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.
Face II (Aquiles).
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
Face II (Aquiles) is a large format work that is part of the classical series, continuing its exploration of the iconic figures of mythology. In this Rostro II, the protagonist is Ac...
Linen, Oil
Planetary And Scatologic Vision
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Salvador Dali (Spanish surrealist, 1904-1989) Title: Planetary and Scatologic Vision Year: 1974 Medium: Engraving with embossing and color lithograph Edition: Numbered...
Engraving, Lithograph
Saint Martin
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Saint Martin MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed EDITION NUMBER: 162/175 MEASUREMENTS: 26.5" x 20.5" YEAR: 1965 FRAMED: No CONDITION: Excellent ...
Etching
$2,700
"Cabinet Secretary in his Office", Surrealist, Portrait, Acrylic Painting
By John Baker
Located in Franklin, MA
John Baker’s “Cabinet Secretary in his Office” is an acrylic painting on canvas 36 x 42 inches in pinks, blues, reds, whites and greys. The secretary’s energies are depicted as both ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Full Moon, Surrealist Etching by Marc Chagall
By Marc Chagall
Located in Long Island City, NY
Marc Chagall, Russian (1887 - 1985) - Full Moon, Medium: Etching on Arches, Image Size: 7.5 x 14.25 inches, Size: 15 x 22.5 in. (38.1 x 57.15 cm), Description: From the collection ...
Etching
$2,795
Salvador Dali Color Lithograph, Signed, 1972, Twelve Apostles, James the Lesser
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: James the Lesser (Vicar of Britain) Portfolio: 1972 The Twelve Apostles (Knights of the Round Table) Medium: Lithograph Year: 1972 Edition: 32/350 Frame ...
Lithograph
Les Négresses
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Les Négresses Etching from 1969. 66/145 on Japan papaer. Dimensions of work: 38 x 28 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Graphik Europa Anstalt. Reference: ...
Etching
Allée des Verges (Penis Alley)
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Allée des Verges (Penis Alley) Etching from 1969. 125/145 on Japan paper. Dimensions of work: 38 x 28 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Graphik Europa Anst...
Drypoint, Etching
BREEZINESS. Original Painting by Stasy Vo
By Stasy Vo
Located in Zofingen, AG
Imagine the warm smell of summer. Here you go to the park in a high mood. And there everything is in bloom, there are lovely flowers spread in the field, the sun is pleasantly warmin...
Canvas, Acrylic
Purgatory Canto 24 from the Divine Comedy
Located in Columbia, MO
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) was one of the most recognizable figures of 20th-century art, known for his eccentric persona and for pushing Surrealism into the cultural mainstream. A pai...
Woodcut
A Colorful, 1937 Modern Surrealist Abstraction by Hananiah Harari, "To the Wind"
Located in Chicago, IL
A Striking, Colorful 1930s Modern Surrealist Abstraction by Notable New York Avant Garde Artist, Hannah Harari (Am. 1912-2000). Titled "To the Wind", the artwork is colored pencil a...
Paper, Color Pencil, Graphite
$255Sale Price|48% Off
Terres Grand de Feu (one plate from Artigas) (~50% OFF LIST PRICE, LIMITED TIME)
By Joan Miró
Located in Kansas City, MO
Joan Miro Terres Grand de Feu (one plate from Artigas) Medium: Original lithograph Size: 14.1875 x 19.625 in Year: 1956 Edition: 1,500 Unsigned Printed text on verso as issued Portf...
Lithograph
Deardorff
Located in New York, NY
Created by Surrealist Fanny Brennan from 1993-96, Deardorff is an original lithograph in colors on wove paper, hand-monogrammed by the artist in pencil and numbered from the edition ...
Lithograph
$30,400Sale Price|20% Off
Elements, Surrealism, Chicago Artist, Planets
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
William Samuel Schwartz (Russian/American, 1896-1977) Signed: William S Schwartz (Lower, Left) " Elements ", c. 1928-29 (Date based Upon 8 Pl...
