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.
Red Composition, Preface to 52 Affiches - Original Lithograph (Cramer #84)
By Joan Miró
Located in Paris, IDF
Joan MIRO Red Composition, Preface to 52 Affiches, 1963 Original lithograph in colors (Atelier Mourlot, Paris) Signed in pencil by Fernand Mourlot Dated in pencil Numbered on / 125 ...
Lithograph
$66Sale Price|25% Off
Bull - Still Life (Surreal, Colorful, Vibrant, Modern) (26% OFF LIST PRICE)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Franz Graw Bull Color Offset Lithograph Year: 2023 Size: 11.81 x 15.74 inches (30 x 40 cm) Edition: 100 Signed and numbered in pencil COA provided Franz Graw (b. 1964) is a Düsseld...
Lithograph, Offset
Mid-20th Century Magical Realism, Surrealist Painting, Cleveland School Artist
By Paul Riba
Located in Beachwood, OH
Paul Riba (American, 1912-1977) Untitled Oil on panel Signed lower right 30 x 18 inches 39.25 x 27.25 inches, framed Paul Riba was a painter of Magic Realism. He explored the unrea...
Oil
$960Sale Price|20% Off
El Siglo de Pericles Giclée Print, Surrealist Style, Framed, 2010+
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
-Pedro Friedeberg signed print featuring a fantastical architectural scene. Includes whimsical figures, optical art elements, and surreal details. framed in a hand-painted black and ...
Giclée
(after) Julio Gonzalez - "Personnage virulent" lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: lithograph (after the watercolor). Printed in Paris in 1957 by Mourlot and published by the Galerie Berggruen for a rare catalogue. Size: 7 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches (183 x 113 mm)....
Lithograph
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Joan Miro, Lithograph XI, from Lithographs I, 1972
By Joan Miró
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Lithograph XI, from the album Joan Miro Lithographs, Volume I, originates from the 1972 edition published by Tudor Publishi...
Lithograph
$625
CASCADE Signed Mini Lithograph, Surreal Landscape, Red Book, Waterfall, Blue Sky
Located in Union City, NJ
CASCADE is a rarely seen, hand drawn limited edition lithograph by the American surrealist artist Fanny Brennan, created using traditional hand lithography techniques printed on arch...
Lithograph
Miro a l'Encre II, Surrealist Lithograph by Joan Miro
By Joan Miró
Located in Long Island City, NY
Joan Miro, Spanish (1893 - 1983) - Miro a l'Encre II, Year: 1972, Medium: Lithograph, Image Size: 13.75 x 9.75 inches, Size: 14 x 10 in. (35.56 x 25.4 cm), Frame Size: 21 x 17 inch...
Lithograph
$1,500Sale Price|58% Off
Moonlight Acrylic on Masonite, Surrealist, Signed, 1963, Framed
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Title: Moonlight Signed Date: 1963 Leonardo Nierman Mendelejis (Mexico City, November 1, 1932 – June 7, 2023) was a Mexican artist known primarily for his painting and sculpture....
Masonite, Acrylic
Lady Godiva
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Lady Godiva Lithograph from 1970. Edition of 187/256. Dimensions of work: 68 x 50 cm Publisher: Simeon Wajntraub. On B.F.K Rives paper as stated in t...
Lithograph
$245
Falling To Pieces - Abstract Figurative Black & White Mixed Media Romantic Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Robert Lebsack creates artworks using mixed media with ink, acrylic, and charcoal on archival copies of newspapers, textbooks, and sheet music. As a visionary artist, Lebsack weaves ...
Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic
London Bus - London cityscape impressionism painting - contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
$4,150
At The Warehouse - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman, Dog
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,000Sale Price|25% Off
La Pieta Nera (Black Madonna), hand signed lithograph
Located in Aventura, FL
From "Les Vitraux" portfolio. Lithograph in colors on arches paper. Hand signed lower right by Salvador Dali. Hand numbered E 12/175 lower left. Sheet Size: 25.5 x 18.75 inches....
