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Surrealist Art

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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Item Ships From: France
Style: Surrealist
L'Ange du 7e ciel - Etching - 150 copies
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali L'Ange du 7e ciel (1960) Heliogravure reworked with drypoint Printed signature in the plate On BFK Rives Vellum paper Size 32.8 x 26.4 cm (c. 13 x 10") References: - ...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Woman - Aquatint by Man Ray - 1968
Located in Roma, IT
Woman is a contemporary artwork realized by Man Ray in 1968. Black and white aquatint. Initials of the artist on the lower margin. Numbered in the lower left. Edition of 30/99. R...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Aquatint

Dante purifié - Engraving - 150 copies
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali Dante purifié (1960) Heliogravure reworked with drypoint Signature printed in the plate On BFK Rives Vellum paper Size 32.8 x 26.4 cm (c. 13 x 10") References: - Fie...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Rubus in Combustus - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Rubus in combustus is an artwork realized in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ editionis published by Rizzoli-Mediolani between 1967 and 196...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Creation of Earth and Sea Animals - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
The Creation of Earthly and Sea Animals is an artwork realized by Salvador Dalí in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ editionis published by Rizzoli-Mediolani between 1967 an...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Iesu Nativitas - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Holy Bible - Iesu Nativitas is a Color lithograph on heavy rag paper realized in 1964 by Salvador Dalì, It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ edition is published by Rizzoli-Mediolani b...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Annunciation of Mary - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Holy Bible - Annunciation of Mary is a Color lithograph on heavy rag paper realized in 1964 by Salvador Dalì, It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ edition is published by Rizzoli-Medio...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Transfiguration - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Holy Bible -  The Transfiguration is Color lithograph on heavy rag paper realized in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ edition is published by Rizzoli-Mediolani between 1967 a...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

FOR SABINE : Hell 5 / 27 / 33 - 3 woodcuts Divine Comedy [Field #page 189]
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Hell 5 & 27 & 33 Set of 3 Wood engraving from "Divine Comedy" with the printed signature 1960/63 Printed on paper Vélin BFK Rives Size 32,8 x 26,4 cm (c. 1...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Butterfly suite : Les Alpes - heliogravure - 1969 (Field #69-2 C)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador DALI (1904-1969) Butterfly suite : Les Alpes, 1969 Heliogravure / Photogravure after original design by Dali Blind stamp signature bottom right Numbered / 1700 copies Print...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Photogravure

Composition Of Diodora - Original Lithograph by Bruno Capacci - 1950
Located in Roma, IT
Composition Of Diodora is an original lithograph realized by Bruno Capacci in 1950. The artwork is part of an edition of 500 specimens by "La nef d'arge...
Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Hell 11 : At the Edge of the Seventh Circle - Woodcut - 1963 (Field #p. 189)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Hell 11 - At the Edge of the Seventh Circle From the Divine Comedy (Dante) Original woodcut Signature printed in the plate 1960/63 Printed on paper Vélin B...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer is a contemporary artwork realized by Joan Mirò. Mixed colored lithograph. The poster was realized in occasion of the exhibition of the arti...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Purgatory 13 - The Second Terrace - Color woodcut - 1963
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Purgatory 13 - The Second Terrace Color woodcut on paper Printed signature 1960/63 Printed on paper Vélin BFK Rives Size 32,8 x 26,4 cm (c. 13 x 10") REFE...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Molt Clock : Dance of Time - Pate de verre sculpture, Signed - Daum
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) and Daum Molt Clock : Dance of Time Original pate de verre sculpture Edited and handcrafted by the Daum crystal glassworks Signed in the glass approx. 10....
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Glass

Iesus a Satana tentatur - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Iesus a Satana tentatur ("Jesus tempted by Satan") is an artwork realized by Salvador Dalí in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ editionis published by Rizzoli-Mediolani betwe...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surrealist Mixed Media Sculptural Assemblage, 'Toucan'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century mixed media sculptural assemblage by British artist Derek Carruthers. The work is not signed but was acquired along with a collectio...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Wood, Plywood, Paper, Acrylic

Surrealist Gouache and Watercolour on Paper, The Three Graces
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century surrealist gouache and watercolour on paper of The Three Graces by British artist Derek Carruthers. The painting is signed to the bottom right. An imposing and hig...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Watercolor, Paper, Gouache

