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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
"Trinity"
"Trinity"

"Trinity"

By Kyrylo Bondarenko

Located in Edinburgh, GB

This painting, Holy Trinity, symbolizes the Holy Spirit of the universe, the earth, the moon, and a black hole. It evokes reflection on life and death. This painting offers a prophet...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Oil

"Femme et Oiseaux dans la Nuit" original pochoir

"Femme et Oiseaux dans la Nuit" original pochoir

By Joan Miró

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original pochoir stencil print in four colors. Catalogue reference: Dupin 50. Printed in 1947 in an edition of 1500 by Meriden Gravure and published by Curt Valentin for the ...

Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph, Stencil

Jacob's Blessing - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1979
Jacob's Blessing - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1979

Jacob's Blessing - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1979

By Marc Chagall

Located in Roma, IT

Jacob's Blessing  is a beautiful contemporary art realized by March Chagall in 1979.  Color lithograph printed and published by Maeght, Paris, in 1979. Ref. Catalogue Mourlot n. 94...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

An Undying Wonderment - Original Figurative Mixed Media Surrealist Inspired Art
An Undying Wonderment - Original Figurative Mixed Media Surrealist Inspired Art

An Undying Wonderment - Original Figurative Mixed Media Surrealist Inspired Art

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Robert Lebsack creates artworks using mixed media with ink, acrylic, and charcoal on archival copies of newspapers, textbooks, and sheet music. As a visionary artist, Lebsack weaves ...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel

Goldfish XLII, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
Goldfish XLII, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel

Goldfish XLII, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel

By Daniel Loveday

Located in Yardley, PA

A further exploration of the Goldfish theme. Painting onto a solid surface allows the colours to be more concentrated and richer. Here I've reversed the colours (except the eyes) ...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

La Fruta Madura. Aguacate
La Fruta Madura. Aguacate

La Fruta Madura. Aguacate

Located in New York, NY

In La Fruta Madura (“The Ripe Fruit”), Cuban painter Carlos Rafael Vega transforms fruit into geopolitical allegory. Each monumental fruit—swollen, luminous, and suspended against sa...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Surrealist landscape with organic shapes
Surrealist landscape with organic shapes

Surrealist landscape with organic shapes

By Charles Harris ( Beni Kosh )

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Surrealist landscape with organic shapes Watercolor on paper, 1960-1970 Signed CE Harris lower right corner (see photo) Stamped with the artist’s estate stamp verso (see photo) Reference: Beni Kosh Collection Estate Stamp #705 Provenance: Estate of the artist A wonderful example by one of the few African American Surrealist painters. “An African-American born Charles E. Harris, the name under which he painted until the early 1960s when he took the name of Kosh. His paintings span the period 1949-71, and reflect abstract and surreal figurative subjects which include Cleveland street scenes, jazz clubs, and depictions of Christ.” Courtesy of Rachel Davis Fine Art “Beni E. Kosh was born as Charles Elmer Harris, in Cleveland Ohio. He changed his name in the 1960’s, which translates to “Son of Ethiopia”. He rarely exhibited or sold his work and was affiliated with the African-American artists’ “Sho-nuff Art Group” and the Karamu House and studied under Cleveland artist Paul Travis. His style is very diverse and he experimented with Cubism, portraiture and abstractions in series. His paintings span from 1949 – 1971, and reflect abstract and surreal figurative subjects, which include Cleveland street scenes, jazz clubs, and depictions of Christ. He received little recognition during his lifetime and was only “rediscovered” literally days after his death when hundreds of his paintings were rescued by an art dealer.” (Courtesy Pennsylvania Art...

Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Joan Miro, Sweden, from Miro as Sculptor, 1974
Joan Miro, Sweden, from Miro as Sculptor, 1974

Joan Miro, Sweden, from Miro as Sculptor, 1974

By Joan Miró

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Sweden, from Miro escultor (Miro as Sculptor), originates from the 1974 edition published by Galerie Borjeson, Malmo, and printed by La Poligrafa, Barcelona, 1974. The work reflects Miro’s lyrical mastery of biomorphic form, symbolic purity, and gestural spontaneity, embodying the visionary abstraction that made him a defining figure of twentieth century modernism. Executed as a lithograph on Guarro velin paper, this work measures 7.87 x 15.47 inches (20 x 39.3 cm). Signed in the plate and unnumbered, as issued. The edition exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of La Poligrafa, Barcelona. Artwork Details: Artist: Joan Miro (1893–1983) Title: Sweden Medium: Lithograph on Guarro velin paper Dimensions: 7.87 x 15.47 inches (20 x 39.3 cm) Inscription: Signed in the plate and unnumbered, as issued Date: 1974 Publisher: Galerie Borjeson, Malmo Printer: La Poligrafa, Barcelona Catalogue Raisonne References: Cramer, Patrick, and Joan Miro. Joan Miro, Catalogue Raisonne des Livres Illustres. P. Cramer, 1989, illustration 209 Miro, Joan, et al. Joan Miro : Lithographs. Tudor, 1972-1992, illustration 938. Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: Published by Galerie Borjeson, Malmo; printed by La Poligrafa, Barcelona, 1974, in an edition of MD About the Publication: Miro escultor (Miro as Sculptor), published in 1974 by Galerie Borjeson in Malmo, is a richly produced lithographic edition created to accompany and celebrate Joan Miro’s expanding work in sculpture during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Printed by the renowned La Poligrafa workshop in Barcelona one of the most important printers of modernist and postwar graphic art the publication formed part of a larger project intended to document and disseminate Miro’s sculptural innovations to an international audience. During this period, Miro turned increasingly toward three dimensional form, collaborating with foundries and experimental workshops to transform his biomorphic vocabulary into bronze, painted wood, ceramics, and mixed media assemblages. The publication Miro escultor functioned both as an artistic portfolio and as an interpretive document, presenting lithographic translations of sculptural ideas that were simultaneously graphic works in their own right. The edition of MD examples reflected Galerie Borjeson’s commitment to high quality multiples and the broader 1970s movement to democratize access to contemporary art through carefully produced prints. Today, the publication stands as a testament to the intersection of Miro’s painterly gesture, his graphic discipline, and his growing fascination with spatial and sculptural expression. About the Artist: Joan Miro (1893–1983) was a Catalan painter, sculptor, printmaker, and ceramicist whose visionary imagination and lyrical abstraction made him one of the most influential and beloved artists of the 20th century. Born in Barcelona, Miro drew inspiration from Catalan folk art, Romanesque frescoes, and the luminous landscapes of Mont roig del Camp, developing a deep connection to nature that infused his work with vitality and symbolism. After formal training at the Escola dArt in Barcelona, he absorbed the lessons of Post Impressionism and Cubism before moving to Paris in the early 1920s, where he became a leading figure in the Surrealist movement. There, Miro forged a personal visual language of biomorphic shapes, floating symbols, and radiant color harmonies that reflected both spontaneity and spiritual depth. In creative dialogue with peers such as Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, he helped revolutionize modern art by dissolving the boundaries between abstraction and dream imagery. Miro’s inventive approach extended far beyond painting, embracing sculpture, ceramics, and monumental public commissions that redefined how art could interact with space and emotion. His expressive freedom and gestural abstraction profoundly influenced later artists including Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Antoni Tapies, and Joan Mitchell, inspiring generations who sought to merge instinct, color, and imagination. Today, Miro’s work remains a cornerstone of modernism, prized by collectors and celebrated in major museums worldwide. His highest auction record was achieved by Peinture (Etoile Bleue) (1927), which sold for 23,561,250 GBP (approximately 37 million USD) at Sotheby’s, London, on June 19, 2012. Joan Miro Sweden...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Lierre en Fleur
Lierre en Fleur

Lierre en Fleur

By Henri Matisse

Located in OPOLE, PL

Henri Matisse (1869-1954) - Bateau Lithograph from 1958. Dimensions of work: 35.5 x 26.4 cm Publisher: Tériade, Paris. First, original edition. The work is in Good condition. -...

Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Ziggurat" Large Scale Contemporary Surrealist Still Life (books and ladders)

"Ziggurat" Large Scale Contemporary Surrealist Still Life (books and ladders)

By Thomas Broadbent

Located in New York, NY

52"x 106" large scale watercolor on paper by award-winning New York artist Thomas Broadbent, signed on reverse. A Contemporary Surrealist Still-life painting of books and papers, wi...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Watercolor, Archival Paper

Aida, Lithograph by Paul Wunderlich
Aida, Lithograph by Paul Wunderlich

Aida, Lithograph by Paul Wunderlich

By Paul Wunderlich

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Paul Wunderlich, German (1927 - 2010) Title: Aida Year: 1978 Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 150/250 Size: 29 x 21.5 inches Frame Size: 39 x 30.5 ...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Nine of Cups, Oil Painting
Nine of Cups, Oil Painting

Nine of Cups, Oil Painting

By Rachel Srinivasan

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Nine blue chalices repeat across the composition in three vertical columns. Wavelike blue, green, red, and white patterns create a strong sense of symmetry and ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

The Cycles of Life Suite
The Cycles of Life Suite

The Cycles of Life Suite

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Hollywood, FL

ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: The Cycles of Life 3 Piece Suite Vigor of Youth One's Identity Reflection MEDIUM: 3 Etchings SIGNED: Each piece is Hand Signed EDITION NUMBER: 182...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Celebration

Celebration

By Alejandro Rubio

Located in San Francisco, CA

Alejandro Rubio Celebration, 2024 Oil on canvas 30 x 30 inches This one-of-a-kind oil painting on canvas is stretched across wooden stretcher bars.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Crowd #2

Crowd #2

By Misha Gordin

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Gelatin silver print Misha Gordin was born in 1946, the first year after World War II ended. Having survived the hardships of evacuation, Gordin's parents returned back home to Riga...

Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ivanhoe Rowena
Ivanhoe Rowena

Ivanhoe Rowena

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Hollywood, FL

ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Ivanhoe Rowena MEDIUM: Lithograph SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali EDITION NUMBER: 36/250 MEASUREMENTS: Paper: 23" x 18" Frame: 38.5" x 31" YE...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

“Bad Bunny” (FRAMED) Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff
“Bad Bunny” (FRAMED) Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff

“Bad Bunny” (FRAMED) Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff

By Brian Ziff

Located in Culver City, CA

“Bad Bunny” (FRAMED) Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée

Salvador Dali "The Golden Fleece"
Salvador Dali "The Golden Fleece"

Salvador Dali "The Golden Fleece"

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Boston, MA

Artist: Dali, Salvador Title: The Golden Fleece Series: Aranella Date: 1974 Medium: drypoint printed in color Signature: Pencil signed Edition: 127 / 300 Literature: Albert F...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Color, Drypoint

The Sound of the Changing Season - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic
The Sound of the Changing Season - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic

The Sound of the Changing Season - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

A violinist, playing a melancholy tune, helps conjure up the change of season from fall to winter on Halloween, as represented by the black cat. The cat is holding the Tempest in the Teapot kettle. The raven, who is bursting forth from the steam of this tempest, represents the cold, dark and harsh winter to come. Juxtaposing and altering unrelated natural objects with the machinations of man to create a scene of an impossible surreal world, the viewer enters the mind of artist Christopher Klein...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Cobwebs and Rocks Watercolor, Surrealist Style, Signed, 1940
Cobwebs and Rocks Watercolor, Surrealist Style, Signed, 1940

Cobwebs and Rocks Watercolor, Surrealist Style, Signed, 1940

By Benjamin G. Benno

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Cobwebs and Rocks Watercolor, 1940 Signed, dated, and copyrighted lower right Exhibited: Zimmerli Art Museum, Benjamin Benno: Retrospective Exhibition, 1988 Illustrated: Gustafson, Zimmerli Museum: Benjamin Benno: Retrospective Exhibition, 1988 Color Plate 14 copy copy of the catalog accompanies the watercolor Condition: excellent Image size: 14 3/4 x 21 inches Provenance: Estate of the Artist Ruth O...

Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Watercolor

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.