Paper, Lithograph
$2,595
Salvador Dali Surrealist Etching, Signed, 1980, from Neuf Paysages Portfolio
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: Paysage fossile imaginaire from moon Portfolio: Neuf Paysages Medium: Etching Year: 1980 Edition: 3/49 Sheet Size: 14 7/8" x 14 7/8" Signature: Initialed...
Etching
$1,350Sale Price|25% Off
Códice Miguelito I Giclée Print, Surrealist Style, Framed, 2010+
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg is known for his surrealist paintings, prints, and sculptural furniture. He was the subject of a 2009 retrospective at the Museo del Palacio de B...
Giclée
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Joan Miro, Lithograph I, from Lithographs I, 1972
By Joan Miró
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Lithograph I, from the album Joan Miro Lithographs, Volume I, originates from the 1972 edition published by Tudor Publishin...
Lithograph
$2,618Sale Price|20% Off
1970's Large French Surrealist Oil Painting Figures on the Beach
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Surrealist composition French School, dated 1975 verso oil on canvas, framed framed: 33.5 x 27 inches canvas: 32 x 25.5 inches inscribed verso provenance: private collection, France ...
Oil, Canvas
David Saved by Michal - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1960
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Color lithograph realized by Marc Chagall in 1960 to illustrate "The Bible". Edition of 6500, published by Tériade in no. 33 and 34 of the Art Magazine Verve. Printed by Mourlot a...
Lithograph
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Dali, Femme à tete de Roses (after)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Title: Femme à tete de Roses Year: 2004 Medium: Lithograph on wove paper Size: 30.25 x 22 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Unsigned and unnu...
Lithograph
"The Moon" original lithograph
By André Masson
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1938 and published in Paris by Teriade for the art revue Verve (volume 1, number 2). Andre Masson was invited to contribute an original compos...
Lithograph
Tea Rex, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A surreal scene unfolds at a genteel afternoon tea, where women in period clothing share stories with an unexpected dinosaur companion. Something about the mome...
Oil
Patiently Waiting 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Black Woman, Love
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
Sainte Anne
Located in New York, NY
Drypoint, aquatint and heliogravure, 1965. Signed by the artist and dated in pencil, lower right margin. Numbered 42/150 in pencil, lower left margin. Printed by Robbe, Paris. Pub...
Drypoint, Aquatint
$7,500
Mystery of Sleep (The Hermit), Signed Surrealist Lithograph by Salvador Dali
Located in Long Island City, NY
A clock-faced figure wearing monk's robes floats in a blue void above a roiling storm cloud. This Surrealist lithograph by Salvador Dali shows the figure in movement, traveling with ...
Lithograph
$9,000
"Yggdrasil" (2025) Original Surrealist Landscape and Still-Life, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Robin Hextrum's "Yggdrasil" is an original oil painting on stretched canvas. Artist Statement: This painting is part of my "Magical Realism" series. Yggdrasil is the tree of life ce...
Linen, Oil
$3,413
Psychoanalysis : Tribute to Freud - Original handsigned lithograph (Field #72-3)
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Psychoanalysis : Tribute to Freud, 1972 Original coloured lithograph Handsigned in pencil Numbered 984/ 1000 On Arches Vellum 35 x 26" (87 x 64 cm) Ref...
Lithograph
Hell 24 - The Thieves - Woodcut - 1963 (Field #p. 189)
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Hell 24 - The Thieves Original 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") REFERENCE...
Woodcut
$4,872Sale Price|40% Off
St. George
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - St. George Lithograph from 1972. The edition of 187/250. Dimensions of work: 68 x 50 cm. On B.F.K Rives paper as stated in the Field catalogue. Refer...
Lithograph
$264Sale Price|37% Off
MOUNTAIN LIFT Signed Lithograph, Surreal Mini Landscape, Lasso Rope, Blue Sky
Located in Union City, NJ
MOUNTAIN LIFT is a hand drawn, limited edition lithograph by the American surrealist artist Fanny Brennan created using traditional hand lithography techniques printed on archival A...
