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
L'attesa melancolica, 2020
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gigino Falconi was born in Giulianova (Teramo) in 1933. He began painting at the age of sixteen, and in 1954 he obtained a Liceo Artistico of Pescara. During the early years of his c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Chromatic butterfly - white, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series “Please do not kill butterfliesâ€
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
needle in the eye, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
a painterly exercise designated to bitterly fight ill-received ideas. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Vesna – 14-03-22, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Corne Akkers
Located in Yardley, PA
Shifting Gear Another Risque painting depicting my muse Julia Filament. Two oil paintings earlier I already did an Ukrainian theme but why not use it once again. After all, the Ru...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Resist, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By Brent Hanson
Located in Yardley, PA
Original metaphorical surrealist arboreal work. Black and white with a little silver thrown in. 30x22 acrylic on heavy watercolor paper and permanently mounted on an aluminum panel...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Untitled (Two Woman in Blue Background) circa 1987 acrylic/canvas British artist
By Robert Lowe
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Robert Lowe was born in England in 1955. He moved to the USA in the 1980s.
Lowe's work is very rare but can be found in museum collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Tampa Art...
Category
1980s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
The Artist
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA -- The idea of meditation and contemplation play a major role in the paintings of artist Craig Carlisle. His paintings articulate inde...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
$3,600
The Slow Dance
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA -- The idea of meditation and contemplation play a major role in the paintings of artist Craig Carlisle. His paintings articulate inde...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Goldfish XLV, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
A further exploration of the Goldfish theme. Painting onto a solid surface allows the colours to be more concentrated and richer. This painting is sold without a frame but please...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
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 Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Dagon Calapesce, Symbolic Male Warrior Figure Surrounded by Water, Acrylic/Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
Oliver Hazard Benson
Dagon Colapesce
acrylic on panel
11h x 14w in
27.94h x 35.56w cm
OB0106
Oliver Hazard’s paintings are produced directly from his imagination and deals with a mi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
Degratissimo Rainbow
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA -- The idea of meditation and contemplation play a major role in the paintings of artist Craig Carlisle. His paintings articulate indel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil
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
Meeting of the Minds
Located in Napa, CA
Framed Oil on Canvas
Largely self-taught, Linda Ridd Herzog’s paintings boast unbelievably detailed animals and objects in fantastical, surreal scenes. Growing up in Utah, Herzog f...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Ring of fire", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil on canvas :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Yes :: Signature Locati...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
THE CUP, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
a cup and its (dis) contents, in an imaginative environment :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Mischievous
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA -- The idea of meditation and contemplation play a major role in the paintings of artist Craig Carlisle. His paintings articulate indel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil
Iriza
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA -- The idea of meditation and contemplation play a major role in the paintings of artist Craig Carlisle. His paintings articulate indel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil
High Drama Adventure Scene - Italian Illustrator Mid-Century Jules Verne
Located in Miami, FL
Original illustration was done by Renna for the novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Jules Verne, published in 1963. What makes this work special is how brilliantly the subj...
Category
1960s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Tempera, Illustration Board
Dancing at the Crossroads
Located in Bozeman, MT
Using a mix of inspirations, El Gato thrives in his world of 8th and 9th century storytelling full of ideas of alchemy, magic, occultism, folklore, and spiritualism and blends this w...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Static 417 Abstract framed modern yellow painting, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By Sia Aryai
Located in Yardley, PA
Abstract vibrant Yellow and green Framed Painting with a twist shades of green are contrasted and complemented by yellow with a twist in this one-of-a-kind abstract painting. T...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Horitzó de Successos
By Jordi PRAT
Located in Atlanta, GA
Established Catalan painter Jordi Prat Pons is best known for his uniquely modern approach to the traditional still life. The works are characterized by bold use of color and manipul...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - L’Escalier
By Helen Uter
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
Surrealist Landscape, Mountain with Nude Woman - Perls Gallery
Located in Miami, FL
A nude white woman gazes out and over a Giorgio de Chirico like surrealist landscape to an overly dramatic sunset with stylized orange rays. In the center of the composition is a cut-out of a mountain with a moat. In the extreme foreground is a silhouetted orange plane with a spiral of leaves. Along with the empty landscapes of de Chirico, it's possible that Frederick Haucke was influenced by Salvador Dalí " The Persistence of Memory" in 1931, and Dali's painting was shown at the Museum of Modern Art in 1934. In that painting, Dali, paints a vacant landscape doted with symbols from the unconscious. This painting by Frederick Haucke owes a debt to giants of the Surrealist movement but still, Haucke carves out his style. The shape of the nude's hair echoes the shape of the sunset. What the symbolism to the mountain is and the flower in the foreground we will leave to the viewer to speculate. It was shown at the very prestigious Pearls Gallery in New York City. Artists in the famous Perls' stable included Derain, Dufy, Rouault, Matisse, Picasso, Modigliani, Pascin, Soutine, Chagall and Vlaminck. With a 1971 retrospective of Alexander Calder's work. This Haucke from the Perls Gallery...
Category
1940s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil
328 Praying for more, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Andres Vivo
Located in Yardley, PA
Another study of human behaviour. Artwork done at the 90´s . Inspired by the dramatic scenes of the famous spanish master Francisco Goya :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece come...
