Surrealist Photography
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
The magician.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The hostess.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The bird watchers.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Party on.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Night trippers.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
New moon.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Kindred spirits.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Dreaming with open eyes.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Welcome to my office.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Time will tell.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The rescue.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The philosopher's study.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The harbinger.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The gathering.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The day sailor.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The bellwether.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The adventure.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Me myself and I.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Half of me is an ocean.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Elephant in the room.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
April is the cruelest month.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The toast of last night.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The pilot.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The girls.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The bargain.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
That good night.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Stellar stories.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Ship of fools.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Invincible.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Indomitable.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Almost home.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
A fine romance.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
When there's nobody worth talking to.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
They're at it again!
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Only on Thursdays.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Nohow!
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
It's always the same.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Beware the Jabberwock.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Before breakfast.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
And a good handsome shape it is.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Star gazer.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Have a nice day.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Looking glass house.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The experience.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Abdullah's prayer.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The waiting game.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The secret.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Stories will be told.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The garden game.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
The slumber party.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Cactus, Madrid
By Chema Madoz
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 15
Signed, titled and dated.
Toned gelatin silver print
Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish photographers, who is greatly known for his monochro...
Category
1990s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Man Ray, Composition, Man Ray, Electa Editrice Portfolios (after)
By Man Ray
Located in Southampton, NY
Héliogravure on vélin paper. Inscription: unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Man Ray, Electa Editrice Portfolios, 1980. Published and printed ...
Category
1980s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Lithograph
$956 Sale Price
20% Off
Sven Barth
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Photograph, C-Print. Edition of 10 plus 2 AP.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Signed Daido Moriyama photo book (Daido Moriyama Okinawa s49)
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Signed Daido Moriyama artist book: Daido Moriyama Okinawa s49:
Softcover. 2020. Approximately 36 pages; with 17 black & white illustrations. Dimensions: 9.5 x 14.25 inches.
Hand signed by Moriyama on the interior first page.
From a Limited edition of approximately 700.
Excellent overall condition.
Artist Statement:
"1974 was the first year that I went to Okinawa and it was exactly a one week stay. Most of the photos in this book are those I took during that trip.
However, the purpose of the trip to Okinawa then was not to take photos but for Shoumei Toumatsu, Eikou Hosoe, Masahisa Fukase...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Paper
Artists & Prostitutes
Located in New York, NY
Limited Edition of 2,500 copies, numbered and signed by David LaChapelle
Edition of 2,500
Hardcover in clamshell box, 13.6 x 19.7 in., 43.43 lb, 698 pages
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Rosemary Ellis Windows XIV Silver Gelatin Photograph Black and White Print
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis
Windows XIV
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelatin Photograp...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Botanica Photography, Liria de Mexico, Flowers photography, contemporary photo.
Located in La Canada Flintridge, CA
Artist proof 5/5. The image size is 23"x23" and printed on Japanese rice paper handmade. Artist proof AP/5, signed lower right and numbered lower left. It is framed.
My photographs ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Rosemary Ellis Dam IV Gelatin Silver Photograph Print for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows XII Silver Gelatin Photograph Mid Century Print
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988)
Windows XII
Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis.
Silver Gelat...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Ellis Windows IV Gelatin Silver Photograph Print Gothic Ruin
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Surrealist photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist photography 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 photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, red, orange, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mitchell Funk, Rosemary Ellis, Brian Ziff, and FPA Francis Pavy Artist. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Photographic Paper 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 photography, so small editions measuring 4.5 inches across are also available. Prices for photography 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 $110 and tops out at $28,800, while the average work sells for $1,750.