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.
"Flight Risk" illustrative photography, surrealism, paper airplane motif
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "Flight Risk" is a limited edition photographic print by Andrew Pinkham and is made from archival pigment on cotton rag. This piece measures 20"h x 20"w unframed an...
Rag Paper, Archival Pigment
TIE Fighter Beatles Pop Art Print, Signed Limited Edition, 40x30 in
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
$1,850
"Big Eyes" B&W Photograph 31" x 31" in Limited Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Big Eyes" B&W Photograph 31" x 31" in Limited Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the ar...
Photographic Paper
$2,350
"Thirst" Black & White Photograph 49" x 39" in Limited Ed. 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Thirst" Black & White Photograph 49" x 39" in Limited Ed. 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ...
Photographic Paper
TIE Fighter Beatles Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
TIE Fighter Beatles Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
"Disappearing" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Disappearing" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the artist Not ...
Photographic Paper
"Big Eyes 2" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Big Eyes 2" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the artist Not f...
Photographic Paper
Southern Migration
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
$1,600
Photograph of Ballet Dancer George Zoritch Original Vintage Gelatin Silver
Located in Glenford, NY
George Platt Lynes photograph of famed Ballet Russe and Hollywood dancer George (Yuri) Zoritch taken against an iconic Platt Lynes studio set in 1938. Photograph is a vintage ori...
Silver Gelatin
$2,350
"C'mon Baby" Black & White Photography 49" x 35" in Ed. 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"C'mon Baby" Black & White Photography 49" x 35" in Ed. 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the...
Photographic Paper
Army Of Caine Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
Army Of Caine by B A T I K Pop art work featuring multiples of Michael Caine in Get Carter mode - possibly his most iconic movie role. Archival pigment pop art print signed & ...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
TIE Fighter Beatles Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
$600
Photograph #2 Ballet Dancer George Zoritch Original Vintage Gelatin Silver
Located in Glenford, NY
George Platt Lynes photograph #2 of famed Ballet Russe and Hollywood dancer George (Yuri) Zoritch taken in an iconic Platt Lynes studio set in 1938. Photograph is a vintage origi...
Silver Gelatin
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
“Bad Bunny” (FRAMED) Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Bad Bunny” (FRAMED) Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA ...
Rag Paper, Archival Ink, Giclée
"Disappearing" Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Disappearing" Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the artist Not ...
Photographic Paper
"Moon Birth" (FRAMED) Photography 24" x 24" in Ed. 5/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Moon Birth" (FRAMED) Photography 24" x 24" in Ed. 5/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist ...
Photographic Paper
"Honey” Photography 36" x 28" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Honey” Photography 36" x 28" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA signed by th...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$1,175
"Round Horse" Black & White Photograph 16" x 16" in Ed. of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Round Horse" Black & White Photograph 16" x 16" in Ed. of 24 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the a...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Thirst" Black & White Photography 29.5" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Thirst" Black & White Photography 29.5" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by t...
Photographic Paper
$2,350
"Pygmalion and Galatea 3" Photograph 39" x 39" in Ed. of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pygmalion and Galatea 3" Photograph 39" x 39" in Ed. of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper
Rosemary Winkley Photograph of Dance Legend Rudolph Nureyev 1975
Located in Glenford, NY
British Dance Photographer Rosemary Winkley original vintage silver gelatin photograph of 20th Century dance icon and legend Rudolph Nureyev performing “Moments” by modern dance chor...
Silver Gelatin
$1,850
"Lawless" Black & White Photography 39" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Lawless" Black & White Photography 39" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ar...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"About Love" B&W Photograph 24" x 24" in Limited Ed. of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"About Love" B&W Photograph 24" x 24" in Limited Ed. of 15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
"Real 3" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Real 3" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ...
Photographic Paper
“Olé” Photography 24" x 36" inch Edition 1/7 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Olé” Photography 24" x 36" inch Edition 1/7 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA signed by the ar...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
“Foreign Bodies” Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Foreign Bodies” Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA sig...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$1,750
"Real 3" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Real 3" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the...
Photographic Paper
$1,850
"Little Violin" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Ed 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Little Violin" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Ed 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
Her Last Supper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Her Last Supper ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT Edition 12 of 20 20 x 30 in. / 50 x 76 cm. Named one of LensCultures top 50 Emerging Artist, Marjorie Salvaterra’s images reveal “a fine line...
Archival Pigment
$1,350
"Pinocchio" Black & White Photograph 31" x 31" in Ltd. Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pinocchio" Black & White Photograph 31" x 31" in Ltd. Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the ...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Pinocchio" Black & White Photograph 24 x 24 in Ltd. Ed. of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pinocchio" Black & White Photograph 24 x 24 in Ltd. Ed. of 15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the ...
Photographic Paper
$1,850
"Pygmalion and Galatea 3" Photograph 31" x 31" in Ltd. Ed of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pygmalion and Galatea 3" Photograph 31" x 31" in Ltd. Ed of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ...
Photographic Paper
$1,400
"The Circus" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Ed. 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"The Circus" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Ed. 2/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
Army Of Caine Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
Army Of Caine by B A T I K Pop art work featuring multiples of Michael Caine in Get Carter mode - possibly his most iconic movie role. Archival pigment pop art print signed & ...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
HIM
Located in Los Angeles, CA
HIM ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT AP PRINT - available (EDITION SOLD OUT) 30x45 Named one of LensCultures top 50 Emerging Artist, Marjorie Salvaterra’s images reveal “a fine line betwee...
