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
A Toned, Bleached and Traditional Watercolor Cyanotype, "Indexical"
Located in San Diego, CA
A 13" x 17" Toned, Bleached and Traditional Watercolor Cyanotype with Pine Needles and Cotton Thread on Canson Montval 300g Paper Mounted on Wood Panel by artist Annalise Neil. A cer...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Exterior of Dalí's Figueras Castle - Original Gelatin Silver Photography
By Marc Lacroix
Located in Paris, IDF
Marc LACROIX (1927-2007)
Exterior of Dalí's Figueras Castle, 1971
Original silver gelatin photograph
Signed in ink
Numbered on 10 copies
On silver print paper 50.5 x 61 cm (c. 19.7 ...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Buffalo Gal
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...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Art Deco Pastel Colors, Modern Still Life, Ordinary Objects Display, Purple
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Sexy Miami Futuristic Cocktail Lounge" is a series of photographs by Ryan Rivadeneyra inspired by the Art Deco colors of Miami that show beautiful objects ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
C Print, Photographic Paper
Dalí with a Bow Tie - Original Silver Gelatin Photography
By Marc Lacroix
Located in Paris, IDF
Marc LACROIX (1927-2007)
Dalí with a Bow Tie, 1971
Original silver gelatin photograph
Signed in ink
Numbered on 99 copies
On silver print paper 58 x 48 cm (c. 22.8 x 18.9 inch)
IN...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
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...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Dalí in Pool - Original Gelatin Dilver Photography
By Marc Lacroix
Located in Paris, IDF
Marc LACROIX (1927-2007)
Dalí in Pool, 1971
Original Gelatin Dilver photograph
Signed in ink
Numbered on 50 copies
On Gelatin Dilver paper 56.5 x 48.5 cm (c. 22 x 18.9 inch)
INFOR...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Burn to Shine, limited edition photograph, archival pigment, signed and numbered
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Burn to Shine, limited edition photograph, archival pigment, signed and numbered
From Tom Chambers' series Animal Visions
All my life I have held a fas...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Sweet Nectar
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...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Hostess
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Maggie Taylor's digital creations are emblematic, afterimages that invite, transport, and are unforgettable. Taylor's images are built, layer by layer and object by object, through a...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Moi sans toi
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...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Double Heist
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...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Raven's Blessing
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...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Doubleend: framed abstract black & white photo collage w/ nude, clock, clouds
By Jenny Lynn
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
"Doubleend" is a black & white framed silver gelatin collage photograph in a surrealist style with images of nude, clock, clouds, and other abstract elements from artist Jenny Lynn's...
Category
1990s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Surreal City Scene with Man and his Shadows in Manhattan
Located in Miami, FL
Surreal City Scene with Man and his Shadows - Signed and dated on lower right, numbered on verso Edition 3 of 15. Unframed. Other size available, Printed later - Printed on Hahnemühl...
Category
1990s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
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
Untitled 3
Located in Winterswijk, NL
The City of Women from the serie Lollipop
Edition: 8ex
"Victoria Lykholot, an artist and lecturer from Ukraine. After graduating from the Faculty of Philosophy in 2007. For several...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Surreal Blue Landscape
Located in Miami, FL
This image from the imagination of Mitchell Funk was the cover photograph for Popular Photography Magazine, May 1978, It is signed and dated on lower right, numbered on verso, 2/1...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
"Speed" Black & White Photography 39" x 49" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Speed" Black & White Photography 39" x 49" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Semi Nude Men, Muscle Beach Miami Beach
Located in Miami, FL
Signed and dated on lower right, numbered on verso, Edition 2 of 15 Unframed. Other size available
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Queen 2" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 2/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Queen 2" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 2/3 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Ripple Effect lll
By Paul Dempsey
Located in East Hampton, NY
Ripple Effect IIl
Medium: Photography (printed on metal)
Size: 30" x 20" (larger sizes available - inquire within)
16x24 on metal -
20x30 on metal
Made to Order
Water Ripple Effect...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Metal
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
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 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
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Chrysler Building in Bathed Sliver and Grey Light Harmonious Hues
Located in Miami, FL
A moody, silver and grey light, composed of harmonious hues, caresses the Chrysler Building, while subtle highlights shimmer off the glass facades that frame it. Photographer Mitch...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Conceptual Surreal Portrait Photography - Fairies Feli
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Performative Surreal Portrait: Girl with Meat Headpiece in Green Dress - Feli Julia Kissina Photography (Fujicolor Print, 1997/98)
Unique performativ...
