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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
Plum, Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Hank Laventhol

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...

Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Mano Sol (rare giltwood sculpture)
Mano Sol (rare giltwood sculpture)

Mano Sol (rare giltwood sculpture)

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in Aventura, FL

Carved giltwood sculpture. Signed Pedro Friedberg on the underside of the base. Size: 10 x 3.25 x 1.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent co...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Que Font Ces Gens - Ink Drawing by Salvador Dalì - 1945
Que Font Ces Gens - Ink Drawing by Salvador Dalì - 1945

Que Font Ces Gens - Ink Drawing by Salvador Dalì - 1945

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Roma, IT

Que font ces gens is a beautiful modern artwork realized by Salvador Dalì in 1945. China Ink Drawing on paper. Original outstanding drawing realized to illustrate the book "The Labyrinth" by Maurice Sandoz, published in 1945. Signed and dated on the lower right recto. Executed on thick cream wove paper, not laid down and taped to the mount along the upper edge. The upper, right and lower edges are slightly unevenly cut. There are two pinholes towards the upper right and upper left corners. The sheet is time stained and there is a spot of foxing beneath the lower edge of the drawing. There are some remnants from previous mounting at the upper two corners not visible when framed. There are handling marks to the perimeter of the sheet. The ink is strong and well preserved. The artwork is accompanied by authentication of Robert P. Descharnes, Paris 2003, reference archive: D-3461. Prov. Sotheby's Impressionist & Modern Art Sale...

Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Ink

Ladder
Ladder

Ladder

By Fanny Brennan

Located in New York, NY

Created by Surrealist Fanny Brennan from 1992-96, Ladder is a lithograph in colors on wove paper. Hand-monogrammed in pencil and numbered from the edition of 250, the artwork measure...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Dali  La barque de Nocher, L´espoir Lithography
Dali  La barque de Nocher, L´espoir Lithography

Dali La barque de Nocher, L´espoir Lithography

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL

La Barque de Nocher, L'espoir. 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. 50/ 350. ...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Lithographs II (1046), Surrealist Lithography by Joan Miro

Lithographs II (1046), Surrealist Lithography by Joan Miro

By Joan Miró

Located in Long Island City, NY

Joan Miro was a Spanish Surrealist artist, world-renowned for his unique art style that blended surrealist fantasy and modern life. This lithograph is part of the series "Lithographs...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Satiricon, 1970
Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Satiricon, 1970

Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Satiricon, 1970

By Leonor Fini

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Leonor Fini (1907–1996), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album Satiricon, originates from the 1970 edition published by Ariane Lancell, Editeur, P...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

A Home in the Woods - Original Birds Portrait Still Life Framed Acrylic Painting
A Home in the Woods - Original Birds Portrait Still Life Framed Acrylic Painting

A Home in the Woods - Original Birds Portrait Still Life Framed Acrylic Painting

By Carlos Gamez de Francisco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The figurative surrealistic paintings of Carlos Gamez de Francisco are heavily influenced by his Cuban upbringing in a Russian-governed academic setting. This presence exposed Franci...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Birds in Flight (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)
Birds in Flight (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)

Birds in Flight (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Birds in Flight, ca. 1975-80. Gouache on Arches rag paper, Sheet measures 23 x 30 inches. Image measures 22 x 29 inches. Signed lower left. Excellent condition. Unframed.

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gouache, Rag Paper

20th Century French Modernist Signed Oil Painting Portrait of Young Girl Green
20th Century French Modernist Signed Oil Painting Portrait of Young Girl Green

20th Century French Modernist Signed Oil Painting Portrait of Young Girl Green

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Tristan Fabris 1970's French surrealist artist signed oil on canvas, framed framed: 19 x 16 inches canvas: 18 x 15 inches private collection, France The painting is in overall sound ...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Signals - Screen Print by Leo Guida - 1984

Signals - Screen Print by Leo Guida - 1984

By Leo Guida

Located in Roma, IT

Segnali is an artwork realized in 1984 by the italian Contemporary artist Leo Guida (1992 - 2017). Colored screen print on ivory-colored cardboard. Hand-signed, titled and dated o...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

Lithographs II (1045), Surrealist Lithography by Joan Miro

Lithographs II (1045), Surrealist Lithography by Joan Miro

By Joan Miró

Located in Long Island City, NY

Joan Miro was a Spanish Surrealist artist, world-renowned for his unique art style that blended surrealist fantasy and modern life. This lithograph is part of the series "Lithographs...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Micro Gestalt Series #3b

