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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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Style: Surrealist
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" - Surreal Lithograph in Ink on Paper (#1/9)
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" - Surreal Lithograph in Ink on Paper (#1/9)

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" - Surreal Lithograph in Ink on Paper (#1/9)

Located in Soquel, CA

Detailed and vivid close-up of an eye with a reflection by an unknown artist (American, 20th Century). In the reflection of the eye, there is a person seated on the ground with a lar...

Category

1990s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Ink

Art Brut Surrealist figurative abstract Philadelphia Artist
Art Brut Surrealist figurative abstract Philadelphia Artist

Art Brut Surrealist figurative abstract Philadelphia Artist

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Jesse Soifer (1932-2013). Untitled #06, 1969. Ink on paper, sheet measures 12 x 18 inches. Unsigned. Estate stamp on verso sheet with assignation number. Early Life and Recognit...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Ink

The Centaur - Woodcut - 1963
The Centaur - Woodcut - 1963

The Centaur - Woodcut - 1963

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Roma, IT

The Centaur - Hell, Plate-26 is a woodcut print realized in 1963 for a series illustrating the Medieval poem of the "Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. Not signed, as issued. Goo...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

After Jean Miró, Pink and Purple Surrealism at Play
After Jean Miró, Pink and Purple Surrealism at Play

After Jean Miró, Pink and Purple Surrealism at Play

By (after) Joan Miró

Located in San Francisco, CA

There’s been a lot of gray and stainless steel in decorating in recent years. For someone tentatively thinking of introducing some fresh excitement into their minimalist maison, cons...

Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Incident II (horse leg hoof equestrian man surrealistic animal tennis brown art)
Incident II (horse leg hoof equestrian man surrealistic animal tennis brown art)

Incident II (horse leg hoof equestrian man surrealistic animal tennis brown art)

By Rudolf Kosow

Located in Quebec, Quebec

A surreal vertical oil painting titled Incident by Rudolf Kosow depicts an immense, detailed black horse's hoof dominating the majority of the composition, set against a muted, textured background. At the bottom right, a small man...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Double Faces, Variant #1
Double Faces, Variant #1

Double Faces, Variant #1

By Michael Bowen

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "Double Faces" c.1975 is an original color etching with aquatint on wove paper by American surrealist artist Michael Bowen, 1937-2009. It is hand signed with initials in pencil by the artist. The plate mark (image) size is 21.75 x 17.5 inches, sheet size is 29.25 x 20.75 inches. It is in excellent condition, has never been framed. About the subject: Nowhere is the intertwining of metaphysical, biographic and social narratives more evident than in the Café Life series painted in the 1980’s. Though the “series” was done in the 80’s, the pieces really revive the spirit of the Beat café scene, which began in the mid-1950’s and which was so instrumental to the particular spiritual and social vibe of the counter culture. And his Café Life observations continue over his artist life with scenes, such as the ones here, from Los Angles, Bolinas, Mexico and Italy. About the artist: Michael Bowen (December 8, 1937 – March 7, 2009) was an American fine artist known as one of the co-founders of the late 20th and 21st century Visionary art movements. His works include paintings on canvas and paper, 92 intaglio etchings based on Jungian psychology, assemblage, bronze sculpture, collage, and handmade art books. An icon of the American Beat Generation and the 1960s counterculture, Bowen is also known for his role in inspiring and organizing the first Human Be-In in San Francisco. Chronicled in books and periodicals reflecting on the turbulent 1960s, Bowen's historical impact on both the literary and visual art worlds is well documented. He remains influential among avant-garde art circles around the world. He started his art career at age 17, when he joined the American installation artist Ed Kienholz in his Los Angeles studio. There he met and joined with other influential Beat Generation artists including Wallace Berman, John Altoon, and Dennis Hopper. Bowen participated in the construction of the Ferus Gallery and Now Gallery created by Ed Kienholz and curated by Walter Hopps. Bowen attended the Chouinard Art Institute for several years during his formative artistic experiences in Los Angeles. In the late 50s and early 60s, Bowen continued his spiritual training and research. He investigated and practiced a variety of occult topics, Eastern philosophies, and mysticism, and his artwork reflected these themes. Bowen is often referred to as a mystic artist. As a lifelong student of the Bhagavad-Gita, Bowen's entire career has emulated the spiritual warrior archetype of Arjuna, fighting for the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. Michael Bowen moved to San Francisco in the late 1950s, and along with fellow artist comrades Arthur Monroe...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

In Memory of Dante Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting
In Memory of Dante Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting

In Memory of Dante Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting

By Ashot Yan

Located in Granada Hills, CA

Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, T...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Thinking Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
Thinking Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting

Thinking Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting

By Ashot Yan

Located in Granada Hills, CA

Portrait Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Tit...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Artist Blue Pink
Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Artist Blue Pink

Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Artist Blue Pink

By Isabel Rock

Located in Norfolk, GB

Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination. In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams Drawing Award at the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Known as the UK’s most prestigious annual open exhibition for drawing; part of the prize is a solo show at Hastings Contemporary, scheduled for 2024. Whilst Isabel always has a tale to tell for each of her images, you may or may not choose to go on the journey with her or you may indeed have a different story, one of your own that jumps off the page at you, that that you decide to follow. Artwork Details: Porthole to Another Dimension, 168x153cm, woodblock print, acrylic ink, acrylic paint, 2020 * Please note this artwork is on two separate pieces of paper that have been joined together. The join is not obvious when looking at the work. At the time Isabel was desperate to make the piece but did not have a large enough piece of paper in the studio, so she joined two together. Artwork Provenance: from the Artist Studio photo credits, Isabel working, black and white shots, James Brown In Isabels own words: Porthole to Another Dimension The legend said, that down by the river, beneath the purple hills, where the black iris...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen, Woodcut

Capitulo XXI, Surrealist Lithograph by Rufino Tamayo
Capitulo XXI, Surrealist Lithograph by Rufino Tamayo

Capitulo XXI, Surrealist Lithograph by Rufino Tamayo

By Rufino Tamayo

Located in Long Island City, NY

Rufino Tamayo, Mexican (1899 - 1991) - Capitulo XXI, Portfolio: Apocalypse de Saint Jean, Year: 1959, Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives, Edition: 93/255, Size: 13 x 10 in. (33.02 x 25....

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Fruits of Passion, 1980 (after)
Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Fruits of Passion, 1980 (after)

Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Fruits of Passion, 1980 (after)

By Leonor Fini

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite heliogravure, titled Sans titre (Untitled), after Leonor Fini, from the album Fruits de la passion, trente-deux variations sur un theme de Leonor Fini (Fruits of Passi...

Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Kumo (The weaver spider)
Kumo (The weaver spider)

Kumo (The weaver spider)

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in OPOLE, PL

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Kumo (The weaver spider) Drypoint etching with stencil from 1974. The edition of XVII/LXXV on Richard de Bas paper. Dimensions of work: 66 x 52 cm. Ha...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

"La race blanche (The White Race), " Lithograph after Painting by Rene Magritte
"La race blanche (The White Race), " Lithograph after Painting by Rene Magritte

"La race blanche (The White Race), " Lithograph after Painting by Rene Magritte

By René Magritte

Located in Milwaukee, WI

"La race blanche (The White Race)" is a color lithograph after the original 1937 painting by Rene Magritte. A female figure is made out of a mix of body parts. An eye sits on top of an ear, which is on top of a mouth, then two noses. Two breasts lying on a stomach; two arms come from the breasts. Legs are tucked under the stomach. This figure is on a sand dune next to the ocean. Art: 26.5 x 19.63 in Frame: 40.88 x 33.88 in René-François-Ghislain Magritte was born November 21, 1898, in Lessines, Belgium and died on August 15, 1967 in Brussels. He is one of the most important surrealist artists. Through his art, Magritte creates humor and mystery with juxtapositions and shocking irregularities. Some of his hallmark motifs include the bourgeois “little man,” bowler hats, apples, hidden faces, and contradictory texts. René Magritte’s father was a tailor and his mother was a miller. Tragedy struck Magritte’s life when his mother committed suicide when he was only fourteen. Magritte and his two brothers were thereafter raised by their grandmother. Magritte studied at the Brussels Academy of Fine Arts from 1916 to 1918. After graduating he worked as a wallpaper designer and in advertisement. It was during this period that he married Georgette Berger, whom he had known since they were teenagers. In 1926, René Magritte signed...

Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

God and Eve - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1960
God and Eve - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1960

God and Eve - 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...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Huge 1970's British Surrealist Abstract Signed Oil Male Figures through Window
Huge 1970's British Surrealist Abstract Signed Oil Male Figures through Window

Huge 1970's British Surrealist Abstract Signed Oil Male Figures through Window

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Artist/ School: British, circa 1970's, signed and inscribed verso Title: 'Reflections' Medium: oil on canvas, framed Framed: 37.5 x 25.5 inches Canvas : 36 x 24 inches Provenanc...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

me and my lovers oil on canvas painting surrealist abstract
me and my lovers oil on canvas painting surrealist abstract

me and my lovers oil on canvas painting surrealist abstract

Located in Sitges, Barcelona

Felix Ferreras - Me and my lovers - Oil on canvas Oil measurements 73x100 cm. Frameless. Félix Ferreras is a visual artist with numerous national and international awards and distin...

