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.
Le Téléphone Drypoint Etching, Surrealist, Signed, 1975
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Le Téléphone (The Telephone) Drypoint etching with stencil from 1975. The edition 165/450 on Arches paper. Dimensions of sheet: 75 x 56 cm Dimensions ...
Drypoint, Etching
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
Lady Covered With Affection -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Africa
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure 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 Authenticity About Artist Oluw...
Canvas, Acrylic
$55,000
Contemporary, stainless steel sculpture, Leapfrog, contemporary sculpture.
Located in La Canada Flintridge, CA
Polished Stainless Steel, and Signed and numbered, Edition 5/9 Bold, energetic, and playfully powerful, Leapfrog by Irina Daylene captures a striking moment of dynamic balance and ...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Poster - Exhibition at Galerie Maeght - 1978
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Poster Exhibition Galerie Maeght is a vintage Lithograph and Offset poster realized after Joan Mirò (1893-1983) in 1978. Good conditions. Joan Miró i Ferrà (20 April 1893 –...
Offset, Lithograph
$425
TREMOR Signed Mini Lithograph, Surreal Landscape Multicolor Sewing Thread Spools
Located in Union City, NJ
TREMOR is a hand drawn limited edition lithograph by the American surrealist artist Fanny Brennan, created using traditional hand lithography techniques printed on archival Arches pa...
Lithograph
$5,000
Strong Beauty -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Africa Women Hair, Modern
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Lawrence Amoo (...
Cotton, Oil
Untitled from Le Surrealisme en 1947, Surrealist Etching by Bruno Capacci
Located in Long Island City, NY
Bruno Capacci, Italian (1906 - 1996) - Untitled from Le Surrealisme en 1947, Year: 1947, Medium: Etching, Edition: 950, Size: 9 x 7.75 in. (22.86 x 19.69 cm), Printer: Mourlot, Pari...
Etching
Large Antique American Modernist Abstract Surreal Framed MCM Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist abstract surreal oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. In excellent original condition. Handsomely framed in a modernist wood molding. Excellent condition,...
Oil, Board
$517Sale Price|20% Off
Conspiratorial Choice, limited edition, Surreal Ballet Established Polish artist
Located in Warsaw, PL
Size of sheet is ca. 29.5 x 21 cm (A4) Contemporary figurative giclee print by Polish artist Rafal Olbinski. Print is signed, numbered and has a stamp of an artist's atelier. It com...
Paper, Color
Twins : Men in a Mirror - Print : Grreeting Card for Galerie Chave 1977
Located in Paris, IDF
Jean-Michel FOLON Twins : Men in a Mirror, 1977 Greeting card (Heliogravure) Unsigned Limited edition of 200 unumbered proofs On Arches vellum 27 x 18 cm (c. 11 x 7 inch) INFORMATI...
Offset
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
Surrealist Mixed Media Insect Painting with Floral Textile and Pink Wooden Panel
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This surrealist mixed media wall piece features a hyperrealistic oil painting of a caterpillar's body, paired with floral textile and a soft pink wooden panel in a bold and unexpecte...
Canvas, Oil, Textile, Wood
Ruth Gleaner Lithograph, Surrealist Style, 1960, Edition of 6500
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
Marquez de Sade, Surrealist Etching by Jose Luis Cuevas
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jose Luis Cuevas, Mexican (1934 - 2017) Title: Marquez de Sade from the Intolerance Portfolio Year: 1989 Medium: Etching with Aquatint, signed and numbered in pencil Editio...
Etching
$12,928Sale Price|50% Off
Le Miroir Magique Print, Surrealist Lithograph, Signed, Framed
Located in CANNES, FR
Jean HUGO ( 1894 - 1984 ) " Le miroir Magique " . PARIS .Jeanne Buchet .1927. Musée FABRE . Montpellier . portefeuille de 20 lithographies coloriées sur pochoir par Jean saudé d'apré...
