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.
Marionettes, Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas by Rita Simon
By Rita Simon
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rita Simon (aka Atirnomis), American (1938 - ) - Marionettes, Year: 1964, Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed 'Atirnomis' and dated l.r., Size: 50 in. x 36 in. (127 cm x 91.44 cm)
Oil
Extraterrestrial Fantasy - Original Lithograph by Henry Maurice - 1973
Located in Roma, IT
Extraterrestrial Fantasy is a wonderful colored lithograph on paper, realized in 1973 by the French artist, Henry Maurice, published by La Nuova Foglio, the publishing house of Macerata. Hand-signed and numbered in pencil on lower right margin. Edition of 100 prints. This contemporary artwork representing three extraterrestrial guardians at the entrance of a futuristic world is in excellent conditions. Maurice Henry...
Lithograph
Joan Miró - Exhibition Poster, Tres Joans 1978
By Joan Miró
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Tres Joans by Joan Miró, a 1978 color lithograph signed in the stone, created for the book presentation at Joan Prats Gallery, Barcelona. Measuring 76 x 56 cm, this piece is in excel...
Lithograph
Still Life. 1994. Cardboard, oil, 57x69 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Janis Zemitis graduated from the Riga Art School of J. Rosenthal in 1958, in 1964 Art Academy of Latvian State, painting department, Head of the diploma work "Working in the forest" ...
Oil, Cardboard
The gathering.
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
The patient traveler.
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
Venezuelan Surrealism Architectural Oil Painting Emerio Lunar Latin American Art
Located in Surfside, FL
Provenance: Galeria Durban Cesar Segnini, Caracas Venezuela. Emerio Dario Lunar was born on January 27, 1940 in Cabimas, Zulia state. Self-taught in painting, makes primary educati...
Canvas, Oil
$800
French Surrealist Lithograph Legendary Mime Marcel Marceau Third Eye Surrealism
Located in Surfside, FL
Le Troisième Oeil (The Third Eye) Lithograph on Arches paper Hand signed and numbered 1981 Dimensions: 21.5 X 30 inches Marcel Marceau (French: born Marcel Mangel; 1923 – 2007) was ...
Lithograph
$272Sale Price|20% Off
Jane Dickson Brooke Alexander 1988 (announcement)
By Jane Dickson
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jane Dickson New York 1988: A rare 1980s announcement card published on the occasion of Dickson's exhibition at Brooke Alexander, Inc. from January 9 - February 3, 1988; 59 Wooster S...
Offset
$3,440Sale Price|20% Off
Love and Bond - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Parent
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
Actors, Surrealist Signed Screenprint by John Hultberg
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: John Hultberg, American (1922 - 2005) Title: Actors Year: 1977 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200, AP 30 Image Size: 24 x 36 inches Paper Size: 2...
Screen
$1,769
1975 Vintage Original Surrealist Still Life Tempera Painting - Grapes & Pears
Located in Bristol, GB
GRAPES & PEARS Size: 28.5 x 34 cm (including frame) Tempera on board A brilliantly executed and charming surrealist still life composition, executed in tempera on board and dated 19...
Tempera, Board
The Traitors Woodcut Print, Surrealist, 1963, Limited Edition of 2900
Located in Roma, IT
The Traitors - Hell, Plate- 33 - Divine Comedy is a woodcut print realized in 1963 for a series illustrating the Medieval poem of the "Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. Not signed...
Woodcut
The Doves and All Lovers - Héliogravure by Marc Chagall - 1960
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Héliogravure on brown-toned paper, so signature. Héliogravure on bot sheets, recto and verso. Edition of 6500 unsigned copies. Printed by Mourlot and published by Tériade, Paris. ...
Photogravure
Untitled - IX
Located in Long Island City, NY
Untitled - IX Wojtek Kowalczyk, Polish (1960) Date: 2005 Lithograph, signed in pencil Size: 19.5 in. x 13.5 in. (49.53 cm x 34.29 cm) Frame Size: 21 x 18 inches
Lithograph
Salvador Dali etching, signed with monogram, Le Géant Beliagog
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904–1989) Le Géant Beliagog (The Giant Beliagog) Drypoint etching in colour From the 1970 Tristan and Iseult series, British book edition, printed on Mandeur...
Etching
$2,200
Surrealist Dream Lithograph Belgian Master Magritte Pencil Signed by Mourlot
Located in Surfside, FL
Artist: Rene Magritte (after), Belgian (1898 - 1967) Title: (from les Enfants Trouvés) Les Claires-Voies d'un Jeune Regard Embaument La Fête d'un Vieil Arbre Year of original paintin...
Lithograph
Exclamation (A)
By Leonor Fini
Located in Columbia, MO
Leonor Fini was born in Argentina in 1907 but travelled and lived in Europe with her mother from a young age. By 1931, she was in Paris, in the full swing of the Surrealist movement....