Canvas, Oil
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
Composition, Les Enfants Trouves de Magritte, Rene Magritte (after)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Rene Magritte (1898-1967) (after) Title: Composition, Les Enfants Trouves de Magritte Year: 1968 Medium: Lithograph in colors on wove paper Size: 17.5 x 23.5 inches Edition: ...
Lithograph
Adam and Eve Banished from the Paradise - 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
Act V, Scene V - From “Romeo and Juliet” - Lithograph-1975
Located in Roma, IT
Act V, Scene V - From “Romeo and Juliet” is an artwork realized in 1975. Mixed colored lithograph. Signed and dated on plate in the lower right margin. Perfect conditions. The a...
Lithograph
$2,197Sale Price|20% Off
Beach Houses I - Original 3D surrealistic painting - contemporary illusion art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. Marek Letkiewicz’s Beac...
Acrylic, Board
Act I, Scene IV - From “Romeo and Juliet” - Lithograph - 1975
Located in Roma, IT
Act I, Scene IV - From “Romeo and Juliet” is an artwork realized by Salvador Dalí in 1975. Mixed colored lithograph. Signed and dated in plate on the lower right margin. Perfect...
Lithograph
Oneiric Game, 1975 - Original Handsigned Etching
By Lars Bo
Located in Paris, IDF
Lars BO Oneiric Game (Le Rêve de Jean Valjean 6/8), 1975 Original etching Handsigned in pencil On Japan paper, 36 x 44,5 cm (c. 14.1 x 17,5 inch) Edition limited to 100 unnumbered copies INFORMATION : This etching is part of the set "Le Rêve de Jean Valjean" from the novel of Victor Hugo REFERENCE : Catalogue raisonné "Gravures Lars Bo" established by Ludmilla Balfour (daughter of the artist...
Etching
$448Sale Price|30% Off
Mighty Tree II Signed Lithograph, Surrealist Style, 1975, 50 Edition
By Hanna Kay
Located in Union City, NJ
MIGHTY TREE II is an original hand drawn limited edition lithograph(not a photo reproduction or digital print) using traditional hand lithography techniques on archival Arches buff colored paper, 100% acid free. MIGHTY TREE II is a hyper-detailed tree drawing expressed as a three panel, horizontally placed composition printed in dark brown gray and pale green ink from a hand drawn lithography stone. The tree is meticulously drawn using highly detailed pencil markings which create the intricate foliage crown, massive trunk, and multi-fingered roots. MIGHTY TREE II is truly an imaginative, surrealist style triptych drawing of an uprooted age-old tree existing from another time. Superb quality, hand crafted original lithograph, very fine impression. Print size - 20.5 x 30 inches, unframed, very good condition, light handling, printer registration pin holes on left and right margin, pencil signed by Hanna Kay...
Lithograph
L'eau est Mana, Surrealist Lithograph by Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - L'eau est Mana, Year: 1974, Medium: Lithograph on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 50/200, Image Size: 21.5 x 30 inche...
Lithograph
Lunar Wisdom
By Robert Cocke
Located in Dallas, TX
ARTIST STATEMENT "Since I began painting more than 30 years ago, my work has evolved dramatically in terms of style and subject matter. Underlying all the changes has been a consi...
Canvas, Oil
Flying Elements - Handsigned Original Lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Alain LE YAOUANC Flying Elements Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil On Arches vellum, 76 x 56 cm (c. 30.4 x 22,4 inch) Excellent condition
Lithograph
Hollywood : Mr and Mrs Woodman - Original Handsigned Gelatin Silver Print
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitsky, called) Hollywood : Mr and Mrs Woodman, 1970 Original gelatin silver print Handsigned on the back Authenticated with the artist stamp "Epreuve originale...
