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.
Tristram's Testament
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Tristram's Testament Etching from 1969. Dimensions of work: 45 x 33 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Pamela Verlag, New York. Reference: R. Michler, L.W....
Etching
The Doomed Lovers
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - The Doomed Lovers Etching from 1969. Dimensions of work: 45 x 33 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Pamela Verlag, New York. Reference: R. Michler, L.W. Lo...
Etching
$840Sale Price|30% Off
SALUDCITA Y PROVECHITO Silkscreen Print 2018, Surrealist Style, Framed, Signed
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Pedro Friedeberg is an Italian-born Mexican artist and designer known for his surrealist work filled with lines, colors, and ancient religious symbols. His most famous piece is the...
Screen, Serigraph
Frontispiece for "Le Plafond de l'Opéra de Paris"
By Marc Chagall
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Marc Chagall Original Lithograph Frontispiece for the book "Le Plafond de l'Opéra de Paris (The Ceiling of the Paris Opera)" by Jacques Lassaigne (Paris...
Lithograph
Le Château des Pyrénées - 20th Century, Surrealist, Lithograph, Figurative Print
Located in Sint-Truiden, BE
Numbered: 193/300 Color lithograph after the 1959 oil on canvas by René Magritte, printed signature of Magritte and numbered from the edition of 300. The lithograph features the dry...
Lithograph
Ruine, Surrealist Lithograph by André Masson
By André Masson
Located in Long Island City, NY
André Masson, French (1896 -1987) - Ruine, Year: 1945, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 10/30, Image Size: 8 x 6.25 inches, Size: 14 x 11 in. (35.56 x...
Lithograph
Tryptique Visage, Figurative Drawing on Archival Paper, Circa 1940s
Located in CANNES, FR
Bencjon RABINOWICZ dit BENN né à BIALISTOK ( POLAND ) ( 1905 - 1989 .) """ VISAGE . PREMIER REGARD . FOU CALME """ . circa 1943 . en Hommage à JEAN PAULHAN . 3 dessins encad...
Archival Paper
Cezanne Among the Marsupials, Signed Lithograph on Arches by Jean Messagier
Located in Long Island City, NY
Cezanne Among the Marsupials by Jean Messagier, 1920 - 1999 Date: 1983 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200 Size: 21 x 30 in. (53.34 x 76.2 cm) ...
Pencil, Lithograph
Shunboshi : Little one-inch - Original handsigned etching / 75ex
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador DALI Shunboshi : Little one-inch Original etching with pochoir Handsigned in pencil Numbered X / LXXV On Richard de Bas vellum 66 x 51 cm (c. 26 x 20 inch) Excellent condi...
Etching
Titulado "Dominio" - Óleo sobre tela - Enmarcado - Año 1973
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra no la veo firmada, pero hay una etiqueta en la parte trasera que si va firmada y titulada Medidas de la obra: 65 x 81 cm. Medidas del marco: 76 x 92 cm. El estado de conse...
Oil
4580 Transformaciones 2, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Andres Vivo
Located in Yardley, PA
Its about human behaviour that has never changed, but today things are visible and politically accepted. Inspired by Goya´s dramatic art works. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This ...
Oil
"Man with Cup, " Painted Ceramic Figure
By Allan Winkler 1
Located in Chicago, IL
Although this whimsical sculpture by Allan Winkler has the look of outsider art, this ceramic work stems from the art school-trained artist’s interest in...
Ceramic, Acrylic
La Piscine, Lithograph, Modern, 1958, Excellent condition
Located in OPOLE, PL
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) - La Piscine Lithograph from 1958. Dimensions of work: 103 x 35.5 cm. Publisher: Tériade, Paris. Each copy of this Lithograph was originally published w...
Lithograph
$3,746
Salvador Dalí - La femme au fouet - Hand watercolored drypoint etching - 1969
Located in Varese, IT
Hand-watercolored drypoint etching on extremely fine Japanese paper, edited in 1969. Limited edition of 145 copies, numbered in lower left corner as 14/145. Hand-signed in pencil by ...
