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.
Appareil et Main - Lithograph after Salvador Dalì - 1974
Located in Roma, IT
Appareil et Main is an artwork realized after a painting by the Surrealist Catalan artist Salvador Dalí (Figueres, 1904-1989). This is a color lithograph on wove paper, properly e...
Lithograph
Lesus Flagellatus Lithograph, Surrealist, Signed, 1964, Unframed
Located in Roma, IT
Lesus flagellatus 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. Sign...
Lithograph
Chromaticorns II, Print, 80x80 cm, Mexican Surrealist Unicorns, 2020
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Chromaticorns II, by Pedro Friedeberg - Print - 80 x 80 cm / 33.46 x 33.46 in - Mexican Surrealist Unicorns, c. 2020 Pedro Friedeberg is an artist and designer from Mexico of Ital...
Silver, Gold Leaf
Miro Engraver V, Original Woodcut, Moder, 1984, Framed
By Joan Miró
Located in OPOLE, PL
Joan Miro (1893-1983) - Miro Engraver V Woodcut from 1991. Dimensions of work: 32 x 24.8 cm. Publisher: Daniel Lelong, Paris. Reference: Dupin 1293. The work is in Excellent con...
Woodcut
Just Fine
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Matheus is greatly influenced by the city he now calls home -- New York has long been the epicenter of fashion, hip hop, and street art, where he feels his interest in contemporary a...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled, Signed Surrealist Painting by Patrice Breteau
Located in Long Island City, NY
Painted by the artist as the "Official Artist of NASA", this work in acrylic by French artist Patrice Breteau employs the techniques of several distinct movements. Most notably, his ...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,895
Salvador Dali Color Lithograph, Signed, 1972, Twelve Apostles, John (Sparrow-)
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: John (Knights of the Sparrow-Hawk) Portfolio: 1972 The Twelve Apostles (Knights of the Round Table) Medium: Lithograph Year: 1972 Edition: 37/350 Frame S...
Lithograph
The Shrine of Gold: Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas, Framed
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Presented paintings and drawings by Rusudan Khizanishvili, created in 2024-2025, all focus on offerings, albeit of different types. There is not a single tautology or repetition in t...
Canvas, Oil
La Bataille De L'Argonne - 20th Century, Surrealist, Lithograp, Figurative Print
Located in Sint-Truiden, BE
Color lithograph after the 1935 oil on canvas by René Magritte, printed signature of Magritte and numbered from the edition of 300. The lithograph features the dry stamps of the Mag...
Lithograph
"Birth of Self", Surrealist Portrait, Woman, Red, Collage, Acrylic Painting
By John Baker
Located in Franklin, MA
John Baker's "Birth of the Self", is a satirical visualization of a psychological concept of the same name. A woman, absurdly, gives birth to herself as an adult, pearls, earrings be...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
The Fall, Original Etching, Surrealist, 1974, Framed, Signed
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - The Fall Etching from 1974. Dimensions of work: 56 x 38 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Leblanc. Referencja: R. Michler, L.W. Lopsinger, Salvador Dalì, ...
Etching
Twin Female Portrait Painting with Apples Pop Surrealist Acrylic on Framed Board
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Original twin female portrait painting with apples on metal panel, combining pop surrealist portraiture, symbolic still life and contemporary figurative imagery. This original paint...
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
"Nesting Swan" Contemporary Surrealist, Large scale Watercolor painting
Located in New York, NY
large scale contemporary surrealist watercolor painting depicting a graceful white swan on a green leather armchair, with a stack of books piled high to its side. A silver designer mid-century modern pole...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
$7,771Sale Price|20% Off
Theories II
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
"Theories II" is a surrealist work that explores human theories through time. In the center, two heads of classical sculptures emerge against a divided background. The head of Dionysus, in earthy tones, projects a vision that distorts reality, symbolizing man's illusory perspective. From this vision emerge colorful forms that converge towards a floating book...
Linen, Oil
Yves Klein 'RE26' 1994 Offset Print Exhibition Poster, Framed Red
By Yves Klein
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This striking exhibition poster reproduces RE26, one of Yves Klein’s powerful monochrome relief works. It was published in 1994 by Achenbach Editions for the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-...
