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.
A world of her own.
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
Before breakfast.
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 waiting 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
The secret.
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
$2,400
"Untitled, for "XXe Siècle (20th C.)" Magazine #21 Original Color Lithograph
By Wifredo Lam
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Untitled, for "XXe Siècle (20th C.)" magazine is an original color lithograph by Latin American artist Wifredo Lam. It depicts a variety of surreal and abstract lines and figures in ...
Lithograph
$1,780
The Venus of The Hague – 09-07-20, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
By Corne Akkers
Located in Yardley, PA
The Venus of The Hague – 09-07-20 Animals kept crawling in so it was inevitable to incorporate them into these series. The first one I saw was a lioness in her thight and second...
Pencil
$3,800
Dessert - Still Life Table Setting with Fruit, Wine and Flowers, Oil on Panel
By John Hrehov
Located in Chicago, IL
The artist is a master at storytelling. He sets the stage for the viewer to bring the events to a particular scene. Here, the artist has set two wine glasses, napkins and a small plate of desserts on a geometrically patterned table cloth, draping so it almost appears to be falling over the frame. The viewer is required to ask the questions about the scene but the answers may only lie in their own imagination. The painting, which is painted on canvas then mounted to a panel, is framed in a simple wooden frame measuring 21 x 30 inches. John Hrehov Dessert, 2022 oil on canvas on panel 20h x 29w in 50.80h x 73.66w cm JHR008 John Hrehov Education 1985 MFA-Painting, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1981 BFA-Painting, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH. Solo Exhibitions 2017 John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Tom Thomas Gallery, Indiana University East, Richmond, IN. 2012 Shades from White to Black, New Drawings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2011 John Hrehov: Charcoal. Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. 2009 John Hrehov: A Survey 1999-2009 Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. Paintings and Drawings. Seerveld Gallery, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL. 2004 John Hrehov: Drawings and Paintings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2002 Paintings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2001 Charcoal. Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL. 2000 The Picture Proper. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. Fearful Symmetry. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN. Allegories in Contemporary Life. Yvonne Rapp Gallery, Louisville, KY. 1999 Paintings and Working Drawings. Adams Hall Gallery, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL. 1998 John Hrehov. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. John Hrehov: Paintings and Drawings. Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL. 1997 Object Lesson, Paintings, and Drawings by John Hrehov. Yvonne Rapp Gallery, Louisville, KY. 1995 John Hrehov. Trinity Art Gallery, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL. 1993 John Hrehov: Selected Works 1980-1992 Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. Group Exhibitions 2019 2019 Alumni Exhibition. Reinberger Gallery at The Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH. Out Of The Closet. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 1026 West Berry Street: The Fort Wayne Art School. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN. 2018 Artlink Regional Exhibition. Artlink Contemporary Art Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN. 2017 Sola Grace-Faith-Scripture: An Exhibition of Sacred Visual Art. Good Shepherd Institute at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN. Norman Bradley...
Canvas, Oil, Panel
Salvador Dali "Moses"
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: Dali, Salvador Title: Moses Series: Our Historical Heritage Date: 1975 Medium: drypoint with added color Unframed Dimensions: 26" x 19.875" Framed Dimensions: 33.5" x 2...
Drypoint
The Revelation of Bettie Page (2018), Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
By Corne Akkers
Located in Yardley, PA
The Revelation of Bettie Page (2018) In this painting I tried to work out some grand themes: sex and religion. There is nothing more to say about the ‘what’. About the ‘howâ...
Oil
Black Chair Original Gouache Painting, Surrealist, Signed, 1969
Located in Aventura, FL
Original gouache and ink painting on paper. Hand signed and dated by Alexander Calder. Executed in 1969, this work is registered in the archives of the Calder Foundation, New York,...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
$1,617
Third Rock from the Sun – 15-02-24, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
By Corne Akkers
Located in Yardley, PA
My Compliments This graphite pencil drawing ‘Third Rock from the Sun – 15-02-24’ I wanted to create for a long time. However, caught up in some projects in oil I had some ti...
Pencil
"Beatrice", Surrealist Mixed Media Painting, 12x12, Unframed, 2010+
By Cheryl Tall
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an original mixed media artwork by Southern California artist, Cheryl Tall. Its dimensions are 12" x 12" x .75". It is unframed. A certific...
