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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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

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
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
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
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

Sponge
$3,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Jaguar
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 3 plus 2 AP.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Nest
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 3 plus 2 AP.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Nest
$6,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Untitled (Portrait of Roberta Kimmel Cohn)
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
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
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
Located in Santa Monica, CA
C-print, edition 3/3
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Jaguar
$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
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
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.

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