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
Chalkboard Diaries, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Chalkboard Diaries, a mixed media painting filled with oils, pastel and chalkboard paint take a diaristic approach on domestic romance.. The flames ar...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Mother
By Helen Uter
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 create...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Canvas
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Ocean Girl
By Helen Uter
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 Fuego
By Helen Uter
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 Sol
By Helen Uter
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
By Helen Uter
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
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 of...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
My Love V, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
In this acrylic painting from Africa, a happy couple sings a love song. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate...
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
By Marcelo Novo
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
“Traveling Together” 2012 colorful Abstract oil on board Armenian Artist VATCHE
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
“Traveling Together” is a colorful, abstract, surrealist painting by Armenian artist, Vatche Geuvdjelian painted in 2012.
Artist’s Statement
“𝘛𝘩�...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Board, Oil
The Vision - Surreal Black Female Portrait
Located in Miami, FL
This earlier work depicts an unexpected multicolored cone extending from the subject's eye. It represents a field of vision for a young Haitian female who gazes up. It reminds me of something Man Ray or the Dadaists did. Duval-Carrié's work is more than eye-opening.
Signed lower right
Work is framed - Framed Size - 18 x 22
Edouard Duval...
Category
1980s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
A Prosperous Man
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
ARIA. VII abstract framed black& white painting, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By Sia Aryai
Located in Yardley, PA
A neutral white palette with a splash of black evokes soft appeal in this abstract one of a kind painting. This 16.5X22" hand-cut parchment is custom framed and floats mounted o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Assemblage, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Newel Hunter
Located in Yardley, PA
Hunter uses highly physical gestural marks to create contemporary abstract paintings that are deep and mysterious. "Assemblage" is a perfect example of his fluid and uniquely expres...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Historical journey, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A travel into the past. This is a reflection of the struggle of the black race for survival, equality etc. The 2 portraits is my representation of who we are - royals, warriors, and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Parade, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This is an old art work which initially was an abstract piece. On his last visit to Ghana where he comes from, he found it among his collection and brought it to the UK and worked on...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Holding My Breath, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Newel Hunter
Located in Yardley, PA
"Holding My Breath" is a perfect example of Hunter's highly fluid, calligraphic style -- which so often results in arresting images with a sense of depth and sculptural form. Intrigu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
The coral cat mask, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
From a series of imaginary surreal tribal masks. Oil on thick paper, 50 x 60 cm, 2021. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity sig...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
“Swimmerâ€, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil painting and Silver leaf :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Yes :: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Nevermore, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Newel Hunter
Located in Yardley, PA
"Nevermore" is painted with acrylic on a 24 x 24 x 1.5 inch gallery-wrapped canvas, edge painted black, ready to hang. This expressive, colorful, and whimsical image is a reflectio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Organic Mechanism 2014 colorful large abstract oil Surrealist oc Armenian Artist
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
"Organic Mechanism"
Date: 2014-2015
Abstract oil painting on canvas (oc)
Vatche is an Armenian artist living in Mexico.
Artist’s Statement
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳�...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Frosty stag, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Yue Zeng
Located in Yardley, PA
A white stag with giant antler stands in snowy forest. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Couple II, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Here is a portrait from Central Africa of a happy couple. This painting will ship from the USA. Sales benefit only the artist and his family in civil war Cameroon. :: Painting :...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
BURNING HOUSE, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Bill Stone
Located in Yardley, PA
A house on fire burns in many ways. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Y...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Meeting -15-02-22, Painting, Oil on Other
By Corne Akkers
Located in Yardley, PA
Landscapes of Old This oil ‘The Meeting’ has a long story. Ages ago, before my cubist and roundistic revolution, I was more into landscapes and surrealism. Even though I already sketched models I feel like I did more landscapes and cityscapes than now. One of the last oil paintings I made was ‘Autumn Tree at Laren (2013)’. The urge for painting trees suddenly came to a standstill and was replaced by the love for the female form. Pandemic Gone, New Beginning Now I am sitting here behind my desk, writing this art statement. Our current Secretary of State for Health Ernst Kuipers declared the end of the pandemic yesterday. Next to this I long for Spring more than I ever did and want to do landscapes again. It is not a coincidence when you clean up your house certain artefacts come popping up. Cleaning up means emptying your mind to make space for something new. Springtime This landscape of a windmill from above I started back in 2011. I put that oil face...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"The Carnival is Over", Igor Samsonov, Oil on Canvas, Surrealist, Figures, 48x54
Located in Dallas, TX
"The Carnival is Over: Afternoon" by Igor Samsonov is an Oil on Canvas painting measuring 47.5x54.5 and is a prime colorful example of figurative surrealism at its finest. His deep b...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
MATES, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Marcelo Novo
Located in Yardley, PA
From my "Contrast Series". "Like a musician playing by ear and improvising as he goes, my art begins not with cautious preliminary sketches but working directly on the chosen surfac...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
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
Blues
Located in Dallas, TX
Austin Surrealist Artist
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood Panel
$480 Sale Price
20% Off
Treasures In The Flames (colorful abstract surrealist painting) Armenian Artist
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Treasures In The Flames is a colorful, abstract, surrealist painting by Armenian artist, Vatche Geuvdjelian.
Artist’s Statement
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 �...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cotton Canvas
"Murmur of tender leaves", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
© Paulo Jimenez 2021. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Yes :: Signat...
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
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.