Archival Paper
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Joan Miró “L’Oiseau du Forgeron” 1963 Signed Etching and Aquatint with Debossing
By Joan Miró
Located in Miami, FL
JOAN MIRÓ (1893–1983) – “L’OISEAU DU FORGERON” Etching and Aquatint in Colors with Debossing on Arches Paper ⚜ Hand Signed and Numbered ⚜ Custom Conservation Frame A POETIC DIALOGUE BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL MATTER AND THE LIFE OF THE BIRD “L’Oiseau du Forgeron”, or “The Blacksmith’s Bird,” is a 1963 etching and aquatint with debossing by Joan Miró, hand signed in pencil lower right and numbered 48 from the limited edition of 75. The work belongs to Miró’s celebrated Forgeron series, in which the artist used aggressive plate biting and physical debossing of the paper to summon the world of the blacksmith’s forge directly onto the printed sheet. Printed in colors on heavy Arches wove paper with the watermark present, the impression was published by Maeght Éditeur, Paris, the central printmaking publisher of Miró’s mature career, and is documented in Jacques Dupin’s Miró Engraver, Vol. II: 1961–1973 (Daniel Lelong Éditeur, Paris, 1989) as plate 363. The composition is built around a bold visual pairing. At its center sits a heavy gray geometric form, rendered through the combined effect of etching, aquatint, and debossing, the latter pressing the contours of the deeply etched plate physically into the paper to create a tactile, sculptural relief that mimics forged industrial iron. The form is perforated with a constellation of small circles that read as rivet holes and is edged with the irregular notches of a blacksmith’s tool...
Etching, Aquatint, Intaglio
Homage to Manolete
Located in London, GB
OSCAR DOMINGUEZ 1906-1957 Tenerife 1906-1957 Paris (Spanish) Title: Homage to Manolete / Hommage a Manolete, 1955 Technique: Original Hand Signed an...
Lithograph
"Hemerocallis II" (2022) by Sybiline, Oil Painting, Pink Day Lily
By Sybiline
Located in Denver, CO
Sybiline's (CAN based) "Hemerocallis I" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a portrait of a pink day lily. About the Artist: Sybiline is a Canadian artist based in Q...
Oil, Panel
French Abstract Surrealist Color Lithograph Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Surfside, FL
Published Benincasa Carmine. Edizioni SEAT, Torino, Italy. Offset directly from the original plates. Limited edition. This is not hand signed or numbered. Signature in the printing p...
Lithograph, Offset
$2,115
A Shattering Entrance upon the American Stage - orignal etching - signed - 1974
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador Dali A Shattering Entrance upon the American Stage Original etching and stencil Handsigned in the right corner with the blind stamp of the editor in the left corner On B...
Etching, Stencil
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Best Friends I (spaniel puppy dog ear surreal scale animal boy farm earth tones
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
We love Rudolf's latest series and particularly this exquisite demonstration of TLC in "Best Friends". The artist says "Two inseparable friends, regardless of the size differences, t...
Canvas, Oil
Surrealist Lithograph, 1974, Unframed, Excellent Condition
Located in Roma, IT
Original artwork realized by Jacques Hérold in 1974. Colored lithograph. Not signed, as issued. Printed by Mourlot , France. Excellent condition. This lithograph was realized b...
Lithograph
ShaoHua Nong Surrealist Original Oil On Canvas "Light And Shade"
By Shaohua Nong
Located in New York, NY
Title: Light And Shade Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 12 x 16 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This painting ...
Canvas, Oil
$2,132
Sssour - Original citrus wildlife painting - modern surrealist 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, Acrylic
$4,114
Blush – original surrealism wildlife painting for sale - contemporary artwork
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, Acrylic
$8,118
Splash – original surrealism wildlife contemporary art - horse painting for sale
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, Acrylic
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...
Lithograph
Untitled (comic), by José Luis Cuevas
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This striking untitled print by celebrated Mexican artist José Luis Cuevas (1934–2017) presents a vivid parade of distorted and expressionistic figures rendered in his signature grot...
Etching, Aquatint
$14,800Sale Price|20% Off
Jardin biologique (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Title: Jardin biologique (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13), Imaginations et Objets du Futur (Organic garden, Imaginations and Objects of the ...
Mixed Media, Drypoint, Lithograph, Screen
Joan Miro La Femme Arborescente Aquatint Etching - Signed Authentic Edition
By Joan Miró
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Joan Miro Title: La Femme Arborescente Medium: Aquatint Etching Size: 43.5"h, 28.75"w; 55.5"h, 41"w Edition: X/50 Inscription: Signed “Max” in upper right Condition: Museum q...
Aquatint, Paper, Etching
Angel II. Mystic/symbolistic portrait, vertical, dark colors, medium size.
Located in Oslo, NO
This portrait captures a truly mystic moment. A young, enchanting figure—whom we’ll call Angel—gracefully plays an invisible flute. Surrounded by darkness, a beam of light highlights...
Canvas, Oil
Jean COCTEAU and Raymond MORETTI: Faces - Original Hansigned Lithograph
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Paris, IDF
Jean Cocteau and Raymond Moretti Faces and Fishes Original lithograph Printed signature in the plate, handsigned by Raymond Moretti Numbered EA 1/10 - Very look for proof bearing n...
Lithograph
Human Thoughts (The Dreamer) - Lithograph by André Masson - 1970ca
By André Masson
Located in Roma, IT
Hand Signed and numbered in pencil. Edition of 100. Graphic work dedicated to Jean Cocteau. Very good condition.