Mixed Media
"Flora #14" - Geometric Surrealist Painting - Nude - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flora #14" is one in a series of surreal paintings of the female figure featuring intricate patterning and hues of blue, black, green, white and yellow. Guy Robinson is inspired by ...
Linen, Oil
"Calme and Luxe", Mixed Media Painting, Surrealist, Unframed, 2010+
By Cheryl Tall
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an original mixed media work on wood by Southern California artist, Cheryl Tall. Its dimensions are 40" x 30" x 1.5". It is unframed. A certificate of authenticity will follo...
Mixed Media
"Courtney", Ceramic Functional Dish, Surrealist Style, 2023, Signed
By Cheryl Tall
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an original ceramic functional dish by Southern California artist, Cheryl Tall. Its dimensions are 5.25" x 5.25" x 1". A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery. ...
Ceramic
"Conflab" Oil on Canvas 18x22"
Located in Southampton, NY
In continuing with representing fine artists that are connected to the music industry we are please to announce that we are the only gallery in the United States representing the oil...
Canvas, Oil
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
$7,500
Face - Ink on Paper Unique Signed Drawing Surrealist Woman Painter, c. 1960
By Leonor Fini
Located in New York, NY
Leonor Fini Face, ca. 1960 Ink on paper 9 x 11 cm 3 1/2 x 4 1/3 in. 28 x 30 cm 11 x 11 7/8 in. (Frame included) Unique work Exhibition History: Leonor Fini: Small Faces, April 7 -...
Paper, Ink
From A to Z
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
At the heart of this clearly surrealist painting is a window, a portal to the outside world that holds multiple meanings and suggests a profound reflection on the human condition. On...
Oil
In work/Four figures. Double-sided, cardboard, tempera, 56x47 cm
Located in Riga, LV
In work/Four figures. Double-sided, cardboard, tempera, 56x47 cm Vladimir Borisovich Glushenkov (May 21, 1948, Riga - December 26, 2009, Riga.) - painter, graphic artist, poet, translator. Born in Riga in a Russian-Polish-German family. Vladimir Glushenkov...
Mixed Media, Cardboard, Tempera
$4,720Sale Price|20% Off
Soulmate (white Swan Woman bather red green vintage surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Soulmate is a superbe original painting on canvas depicting a woman bather next to a giant white Swan on a green lawn against an intense red sky. keywords; white Swan, woman bather,...
Canvas, Oil
$7,200
"Le Philosophe au Papillon from Je Reve (I Dream) Portfolio, " signed by Masson
By André Masson
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Le Philosophe au Papillon" is an original color lithograph from the Je Reve portfolio by surrealist artist Andre Masson. The artist signed the piece i...
Lithograph
Les Amoreaux Dans La Ciel à Saint Paul, Surrealist Etching, Signed
By Marc Chagall
Located in Naples, Florida
Signed in pencil Numbered 16/50 Chagall worked extensively in etching and aquatint during the later decades of his career, producing numerous independent compositions and illustr...
Paper, Etching, Aquatint
"Satan" from "Je Reve" portfolio, Surrealist Lithograph, Signed
By André Masson
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Satan" is an original color lithograph by Andre Masson. This piece is from the "Je Reve" (I Dream) portfolio of 1975. The edition number, written lower left, is H.C. XXV/XXV. The ar...
Lithograph, Paper
Diane de Poitiers
Located in New York, NY
Color etching with full margins. Signed by the artist and numbered 147/250 in pencil in lower right and left margins respectively. Printed and published by DeFrancony, Paris. Ca...
Etching, Color
Poems Secrets The Beach at Sete
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Poems Secrets The Beach at Sete MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISHER: Editions Argillet, Paris EDITION NUMBER: 114/145 MEASUREMENTS: 11" ...
Etching
Untitled Gargoyle
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Artists proof printed on 100% cotton rag monochromatic Panoramic
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Rag Paper, Lithograph
Hagaer in the Desert - 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
Houses and Sunrise - Abstract Colorful Layered 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
$9,360
Fauna
Located in Atlanta, GA
Georgian artist Merab Gagiladze was born in Tbilisi. In 1987 he began his formal art education at the Tbilisi College of Art, School of Ceramics. In 19...
