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
Abstract Composition - Original Lithograph - 1981
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Composition is original lithograph realized in 1981 by an unknown artist, mounted on a blue cardboard Passepartout, with the title on the lower left.
Hand-signed on the lowe...
Category
1980s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Lithograph
"Sea of Dreams" - Surrealism, still life, animals, vegetables - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Sea of Dreams" 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 bas...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Circle of Life
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
Young Boss jamming with Girlfriend
Located in Zofingen, AG
I paint people; I want my paintings to have character to tell a story but without words as if using mime. To be dramatic, emotional, sometimes theatrical but always with feelings and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Think Piece, Oil Painting
By Diane Flick
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Stacked like rocks on the shore, artist Diane Flick plays with scale, color, texture, and joyful imagery—creating a quirky, awkward, and jovial childlike ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
'Drunk Houses, ' by Dragana Milovic, Acrylic on Canvas Painting
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 24" x 30" acrylic on canvas painting by artist Dragana Milovic features a fantastical landscape of houses, florals, and other whimsical elements. ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Boss getting a hair cut
Located in Zofingen, AG
Welcome to my world of Monkeys and Lions smoking cigars, the Egg family, my Lovers Jazz Conspirators and Ladies in Red.
Someone once said of my work. 'I often wonder why people worl...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Chair by the Window, Superb Large Surrealist oil painting on canvas
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Chair by the Window
Surrealist School, circa 1970's
signed lower left, indistinctly (see photos)
framed: 24 x 30.5 inches
provenance: private collection, London
Superb Surreali...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - 'The Flaming Pearl' Abstract
By Elvic Steele
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: 1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - The Flaming Pearl' Abstract
Artist: Elvic Steele
Medium: Oil on board, unframed
Size: 6 height x 4.5 width
Condition: Good
Provenance...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Childhood, Portrait, Figurative Art Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Year: 2019
Style: Portrait Art,
Subject: Childhood
Size: 36" x 24" x 1'' inch, 92x61x3 cm,
Unframed, Stretched on Wooden Bar, Gallery Wrapped, Ready to Hang.
Tigran Hovoumyan was born on November 8, 1969, in American Armenia...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Baddie (coyote, man, wild animal, americana, surrealist painting, nature, field)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
This surrealistic painting on canvas titled "Baddie" by Rudolf Kosow is an enthralling visual narrative that masterfully weaves together three essential elements: man, animal, and na...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - 'Deep Colour ' Fantasy Abstract
By Elvic Steele
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Stunning original oil painting by Elvic Steele depicting this surrealist fantasy abstract painting.
Elvic Steele is a fascinating English painter. Her works entrance the observer, d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
1990's French Surrealist Signed Painting Figurative Fantasy Circular Themed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French, signed and dated 93' and inscribed verso
Title: "Le Dormeur dans L'arbre", titled verso
Medium: acrylic on board, framed
Framed: 26.5 x 22 inches
Painting:...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Floating in a Surrealist Space - Abstract Composition in Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
Floating in a Surrealist Space - Abstract Composition in Acrylic on Canvas
Surrealist composition by California and Washington state artist David Sherburne (American, b. 1943). A fl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
1986 "A Remarkable Piece of Apparatus" Surrealist Painting
Located in Arp, TX
Vintage Contemporary Surrealist PAFA Artist Mark McCullen
signed verso
dated 1986
titled "A remarkable piece of Apparatus"
30 x 22" board, 32 x 24" Framed.
Category
1980s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
"Salvador Dalí"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A series of experimental paintings. I like to look for new horizons in art, colors, shapes, objects. Fine paintings for the interior. The paintings are painted on cardboard glued ont...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Framed Surrealist Dreamscape Painting on Paper Inspired. Walking Head with Cat
By Gozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This original surrealist painting by Gozo presents a solitary figure with a sculptural head and slender legs walking along a stark pier, accompanied by a black dog. A yellow monument...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic, Spray Paint
"Poetry and Painting", Surrealist, Reds, Blues, Collage, Acrylic Painting, 2018
By John Baker
Located in Natick, MA
John Baker’s “Poetry and Painting” is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 21 x 18.75 inches in reds, blues, greys and pinks. In this image the sister arts of poetry and painti...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
A source - XXI Century, Contemporary Acrylic Architecture Painting, Colorful
Located in Warsaw, PL
Marta Rynkiewicz is a young Polish artist born in 1983.