Lithograph
"Begotten", Surrealist, Dark, Eyes, Wine Glasses, Tree, Water, Oil Painting
By Dalvin Byron
Located in Franklin, MA
Dalvin Byron's "Begotten" is a 40 x 30 inch painting on canvas. A being with multiple vigilant eyes hovers luminously against stormy skies, its arterial branches spreading upward lik...
Oil, Canvas
Joan Miró ( 1893 – 1983 ) - hand-signed Lithograph on Guarro paper – 1974
By Joan Miró
Located in Varese, IT
color lithograph on Guarro paper , edited in 1974 Limited Edition of 75 copies plus 15 HC Hand signed, dated and numbered in pencil 37/75 in pencil (lower left) Paper size: 69,5 x 52...
Lithograph
"The Trove" Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Patrick Maxcy's "The Trove" is an original, handmade acrylic painting that depicts a tropical bird perched on a pile of buoys and miscellaneous seafaring...
Canvas, Acrylic
Sublime Deviation - Digital Print by Kevin Abanto - 2023
By Kevin Abanto
Located in Roma, IT
Sublime Deviation captures the essence of artistry that transcends the conventional, exploring the realms of human experience often left unspoken. The canvas becomes a tapestry of ra...
Digital
$588Sale Price|26% Off
La Mélodie Acide - 5 (Surrealism, Colorful, Modern, ~26% OFF LIMITED TIME ONLY)
By Joan Miró
Located in Kansas City, MO
Joan Miró La Mélodie Acide - 5 Color lithograph Year: 1980 Edition: 1500 Artist Dry Stamp lower right, Annotated "H.C" (hors commerce) in pencil lower left Size: 8.2 × 6.6 on 12.9 ...
Lithograph
Pablo Picasso, "Sculpteur et Modele debout, " etching, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Artist: Pablo Picasso Title: Sculpteur et Modele debout Year: 1933 Medium: Original etching Edition: hand signed in pencil from an edition of 250 on small margins Size: Frame: 27 x 2...
Etching
A Harlot's Progress - Etching after William Hogarth - 1732
Located in Roma, IT
A Harlot's Progress is an etching print realized after William Hogarth in 1732 Signature on the plate on the lower right. Good conditions, with some foxing. A Harlot's Progress" i...
Etching
"Salvador Dalí"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
I was inspired to paint this picture by girls. on a nudist beach, they froze on the floor, like trees. As a result, I met them, they became my muses, I repeatedly painted them naked ...
Canvas, Oil
Meeting, Portrait, Surrealism, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Figurative Art, Subject: Meeting Size: 24" x 20" x 1'' inch, 61x51x3 cm, Unframed, Stretched on Wooden Bar, Gallery Wrapped, Ready to Hang. Tigran Hovoumyan was born on November 8, 1969 in American Armenia...
Canvas, Oil
Partir Avant la Pleine Mer
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Partir Avant la Pleine Mer" 1986 is an original color etching with aquatint on Arches paper by French artist Jean Solombre, 1948-200...
Etching, Aquatint
The Lamp, Stellan Morner (1896-1979), Surrealist original Oil on Panel, c. 1935
Located in New York, NY
Stellan Mörner (1896-1979) The Lamp, ca. 1935 Oil on panel 9 4/5 × 13 in l 25 × 33 cm 15 3/4 x 18 1/2 l 39 x 47 cm (Frame included) Signed lower right Exhibition history: Nordic Sur...
Oil, Panel
Vintage Surrealist Figurative -- At the Hop
Located in Soquel, CA
Vintage Surrealist Figurative -- At the Hop Vibrant, dreamy abstract expressionist painting by California artist Molly E. Brubaker (American, 1922-2000). Unframed. Image, 30"H x 24"...
Canvas, Oil
$1,073Sale Price|20% Off
French Surrealist Abstract Male Figures Oil Painting Normandy Provenance
By Andres 33
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title French Surrealist Abstract Male Figures Oil Painting Normandy Provenance Key Details Artist: French School Subject: Surrealist abstract male figurative scene Medium: Oil painti...
Oil
Surrealist, lithograph, XXe Siecle, Andre Masson, Le Labyrinth, 1969
By André Masson
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Andre Masson (1896-1987) Le Labyrinth (Composisiton pour XXe Siecle Panorama 69) Color lithograph on wove paper. 1969 Unsigned (as issued) From: XXe Siecle, Volume 32, 1969 Published...