Silver Gelatin
Tandem : Cinetic Compositon with Birds - Handsigned Original Lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Alain LE YAOUANC Tandem : Cinetic Compositon with Birds Original lithograph Handsigned in pencil On Arches vellum, 56 x 76 cm (c. 22.4 x 30,4 inch) Excellent condition
Lithograph
Les Chantes de Maldoror (tongue) Carnal Transfiguration
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Les Chants de Maldoror (Tongue) MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISHER: Albert Skira, Paris EDITION NUMBER: 14/100 MEASUREMENTS: 22" x 16.5...
Etching
La Source - Engraving - 150 copies
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador Dali La Source (1960) Heliogravure reworked with drypoint Peinted signature in the plate On BFK Rives Vellum paper Size 32.8 x 26.4 cm (c. 13 x 10"...
Etching
Full Moon - Etching by Guelfo Bianchini - 1978
Located in Roma, IT
Full Moon is a Contemporary Artwork realized by the Italian Artist Guelfo Bianchini (Ancona, 1937) in 1978. Colored Etching on paper. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right corn...
Etching
Homme baisant la chaussure
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Homme baisant la chaussure Etching from 1969. 109/145 on Japan paper. Dimensions of work: 38 x 28 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Graphik Europa Anstalt....
Etching
Bixby's Compromise, Oil Painting
By Diane Flick
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A white chicken with a quirky stack of objects on its head balances on a unicycle. The pile includes a coffee cup, a potted plant, an egg, a toy truck, books,...
Oil
$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
![Untitled, Planche 3 (Plate 3) [Set of 2] /// Le Corbusier Surrealism Modern Art](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/le-corbusier-prints-works-on-paper-unite-planche-3-set-of-2-surrealism-le-corbusier-etching-modern-aquatint-for-sale/a_1212/1759370480146/20161006_150454_master.jpg?width=240)
![Untitled, Planche 3 (Plate 3) [Set of 2] /// Le Corbusier Surrealism Modern Art](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/le-corbusier-prints-works-on-paper-unite-planche-3-set-of-2-surrealism-le-corbusier-etching-modern-aquatint-for-sale-picture-2/a_1212/a_170114521759370518032/20161006_150504_master.jpg?width=240)
$12,000
Untitled, Planche 3 (Plate 3) [Set of 2] /// Le Corbusier Surrealism Modern Art
By Le Corbusier
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret) (Swiss-French, 1887-1965) Title: "Untitled, Planche 3 (Plate 3)" [Set of 2] Portfolio: Unité *Signed by Le Corbusier in pencil lower ...
Etching, Aquatint, Intaglio
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
"Au Debut dele Printemps" - "Early Spring" Surreal Figurative Tree Man
Located in Soquel, CA
Surreal figurative abstract depicting a half man, half tree figure on a pedestal in a dream-like, abstracted white and blue space by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957...
Canvas, Oil
Femme et Chien devant la Lune
By Joan Miró
Located in New York, NY
A superb impression of this very scarce, early color pochoir. Signed, dated "1935" and numbered 58/60 in pencil by Miro. Published by Adlan, Barcelona. Ink stamp on the reverse indic...
Color, Stencil
The Departure of The Horserider, 1975 - Original Handsigned Etching
By Lars Bo
Located in Paris, IDF
Lars BO The Departure of The Horserider (Le Rêve de Jean Valjean 1/8), 1975 Original etching Handsigned in pencil On vellum, 35,5 x 45 cm (c. 13,9 x 17,7 inch) Edition limited to 10...
Etching
After Jean Miró, Pink and Purple Surrealism at Play
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...
Canvas, Oil
Intriguing Surrealist Painting of Downtown Chicago by James Mesplé
Located in Chicago, IL
An Intriguing 1991 Surrealist painting of downtown Chicago by artist James Mesplé. Oil and tempera on panel. Signed and dated "James Mesplé 1991", lower right; titled on label on ...
Oil, Tempera, Panel
Le Caducee de Mars Alimente par la Boule de feu de Jupiter
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Salvador Dali (Spanish surrealist, 1904-1989) Title: Le Caducee de Mars Alimente par la Boule de feu de Jupiter Year: 1974 Medium: Etching with embossing and color lithograph...
Etching, Lithograph
The day sailor.