Paper, Etching
$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
Luna, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Wild, bright and bold, Luna's gaze of daydreaming wonder. Original oil painting of Heather Ireland's Surrealism series. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official...
Oil
Oneiric Landscape 3, Mixed Media on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Thinks related to dreams :: Mixed Media :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Yes :: Sig...
Mixed Media
$10,000
Untitled
By Wifredo Lam
Located in Miami, FL
Wifredo Lam “Untitled” 1970 Ink on paper 19 x 26 in Signed by the artist at the right bottom corner. Certificate of Authenticity by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris. Wifredo Lam wa...
Ink
$565
Texas Wildflowers - Architectural Still Life Watercolor Painting on Paper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Paper, Watercolor
Goldfish XLV, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
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. This painting is sold without a frame but please...
Oil
$12,979
New York, Downtown Night, Original oil painting, Abstract Cityscape-Artwork
Located in London, Chelsea
Gallery service: Complimentary worldwide shipping is offered, with Signet Contemporary Art covering all tariffs, customs duties and import taxes, making international collecting simp...
Canvas, Acrylic
Woman with Flower and Bird, Psychedelic Oil Painting by Al Amatulli
Located in Long Island City, NY
Woman with Flower and Bird Al Amatulli American (1935) Date: circa 1972 Oil on Canvas, signed verso Size: 44 in. x 33 in. (111.76 cm x 83.82 cm)
Canvas, Oil
Surreal Figures - figurative painting, surreal painting
Located in New York, NY
This early surreal figurative work by Jacob El Hanani was done in 1971. It is ink on paper. Measurements of the paper are 35X25 cm. It is dated and hand signed in Hebrew in the botto...
Canvas, Ink
A Shared Rhythm
Located in Zofingen, AG
This work explores a state in which a person ceases to perceive the world as something separate from themselves. The boundary between the observer and the environment becomes less di...
Canvas, Acrylic
$23,960
Fleurs Devant La Fenetre, Hand Signed Lithograph, Edition 5/50, Mourlot 478
By Marc Chagall
Located in Aventura, FL
Lithograph in colors on Arches paper. Hand signed and numbered by Marc Chagall. Mourlot 478. Edition 5/50 (there were also 25 artist’s proofs numbered in Roman numerals). Image size 17.75 x 16.5 inches. Sheet size 26.25 x 21 inches. Frame size approx 33 x 28 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Marc Chagall (French/Russian, 1887–1985) was an artist whose work anticipated the dream-like imagery of Surrealism. Over the course of his career, Chagall developed the poetic, amorphous, and deeply personal visual language evident in paintings like I and the Village...
Paper, Etching
Surrealist Figurative Aquatint Etching California Modernist Sculptor Artist
By Jack Zajac
Located in Surfside, FL
Jack Zajac, American, born 1929 1964 Etching and aquatint hand printed on Fabriano paper, pencil signed and editioned. Edition Roman Numeral III Image: 12 9/16 x 8 5/8 in. (31.9 x 2...
Etching, Aquatint
Surrealist Figurative Aquatint Etching California Modernist Sculptor Artist
By Jack Zajac
Located in Surfside, FL
Jack Zajac, American, born 1929 1964 Etching and aquatint hand printed on Fabriano paper, pencil signed and editioned. This one depicts winged angels. Edition Roman Numeral III Ima...
Etching, Aquatint
Surrealist Figurative Aquatint Etching California Modernist Sculptor Artist
By Jack Zajac
Located in Surfside, FL
Jack Zajac, American, born 1929 1964 Etching and aquatint hand printed on Fabriano paper, pencil signed and editioned. Edition Roman Numeral III Image: 12 9/16 x 8 5/8 in. (31.9 x 2...
Etching, Aquatint
Surrealist Figurative Aquatint Etching California Modernist Sculptor Artist
By Jack Zajac
Located in Surfside, FL
Jack Zajac, American, born 1929 1964 Etching and aquatint hand printed on Fabriano paper, pencil signed and editioned. Edition Roman Numeral III Image: 12 9/16 x 8 5/8 in. (31.9 x 2...