Archival Pigment
$2,500
“The Invisible Worm” (FRAMED) Photography 20 x 30 in Edition of 5 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“The Invisible Worm” (FRAMED) Photography 20 x 30 in Edition of 5 by Brian Ziff Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on ...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$2,350
"Sniffer" Black & White Photograph 47" x 39" in Ltd. Ed. 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Sniffer" Black & White Photograph 47" x 39" in Ltd. Ed. 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ar...
Photographic Paper
Let Her Eat Cake
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Let Her Eat Cake ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT Edition 2 of 5 20 x 30 in. / 50 x 76 cm. Named one of LensCultures top 50 Emerging Artist, Marjorie Salvaterra’s images reveal “a fine line ...
Archival Pigment
TIE Fighter Beatles Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
TIE Fighter Beatles Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
Him 2
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Him 2 ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT Artist's Proof (editions sold out) 20 x 30 in. / 50 x 76 cm. Named one of LensCultures top 50 Emerging Artist, Marjorie Salvaterra’s images reveal “a f...
Archival Pigment
When the Universe has a Bigger Plan for Your Life 2
Located in Los Angeles, CA
When the Universe has a Bigger Plan for Your Life 2 ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT Edition 2 of 5 20 x 30 in. / 50 x 76 cm. Named one of LensCultures top 50 Emerging Artist, Marjorie Salva...
Archival Pigment
You Are Not a Tree
Located in Los Angeles, CA
You Are Not a Tree ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT Edition 3 of 5 20 x 30 in. / 50 x 76 cm. Named one of LensCultures top 50 Emerging Artist, Marjorie Salvaterra’s images reveal “a fine lin...
Archival Pigment
$1,350
"Disappearing" Photograph 24" x 24" in Limited Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Disappearing" Photograph 24" x 24" in Limited Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the art...
Photographic Paper
$1,850
"Northward" Black & White Photograph 31" x 31" in Ltd. Ed of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Northward" Black & White Photograph 31" x 31" in Ltd. Ed of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ...
Photographic Paper
$21,000
"The Battle of Orgreave (after Pieter Bruegel the Elder" Simon Procter C-print
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"The Battle of Orgreave (after Pieter Bruegel the Elder)" C-print by fine art photographer Simon Procter. Mounted on an aluminum panel with pl...
C Print
TIE Fighter Beatles Large Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
Badlands
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
TIE Fighter Beatles Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
$1,350
"No Time" (FRAMED) Photograph 16 x 20 in Limited Edition 1/24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"No Time" (FRAMED) Photograph 16 x 20 in Limited Edition 1/24 by Olha Stepanian Size framed: 22" x 26" inch Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Co...
Photographic Paper
Army Of Caine Giant Oversize Pop Art Print Signed Limited Edition
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
Army Of Caine by B A T I K Pop art work featuring multiples of Michael Caine in Get Carter mode - possibly his most iconic movie role. Archival pigment pop art print signed & limi...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
$1,350
"Euphoria" Black & White Photograph 24" x 24" in Ltd. Ed of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Euphoria" Black & White Photograph 24" x 24" in Ltd. Ed of 15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the ...
Photographic Paper
$2,350
"Big Eyes 2" Black & White Photograph 39" x 39" in Ed. of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Big Eyes 2" Black & White Photograph 39" x 39" in Ed. of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the art...
Photographic Paper
$1,850
"Euphoria" Black & White Photograph 31" x 31" in Ltd. Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Euphoria" Black & White Photograph 31" x 31" in Ltd. Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the ...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Geometry" (FRAMED) Photograph 16" x 16" in Limited Ed. of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Geometry" (FRAMED) Photograph 16" x 16" in Limited Ed. of 24 by Olha Stepanian Size framed: 22" x 22" in Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Black Moon" Black & White Photograph 24" x 24" in Ed. 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Moon" Black & White Photograph 24" x 24" in Ed. 2/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper
$1,185
"Moon Birth 3" B&W Photograph 16" x 16" in Limited Ed. of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Moon Birth 3" B&W Photograph 16" x 16" in Limited Ed. of 24 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the art...
Photographic Paper
NIGHTMARE Signed Photograph, Surreal Self-Portrait, Mexican Folklore, Skeleton
By Nia Mora
Located in Union City, NJ
NIGHTMARE by the photographer Nia Mora is a very unique self portrait color photograph exhibiting lush deep tones of intense red and jet-black, with haunting surrealist imagery of three figures positioned on a bed in a red walled room: one wearing a skeleton mask robed in black velvet, two with ghostly white faces all portraying the artist's self portrait as three entities of a nightmare. Photo Print size - 24 x 24 inches, unframed, excellent condition, signed in black ink on reverse by photographer Nia Mora Edition of 10 Year produced - 2007 Nia Mora, an American photographer, artist and chef, focuses her commercial work towards her passions of food, wine, and travel. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, her father is the jazz percussionist Francisco Mora...
Photographic Paper, Color
$1,350
"Pygmalion and Galatea 2" Photograph 24" x 24" in Ed. of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pygmalion and Galatea 2" Photograph 24" x 24" in Ed. of 15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the art...
Photographic Paper