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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
"My Soul"
"My Soul"

"My Soul"

By Natalia Kolpakova 1

Located in Edinburgh, GB

The artwork is print on silk and it is limited edition. My soul is petrified, and the winds, time, and ocean are slowly shaping it into outwardly ideal forms. "My Soul" by Natalia ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Silk

"Austrian accession"
"Austrian accession"

"Austrian accession"

By Valery Tatar

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Once my Austrian comrade came to visit me. He asked me if I know who Augustus Gruber is ? At the time, I had no idea about this character. It turned out that August Gruber was a supp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Forest - Woodcut - 1963
Forest - Woodcut - 1963

Forest - Woodcut - 1963

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Roma, IT

Forest -  "The Divine Comedy" - Song 28 -  Purgatory is a woodcut print realized in 1963 for a series illustrating the Medieval poem of the "Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. Plate ...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

A Logician Devil - Etching - 150ex
A Logician Devil - Etching - 150ex

A Logician Devil - Etching - 150ex

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Paris, IDF

Salvador Dali A logician devil (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 in) References: -...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Installation, Oil Painting
Installation, Oil Painting

Installation, Oil Painting

By Michael Wedge

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Part of artist Michael Wedge's series explores the contrast between urban and rural environments. This surrealist painting depicts the installation of some digital technology in an unlikely place in nature. A woman prepares to climb up the ladder while another approaches with an open laptop and an extension wire at hand. They are busy in the middle of an open field with a fox wandering between them and deers grazing in the distance.


About the Artist
Michael Wedge works in a variety of mediums: sculpture, painting, mixed media and more. He oftentimes starts with a mental image and creates digital collages, which become the basis for his paintings. A lot of his work references themes from his personal life, such as the experience of living in a city versus in the countryside. If his art seems mysterious, it;s because he enjoys making complex works. "I am attracted to images or moments that seem to have something subtle or hidden under the surface," he explains. When he;s not making art, he teaches it at an elementary school.


Words that describe this painting: surrealism...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Circle Life Orange
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Circle Life Orange

Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Circle Life Orange

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. Hugely inspired by Paula Rego, Isabel Rock is part of a formidable group of women artists (Leonora Carrington and Eileen Agar amongst others) working with Surrealism. In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen

Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Women artist Green Blue
Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Women artist Green Blue

Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Women artist Green Blue

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 take...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

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

LOVE AT FIRST PIPE

LOVE AT FIRST PIPE

By Yuri Martinez Ramos

Located in Los Angeles, CA

YURI MARTINEZ RAMOS "LOVE FIRST PIPE" OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED CUBAN-AMERICAN, C.2006 20 X 16 INCHES Yuri Martinez Ramos was born in Havana, Cuba on November 24, 1964. He studied at the Elemental School of Plastic Arts from 1975 – 1979 and the National School of the Arts from 1979 – 1983. Martinez’ figurative paintings have been compared to Botero because of his satirical social commentary. His style, however, is uniquely his own with typically vibrant Latin colors and use of expressive magical realism. His paintings tell his story and the story of the Cuban dilemma. Martinez was granted permission by the US Justice Department after much effort with Cuban authorities to come to the US with his family and pursue his career outside Cuba. He now lives and works in Texas. Papillon Gallery...

Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Bill Murray
Bill Murray

Bill Murray

By Ralph Steadman

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Ralph Steadman Title: Bill Murray Medium: One color silkscreen on White Rising Stonehenge Deckle Edge Paper Size: 22 x 30 Inches Edition: of 250 Year: 2006 Notes: Custom Fra...

Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

Red Sea - Handsigned Original Lithograph
Red Sea - Handsigned Original Lithograph

Red Sea - Handsigned Original Lithograph

By Raoul Ubac

Located in Paris, IDF

Raoul UBAC Red Sea Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil On Japan paper, 40,5 x 31,5 cm (c. 15,9 x 12,4 inch) Excellent condition

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Afternoon Delight" Oil Painting

"Afternoon Delight" Oil Painting

By Sybiline

Located in Denver, CO

Sybiline's (CAN based) "Afternoon Delight" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a Sphynx cat eyeing a pink teacup with milk and plate with a w...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

pochoir, 1947

pochoir, 1947

By (after) Joan Miró

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: pochoir stencil print (after the drawing). Printed in 1947 in an edition of 1500 and published by Curt Valentin for "The Prints of Joan Miró" portfolio. Size: 10 3/4 x 7 5/8 ...

Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Stencil

Untitled
Untitled

Untitled

By Jean Solombre 1

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork "Untitled" 1982 is an original color etching with aquatint on Arches paper by French artist Jean Solombre, 1948-2005. It is hand signed, dat...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Femme à le béquille
Femme à le béquille

Femme à le béquille

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in OPOLE, PL

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

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Queen of the Sea, Original Painting
Queen of the Sea, Original Painting

Queen of the Sea, Original Painting

By Yamilet Sempe

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A stone structure rises from a dreamy landscape. The blue and gold tones create a surreal and sacred atmosphere. Artist Yamilet Sempe drew inspiration from the ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Figure Rouge avec Portrait de Quevedo
Figure Rouge avec Portrait de Quevedo

Figure Rouge avec Portrait de Quevedo

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "Figure Rouge avec Portrait de Quevedo" from the suite, Visions De Quevedo, 1975. is an original engraving with pochoir hand coloring on Richard de Bas paper, by ...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Surrealist drawing by California artist Daniel 'Zev' Harris
Surrealist drawing by California artist Daniel 'Zev' Harris

Surrealist drawing by California artist Daniel 'Zev' Harris

By Zev Daniel Harris

Located in Colfax, CA

Surrealist composition by Daniel 'Zev' Harris. Zev, meaning 'wolf' in Hungarian, was the name the artist chose for himself in 1953. He was born Daniel Harris. He studied at the Mas...

Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

Incoming, Original Painting
Incoming, Original Painting

Incoming, Original Painting

By Michael Wedge

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A woman walks through a summer field in a loose blue jumpsuit, her hair tied up in a bun. She notices the odd presence of yellow taxis and a white truck parke...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Playing with Symbols Inside a Red Theatrical Space
Playing with Symbols Inside a Red Theatrical Space

Playing with Symbols Inside a Red Theatrical Space

By Marina Skvortsova

Located in Oslo, NO

“Playing with Symbols” is built on a combination of theatricality, artificiality, and ritual gesture. A figure with an almost doll-like face emerges from a saturated red space, surro...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pencil

Not Alone 4 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Modern
Not Alone 4 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Modern

Not Alone 4 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Modern

By Akingbade Mayowa

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Bulbs, Oil Painting
Bulbs, Oil Painting

Bulbs, Oil Painting

By Michael Wedge

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Michael Wedge paints a surrealist composition where lightbulbs replace vegetables. "The activity and its meaning are left up to the viewer," says Micha...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Picasso: Un Billet Pur la Glorie, Salvador Dali
Picasso: Un Billet Pur la Glorie, Salvador Dali

Picasso: Un Billet Pur la Glorie, Salvador Dali

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Fairfield, CT

Title: Picasso: Un Billet Pur la Glorie Year: 1974 Medium: Engraving on Arches paper Edition: F.122/195, plus proofs Size: 25.75 x 19.75 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed an...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Planting, Original Painting
Planting, Original Painting

Planting, Original Painting

By Michael Wedge

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Michael Wedge shows two figures installing parking meters in a mysterious landscape. A symbol of city streets stands out in the middle of a verdant fie...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Parallel, 1969
Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Parallel, 1969

Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Parallel, 1969

By Leonor Fini

Located in Fairfield, CT

This exquisite lithograph by Leonor Fini (1907–1996), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Parallelement (Parallel), Paul Verlaine, illustre de lithographies originales de Le...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Qiang Li Still Life Original Oil On Canvas "Comedy 3"
Qiang Li Still Life Original Oil On Canvas "Comedy 3"

Qiang Li Still Life Original Oil On Canvas "Comedy 3"

By Qiang Li

Located in New York, NY

Title: Comedy 3 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 27 x 23 inches Frame: Framing options available! Year: 2000 Circa Artist: Qiang Li Signature: Unsigned Signature Location: N/A ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The find.

The find.

By Maggie Taylor

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 Art

Materials

Digital Pigment

Curious (black old dog, snout, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Curious (black old dog, snout, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)

Curious (black old dog, snout, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)

By Rudolf Kosow

Located in Quebec, Quebec

"Curious," by Rudolf Kosow, is an engaging portrayal of inquisitiveness and wonder, bridging the natural world and humanity. Dominating the scene is a giant bulldog, its face a tapestry of textures from the soft fur to the glistening nose, each detail crafted to convey a lifelike presence. Facing the monumental canine is a small-scale girl, her posture embodying the essence of childhood wonder as she stands before the immense animal. Her tilted head and attentive stance suggest a moment of mutual discovery and fascination. This poignant interaction is a snapshot of the innocent and pure connections that can occur across the divides of size and species. Kosow's "Curious" captures the beautiful moments of discovery that occur when the young and the gentle giants of the animal kingdom meet, encapsulating a shared curiosity that transcends words. The artwork serves as a reminder of the universal language of wonder that connects us all. keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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.