Category
1990s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Ripple Effect l
By Paul Dempsey
Located in East Hampton, NY
Ripple Effect I
Medium: Black & White Photography (printed on metal)
Size: 30" x 20" (larger sizes available - inquire within)
16x24 on metal -
20x30 on metal
Made to Order
Water R...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Metal
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs
these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
'Dali's Party, ' Estate Edition, ft Surrealist Salvador Dali in New York
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1959: Surrealist painter Salvador Dali (1904 - 1989) with a red-haired woman in a green dress at a vintage ball in New York. The artist is captured with his characteristic walking st...
Category
1950s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Lambda
"Black Cloud 3" Nude Photography 49" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 3" Nude Photography 49" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Av...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Sponge
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Acrylic mounted photograph.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Color
$3,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Jaguar
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 3 plus 2 AP.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
$7,500
Nest
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 3 plus 2 AP.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
C Print
$6,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Untitled (Portrait of Roberta Kimmel Cohn)
By Naomi Savage
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled (Portrait of Roberta Kimmel Cohn)
Silver gelatin print on photographic paper
c. 1981
Signed with the photographer's hand stamp verso
From a presentation portfolio given the ...
Category
1980s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"I am" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"I am" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Avai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Saturn
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 10 plus 2 AP.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
C Print
1950s Girly Pin-Up Hangs out on Miami Beach in the 1970s
By Robert Funk
Located in Miami, FL
Besides being a pioneering staged photograph, the composition is unique as well. A five-inch cutout appears to be monumental. The subject fills the pictorial space from the bottom to the top. It dominates the vast beachscape and dwarfs the life-size figures to the lower right. By photographing a reproduction of a person on paper, Funk pushes the boundaries of portraiture in 1977. Robert Funk is a pioneer of Staged Photography. The work is signed, numbered 3/15, dated, and titled lr. printed later, unframed, Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art paper
Robert Funk is a pioneer of toy, doll, miniature, plastic thingies and staged photography. He also photographs his own paintings. Most of his work is done on location. He does not use photoshop to strip in images. He doesn’t take photographs he creates photographs and has works dating from 1973. He was widely published in the 1970's and early 1980's. As an undergrad in painting, he studied with first-generation abstract expressionist Robert Richenburg...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
"Mother" Nude Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mother" Nude Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Availa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"W" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 3/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"W" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 3/7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
Avail...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Jaguar
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
C-print, edition 3/3
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
C Print
$5,250 Sale Price
30% Off
Another Door Opens, Surrealist Photo by Michael DeCamp
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Michael DeCamp, American (1928 - 2013)
Title: Another Door Opens
Year: circa 1975
Medium: Color Photograph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 50
Image Size: 15.5 x 23.5 ...
Category
1970s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper
"Imprint" Black & White Nude Photography 24" x 24" in Ed 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Imprint" Black & White Nude Photography 24" x 24" in Ed 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Ripple Effect ll
By Paul Dempsey
Located in East Hampton, NY
Ripple Effect II
Year: 2018
Medium: Photography (printed on metal)
Size: 30" x 20" (larger sizes available - inquire within)
16x24 on metal -
20x30 on metal
Made to Order
Water Ripp...
Category
2010s Surrealist Photography
Materials
Metal
“Tramp Stamp 2” Nude Photography 24" x 30" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Tramp Stamp 2” Nude Photography 24" x 30" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff
Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag
Not framed. Ships in tube
American Dreams - From ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Rag Paper, Giclée, Archival Ink
"Geometry" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 2/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Geometry" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 2/3 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Speed 2" Black & White Photography 31" x 39" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Speed 2" Black & White Photography 31" x 39" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Speed" Black & White Photography 24" x 29.5" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Speed" Black & White Photography 24" x 29.5" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Six" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Six" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Printed on Epson Professional Paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Not framed. Ships in a tube.
A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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.