Category

1990s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Composition, Variations sur l'imaginaire, André Masson
Composition, Variations sur l'imaginaire, André Masson

Composition, Variations sur l'imaginaire, André Masson

By André Masson

Located in Southampton, NY

Lithograph on vélin de Rives paper. Inscription: hand signed and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Variations sur l'imaginaire, 1972. Published by Philipp...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Vanilla

Vanilla

By Maggie Taylor

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

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

ORBITS - Large Hoeckner lithograph
ORBITS - Large Hoeckner lithograph

ORBITS - Large Hoeckner lithograph

By Carl Hoeckner

Located in Santa Monica, CA

CARL HOECKNER (1883 – 1972) ORBITS, c. 1935 Lithograph, edition unknown but small. Image 11 3/3 \4 x 18 3/8 inches, sheet 12 3/8 x 19. In good condition aside from small margins an...

Category

1930s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Les Fesses piquantes
Les Fesses piquantes

Les Fesses piquantes

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in OPOLE, PL

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Les Fesses piquantes Etching from 1969. 66/145 on Japan paper. Dimensions of work: 38 x 28 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Graphik Europa Anstalt. Refer...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

'U.S.S. Love', Swimming with Mermaids, Merman
'U.S.S. Love', Swimming with Mermaids, Merman

'U.S.S. Love', Swimming with Mermaids, Merman

By Roberta Loach

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Signed lower left, 'Roberta Loach' and dated '79'; additionally signed verso and dated. An enigmatic and whimsical drawing of a young woman in swimming costume and cap preparing to...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Color Pencil

Amanecer en la sierra - Óleo sobre tela - Año 1977
Amanecer en la sierra - Óleo sobre tela - Año 1977

Amanecer en la sierra - Óleo sobre tela - Año 1977

Located in Sant Celoni, ES

La obra va firmada en la parte inferior (Mario Bedini) En la parte trasera va nuevamente firmada, fechada del año 1977 y titulada Se presenta enmarcada con un fino listón de madera...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Dali  Saint Jacques et l´esperance  Lithography
Dali  Saint Jacques et l´esperance  Lithography

Dali Saint Jacques et l´esperance Lithography

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL

Part of the Divine Comedy collection. Paper dimensions: 65 x 50 cm; plate dimensions: 40 x 30 cm. Numbered in pencil and signed in the plate. 68/350 DALÍ, Salvador (Figueras, Geron...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Magritte, Composition, Les chants de Maldoror (after)
Magritte, Composition, Les chants de Maldoror (after)

Magritte, Composition, Les chants de Maldoror (after)

By René Magritte

Located in Southampton, NY

Lithograph on vélin papier pur chiffon paper. Paper Size: 10 x 7.375 inches. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Notes: From the album, Les chants de Maldoror, illustrat...

Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Femme-feuille
Femme-feuille

Femme-feuille

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in OPOLE, PL

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Femme-feuille Etching from 1969. 66/145 on Japan paper. Dimensions of work: 38 x 28 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Graphik Europa Anstalt. Reference: M...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Monkey - Lithograph by Max Ernst - 1972

Monkey - Lithograph by Max Ernst - 1972

By Max Ernst

Located in Roma, IT

Monkey is a contemporary artwork realized by Max Ernst in 1972. Mixed colored lithograph on Arches Paper.  Edited by Manus Presse, Stuttgart 1972. Not signed and not numbered. Edi...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Mythology Narcissus
The Mythology Narcissus

The Mythology Narcissus

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Hollywood, FL

ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: The Mythology Narcissus MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISHER: Pierre Argillet, Paris EDITION NUMBER: XXXI/C MEASUREMENTS: 18" x 30" YEAR...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Pablo Picasso, L'Abreuvoir from La Suite Saltimbanques
Pablo Picasso, L'Abreuvoir from La Suite Saltimbanques

Pablo Picasso, L'Abreuvoir from La Suite Saltimbanques

By Pablo Picasso

Located in Chatsworth, CA

This piece is an original drypoint created by Pablo Picasso in 1905 and printed by Ambroise Vollard after steel-facing in 1913. It is from a series entitled La Suite des Saltimbanque...

Category

1910s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint

French Surrealist Oil Painting Figurative Scene Family with Horse Landscape
French Surrealist Oil Painting Figurative Scene Family with Horse Landscape

French Surrealist Oil Painting Figurative Scene Family with Horse Landscape

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Figurative Abstract French School oil painting on board painting: 22.5 x 22.5 inches condition: overall very good and pleasing provenance: from a private collection of this artists w...

Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Joan Miro, Woman, from XXe siecle, 1938
Joan Miro, Woman, from XXe siecle, 1938

Joan Miro, Woman, from XXe siecle, 1938

By Joan Miró

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite linocut by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Femme (Woman), from the album XXe siecle, Chroniques du jour, 13 rue Valette (5e), Directeur G. di San Lazzaro, Sommaire du no...

Category

1930s Surrealist Art

Materials

Linocut

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.