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
"Spermy and Licorice Popsicle Meet the Club" Bubble Surrealist Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Three made up characters named Spermy, Licorice, and Club. Painting is mostly grey toned with yellow and orange hints. Artist signed the canvas on the bottom right corner, as well as...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Il Porto, 2001-02
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
"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 Paintings
Materials
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
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
Funky Playhouse Series: Horse, figurative, surrealistic, 37 x 31
By Paul Pretzer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Surrealistic and whimsical, bright and vivid colors. Provenance has only been from Artist studio to Gallery inventory.
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
WINTER BALANCE, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Winter balance“ 90 X 110cm, oil on canvas
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
ELEVEN, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Eleven“ 129 X 147cm, oil on canvas
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
CANDY BOMBER, Diptychon, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Candy bomber“, Diptychon, 160 X 120cm, oil on canvas,
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Monday: 3 Down, Method of Removing Hair Roots (12)
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Ben McLaughlin
Monday: 3 down, Method of removing hair roots (12), 2008
Oil on panel
6 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches (17.1 x 11.4 cm)
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
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
Silent Prayer
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
"Ziggurat" Large Scale Contemporary Surrealist Still Life (books and ladders)
Located in New York, NY
52"x 106" large scale watercolor on paper by award-winning New York artist Thomas Broadbent, signed on reverse. A Contemporary Surrealist Still-life painting of books and papers, wi...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Archival Paper
$14,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Luna, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Wild, bright and bold, Luna's gaze of daydreaming wonder. Original oil painting of Heather Ireland's Surrealism series. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Voyage To India, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Travel is in your heart, and she beckons you to follow. Original oil painting by artist, painted live at i3 Arts Fest Art Car Ball in Pershing Square Los Angeles. :: Painting :: Surr...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Leap Frog
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
$13,695
Hourglass butterfly, 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
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
Paint.Danger on the Road to Here
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Acrylic paint on paper
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
ELIXIER, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
ELIXIER, Oil on Canvas, 80 X 100cm
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Bat in the Hat
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
Butterflies and Bees
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
Earthly Flavors, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
By Craig Moran
Located in Yardley, PA
Earthly Flavors is one of the twenty-odd pieces I did while participating in Palette 22 Restaurant's artist-in-residence program. Amorphous islands of yellow, pink and blue dominate ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
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
EASY STREET, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Bill Stone
Located in Yardley, PA
A scene that played out every night on our street in Chicago. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready...
Category
1990s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Il Dardi del Cielo, 2001
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
A enormous sleeve, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Diana Rosa
Located in Yardley, PA
original on canvas, ready to hang :: 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
Love is found, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Diana Rosa
Located in Yardley, PA
original, ready to hang :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Yes :: Signat...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Portrait of Mythological Figure
Located in Miami, FL
Works on Paper, watercolor, gouache, and pencil on paper
Robert L. B. Tobin Foundation San Antonio, Texas
initialed in cartouche bottom center
Category
1950s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Gouache
"Notturno Paulista" by Enzio Wenk, 2004 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Surrealism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Paulist nocturne"
Mixed media on canvas.
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media
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
Circular butterfly, 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), 35 x 30 cm, 2018. Please, all these dead animals .....
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
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
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
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
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
Lightweights and Heavyweights
Located in Napa, CA
Framed Oil on Canvas Painting
Largely self-taught, Linda Ridd Herzog’s paintings boast unbelievably detailed animals and objects in fantastical, surreal scenes. Growing up in Utah, ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, 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
hippo in half, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The work is called "hippo in half". The picture is surrealistic and saturated both in color and in fantasy loads. The inner world of the hippopotamus is not depicted realistically, b...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
What about death - 21st Century Contemporary Oil and Acrylic Painting
Located in Ibadan, NG
What About Death? is a visually arresting and emotionally layered work by Nigerian contemporary artist Bukola Orioye, known for fusing African spiritual heritage with provocative sym...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
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
A Prickly Situation, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original painting by Austin based artist Sandra Boskamp :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Ha...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
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
Time Hollow, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Slav Nedev
Located in Yardley, PA
A work (#7) 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, spri...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
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
4700 Plumas y sombrillas, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Andres Vivo
Located in Yardley, PA
Feathers and sun umbrellars Inspired by the the dramatic artworks of Goya.Belongs to my human behaviour series :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certif...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
4505 Transformaciones 1, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Andres Vivo
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
"Nesting Swan" Contemporary Surrealist, Large scale Watercolor painting
Located in New York, NY
large scale contemporary surrealist watercolor painting depicting a graceful white swan on a green leather armchair, with a stack of books piled high to its side. A silver designer mid-century modern pole...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Archival Paper
$6,600 Sale Price
20% Off
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 - Le Petit Patissier
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
$480 Sale Price
20% Off
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - La Bourasque
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
$480 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Le Blouson
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
$1,760 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Sanza Player, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Here is an original oil painting of an African musician playing the sanza, in hues of purple and violet. "The sanza has traditionally accompanied African praise songs honoring anc...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
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
Mother and Child VII, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Here is a painting from Africa of a mother and newborn infant in such warm colors. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official...
Category
2010s 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.