She studied painting with Professor Henryk Czenik and graphic arts with Professor Jerzy Krechowicz, at the Faculty of Paintin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
El Santo de la Muerte (Oil Painting, Symbolist, Death, Surreal, ~40% OFF)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Stella Jae
El Santo de la Muerte
2024
Oil on canvas
Size: 31.49 x 23.62 x inches (80 x 60 cm)
Signed by hand
COA provided
*Framing options are available. Please inquiry.
Stella J ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
In My Solitude
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Nudity in art has historically been a contentious subject, often raising questions about beauty standards, objectification, and the human form. In "In My Solitude," however, Edwin treats nudity with sensitivity and purpose. The nude figure, devoid of clothing and external trappings, serves as a metaphor for vulnerability and raw authenticity. It becomes a powerful statement on embracing one's true self, stripped of societal expectations and external judgments.
The choice of the yoga position is not arbitrary in Edwin's composition. Yoga has long been associated with self-discovery, inner peace, and spiritual enlightenment. The woman's serene posture exudes a sense of calmness and introspection. Through this position, Edwin suggests that solitude and self-reflection are integral to personal growth and inner strength. It encourages viewers to embrace moments of introspection and find solace in their own thoughts, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of themselves.
Edwin's meticulous attention to detail and symbolism further enriches the narrative of "In My Solitude." The subtle play of light and shadow highlights the contours of the woman's body, accentuating the vulnerability and emotional depth captured in the artwork. The artist's skillful brushwork evokes a sense of intimacy, drawing the viewer into the private world of the subject.
The title itself, "In My Solitude," adds an additional layer of meaning. Solitude, often associated with loneliness, is reimagined as a source of inner strength and self-discovery. Edwin invites viewers to contemplate the transformative power of spending time alone, away from distractions and truly connecting with oneself.
Crixtover Edwin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
Can everyone just stop for a day?
Located in Nottingham, GB
Original artwork, acrylic on canvas by Joseph Gilgun.
With a mixture of street, abstract and fine art influences, most of Joe's work is created using a blend of acrylics, spray pain...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Who are cats
Located in Zofingen, AG
The work "Who ar cats" is an original painting. The artwork is painted with oil paints on canvas 60x60 cm.
The work is ready to hang.
The artwork is signed, dated and titled. Origin...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Inspiration, Portrait Woman, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Portrait Woman, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Artist: Tigran Hovumyan
Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind
Medium: Oil o...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Antique Pin-up Gil Baer French Surrealist Nude Woman Puppet Show
By Gil Baer
Located in New York, NY
Soo Funny!
Gil Baer (1859-1931) is the artist of this beautiful, humorous painting. This is a surrealist illustration painting of a nude woman behind...
Category
Early 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Tooth Ache
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez writes of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined painti...
Category
1980s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Ball Game (Triptych)
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
It is important to note that this work consists of three separate canvases, each one of 70x70x2. They make up a work of 210x70x2.
The scene depicted is purely imaginary, where two wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Large French Surrealist Oil Painting Figurative Scene Nudes on Motorbikes
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figurative Abstract
French School
dated 1972
oil painting on board
overall size: 19.5 X 19
condition: overall very good and pleasing
provenance: from a private collection of this art...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
At the destination - Contemporary Acrylic Painting, Vibrant colors, Landscape
Located in Warsaw, PL
*Painting will be available after 6.06.2021*
Marta Rynkiewicz is a young Polish artist born in 1983.
She studied painting with Professor Henryk Czenik and graphic arts with Profes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Tree of Life Blue
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination.