Offset
$473Sale Price|20% Off
The Moon. Paris. Limited edition print Surreal Established Polish artist
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary colorful figurative surrealistic print on paper by Polish artist Rafal Olbinski. This print shows a woman sitting on chair with her feet on a Moon. There is parisian arc...
Paper, Color
Adveniat Regnum Tuum - Lithograph attr. to Salvador Dalí - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Adveniat Regnum Tuum - From "Pater Noster" is a lithograph on paper realized in 1964. Very Good condition. Dated and signed in plate. Pater Noster Pater Noster is a beautiful art...
Lithograph
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
Le Domaine d'Arnheim - 20th Century, Surrealist, Lithograph, Figurative Print
Located in Sint-Truiden, BE
Color lithograph after the 1962 oil on canvas by René Magritte, printed signature of Magritte and numbered from the edition of 275. The lithograph features the dry stamps of the Mag...
Lithograph
Surrealist Drawing "Harmony" in Oil Pastel and Color Pencil on Paper
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Oil Pastel, Pencil, petal flowers, Color and Ink on Paper. The base of this drawing is Fabriano paper of 120g /m2. I use natural dyes of flowers, herbs, leaves, bark of trees as the...
Oil Pastel, Ink, Color Pencil
Desert Bracelet original lithograph from TIME suite by Salvador Dali 1977
Located in Paonia, CO
Desert Bracelet ( Essence of time ) is a signed limited edition ( 58 /250 ) lithograph from the TIME suite by Salvador Dali. Published by Levine and Levine, NY, 1977. The su...
Lithograph
Becoming Aware of One's Own Shadow
Located in Zofingen, AG
A work about observing one’s own transformation. About the moment when hidden parts of the personality emerge from the darkness and become visible. The mythical bird is the process i...
Canvas, Acrylic
Vitraux pour Jerusalem. Tribe of Levi - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1961
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Etching on Montval paper, realized between 1927 and 1930. Table 67 from "Les Fables de La Fontaine", published in 1952 in and edition of 200. Signed in the plate. Very good condit...
Lithograph
original lithograph
By Yves Tanguy
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in Paris by Mourlot and published by Pierre à Feu and Maeght Editeur for the Marcel Duchamp / André Breton project "Surréalisme en 1947". Issued ...
Lithograph
$96Sale Price|20% Off
In Japan Surrealist Offset Print Exhibition Poster, 1985, Unframed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original exhibition poster published in Japan in 1985 for a special show dedicated to modern and contemporary masters. Printed in Japan, the poster reflects the high-quality standard...
Offset
"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 ...
Lithograph, Stencil
Escaping Eerie Monsters on the Roof at Night - Macabre Fantasy
Located in Miami, FL
Renowned artist Walter Schnackenberg departs from this jovial poster art to paint an eerie nocturnal scene depicting a female subject running for her life from macabre roof monsters....
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Pen
Vintage Exhibition Poster at Galerie Maeght - Offset and Lithograph - 1968
By Joan Miró
Located in Roma, IT
Mirò - Fondation Maeght is an original artwork realized after Joan Miró. Offset and Lithograph. The artwork was realized in the occasion of the exhibition dedicated to the graphic ...
Lithograph, Offset
$6,500
Flatiron Building New York's First Skyscraper in Heroic Depiction, Architecture
Located in Miami, FL
The Flatiron is New York's Architectural masterpiece and is depicted in this dramatic photograph as a towering presence as it's rendered in hard light against a surreal sky. Signed ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Sed Libera Nos a Malo - Lithograph attr. - 1966
Located in Roma, IT
Sed libera nos a Malo - From "Pater Noster" is an original lithograph by Salvador Dalí, from the volume "Pater Noster" published by Rizzoli Editore, Milan, 1966. This beautiful orig...
Lithograph
Papageno original lithograph limited edition painting
By Karl Hodina
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Papageno original lithograph limited edition painting Original lithograph signed by hand. Perfect state
Lithograph
L'Air, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1937, Excellent
By Joan Miró
Located in OPOLE, PL
Joan Miro (1893-1983) - L'Air Lithograph from 1937. Dimensions of work: 35 x 26 cm Publisher: Tériade, Paris. The work is in Excellent condition. Fast and secure shipment.