Surrealist Still Life with Lemon - Original Lithograph Handsigned and Numbered
Located in Paris, FR
Georges ROHNER Surrealist Still life with Lemon, 1972 Original lithograph (Mourlot workshop) Handsigned in pencil Justified HC (hors commerce) On Japan paper 76 x 54 cm (c. 29,9 x 2...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Ponte de Rodillas - Etching, Drypoint - 1977
Located in Roma, IT
Con todos estos líos no te escaparás is a contemporary artwork realized in 1977 by Salvador Dalì. The artwork is from the series: 'Les Caprices de Goya de Dali'. Drypoint on Helios...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

No - Etching, Drypoint - 1977
Located in Roma, IT
No is a contemporary artwork realized by Salvador Dalì in 1977. The artwork is from the series: 'Les Caprices de Goya de Dali'. Drypoint on heliogravure, with pochoir on Rives pape...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Ponte de Rodillas - Etching, Drypoint - 1977
Located in Roma, IT
Ponte de Rodillas is a contemporary artwork realized in 1977. The artwork is from the series: 'Les Caprices de Goya de Dali'. Drypoint on Heliosgravure, on Rives paper. Plate dime...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Late 20th Century Surrealist Gouache on Paper. 'Stones'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century surrealist gouache and watercolour on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. SIgned in the bottom right and dated September 1985 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Gouache, Watercolor, Paper

Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer is a contemporary artwork realized by Joan Mirò. Mixed colored lithograph. The poster was realized in occasion of the exhibition of the arti...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Maldoror : Surrealist Fight - Original etching, HANDSIGNED (Field #34-2)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali The Fight, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9.8 in) REFERENCES : - Catalog ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Maldoror : Allegory of Time & Aging - Original Etching, HANDSIGNED (Field #34-2)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali Allegory of time and aging, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9.8 in) REFERE...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Surrealist Watercolour/Gouache on Paper. 'The Birth of Sculpture''
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century surrealist gouache and watercolour on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. The painting is signed to the bottom right and title...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Surrealist Gouache on Paper, 'Threshold or Pagans'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Contemporary surrealist watercolour and gouache on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right. An intriguing and beautifully pain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Hell 33 - The Betrayers of their Hosts - woodcut - 1963 (Field p. 189)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Hell 33 - The Betrayers of their Hosts woodcut Printed signature in the plate 1960/63 Printed on paper Vélin BFK Rives Size 32,8 x 26,4 cm (c. 13 x 10") R...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Blue Heart with Sin
Located in PARIS, FR
Panchat Yodmanee-Ice (1993 - ) Blue Heart with Sin Acrylique sur toile 97 x 130 cm 38.2 x 51.2 in. 2023 Born in 1993 in Nakornsrithammarat, Thailand, Panchat holds a B.F.A. from th...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Lochusta et Bruchus - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Locusta et Bruchus ("The Grasshopper") is an artwork realized in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ editionis published by Rizzoli-Mediolani between 1967 and 1969. Color lithograph on heavy rag paper. Signed and dated on plate on the lower left margin. Perfect conditions. Provenance: Private Collection, Southern France. The artwork represents a giant colored Grasshopper with a stylized skull on the lower left margin and a group of small ants...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer is a contemporary artwork realized by Joan Mirò. Mixed colored lithograph. The poster was realized in occasion of the exhibition of the arti...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Maldoror : The giant with a bag - Original etching, HANDSIGNED
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali The giantess with a bag, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9.8 in) REFERENCE...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Maldoror : Molt Clock, Time Sleeping - Original etching, HANDSIGNED
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali Time Sleeping, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9.8 in) REFERENCES : - Cata...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Abraham Lincoln: Gala Gazing at the Mediterranean Sea - Lithograph
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) (after) Abraham Lincoln: Gala Gazing at the Mediterranean Sea, 1996 Printografie (photolithography) in limited edition authorized by the Dali Foundation Si...
Category

1990s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Emperor : Napoleonic Troops Passing Through - Original etching, HANDSIGNED
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali Napoleonic troops passing through, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9.8 in) ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Surrealist Watercolour and Gouache on Paper. 'The Picnic'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century surrealist watercolour and gouache on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right. An intriguing and beautifully...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Rhinoceros, Tribute to Albrecht DURER - Signed lithograph poster (Gaspar #1503)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Rhinoceros, Tribute to Albrecht DURER, 1971 Original lithograph Signed in pencil Numbered / 300 On Guarro vellum 76 x 56.5 cm (c. 30 x 22 in) REFERENCE : ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surrealist Gouache and Watercolour on Paper, 'Sunday School Ghosts'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Surrealist watercolour and gouache on handmade paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right and signed, dated and titled 'Sunday School Ghosts' to the reverse. A wo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Surrealist Painting on Paper, 'Godot', Artefacts of Civilisations Lost
Located in Cotignac, FR
A late 20th century watercolour, gouache and acrylic on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right and dated 1985 and titled, 'Godot' to the reverse. A ch...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Gouache, Watercolor, Paper