Oil
Profil rose
By André Masson
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color lithograph. Signed and numbered 14/200 in pencil.
Color, Lithograph
Butterfly suite : Roussillon - Heliogravure - 1969 (Field #69-2 E)
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador DALI (1904-1969) Butterfly suite : Roussillon, 1969 Heliogravure / Photogravure after an original design by Dali Blind stamp signature bottom right Numbered / 1700 copies P...
Photogravure
Mark Ryden Etching: Tree of Life
By Mark Ryden
Located in Miami, FL
Mark Ryden Tree of Life, 2008 Etching Ed. 19 of 40 28 x 21 in Signed and numbered by the artist. Includes a certificate of authenticity.
Etching
$582
Clown of many faces. Limited edition print, Surreal, Established Polish artist
Located in Warsaw, PL
Size of sheet is ca. 21 x 29 cm (A4) Contemporary figurative giclee print by Polish artist Rafal Olbinski. Print is signed, numbered and has a stamp of an artist's atelier. It comes...
Paper, Color
Departure of The Fisherman
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Departure of The Fisherman MEDIUM: Lithograph SIGNED: Hand Signed EDITION NUMBER: 32/150 MEASUREMENTS: 25.75" x 38" YEAR: 1965 FRAMED: No CONDIT...
Lithograph
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
Investigation (bat fox bat oil painting surrealism figurative animal vintage)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Investigation I", banal, everyday things meet in this painting to create an unusual, strange, absurd and ironical situation derived by the disproportional scale size of things. keywords; surrealism, animals, bat, oil painting, earth tones, figurative painting, strangeness, contemporary surrealistic, unsettling, contemporary figurative painting, dreams, symbolic composition, giant bat...
Canvas, Oil
Amsterdam Rainbow, Surrealist Screenprint by Antonio Peticov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Antonio Peticov, Brazilian (1946 - ) - Amsterdam Rainbow, Year: 1979, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 200, Size: 27.5 x 35 in. (69.85 x 88.9 cm)
Screen
La Conquête du Ciel Conquest of the Skies Surrealism Contemporary Space Creature
Located in Utrecht, NL
La Conquête du Ciel Conquest of the Skies Surrealism Contemporary Space Creature Gérard Willemenot was born on February 11, 1943. World War II and his father's deportation to Mautha...
Panel, Tempera
$1,546Sale Price|20% Off
Self-portrait of a painter in old garden. 2/31., 2010., lithograph, 46x36cm
Located in Riga, LV
Self-portrait of a painter in an old garden. 2/31., 2010., color lithograph, 46x36cm Leonids Maurins (1934-2012) From 1954 to 1961 studied at J. Rozent...
Paper, Lithograph
$63,000
Sketch for the Cover of Andrei Voznesensky's Collection of Poems - French Bird
By Marc Chagall
Located in London, GB
This brush, pen and India ink with pencil drawing is stamp signed “Marc Chagall” in the lower left corner. It was executed in 1973 and bears the estate inventory number D1852f, verso...
Paper, India Ink, Pen, Pencil
After Blossfeldt #1, Vintage Silver Gelatin Signed Photograph
Located in Surfside, FL
Jo Ann Callis (American, b. 1940) After Blossfeldt, 1988; Gelatin silver print; Signed, dated and numbered A/P 1; 13 5/8" x 10 7/8" Jo Ann Callis (born Cincinnati, Ohio 1940) is an ...
Silver Gelatin
Gonzo Spirit
Located in Hollywood, FL
Artist: Ralph Steadman Title: Gonzo Guilt Medium: One color silkscreen on White Rising Stonehenge Deckle Edge Paper Size: 22 x 24 Inches Edition: of 250 Year: 2006 Notes: Custom Fra...
Screen
Salvador Dali - Venus in Furs - Original Stamp-Signed Etching
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Salvador Dali - Original Etching Stamp signed by Dali Edition of 294 copies. Paper : Arches vellum. Dimensions : 16x12". Catalogue Raisonné : Field 68-6 (p. 40-41). Salvador Dal...