Lithograph
$1,360Sale Price|20% Off
In Hale Liberation. Ex Hale Limitation.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Abstract. Philosophical. Colorful. This piece flew together. The brushstrokes nearly flew from my hand to the Board. The colors demanded to play. But a name just did not show up. I...
Paste, Gesso, Acrylic, Board
Composition, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1978, Excellent
By Joan Miró
Located in OPOLE, PL
Joan Miro (1893-1983) - Composition Lithograph from 1978. Dimensions of work: 38 x 56 cm. Publisher: Maeght Éditeur, Paris. The work is in Excellent condition.
Lithograph
Surrealist, lithograph, XXe Siecle, Andre Masson, Le Labyrinth, 1969
By André Masson
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Andre Masson (1896-1987) Le Labyrinth (Composisiton pour XXe Siecle Panorama 69) Color lithograph on wove paper. 1969 Unsigned (as issued) From: XXe Siecle, Volume 32, 1969 Published...
Lithograph
Composition, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1963, Excellent
By Joan Miró
Located in OPOLE, PL
Joan Miro (1893-1983) - Composition Lithograph from 1963. Dimensions of work: 38 x 83.5 cm. Publisher: Maeght Éditeur, Paris. The work is in Excellent condition.
Lithograph
Composition, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1967, Excellent
By Joan Miró
Located in OPOLE, PL
Joan Miro (1893-1983) - Composition Lithograph from 1967. Dimensions of work: 38 x 56 cm. Publisher: Maeght Éditeur, Paris. The work is in Excellent condition.
Lithograph
If Birds Ruled the World, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Edward McHugh’s affinity for nature is evident in this surreal composition centered on a crow. Inspired by growing understanding of the intelligence of...
Acrylic
Cheers, Madman, Screen Print, 87x67cm, Mexican Surrealist Style, 2024
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Cheers, Madman, by Pedro Friedeberg - Screen Print - 87 x 67cm - Mexican Surrealist Style, c. 2024 "Salud, Energúmeno" by Pedro Friedeberg is a quintessential example of the artist...
Screen
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Signed Surreal Southwest Modernist Desert Cactus Original Vintage Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist surreal landscape oil painting. Oil on canvas, circa 1940. Signed. Unframed. Image size, 28"L x 20"H.
Canvas, Oil
Composition, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1967, Excellent
By Joan Miró
Located in OPOLE, PL
Joan Miro (1893-1983) - Composition Lithograph from 1967. Dimensions of work: 38 x 83.5 cm. Publisher: Maeght Éditeur, Paris. The work is in Excellent condition.
Lithograph
Coquelicots, Lithograph, Modern, 1958, Excellent Condition
Located in OPOLE, PL
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) - Coquelicots Lithograph from 1958. Dimensions of work: 52.5 x 26 cm. Publisher: Tériade, Paris. Each copy of this Lithograph was published with a foldi...
Lithograph
Divine Comedy Hell Canto 20 Decomposition
Located in Hollywood, FL
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: Divine Comedy Hell Canto 20 Decomposition Medium: Woodcut Measurements: Paper: 10.5" x 13" Frame: 13.75" x 17.5" Condition: Excellent. This piece ...
Woodcut
$5,915Sale Price|30% Off
Salvador Dali Lithograph Limited Edition Hand Signed -The Immaculate Conception
Located in Plainview, NY
This captivating lithograph by Salvador Dalí ( Spanish, 1904 -1989) , titled The Immaculate Conception, is an original limited-edition piece,...
Lithograph
Blue Houses, Signed Surrealist Drawing with Wash by Peter Paul
Located in Long Island City, NY
Blue Houses by Peter Paul, German (1943) Date: 1980 Drawing with wash, signed and dated middle right Size: 27.5 x 22 in. (69.85 x 55.88 cm)
Paint
$4,149
The Divine Love of Gala, Original Drypoint Etching, Surrealist, 1973, Signed
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - The Divine Love of Gala Drypoint etching with stencil from 1973. F171/195 on BFK Rives paper. Dimensions of work: 65.4 x 50.4 cm Publisher: Transworld...