Surrealist Gouache Watercolour on Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century gouache and watercolour on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. The painting is signed to the bottom right and signed and dated 1985 to the reverse. An impos...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Surrealist Gouache on Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Watercolour and gouache on paper painting titled 'Siamese Slaves' by British artist Derek Carruthers, signed to the bottom right and to the reverse and dated 2008 and titled. A colo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Surrealist Very Large Late 20th Century Oil on Canvas. 'The Temple'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Very large Late 20th century surrealist oil on canvas by British artist Derek Carruthers. The painting is signed to the bottom right. An imposing and highly colourful painting of co...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrealist Gouache, 'Kerouac, Orlovsky and Burroughs, The Beat Generation'
Located in Cotignac, FR
A late 20th century watercolour and gouache on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right. Carruthers at one period in his painting became quite interested...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil

3 Dimensional Sculptural Surrealist Acrylic on Board. 'Swimfest'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century acrylic on plywood board sculptural painting by British artist Derek Carruthers. The work is not signed but was acquired along with a collection of the artist’s wor...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Board

Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer is a contemporary artwork realized by Joan Mirò. Mixed colored lithograph. The poster was realized in occasion of the exhibition of the arti...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Two men's heads, ca. 1930, ink on paper
Located in PARIS, FR
Mathieu (Matei) ROSIANU (1897-1969) Two men's heads, circa 1930 Ink on paper 7 x 9 cm Born in Bucharest in 1897 to an officer in the Romanian National Guard and a mother of French ...
Category

1930s Surrealist Art

Materials

India Ink, Ink

Jean COCTEAU and Raymond MORETTI: Love Encounter - Original Hansigned Lithograph
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Cocteau and Raymond Moretti Love Encounter Original lithograph Printed signature in the plate, handsigned by Raymond Moretti Numbered EA 1/10 - Very look for proof bearing n°1 ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Colourful Surrealist Painting on Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
An early 21st century surrealist acrylic on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right and signed and dated to the reverse. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer is a contemporary artwork realized by Joan Mirò. Mixed colored lithograph. The poster was realized in occasion of the exhibition of the arti...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Jean COCTEAU & Raymond MORETTI: Birth of Venus - Original Handsigned Lithograph
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Cocteau and Raymond Moretti Birth of Venus Original lithograph Printed signature in the plate, handsigned by Raymond Moretti Numbered 1/29 - Very look for proof bearing n°1 On ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surrealist Painting on Paper. '43 Stones'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Surrealist acrylic on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Initial signed DC in the bottom right and signed and dated and titled '43 Stones' to t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Acrylic

Man with coin, ca. 1930, pencil on paper
Located in PARIS, FR
Mathieu (Matei) ROSIANU (1897-1969) Man with coin Pencil on paper Workshop stamp on reverse 8 x 5,5 inch Born in Bucharest in 1897 to an officer in the Romanian National Guard and ...
Category

1930s Surrealist Art

Materials

Pencil

Avant Garde Surrealist Abstract Female Nude Signed Limited Edition Lithograph
Located in Cotignac, FR
Avant-garde female nude lithograph on paper by Danish artist Wilhelm Freddie. Number 80 from an edition of 170. Signed, dated and titled in pencil bottom left, numbered in pencil bot...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

Ice-cold landscape with the Rolls Royce - Original etching, HANDSIGNED, 1975
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali Ice-cold landscape with the Rolls Royce, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9....
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

La Fontaine's Bestiary, The Lion's Court - Original etching, HANDSIGNED, 1974
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali The Lion's Court, 1974 Original drypoint etching with stencil enhancement (Atelier Rigal) Signed in pencil Limited to 250 copies (Here numbered 183) On Arches vellum ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Surrealist Landscape - Original Lithograph with Printed Signature
Located in Paris, FR
Max Ernst (1891-1976) Surrealist landscape, 1973 Original lithograph in colors Signed in the plate On vellum size 27.5 x 35.5 cm Printed in Pierre Chave workshop Very good condition
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Maldoror : Dreaming Nude - Original etching, HANDSIGNED, 1975 (Field #34-2)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali Dreaming Nude, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9.8 in) REFERENCES : - Catal...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Surrealist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist art 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 art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, purple, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Salvador Dalí, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, and Leonor Fini. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Lithograph 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 art, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available. Prices for art made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1 and tops out at $1,450,000, while the average work sells for $1,426.

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