Lithograph
$1,450
Marc Chagall Lithograph Petit Cheval Noir " Little Black Horse" Signed & Framed
By Marc Chagall
Located in Plainview, NY
Marc Chagall ( Russian 1887- 1985) Petit Cheval Noir (Little Black Horse), lithograph, signed in the plate, printed in Paris at Mourlot Studios and presented in a clean, gallery-styl...
Lithograph
Knight In Armour w/ Horse, Large Magical Realist Landscape
By Paul Riba
Located in Beachwood, OH
Paul Riba (American, 1912-1977) Knight in Armour, 1973 Oil on board Signed and dated lower right 39.5 x 47.5 inches 48.5 x 57 inches, framed Paul Rib...
Oil
$244Sale Price|50% Off
Litografia Original VI (Abstract, Modern, Surrealism, 50% OFF - MUST GO)
By Joan Miró
Located in Kansas City, MO
Joan Miró Litografia Original VI Color Lithograph Year: 1975 Size: 13.25 × 10 inches (33.65 x 25.4 cm) Catalogue Raisonné: Queneau, Miro Lithographe II, 1952-1963, p.35 Publisher: Ma...
Lithograph
$3,995
Salvador Dali Color Lithograph, Signed, 1972, Twelve Apostles, Thomas (Lancelot)
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: Thomas (Lancelot Healing Sir Urre) Portfolio: 1972 The Twelve Apostles (Knights of the Round Table) Medium: Lithograph Year: 1972 Edition: 38/350 Frame S...
Lithograph
The Creation - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1960
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Color lithograph realized by Marc Chagall in 1960 to illustrate "The Bible". Edition of 6500, published by Tériade in no. 33 and 34 of the Art Magazine Verve. Printed by Mourlot a...
Lithograph
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
Friendship, Braniff International Airways Flying Colors Collection
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Alexander Calder (1898-1976) Title: Friendship, Braniff International Airways Flying Colors Collection Year: 1975 Medium: Lithograph on vélin d’Arches paper Size: 20 x 26 inc...
Lithograph
Gala, mon seul desir
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Gala, mon seul desir MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali PUBLISHER: Jean Schneider, Basel EDITION NUMBER: EA MEASUREMENTS: 20.9" ...
Etching
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
White Stone Surrealist Painting, Late 20th Century, Cleveland Female Artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
Sally Lachina (American, 20th Century) White Stone, 1994 Acrylic on canvas Signed and dated lower right, signed, dated and titled verso 42 x 42 inches Sally Lachina is an American a...
Acrylic
$5,837Sale Price|27% Off
Large Scale Surrealist Oil on Canvas, 'Noah's Ark and the Animals'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Very large scale late 20th century oil on canvas of Noah's Ark and the Animals by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right. A magical, highly colourful and energe...
Canvas, Oil
$22,800Sale Price|20% Off
Téléphone-homard cybernétique (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Title: Téléphone-homard cybernétique (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13), Imaginations et Objets du Futur (Cybernetic lobster phone, Imaginatio...
Mixed Media, Drypoint, Lithograph, Screen
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Joan Miro, The Woman and the Bird, from XXe Siecle, 1956
By Joan Miró
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled La Femme et l’Oiseau (The Woman and the Bird), from the album XXe Siecle, Nouvelle serie No. 6, originates from...
Lithograph
$1,436Sale Price|20% Off
Miró, Miró Escultor (Cramer 192; Mourlot 935) (after)
By Joan Miró
Located in Southampton, NY
Lithograph on Guarro vélin paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: Published by Publicações Europa-América, Lisbon; printed by La Polígrafa, Ba...
Lithograph
Une de Mai
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Une de Mai Lithograph from 1972. Th edition of 49/150. Dimensions of work: 120.5 x 78 cm Publisher: Edition Waintrop, Paris. Reference: Michler/Löpsi...
Lithograph
Dancing Lovers
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I've blended abstract, figurative, and surreal elements to capture the fluid motion and raw emotion of an intimate dance. The intertwining forms, awash in shade...