In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen
"The Lonely Crowd", surrealist, portrait, mixed media, acrylic painting
By John Baker
Located in Natick, MA
John Baker’s “The Lonely Crowd” is a multi-colored acrylic painting on canvas with collage 40 x 60 inches. Blues, yellows and greens predominate while reds provide color accents. The...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
I Am Not Alone 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"I Am Not Alone" by Joshua Salami is a captivating artwork that delves into the profound bond between a woman and her cherished pet, transcending the convent...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Girl in Blue Dress, Surrealist Oil Painting by Andrei Medvedev
By Andrei Medvedev
Located in Long Island City, NY
An oil painting by Andrei Medvedev from 1998. A surrealist portrait of a young girl and a kitten in the rococo style.
Artist: Andrei Medvedev
Title:Girl in Blue Dress...
Category
1990s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
GENEVIEVE ZONDERVAN (1922-2013) FRENCH OIL PAINTING - MAN LOOKING OUT OF WINDOW
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
"A Room with a View"
by Geneviève Zondervan (French 1922-2013)
oil painting on board, stamped verso
board: 8.5 x 10.5 inches
Original oil painting on board by the French artist, Ge...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Birds Circle Life
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination. Hugely inspired by Paula Rego, Isabel Rock is part of a formidable group of women artists (Leonora Carrington and Eileen Agar amongst others) working with Surrealism.
In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
'Sunset on Grand Canyon, ' by Dragana Milovic, Acrylic on Canvas Painting
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 24" x 30" acrylic on canvas painting, 'Sunset on Grand Canyon,' by Dragana Milovic is a fantastical abstracted landscape inspired by the Grand Can...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Thoughtful - XXI Century, Contemporary Figurative Painting, Surrealism, Nocturn
Located in Warsaw, PL
Mariusz Zdybal (born in 1955)
He was awarded with "Golden Palm" at the international painting competition in Cannes and his works has been shown in Cannes, Warsaw, Gdansk and Berli...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
The Edge of a Dream
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The bison and the beetle have a prehistoric elegance about them that I thought would compliment each other perfectly. Symbolically, both represent life and mortality, which has been on my mind lately. To Native Americans, bison are symbolic of sacred life and abundance. And in ancient greek mythology the beetle became revered as a symbol of rebirth and immortality -- its daily journey across the sky became an allegory of human life. The Wallpaper collection is a juxtaposition of masculine meets feminine. I wanted to create a unique series that stands apart from traditional nature paintings, where the wild and somewhat prehistoric aspects of my animals featured contrast against their delicate backdrops. In addition to this, many of my paintings are created with a little bit of underlying symbolism usually sparked from a world event or life moment that I am experiencing. I concentrate on this theme as a therapeutic mantra throughout the creation of the painting. For each painting, different techniques and layers of design are implemented when creating the wall paper effect. To keep the patterns consistent I create a stencil to outline the shapes of my hummingbirds, bugs and fish, and then I hand paint each shape individually. In the areas where I wanted a little more chaos, I would forgo the stencil and eyeball each design. My animals are always painted first, and then I layout the design around them.
About the Artist
Australian-born Alana Clumeck...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
French Surrealist Oil Painting Figurative Scene Male Nudes in Desert
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figurative Abstract
French School
oil painting on board
painting: 20 x 24 inches
condition: overall very good and pleasing
provenance: from a private collection of this artists work ...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"The Trove" Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Patrick Maxcy's "The Trove" is an original, handmade acrylic painting that depicts a tropical bird perched on a pile of buoys and miscellaneous seafaring...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Gerard Tunney, Dancers in the Wings, Original Blue Painting, Figurative Artwork
Located in Deddington, GB
Gerard Tunney
Dancers in the Wings
Original Figurative Painting
Acrylic Paint on Canvas
Canvas Size: H 40cm x W 60cm x D 2cm
Sold Unframed
Please note that insitu images are purely a...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"Salvador Dalí"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This painting was inspired by girls. On a nudist beach, they froze on a rug. Like a city in the steppe. Eventually I met them, they became my muses, I repeatedly painted them naked i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"A Family of Means", surrealist, blue, red, pink, mixed media, acrylic painting
By John Baker
Located in Natick, MA
John Baker’s “A Family of Means” is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 38 x 50 inches in blues, reds, and pinks. Depicted in their commodious library, the wealthy family exudes a sense of arrogant privilege and shameless materialism. The matriarch displays her rings to the spectator as though their monetary value was proof of her worth as a person, while her son, in his prep school blazer...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Yijian Wang Contemporary Original Oil On Canvas "Let Me Enjoy It 2"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Let Me Enjoy It 2
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 21 x 13 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition.