Etching
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...
Lithograph
The Shepherd on the Hill - Héliogravure by Marc Chagall - 1960
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Héliogravure on brown-toned paper, no signature. Héliogravure on bot sheets, recto and verso. Edition of 6500 unsigned copies. Printed by Mourlot and published by Tériade on the A...
Photogravure
Iesus Flagellatus Lithograph, Surrealist, Signed, 1964, Unframed
Located in Roma, IT
Lesus Flagellatus is Color lithograph on heavy rag paper realized in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ edition is published by Rizzoli-Mediolani between 1967 and 1969. Signed...
Lithograph
The garden game.
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
Bertrand de Born Woodcut Print, Surrealist, 1963, Limited Edition
Located in Roma, IT
Bertrand de Born - Hell Plate 29 is a woodcut print realized in 1963 for a series illustrating the Medieval poem of the "Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. Good conditions. Limite...
Woodcut
Lemon Tree, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
City and country, and east and west meet in this surreal scene. A group of figures perform agricultural activities outside a city. Man pulls a tractor, woman ...
Oil
$3,276Sale Price|20% Off
Bobby' Nightmare (pug dog face helicopter vintage surreal oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Bobby's Nightmare" by Rudolf Kosow is a striking blend of humor and surrealism, juxtaposing an exaggeratedly expressive pug with an intense military scene. The dog's bulging eyes, lolling tongue, and shocked expression contrast sharply with the highly detailed helicopter and soldiers descending from the sky, creating an absurd and unexpected composition. The painting plays on the idea of a pet's anxiety, turning an ordinary moment of canine surprise into an action-packed, almost cinematic spectacle. The hyperrealistic rendering of the pug’s fur and facial details enhances the surrealism, making the implausible scene feel eerily convincing. With its mix of realism and whimsy, Bobby’s Nightmare captures the chaotic energy of an overactive imagination—whether that of a dog startled by its surroundings or a playful human interpretation of a pet’s exaggerated emotions. keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, americana...
Canvas, Oil
Presidential office
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This picture is included in the series of artworks "Pathos of the Bureaucracy". 100x100cm / oil on canvas/ 2018 The picture is ready to hang (edges ...
Canvas, Oil
Gravure I from Poemes, Surrealist Woodcut Print by Marc Chagall
By Marc Chagall
Located in Long Island City, NY
Marc Chagall, Russian (1887 - 1985) - Gravure I from Poemes, Year: 1968, Medium: Woodcut, Size: 14.5 x 11.25 in. (36.83 x 28.58 cm), Printer: Atelier Lacouriere et Frelaut, Paris, P...
Woodcut
Vanilla.
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
The bath.
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
The realist.
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
The Saturn
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 10 plus 2 AP.
C Print
The toast of last night.
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
The weight of the world.
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
The Cascade from Indelible Miro, Surrealist Offset Lithograph after Joan Miro
By Joan Miró
Located in Long Island City, NY
Joan Miro, After, Spanish (1893 - 1983) - The Cascade from Indelible Miro, Year: 1972, Medium: Offset Lithograph, signed in the plate, Size: 14 x 9.75 in. (35.56 x 24.77 cm), Fr...
Lithograph, Offset
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
Soft indecision
Located in Zofingen, AG
The series "Dissonance of Softness" consists of five paintings: "Soft Silence," "Soft Solitude," "Soft Maturity," "Soft Fragility," and "Soft Indecision." The word "softness" does no...
Acrylic, Archival Paper
Les Songes Drôlatiques de Pantagruel, Planche XXV
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Les Songes Drôlatiques de Pantagruel, Planche XXV Lithograph from 1973. Edition 6/250 on Japon paper. Dimensions of work: 76 x 56 cm Publisher: Carpen...
Lithograph
Les Fesses piquantes
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...
Etching
The Three Women - Héliogravure by Marc Chagall - 1960
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Héliogravure on brown-toned paper, so signature. On bot sheets, recto and verso. Edition of 6500 unsigned copies. Printed by Mourlot and published by Tériade, Paris. Ref. Mourlot,...
Photogravure
Plum, Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Hank Laventhol
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hank Laventhol, American (1927 - 2001) - Plum, Year: Circa 1980, Medium: Aquatint Etching, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 300, AP XXXV, Image Size: 20 x 15.5 inches, Siz...
Etching, Aquatint
THOUGHTS_
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The series "Spirituality" has reached completion. However, O. Khrapachov's search did not reach a dead end. His theory of the development of the world testifies to the incompleteness...
Canvas, Oil
$747
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
Isis, Héraclite et le Fleuve, Surrealist Lithograph by Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Andre Masson, French (1896 - 1987) - Isis, Heraclite et le Fleuve, Year: 1964, Medium: Lithograph, Edition: Test Proof, Image Size: 10.25 x 8 inches, Size: 13.25 x 10.25 in. (33...