Oil
Brain of Hunter S. Thompson
Located in Hollywood, FL
Artist: Ralph Steadman Title: Brain of Hunter S. Thompson Medium: One color silkscreen on White Rising Stonehenge Deckle Edge Paper Size: 11 x15 Inches Edition: of 800 Year: 2010 No...
Silk, Screen
Le Buste (The Bust)
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Le Buste (The Bust) Drypoint etching with roulette from 1969. The edition 142/145. Dimensions of work: 38 x 28 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Pierre Arg...
Drypoint, Etching
Souvenir de Voyage - 20th Century, Surrealist, Lithograph, Figurative Print
Located in Sint-Truiden, BE
Color lithograph after the 1952 oil on canvas by René Magritte, printed signature of Magritte and numbered from the edition of 275. The lithograph features the dry stamps of the Mag...
Lithograph
Surrealist composition
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: collotype (after the Miro lithograph). Printed in 1947 in an edition of 1500 by Meriden Gravure and published by Curt Valentin for "The Prints of Joan Miro" portfolio. Size: ...
Photogravure
Imaginations & Objects of The Future Liquid Tornado Bath Tub
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Imaginations & Objects of The Future Liquid Tornado Bath Tub MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali PUBLISHER: Merril Chase, Chicago/Al...
Etching
Imaginations & Objects of The Future Anti-Umbrella with Atomized Liquid
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Imaginations & Objects of The Future Anti-Umbrella with Atomized Liquid MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali PUBLISHER: Merrill Chas...
Etching
Tomano Monote (Cupcake Boy)
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Alejandro Colunga is a renowned Mexican artist born in 1948 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He is part of the Nueva Mexicanidad movement and is celebrated for his surrealist and fantastical...
Etching, Aquatint, Gouache
$1,400
"Reclining Man" (2015) By John Tarantola, Surrealist Nude Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Reclining Man" (2015) is a beautiful surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts a young man lying in the nude, against a surreal scene of ...
Oil, Panel
Don't Hurt Me
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez writes of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined painti...
Oil, Linen
20th Century Surrealist Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Beachwood, OH
Surrealist Landscape Oil on canvas 'R. Lee Glenn' verso 30 x 24.25 inches 31.75 x 26.75 inches, framed Surrealism aims to revolutionize human experience. It balances a rational visi...
Oil
Proelium Magnum in Caelo - Lithograph - 1967
Located in Roma, IT
Proelium Magnum in Caelo 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 betw...
Lithograph
$1,171
René Magritte - LES AMANTS Limited Surrealism French Art Contemporary
Located in Madrid, Madrid
René Magritte - LES AMANTS, 1928 (THE LOVERS) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition: 275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Condition: New, in mint condition and never f...
Paper, Lithograph
$2,800
Large Surrealist French Japanese European Cityscape Oil painting Foussa Itaya
Located in Surfside, FL
Foussa Itaya (Japan, France, 1919-1972) Oil on canvas. View of rooftops, European town cityscape Hand signed lower left Dimensions: H 23.5" x W 28.5" Born in Fukuoka, Foussa Itay...
Canvas, Oil
$1,582Sale Price|20% Off
Mid 20th Century French Surrealist Oil Painting Nude Woman Standing
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Nude in Landscape French Surrealist artist, mid 20th century oil painting on board, ornately framed frame: 40 x 31 inches board: 29 x 20 inches provenance: private collection, Paris ...
Oil
Sandias, Surrealist Mixographia by Rufino Tamayo
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rufino Tamayo, Mexican (1899 - 1991) - Sandias, Year: 1977, Medium: Mixographia, signed and numbered in crayon, Edition: 31/100, Size: 29 x 20.75 in. (73.66 x 52.71 cm), Publishe...
Etching
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Joan Miro, The Black Sun, from Derriere le miroir, 1965
By Joan Miró
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Le Soleil Noir (The Black Sun), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 151–152, originates from the 1965 edition published ...
Lithograph