Micro Gestalt Series #3b

By Airom

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Acrylic and ink on canvas.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Ink, Acrylic

PRINCE OF CUPS 1979, Signed Lithograph on Arches, Tarot Card Series
PRINCE OF CUPS 1979, Signed Lithograph on Arches, Tarot Card Series

PRINCE OF CUPS 1979, Signed Lithograph on Arches, Tarot Card Series

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Union City, NJ

Artist - Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989) Title - PRINCE OF CUPS, Tarot Card Series Publisher - DALART N.V. Year published - 1979 Medium - Lithograph on Arches Cover 270 gsm. 100% acid free, signed in pencil, inscribed 2/5 PP (Printers Proof) by Salvador Dali on lower print margin, publishers mark "DALART N.V. Copyright 1979" blindstamp embossed on lower left print margin. Fine impression, vivid colors, unframed, in very good condition. Print documentation provided.. Listed in the Albert Field's OFFICIAL CATALOGUE OF THE GRAPHIC WORKS OF SALVADOR DALI, Reference #79-15. PRINCE OF CUPS from the Tarot Series 1979, is a surrealist style limited edition lithograph by Salvador Dalí (1904 – 1989) Printed on archival Arches paper, 100% acid free. PRINCE OF CUPS depicts a freely drawn, black line portrait of a young Prince wearing his golden yellow crown, sporting a white ruffle collared shirt, looking slightly sideways posed behind a golden chalice...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Dile Que No", Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas, Unframed, 2010+
"Dile Que No", Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas, Unframed, 2010+

"Dile Que No", Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas, Unframed, 2010+

Located in San Diego, CA

This is a one of a kind original oil and resin painting by San Diego artist, Julia San Roman. Its dimensions are 36" x 60" It is unframed. A certificate of authenticity will follow d...

Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

The Côte d'Azur. Sun, Sea and Sand. Mid-Century Oil on Canvas.
The Côte d'Azur. Sun, Sea and Sand. Mid-Century Oil on Canvas.

The Côte d'Azur. Sun, Sea and Sand. Mid-Century Oil on Canvas.

Located in Cotignac, FR

Mid-century oil on canvas of a summer scene on the Côte d'Azur. The work is signed but the artist unknown. This artwork is a vibrant and eclectic composition that captures the essen...

Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cover for Menu (trial proof)
Cover for Menu (trial proof)

Cover for Menu (trial proof)

By Marc Chagall

Located in OPOLE, PL

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Cover for Menu (trial proof) Lithograph from 1964. Trial proof - unique work. Dimensions of sheet: 45 x 32 cm Dimensions in frame: 53.2 x 43.2 cm Publ...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Art Deco Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Signed, 1990, Pearls and Emeralds
Art Deco Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Signed, 1990, Pearls and Emeralds

Art Deco Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Signed, 1990, Pearls and Emeralds

By Erté

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Erté Title: Pearls and Emeralds Medium: Embossed serigraph Year: 1990 Edition: 265/300 Sheet Size: 41 3/4" x 29 1/4" Image Size: 35 1/4" x 23 1/4" Signature: Stamped signature

Category

1990s Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

RENÉ MAGRITTE L'EMPIRE DES LUMIÈRES, 1964 Limited edition Lithograph, Surrealism
RENÉ MAGRITTE L'EMPIRE DES LUMIÈRES, 1964 Limited edition Lithograph, Surrealism

RENÉ MAGRITTE L'EMPIRE DES LUMIÈRES, 1964 Limited edition Lithograph, Surrealism

By (after) René Magritte

Located in Madrid, Madrid

L'EMPIRE DES LUMIÈRES, 1964 (THE EMPIRE OF LIGHTS, 1964) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition: 275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Observations: Lithograph on BFK Ri...

Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Joan Miro, Composition, from L'Atelier Mourlot, 1965
Joan Miro, Composition, from L'Atelier Mourlot, 1965

Joan Miro, Composition, from L'Atelier Mourlot, 1965

By Joan Miró

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Composition (Composition), from the album Les Lithographies de L'Atelier Mourlot, Paris (The Lithographs of the Mourlot Workshop, Paris), originates from the 1965 edition published by Redfern Gallery, London; printed by Mourlot Freres, November, 1965. This artwork reflects Miro’s poetic abstraction, where floating forms, rhythmic line, and vibrant visual symbols coalesce into a dreamlike composition that captures the artist’s exploration of spontaneity, imagination, and the subconscious. Executed as a lithograph on velin d’Arches paper. 10 x 7.5 inches. Signed in the plate and unnumbered as issued. The impression reflects the exceptional quality associated with the Mourlot atelier, renowned for its collaborations with the most important artists of the twentieth century. Artwork Details: Artist: Joan Miro (1893–1983) Title: Composition (Composition), from Les Lithographies de L'Atelier Mourlot, Paris (The Lithographs of the Mourlot Workshop, Paris), 1965 Medium: Lithograph on velin d’Arches paper Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 inches Inscription: Signed in the plate and unnumbered as issued Date: 1965 Publisher: Redfern Gallery, London Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Catalogue Raisonne: Cramer, Patrick, and Joan Miro. Joan Miro, Catalogue Raisonne des Livres Illustres. P. Cramer, 1989, illustration 91; Miro, Joan, et al. Joan Miro : Lithographs. Tudor, 1972-1992, illustration 332. Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From Les Lithographies de L'Atelier Mourlot, Paris, published by Redfern Gallery, London, 1965 Notes: Excerpted from the album (translated from French), This album was published on the occasion of the exhibition, "The Mourlot Workshop" at The Redfern Gallery, 20, Cork Street London WI, December 7, 1965 to January 31, 1966. There were printed of this work M examples on velin d’Arches, and C examples on velin de Rives BFK, reserved for the artists, collaborators, and friends of the Imprimerie Mourlot and the Redfern Gallery. About the Publication: Les Lithographies de L'Atelier Mourlot, Paris (The Lithographs of the Mourlot Workshop, Paris), published in 1965 by the Redfern Gallery in London, stands as a landmark publication dedicated to one of the most important print ateliers of the twentieth century. Produced in conjunction with a major exhibition highlighting the achievements of the Mourlot workshop, the album celebrates the collaborative relationship between artists and master printers that defined modern lithography. Mourlot Freres, based in Paris, worked closely with leading figures of modern art, including Picasso, Miro, Chagall, Braque, and many others, providing the technical expertise necessary to translate their visions into lithographic form. The publication presents a curated selection of original lithographs that exemplify the range, innovation, and artistic excellence of the atelier, reflecting both the technical mastery of Mourlot and the creative diversity of the artists it supported. Printed with exceptional care and distributed through an international gallery context, the album represents a significant moment in the history of twentieth century printmaking, bridging the worlds of exhibition, publication, and artistic production. Today, it remains highly regarded by collectors and scholars as a definitive document of the Mourlot workshop’s central role in shaping modern graphic art. About the Artist: Joan Miro (1893–1983) was a Catalan painter, sculptor, and ceramicist whose imaginative, dreamlike vision helped spearhead the Surrealist movement and left an indelible mark on modern art. Born in Barcelona and deeply rooted in Catalan culture, Miro moved to Paris in the early 1920s where his playful shapes, cosmic motifs, and childlike yet sophisticated abstractions broke new ground alongside the great innovators of his time. His artistic dialogue aligned with contemporaries such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Jackson Pollock, Georges Braque, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, each of whom challenged the conventions of form, color, and symbolism. Miro distilled these ideas into a uniquely poetic visual vocabulary birds, stars, and bold spectral forms emerging from flat planes of color that has inspired scores of artists and continues to influence modern and contemporary masters including Banksy, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, and Jasper Johns. His works are represented in leading museums worldwide, including MoMA, the Guggenheim, the Tate, and the Centre Pompidou, and remain highly sought after by collectors. The highest price ever paid for a Joan Miro artwork is approximately 37.06 million USD, achieved in June 2012 at Sotheby's London for Peinture (Etoile Bleue) (1927). Joan Miro Composition...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Le Rhinoceros - Lithograph - 1970

Le Rhinoceros - Lithograph - 1970

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Roma, IT

Lithograph on wove paper, after drypoint etching. Image dimension 36.5x49.5. Edition of 163/275. Hand signed and numbered in pencil. Browned. Ref. Michler-Lopsinger 450.