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...
Digital Pigment
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
Still life with Blue-eyed Woman 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: 2020 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Tit...
Canvas, Oil
(after) Marino Marini - "Cavaliers et chevaux" pochoir
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: pochoir (after the lithograph). Printed by the atelier of Daniel Jacomet, and published in Paris in 1955 by Heinz Berggruen. The image measures 5 x 4 inches (130 x 100 mm). N...
Lithograph, Stencil
"Luv Play Slow Jazz", Ceramic Sculpture, Pop Surrealist, 2010s, Signed
By Cheryl Tall
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original wall sculpture by San Diego artist, Cheryl Tall. It's 35 inches tall, with a length of 20 inches and a depth of 20 inches....
Ceramic
"Apollon" from the suite "lArt d'Aimer d'Ovide"
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled, "Apollon" from the suite, "l'Art d'Aimer d'Ovide" 1976. is an original wood engraving on Japan nacre paper by artist Salvador Dali 1904-1989. It is hand signed...
Woodcut
Les Bijoux Indiscrets, Surrealist Lithograph after Rene Magritte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Rene Magritte Title: Les Bijoux Indiscrets (The Indiscrete Jewels) Year of Original: 1963 Year of Printing: 1975 Medium: Lithograph, signed in the plate Edition Size: 575 I...
Lithograph
Leonor Fini, Sphinx Ariene, rare handsigned print
By Leonor Fini
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Rare print handsigned and numered by surrealist artist Leonor Fini, now rediscovered and inscreasingly esteemed with the movement of rediscovering art by women. It depicts a mytholog...
Paper
Chants de Maldoror - Rare Book Illustrated by René Magritte - 1948
Located in Roma, IT
Les Chants de Maldoror is an original modern rare book written by Comte de Lautréamont, pseudonym of Isidore Lucien Ducasse (Montevideo, 1846 — Paris, 1870) and illustrated by René ...
Paper, Photogravure
Vanni Fucci's 1963 Surrealist Prophecy Woodcut Print, Limited Edition
Located in Roma, IT
Vanni Fucci's Prophecy - Hell Plate- 24 is a woodcut print realized in 1963 for a series illustrating the Medieval poem of the "Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. Not signed, as is...
Woodcut
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
Woodland Fancy, Mid-Century Fantastical Figurative Landscape 1969
Located in Soquel, CA
Unique and fantastical mid-century painting of a nude figure standing in front of a fish in the forest surrounded by flowers, plants, and a portrait by Kenneth Fong...
Paper, Gouache
Sarah and Abimelech - 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
$1,440Sale Price|40% Off
365 Sueñitos Surrealistas Giclée Print, Framed, Surrealist Style, 2010
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
-Pedro Friedeberg signed print featuring a fantastical surrealistic scene. Includes whimsical figures, optical art elements, and surreal details. framed in a hand-painted black and g...
Giclée
$3,200
Now.
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...
Digital Pigment
Vulcanologies VI
Located in OPOLE, PL
Pierre Alechinsky (1927) - Vulcanologies VI Lithograph from 1970. The edition 79 of 90. Dimensions of work: 76 x 56 cm. Hand signed. The work is in Excellent condition.
Lithograph
Salvador Dali Surrealist Etching, Signed, 1970, Don Juan: Le Banquet
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: Don Juan: Le Banquet Medium: Hand-colored drypoint etching on Japon paper Date: 1970 Edition: LXXXIV/C Frame Size: 30 1/4" x 24 1/2" Sheet Size: 25 3/4" ...
Etching
"Pink Moon, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Sara Scribner's (US based) "Pink Moon" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a realistic portrait of a feminine form cradling a small moon i...
Oil, Panel
$1,610
Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Found Objects, Mixed Media
It's always the same.
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...
Digital Pigment
Plumb, Original Painting
By Dwight Smith
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A towering stack of pancakes, topped with butter and dripping syrup, balances as a plumb line ensures its perfect level. The precise measurement keeps the foo...
Watercolor