Etching, Aquatint
$3,278Sale Price|30% Off
Surrealist Mineral Still Life with Dalinian Organic Forms and Textured Surface
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Surrealist Mineral Still Life with Dalinian Organic Forms and Textured Surface Artist: Antoni Pitxot Soler (Figueres, 1934 – Barcelona, 2015) Title: Surrealist Mineral Still Life wi...
Oil
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - The crow
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, Acrylic
Paint. Mysteries of Medicine
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Acrylic on wood
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Untitled (Valley of the Dolls)
Located in Columbia, MO
Dave Pavelonis Untitled (Valley of the Dolls) Acrylic on canvas 60.5 x 50.75 Signed and dated lower right recto
Canvas, Acrylic
Tristram's Last Fight
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Tristram's Last Fight Etching from 1969. Dimensions of work: 45 x 33 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Pamela Verlag, New York. Reference: R. Michler, L.W...
Etching
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Chiens N.1
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, she creat...
Canvas, Oil
Psychedelic Cloud, Surrealist Poster Signed by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max was born in Berlin in 1937 but his family moved to China when he was still very young. In fact, the young Max would move frequently with his family, learning about a variet...
Offset
Anatoms, Crouching Silhouette - Original Signed Etching
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
Man RAY (1890–1976) Crouched Silhouette, 1970 Original aquatint engraving Signed in pencil Numbered /25 copies On Lana vellum, 66 x 51 cm (25.98 x 20 in) INFORMATION : This engravi...
Etching
"A Windy Day on Face Street", Surrealist Portrait, Collage, Acrylic Painting
By John Baker
Located in Franklin, MA
John Baker's "A Windy Day on Face Street" is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 16 x 12 inches in tans, blues and lavender greys with red accents. On a grey day the wind has ...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Mr and Mrs Woodman : Up Against the Wall - Original signed silver print
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
MAN RAY (Emmanuel Radnitsky, known as) (1890–1976) Mr. and Mrs. Woodman (Up Against the Wall), 1970 Photograph: Original silver print Artist’s signature stamp on the reverse On silv...
Silver Gelatin
Anatoms, The Swimmer - Original Signed Etching
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
Man RAY (1890–1976) Anatoms, The Swimmer, 1970 Original aquatint engraving Signed in pencil Numbered /25 copies On Lana vellum, 66 x 51 cm (25.98 x 20 in) INFORMATION : This engrav...
Etching
Mr and Mrs Woodman : The Pear Tree - Original signed silver print
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
MAN RAY (Emmanuel Radnitsky, known as) (1890–1976) Mr. and Mrs. Woodman (Upside Down), 1970 Photograph: Original silver print Artist’s signature stamp on the reverse On silver paper...
Silver Gelatin
Anatoms, Solitude et réflexion - Original Signed Etching
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
Man RAY (1890–1976) Anatoms, Solitude, and Reflection, 1970 Original aquatint engraving Signed in pencil Numbered /25 copies On Lana vellum, 66 x 51 cm (25.98 x 20 in) INFORMATION ...
Etching
Body Momentum - Original Signed Etching
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
Man RAY (1890–1976) Body Momentum, 1970 Original aquatint engraving Signed in pencil Numbered /25 copies On Lana vellum, 66 x 51 cm (25.98 x 20 in) INFORMATION : This engraving is ...
Etching
Mr and Mrs Woodman : In the Amazon - Original signed silver print
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
MAN RAY (Emmanuel Radnitsky, known as) (1890–1976) Mr. and Mrs. Woodman (In the Amazon), 1970 Photograph : Original silver print Artist’s signature stamp on the reverse On silver pa...
Silver Gelatin
La Fanfarlo 2 - Female Women
By Leonor Fini
Located in London, GB
This work is hand signed in pencil by the artist "Leonor Fini" in the lower right corner. It was part of the portfolio 'La Fanfarlo' that included 13 lithographs by Fini. It was pri...