Note: This painting is unstretched
Year: 2015
Artist: Yijian Wang...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Nancy Baker, Pretty Circles, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape, Painting
By Nancy Baker
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct
example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Circle Life Orange
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination. Hugely inspired by Paula Rego, Isabel Rock is part of a formidable group of women artists (Leonora Carrington and Eileen Agar amongst others) working with Surrealism.
In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
Bulb of Africa 3
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Bulb of Africa was not just a hairstyle; it was a celebration of African heritage and a testament to the resilience of its people. Passed down through generations, it represented strength, beauty, and the rich tapestry of African traditions. The Bulb showcased the natural texture and volume of African hair, transforming it into an intricate masterpiece of braids, twists, and coils.
The Bulb of Africa became a symbol of empowerment, reminding people of their strength, resilience, and the beauty of their shared heritage. It served as a reminder that hair was more than a physical attribute; it was a connection to something greater—a connection to their ancestors, their community, and celebrating the beauty within themselves.
Beyond their physical beauty, African women possess an immeasurable inner strength that resonates through "Bulb of Africa." Odunayo masterfully captures this strength, highlighting the resilience and determination that have defined African women throughout history. The women depicted in the artwork emanate confidence, wisdom, and a sense of purpose. Their gaze speaks volumes, embodying the stories of countless African women who have overcome adversity, shattered barriers, and carved out their own paths to success. In "Bulb of Africa," Iyiola Odunayo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Heavyweight Executives", surrealist, portrait, mixed media, acrylic painting
By John Baker
Located in Natick, MA
John Baker’s “Heavyweight Executives” is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 24 x 30 inches in dark greens, deep silver greys, and flesh tones. The two executives have put on ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
La Balade De Juanito Cana Hueca Cuban Surrealist
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
La Balade De Juanito Cana Hueca 2019
Acrylic and ink on canvas signed and dated, it will be frame before shipping.
Isaac Crespo's Cuban artist born 1965. His drawings and paintings s...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
Huge French Surrealist Fantasy Oil Painting Floating Figures, signed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Josyne Gallet, French signed and dated 1972
Title: Floating Figures
Medium: signed verso, oil painting on canvas, unframed.
canvas: 32 x 45.75 inches
Provenance: ...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - The Bluebird Scene Colourful Abstract
By Elvic Steele
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Stunning original oil painting by Elvic Steele depicting this surrealist fantasy abstract painting.
Elvic Steele is a fascinating English painter. Her works entrance the observer, d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
1960's British Surrealist Oil Painting - Fantasy Clematis Floral Abstract
By Elvic Steele
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Stunning original oil painting by Elvic Steele depicting this surrealist fantasy abstract painting.
Elvic Steele is a fascinating English painter. Her works entrance the observer, d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Accept", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Tiffany Dae's (US based) "Accept" is a original, handmade oil painting that depicts a brown wooden chair surrounded by space like darkness.
Artist Biogra...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
"Plutonium Messenger" Symbolic Visionary Art in Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
"Plutonium Messenger" Symbolic Visionary Art in Acrylic on Canvas
Detailed symbolic work by Dana Lynn Andersen (American, b. 1962). This piece is a styl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Glitter, Acrylic
'L'Obscurité', Trompe L'oeil, Newport Art Museum, Frye Museum, RISD, Yale
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Initialed lower left, 'RCW' for Richard Whitten (American, born 1958) and dated, lower right, in Roman numerals, 2009. Formerly in the collection of the Triton Art Museum, Santa Clara, California.
Whitten's early work may loosely be termed geometric abstraction, but he is best known for his later representational paintings that combine his interest in architecture, invented machinery and toys. Whitten is also known for his toy-like sculptures. His paintings and drawings are essentially representational but have strong ties to geometric abstraction.