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Le Reve de Paris (Mourlot 600), large hand signed lithograph
Le Reve de Paris (Mourlot 600), large hand signed lithograph

Le Reve de Paris (Mourlot 600), large hand signed lithograph

By Marc Chagall

Located in Aventura, FL

Lithograph in colors on Arches paper. Hand signed lower right by Marc Chagall. Hand numbered 53/75 lower left. Paper size: 40.06 x 28.12 inches. Image size: 35.12 x 25.12 inches....

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Acrobat, Surrealist Etching by James Kearns
Acrobat, Surrealist Etching by James Kearns

Acrobat, Surrealist Etching by James Kearns

By James Kearns

Located in Long Island City, NY

James Kearns, American (1924 - ) - Acrobat, Year: circa 1975, Medium: Etching on Rives, signed, titled and numbered, Edition: 44/50, Image Size: 14.5 x 8.75 inches, Size: 22 x 15 i...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Star-Crossed, Oil Painting
Star-Crossed, Oil Painting

Star-Crossed, Oil Painting

By Keith Thomson

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Two astronauts sit across from each other, the table between them barely separating their bodies as they lean in close. It was a first date, and they had a wond...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

"Spike Milligan (If)"
"Spike Milligan (If)"

"Spike Milligan (If)"

Located in Edinburgh, GB

"Spike Milligan(If) is a riotous homage to absurdity, theatricality, and the razor wit of British humor. This surreal silk composition draws inspiration from Milligan’s nonsensical p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Silk

The Narrowing Down of Molly Hinglebottom, Oil Painting
The Narrowing Down of Molly Hinglebottom, Oil Painting

The Narrowing Down of Molly Hinglebottom, Oil Painting

By Diane Flick

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A girl with a yellow Gerbera daisy for a head holds an orange refrigerator with human limbs in one hand and a cupcake topped with a telephone on the other. This...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

The Lucky Number of Dali
The Lucky Number of Dali

The Lucky Number of Dali

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Hollywood, FL

ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: The Lucky Number of Dali MEDIUM: Lithograph SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali PUBLISHER: Sidney Lucas, New York EDITION NUMBER: 102/300 MEASURE...

Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled
Untitled

Untitled

By Wifredo Lam

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Wifredo Lam, Cuban (1902 - 1982) Title: Untitled - I Year: 1957 Medium: Crayon and Pastel on Paper, signed and dated l.r. Paper Size: 22 in. x 26.5 in. (55.88 cm x 67.31...

Category

1950s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Crayon, Pastel

Bulb of Africa 3
Bulb of Africa 3

Iyiola OdunayoBulb of Africa 3, 2023

$1,200Sale Price|20% Off

Bulb of Africa 3

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Bulb of Africa was not just a hairstyle; it was a celebration of African heritage and a testament to the resilience of its people. Passed down through generations, it represented strength, beauty, and the rich tapestry of African traditions. The Bulb showcased the natural texture and volume of African hair, transforming it into an intricate masterpiece of braids, twists, and coils. The Bulb of Africa became a symbol of empowerment, reminding people of their strength, resilience, and the beauty of their shared heritage. It served as a reminder that hair was more than a physical attribute; it was a connection to something greater—a connection to their ancestors, their community, and celebrating the beauty within themselves. Beyond their physical beauty, African women possess an immeasurable inner strength that resonates through "Bulb of Africa." Odunayo masterfully captures this strength, highlighting the resilience and determination that have defined African women throughout history. The women depicted in the artwork emanate confidence, wisdom, and a sense of purpose. Their gaze speaks volumes, embodying the stories of countless African women who have overcome adversity, shattered barriers, and carved out their own paths to success. In "Bulb of Africa," Iyiola Odunayo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Fuji Under Siege
Fuji Under Siege

Fuji Under Siege

By Fanny Brennan

Located in New York, NY

Created by Surrealist Fanny Brennan from 1992-96, Fuji Under Siege is an original lithograph in colors on wove paper, hand-monogrammed by the artist in pencil and numbered from the e...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

original lithograph

original lithograph

By André Masson

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1972 for the art revue XXe Siecle (issue No. 38). Size: 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches (310 x 237 mm). Not signed.

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Winter and Summer
Winter and Summer

Winter and Summer

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Hollywood, FL

ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Winter and Summer MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed EDITION NUMBER: A/P MEASUREMENTS: 25" x 35.5" YEAR: 1973 FRAMED: No AUTHENTICITY: This pi...

Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

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.