Lithograph
Surrealist City Scene, 1977 Signed Oil Painting by Roberto Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Surrealist City Scene by Roberto Soto, Argentinian (1926–1986) Date: 1977 Oil on Masonite, signed and dated l.r. Size: 24 in. x 24 in. (60.96 cm x 60.96 cm) Frame Size: 27 x 27 inches
Masonite, Oil
$2,309
The Evelation of Julia Filament ΓÇô 15-11-21, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil
By Corne Akkers
Located in Yardley, PA
Meeting Julia It is time for the elevation of Julia Filament. Sunday 7th November I finally met her again and we went to the Singer Laren Museum. She is a fine artist, graphic des...
Pencil
Flowers - Original Etching on Paper by Guelfo Bianchini - 1961
Located in Roma, IT
Flowers (Original Italian title: Fiori) is an original Contemporary Artwork realized in Italy by Guelfo Bianchini (Ancona, 1937) in 1961. Original colored Etching on paper. Hand-s...
Etching
Pawn, Painting, Oil on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
"Pawn" is an oil and mixed media collage on hand pressed archival watercolor paper. The piece depicts the abstracted head of a warrior in profile, using many symbols including an ear...
Oil
Mr and Mrs Woodman : Burning Desire - Original signed silver print
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
MAN RAY (Emmanuel Radnitsky, known as) (1890–1976) Mr. and Mrs. Woodman (Burning Desire), 1970 Photograph: Original silver print Artist’s signature stamp on the reverse On silver pa...
Silver Gelatin
Rosemary Winkley Photograph of Dance Legend Rudolph Nureyev 1975
Located in Glenford, NY
British Dance Photographer Rosemary Winkley original vintage silver gelatin photograph of 20th Century dance icon and legend Rudolph Nureyev performing “Moments” by modern dance chor...
Silver Gelatin
$2,763Sale Price|20% Off
Surrealist Collage IV-47, Signed Mixed Media on Paper, Framed, 1947
By Max Bucaille
Located in CANNES, FR
Max Bucaille ( 1906-1996 ) " collage IV- 47 " : collage on paper , signed Max Bucaille and dated IV 1947 . framed Original vintage velvet : 40,5 x 35,5 cm x 3 cm . paper : 24 x ...
Magazine Paper
$18,733
The Trophy
Located in Roma, RM
Giorgio de Chirico (Greece 1888 - Rome 1978), The Trophy Lithographic pencil on paper 58 x 45.3 cm. Work executed for the lithograph of the same name. Artwork registered with the G...
Paper, Pencil
Femme Bleue, Lithograph, Modern, 1958, Framed, Excellent
Located in OPOLE, PL
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) - Femme Bleue Lithograph from 1958. Dimensions of work: 35.5 x 26.4 cm. Publisher: Tériade, Paris. First, original edition. The work is in Excellent co...
Lithograph
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Ocean Girl
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic on canvas Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, she cr...
Canvas, Acrylic
Nature Morte
Located in New York, NY
Serge Clement Nature Morte, 1963 Signed lower right Clement 1963 Oil on canvas, still life. (Frame) H 25" x W 28.75" (Sight) H 18" x H 21"
Canvas, Oil
Impossible Walls, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
My surrealist paintings are always inspired by nature and the fact that we come from it. I am intrigued by both, nature and the meaning of our own existence. The more connected we ar...
Oil
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
Stretching into an outside area, Hand Printed Work, Woodcut
Located in Yardley, PA
This work is about life in a garden or between plants. I see the body as a changing status - same like plants do it all their life. The transformation and correlation between an outside garden...
Woodcut
Above It All Two Young Men on Mountain Top - Martin Luther King Issue
By Stan Galli
Located in Miami, FL
Above it all, two vigorous young men stand on a mountain top. They are depicted in profile, looking out into a sublime, verdant vista of tree-lined mountains punctuated by a winding...
Oil, Illustration Board