Etching
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
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Surreal Painting, Landscape, Pink Clouds, Ocean, Elemental II by Joerg Dressler
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
JOERG DRESSLER "Elemental II" Acrylic on Panel 14 x 11 inches _____________________________________ Joerg was born in Hanau, Germany. He received his MFA from the Hochschule für Ges...
Acrylic, Wood Panel
François-Xavier Lalanne, Chat polymorphe 1968
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Francois-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008) Les Spitz, 2004 Rare original lithograph handsigned in pencil by François Xavier Lalanne and untitled "Les Moutons" ("The Sheeps"), in perfect co...
Paper
"Swan Tower", Surreal Figurative Sculpture, Ceramic, 2010+, Unframed, 32"
By Cheryl Tall
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original sculpture by San Diego artist, Cheryl Tall. Its dimensions are 14" x 32" x 12". A Certificate of Authenticity will follow the delivery of this piece...
Ceramic
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Aleck
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic on paper, Framed 42 x 42 x 3 cm Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced b...
Paper, Oil
Vitraux in Four Sheets Puzzle of Life
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Vitraux in Four Sheets Puzzle of Life MEDIUM: 4 Lithographs SIGNED: 1 Lithograph is Hand Signed by Salvador Dali EDITION NUMBER: 1 lithograph is num...
Lithograph
Salvador Dali Color Engraving, Signed, 1970, The Cavaliers of King Arthur
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: The Cavaliers of King Arthur Portfolio: Tristan and Iseult Medium: Color engraving Year: 1970 Edition: 12/125 Frame Size: 25 1/4" x 20 3/4" Sheet Size: 1...
Engraving
Artists & Prostitutes
Located in New York, NY
Limited Edition of 2,500 copies, numbered and signed by David LaChapelle Edition of 2,500 Hardcover in clamshell box, 13.6 x 19.7 in., 43.43 lb, 698 pages
Photographic Paper
$6,995
Salvador Dali Color Etching, Signed, 1973, Symbols of Twelve Tribes of Israel
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: Symbols of the Twelve Tribes Portfolio: The Twelve Tribes of Israel Medium: Etching and pochoir on Arches paper Year: 1973 Edition: 130/195 Frame Size: 3...
Engraving
erotica al fresco, narrative architectural fantasy w female nudes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pastel on toned paperABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive wi...
Paper, Pastel
"My Gypsy Life", Mixed Media Triptych Painting, Surrealist, Unframed
By Cheryl Tall
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an original mixed media work on canvas by Southern California artist, Cheryl Tall. It is a triptych in three vertical canvases. Its dimensions are 48" x 90" x 1.5". It is unf...
Mixed Media
Dali Alchimie des Philosophes Le Phenix
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Alchimie des Philosophes Le Phenix MEDIUM: Etching on parchment paper SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISHER: Art et ...
Etching
Abricot (Apricot), From FlorDalí (Les Fruits), 1969
Located in Naples, Florida
From FlorDalí (Les Fruits) Artist’s Proof (EA) Lithograph with drypoint etching and embossing on Rives wove paper Signed and dated lower rig...
Drypoint, Etching, Lithograph
Surreal Etching Print of Crowned Figure on Horse, 1984
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This richly detailed print by Mexican artist Maximino Javier, dated 1984, exemplifies his surreal and symbolic approach to etching. At the center of the composition is a crowned figu...
Etching, Aquatint
Black Panther, Coral Reef, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This minimalist painting features a black panther poised on a green geometric slope. Beneath it, an angular window reveals coral forms in shades of purple and l...
Mixed Media
$12,807Sale Price|50% Off
Le Miroir Magique Print, Surrealist, Signed, Circa 1927, Framed
Located in CANNES, FR
Jean HUGO ( 1894 - 1984 ) " Le miroir Magique " . PARIS .Jeanne Buchet .1927. Musée FABRE . Montpellier . portefeuille de 20 lithographies coloriées sur pochoir par Jean saudé d'apré...
Archival Paper
Untitled 2
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Roger Chapelain Midy (French, 1904-1992) Title: Untitled 2 Year : Circa 1975 Medium: Color lithograph Edition: Unknown Paper: Silk paper Image size: 18 x 25.25 inche...
Lithograph