A native of New York City, Richard Whitten first attended the Collegiate School before studying economics at Yale where he received his BA in 1980. He then constructed a personal painting program at Yale where he studied with Gretna Campbell...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Dream Canyon
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Jeni Stallings creates work that often draws from her dreams and personal experiences. She tends to render those moments in a muted, femininity-infused ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Wax, Oil, Wood Panel
Six Breasts No Waiting: Haitian Naive Fantasy Henri Rousseau - Heydenryk Frame
Located in Miami, FL
"Six Breasts No Waiting" showcases Haitian Master Salnave Philippe-Auguste's whimsically fruitful imagination. He executes it in a distinctive painting style of simplified compos...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
"Eating and Drinking II", surrealist, red, green, yellow, acrylic painting
By John Baker
Located in Natick, MA
John Baker’s “Eating and Drinking II” is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 24 x 30 inches in yellows, reds and greens on a neutral background. In one sense an illustration o...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Wisdom Trumps Violence - Surreal Oil Painting with a Leopard, an Owl, and a Man
Located in Chicago, IL
Toying (e.g., rider on toy horse) with violent threats is not wise. The sounds (e.g., horn) of violence (e.g., spear and leopard) will never overtake wisdom (e.g., owl and pearl). This masterfully painted surrealist artwork draws in the viewer with its extraordinary detail. The artwork is framed.
Christopher A. Klein
Wisdom Trumps...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Aquarius, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Aquarius, the Water Bearer that floods the desert to bear fruit. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Re...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Lurking in the Waters, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The artwork reflects on the abundance of wildlife in Florida and the constant struggle humans face in controlling nature. Dominating the scene, a giant egret hovers over houses while alligators lurk in the water, signifying the untamable wildness of the environment.
About the Artist
Artist Kat Silver paints surrealist compositions with a whimsical and satirical approach. She draws inspiration from the imagery of her dreams and the symbolisms present in her surroundings. The image of the rabbit has become an important character and signature in Kat's work. For her, they represent power and taking control of one's life. Through her art, she invites the viewer to question the mundanity of daily existence and embrace the magic within them. "I believe human beings have a lot we can learn from nature," says Kat. "If we watch and listen to the earth and all its creatures, we can learn to fully enjoy our lives instead of being caught up in materialism, drama, and stress." Kat started to paint when she was seven years old, with her uncle as her teacher. She received her BA in Painting at Nazareth College in 2001 and succeedingly studied at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she mastered Art Therapy. Kat works in her home studio on a small desk strewn with supplies—surrounded by walls adorned with artwork that inspires her. Beyond her studio, Kat feeds her soul in nature, exploring wooded parks, forests, oceans, and streams. She often goes to antique shops to spark her creativity.
Words that describe this painting: Florida, wildlife, swamp, surreal, surrealism...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Le Concile d'Amour - Gouache on Paper Unique Surrealist Woman Painter, 1968
By Leonor Fini
Located in New York, NY
Leonor Fini
Le Concile d'amour, 1968
Gouache on paper
14 1/5 × 11 4/5 in l 36 × 30 cm
Frame included - 22 x 18 1/8 in l 56 x 46 cm
Signed, counter-signed and titled lower right
Cond...
Category
1960s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Original Textured Acrylic Painted Surreal Landscape with Cat on Roman Sculpture
By Gozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This original acrylic painting on sculpted panel presents a surreal landscape where fragmented Roman statues rest in a dreamlike terrain of deep pinks and reds. Among these sculptura...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Spray Paint, Acrylic
"Dressing the Sewing Dummy", Surrealist, Collage, Acrylic Painting, 2018
By John Baker
Located in Natick, MA
John Baker’s “Dressing the Sewing Dummy” is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 38 x 20 inches by .75 inch in reds, yellows, blues and purples. A young seamstress is elated by...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Nancy Baker, Pretty Pearls, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape, Painting
By Nancy Baker
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct
example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"The Cosmic Dance" GAIA as Mother Earth a Visionary Figurative - Acrylic
Located in Soquel, CA
Emergence of Woman The Cosmic Dance A Visionary Figurative in Acrylic
Flowing and stylized figurative work by Visionary artist Kimberlee Kuwica (American, b. 1967). From GAIA: "As t...