Drypoint, Etching, Stencil
Abraham, Pater Multarem Gentium - Lithograph - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
Abraham, Pater Multarem Gentium 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 a...
Lithograph
"Forest Apparition", Surrealist, Green, White, Red, Collage, Acrylic Painting
By John Baker
Located in Franklin, MA
John Baker's "Forest Apparition" is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 66 x 46 inches in a wide variety of greens and yellows with red and white accents. The young woman, bot...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Paint. Mysteries of Medicine
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Acrylic on wood
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Personaje De Perfil, Signed Surrealist Etching by Rufino Tamayo
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Surrealist etching by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo of a simple red and blue figure standing in profile against a brown background, gesturing with one red hand to something out of v...
Etching
$3,500
DALI Saint Andrew from The Twelve Apostles suite (signed & numbered edition)
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Lithograph on Arches paper with embossing and gold foil by the Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali. From the 1977 Twelve Apostles Suite (sometimes referred to as the Knights of the Roundtable Suite). Signed and numbered in pencil. (54/350) This image is sometimes referred to as "Visions of Camelot." Edition Size: 350. Paper Size: 22.5 x 18.8 in. Referenced in; The Official Catalog of the Graphic works of Salvador Dali" by Albert Field as 72-14 C. Published by S. Wajntraub, P. Moore, A. Lancel and J. Carpentier, Paris. Framed Provenance: Martin Lawrence Gallery...
Gold Leaf
Les Marionettes I — Erotic Surrealism, Signed etching, 1969
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, Les Marionettes I, etching with hand coloring, 1969, edition 150. Signed and annotated 'HC' in pencil. A fine impression on brown Roma hand-made laid paper; the full sheet with margins (1 to 2 5/8 inches), in excellent condition. Archivally sleeved, unmatted. Image size 11 13/16 x 11 1/8 inches; sheet size 15 5/8 x 13 1/4 inches. A 'Hors Commerce' impression. From a suite of 11 etchings created by Bellmer to illustrate 'On the Marionette Theatre...
Etching
Wings of Imagination, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This acrylic painting, executed in a semi-abstract style, embodies a vivid, dreamlike avian essence. Bold colors and expressive, dynamic brushstrokes create a s...
Acrylic
"Candied Azure" - Original Oil Still Life Painting on Linen Panel
Located in Denver, CO
Artist Bio: Robin Hextrum is a contemporary oil painter who lives and works in the Denver area. She grew up in a small coastal town called Stinson Beach in Northern California where ...
Oil, Linen, Panel
Homage to Mondrian Original Oil Painting on Canvas, Signed, 30x40 in
By Ferjo, Fernando de Jesus Oliveira
Located in Aventura, FL
Original oil painting on canvas. Hand signed lower front by Ferjo. Canvas image size 30 x 40 x 1 inches. Canvas is stretched. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of au...
Canvas, Oil
Language of the Birds Woodcut Print, Surrealist, 1963, Limited Edition
Located in Roma, IT
Language of the Birds - The 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, as ...
Woodcut
Horseback Rider at the Great Pyramid of Giza, Surrealist Print
Located in New York, NY
Mystery Artist Untitled (Great Pyramid), c. late 20th/early 21st century Possibly C-Print or Lithograph? Sight: 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. Framed: 13 x 13 x 1 1/8 in. Signed lower left This...
C Print
Design III a - Screen print by Getulio Alviani - 1971
Located in Roma, IT
Scren print in yellow and blue, realized in 1971. Edition by Griffelkunst Hamburg. Signed in pencil below the image, centered. Image dimension: 47 x 47 cm Besides geometrically in...
Screen
Your Face Is Familiar, Surrealist Pencil Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Your Face Is Familiar, Year: 1977, Medium: Pencil on Paper, Size: 22 x 29.5 in. (55.88 x 74.93 cm)
Pencil
Under the Texas Sky - Architectural Colorful Still Life Mixed Media Collage
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, Mixed Media