Lithograph
Untitled Etching on Wove Paper, Surrealist, Signed, Edition of 135
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled is an artwork realized by Johnny Friedlaender 1970s. Etching on wove paper. Signed and numbered. Edition of 135 copies. Good conditons
Etching
Our Mysteries (Diptych)
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
Our Mysteries is a diptych in oil on linen, where symbolism and texture come together to evoke deep emotions. With its panoramic dimensions of 200x81 cm, this work unfolds across two...
Oil
"Before The Fog" - 1975 Surrealist Lithograph on Paper
By Jim Crabb
Located in Soquel, CA
"Before The Fog" - 1975 Surrealist Lithograph on Paper Black and white surrealist lithograph by Jim Crabb (American, b. 1947). Abstracted figures take up the paper, with a pop of go...
Paper, Ink, Lithograph
Etudes de Sphinx (Sphinx and Cat)
By Leonor Fini
Located in Columbia, MO
Leonor Fini (Argentine-French, 1907 - 1996) was an independent and visionary artist whose work defied categorization within Surrealism, despite her association with its key figures i...
Ink
Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Collage Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on paper by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for art...
Found Objects, Paper, Mixed Media
Sagittarius, Original Etching, Surrealist, 1974, Signed
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Sagittarius Etching from 1974. The edition HC IX/L on Guarro paper. Dimensions of work: 35 x 26.2 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Léon Amiel, Paris - New...
Etching
$470
Jean COCTEAU and Raymond MORETTI : The symbiosis - Original Hansigned Lithograph
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Paris, IDF
Jean Cocteau and Raymond Moretti The Symbiosis Between Fish and Aquarius Original lithograph Printed signature in the plate, handsigned by Raymond Moretti Numbered 1/79 - Very look ...
Lithograph
$26,000
Tilo I, Large Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas by Eduardo Arranz-Bravo
Located in Long Island City, NY
Catalonian painter Eduardo Arranz-Bravo is an artist sparking revolutionary abstraction in the contemporary art scene. Drawing influence from the Surrealist workings of late greats l...
Canvas, Oil
Lithografia V Original Lithograph by Joan Miró, Framed, 1975
By Joan Miró
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This original lithograph by Joan Miró, titled Lithografia V, is a first printing published in Joan Miró Lithographs Volume II by Maeght Éditeur in 1975. This particular impression i...
Lithograph
Surrealist Beach & Guitar - Original handsigned lithograph - 275ex
Located in Paris, IDF
Jean-Pierre HENAUT (1942-) Surrealist Beach & Guitar Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil Limited /275copies On vellum 60 x 54 cm (c. 24 x 22 in) Excellent condition
Lithograph
$316Sale Price|20% Off
CLOSE CALL Signed Lithograph, Surreal Mini Landscape, Cliff, Antique Key
Located in Union City, NJ
CLOSE CALL is a hand drawn limited edition lithograph by the American surrealist artist Fanny Brennan, created using traditional hand lithography techniques printed on archival Arche...
Lithograph
$351Sale Price|35% Off
Uncaged Man Hand Drawn Lithograph, 1979 Trial Proof, 21.5 x 29.5 in.
Located in Union City, NJ
UNCAGED MAN is a hand drawn original lithograph(not a photo reproduction or digital print) printed using hand lithography techniques on archival Arches printmaking paper 100% acid free. UNCAGED MAN is a highly detailed depiction of a stone man squatting by an empty oblong stone cage-like structure. He appears to be contemplating the moment - creating for the viewer a sense of mystery and metaphysical thought. Print size - 21.5 x 29.5 in., unframed, excellent condition, rare unsigned trial proof aside from the printed edition of 100, printers legend stamped on verso, fine impression, completely hand drawn lithograph by DE ES Schwertberger Year printed - 1979, printed by master printer Joseph Kleineman at JK Fine Art Editions Co., NYC DE ES (DE ES Schwertberger) - Popular Viennese Fantastic Realist artist was born in 1942 in Gresten, Lower Austria, as Dieter Schwertberger. He studied the painting technique of the Old Masters in Vienna under Ernst Fuchs and has been an independent artist since 1962. DE ES lived three years in Switzerland and twelve years in New York City. The painter has been known under the name DE ES since 1972. He currently lives in Vienna. The artist considers himself to be a seeker, who shows what he has found through “the language of the images”. His message of “meaning and transformation” finds clear and intense expression in his paintings through a precise use of space, light and texture. De Es' was the featured artist for Omni magazine...
Lithograph
$3,895
Salvador Dali Color Lithograph, Signed, 1972, Twelve Apostles, John (Sparrow-)
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: John (Knights of the Sparrow-Hawk) Portfolio: 1972 The Twelve Apostles (Knights of the Round Table) Medium: Lithograph Year: 1972 Edition: 37/350 Frame S...
Lithograph