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Georgian artist Merab Gagiladze was born in Tbilisi.
In 1987 he began his formal art education at the Tbilisi College of Art, School of Ceramics.
In 19...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Veronica" - Surrealism, portrait, patterns, lace - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Veronica" features hues of blue, pink, yellow, orange, green, and black.
Guy Robinson is inspired by the work of Paul Klee, Albrecht Durer and Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
Atlanta based artist Guy Robinson attended the Atlanta College Of Art on a Ford Foundation grant and has worked extensively in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. His surrealists works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and have a place in important collections including the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Georgia (MOCA,GA). Robinson has over thirty-five years experience teaching drawing and painting for Emory University...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Natural Windows surreal painting oil on canvas- grey shadows
Located in Miami, FL
Professionally known as Vignoli, was a Brazilian painter and sculptor. He began his career in 1982 creating canvases in oil on canvas, where he applies his own technique, which, acco...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Tsunami II- surreal painting blue grey shades
Located in Miami, FL
Professionally known as Vignoli, was a Brazilian painter and sculptor. He began his career in 1982 creating canvases in oil on canvas, where he applies his own technique, which, according to him, allows a perfect balance in the distribution of the elements, leading the viewer to come across texture, plasticity and creation, in perfect harmony within the history of each painting. The style of Vignoli is a fusion between Surrealism and Expressionism, hence the declared influence by the Spanish master...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Tromba D'Agua- surreal painting oil on canvas- blue grey shades
Located in Miami, FL
Professionally known as Vignoli, was a Brazilian painter and sculptor. He began his career in 1982 creating canvases in oil on canvas, where he applies his own technique, which, according to him, allows a perfect balance in the distribution of the elements, leading the viewer to come across texture, plasticity and creation, in perfect harmony within the history of each painting. The style of Vignoli is a fusion between Surrealism and Expressionism, hence the declared influence by the Spanish master...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Arigato Diptych Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Arigato diptych, acrylic on canvas.
Malgosia Kiernozycka was born in Wroclaw, Poland. She graduated high school at the School of Fine Arts and received a scholarship from the Min...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Dear Wine
Located in Napa, CA
Largely self-taught, Linda Ridd Herzog’s paintings boast unbelievably detailed animals and objects in fantastical, surreal scenes. Growing up in Utah, Herzog found herself so inspire...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
D'OR. XVII Framed pink with gold leaf painting, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By Sia Aryai
Located in Yardley, PA
D'OR. XVII Framed abstract pink with gold leaf painting Gold leaf is brilliant for modern painting. Brings to life elegant details that appear as an icon. Painting is 12X16â€
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Revisiting the Boogieman" - Surrealist Painting, still life - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Revisiting the Boogieman" features hues of blue, pink, yellow, orange, green, and black.
Guy Robinson is inspired by the work of Paul Klee, Albrecht Durer and Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
The Symphony, Original Surrealist Painting, 2021
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary:
A sampling of the art motifs of Samuel Leopold.
Keywords: sampling, motifs, Samuel Leopold, moon, symphony
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Butterfly, פַּרְפַּר, бабочка
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary:
Butterflies and imagination are the ingredients to start a well-rounded life.
Keywords: Butterfly, aqueduct, beach, window
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, 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.