Lithograph
Homme baisant la chaussure
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Homme baisant la chaussure Etching from 1969. 66/145 on Japan paper. Dimensions of work: 38 x 28 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Graphik Europa Anstalt. ...
Etching
In the Pink, 2024, Hudson Valley NY
By Paddy Cohn
Located in Hudson, NY
"Clouds, from all sides now, 2025" Cohn delves into the enigmatic qualities of clouds—how they symbolize both the fleeting and the eternal. Cloud illusions are a sensory journey t...
Oil, Acrylic
$240Sale Price|20% Off
Hero
By Roman Sustov
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An ex libris print featuring the heroic figure of a man on horseback, in a blend of medieval and fantasy armor, with a vanquished dragon at his feet. Roman Sustov's prints often prov...
Etching, Aquatint
In Between Acts, Surrealist Lithograph by George Russin
Located in Long Island City, NY
In Between Acts George Russin, American (1910–2010) Date: circa 1979 Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 250 Size: 22 x 29 in. (55.88 x 73.66 cm)
Lithograph
Familia Ruth Moabitidis Color Lithograph, Surrealist, Signed, 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Familia Ruth Moabitidis is a Color lithograph on heavy rag paper realized in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ edition is published by Rizzoli-Mediolani between 1967 and 1969....
Lithograph
Tangent - Surreal Still Life - Coffee Table Setting, Oil on Panel
By John Hrehov
Located in Chicago, IL
This painting is John Hrehov’s Tangent, an oil on panel from 2025. In it, a modern red sofa runs straight across the back of the room, set against a grid of tall windows that open on...
Canvas, Oil, Panel
Wild Blue 1 - Abstract Cool Tone Architectural Landscape Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C Bernhardsson's original artworks are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Born in Sweden, Bernhardsson travels the world photographing and sketching houses ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Orsa Maggiore #7506, Surrealist Lithograph Print, Hand Signed, Framed, 1975
By Wifredo Lam
Located in Aventura, FL
From a set of 6 done in 1975 at Pollenza-Macerata, Nuova Foglia Editrice. Hand signed and numbered by Wifredo Lam. Edition EA of 8. Artwork size 31.5 x 25.5 inches. Framed. Artw...
Paper, Lithograph
Lot's Wide Turned into a Statue of Salt - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Holy Bible - Lot's Wide turned into a Statue of Salt is Color lithograph on heavy rag paper realized in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ edition is published by Rizzoli-Medi...
Lithograph
The Dance Of Herodias Daughter - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Holy Bible - The Dance Of Herodias Daughter is Color lithograph on heavy rag paper realized in 1964. It is part of Biblia Sacra vulgatæ edition is published by Rizzoli-Mediolani bet...
Lithograph
"Salvador Dalí"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A series of experimental paintings. I like to look for new horizons in art, colors, shapes, objects. Fine paintings for the interior. The paintings are painted on cardboard glued ont...
Acrylic
Bords de L'Oise - Etching by Charles-François Daubigny - Late 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Signed and titled on plate. Etching and aquatint print. Good condition.
Etching
$800
French Surrealist Lithograph Legendary Mime Marcel Marceau Third Eye Surrealism
Located in Surfside, FL
Le Troisième Oeil (The Third Eye) Lithograph on Arches paper Hand signed and numbered 1981 Dimensions: 21.5 X 30 inches Marcel Marceau (French: born Marcel Mangel; 1923 – 2007) was ...
Lithograph
Poèmes, Planche XIII
By Marc Chagall
Located in OPOLE, PL
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Poèmes, Planche XIII Woodcut print from 1968. An unnumbered and unsigned copy from a limited edition of 238. Dimensions of sheet: 32.5 x 25 cm Dimensio...
Woodcut
The Infinite Beauty of Beatrice - Woodcut attr. to Salvador Dalì - 1963
Located in Roma, IT
The Infinite Beauty of Beatrice is a woodcut print realized in 1963. Very Good conditions. Not signed. Prov. Private Collection, Rome. Between 1951 and 1960, Dali was invited by...
Woodcut
Nieve, Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Hans-Georg Rauch
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hans-Georg Rauch, German (1939 - 1993) - Nieve, Year: circa 1978, Medium: Aquatint Etching, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 100, Size: 20 in. x 25 in. (50.8 cm x 63.5 cm)
Etching, Aquatint
Italian Pop Art Mixed Media Surrealist Painting Collage Gouache Emilio Tadini
Located in Surfside, FL
Emilio Tadini (1927-2002) Original Collage, Gouache and Watercolor painting. Dimensions: 41 X 29.5. framed. 39.75 X 28 artwork Emilio Tadini (1927 – 2002 ) was an Italian painter,...
Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Gouache