Category
1990s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Illustration Board, Foam Board
Queen of Outer Space - Original Sci- Fi Surrealist Composition On Board
Located in Soquel, CA
Queen of Outer Space - Original Sci- Fi Surrealist Composition On Board
Dramatic sci-fi scene by Russell R. Tripp (American, 1942-2025). This sci-fi surrealist painting blends indus...
Category
1980s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Visionary Mystical Landscape Mississippi Artist
Located in Soquel, CA
Vibrant landscape with a group of trees by H. W. Shankle (20th Century). The trees, clouds, and ground are all swirling, as if warped by the perspective of the viewer, creating a fantastical feeling to the composition. In the Visionary Artist style.
Signed and dated "H. Shankle 71" along the bottom edge.
Label from exhibition on verso.
Presented in a distressed frame.
Board size: 16"H x 20"W
Hugh W. Shankle (American, b. 1921) was a photo technician with WLBT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi, during the late 1950s and '60s. He was also the official photographer for the Mississippi Art...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Cardboard, Canvas
Surrealist Painting Royal College Art LGBTQ+ Female Artist Heads Pink Orange
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences whi...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen
Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Blue Green Bust Cat
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination.
In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams Drawing Award at the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Known as the UK’s most prestigious annual open exhibition for drawing; part of the prize is a solo show at Hastings Contemporary, scheduled for 2024.
Whilst Isabel always has a tale to tell for each of her images, you may or may not choose to go on the journey with her or you may indeed have a different story, one of your own that jumps off the page at you, that that you decide to follow.
Artwork Details:
Best Day Ever, 152x122cm, Collaged woodblock print, acrylic ink on Somerset satin paper, 2023
Artwork Provenance: from the Artist Studio
photo credits, Isabel working, black and white shots, James Brown
In Isabel's own words:
Best Day Ever;
It was the best day ever. Just one of those days when everything goes right and the world is an exciting place. The very pavements seemed to be alive with magical stories to tell of the many feet that had trampled upon them. Everything seemed right with the world because I was going to meet my friend for a glass of wine. You know that friend who just gets you? Who you don't have to explain everything too, and they laugh in all the right places. I was going to meet that friend and have a glass of wine and everything else could wait. It really was the best day ever.
*Please note we are happy to ship this work rolled in an art tube. Whilst the work is on heavy duty art paper and mixed media, the artist is happy that the painting will be fine rolled in a tube. This is a more cost effective and environmentally sound method of shipping. Shipping via this method is free.
About Isabel Rock and her work:
Taking inspiration from Japanese woodblock prints and Indian miniature painting Rock has developed a unique collage technique that combines bold structures with large-scale woodblock prints and intricate detailing. The subject is a grand mixture of humour, drama, hidden morals, fanciful characters, modern culture, mythical beings and fantastical situations.
Rock creates a world that pulls you in and demands your attention. Quality of line is paramount, the drawings are created using a dipping pen and acrylic ink. An essential tool is a squirrel...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen
Bed, Original Contemporary Surrealist Gouache Painting on Wood Panel
By Megan Frazer
Located in Boston, MA
Bed, Original Contemporary Surrealist Painting, 2012
18" x 11.25" x 1.625" (HxWxD)
This muted, dream-like surrealist painting by artist Megan Frazer can be compared to both the subject matter and painterly style of the work of Leonara Carrington...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel, Gouache
"Luminous, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Sara Scribner's (US based) "Luminous" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a realistic portrait of a feminine form in a white dress with delicate white butterflies drawing near her in the darkness.
About the Artist:
Sara Scribner (B. 1982 Fremont, California) is a figurative painter living in Oklahoma. She earned a BFA in painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She has exhibited in museums and galleries across the US and in Europe, including European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM) museum in Barcelona, Spain, Wausau Museum of Art in Wausau, WI, Wally Workman Gallery...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
"REST ME ON A CUCKOO CLOCK"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
YURI MARTINEZ RAMOS
"REST ME ON A CUCKOO CLOCK"
OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED, TITLED
CUBAN-AMERICAN, DATED 2020
48 X 36 INCHES
I wrote these words for the ...
Category
Early 2000s 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.