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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
Surrealist composition
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: collotype (after the Miro lithograph). Printed in 1947 in an edition of 1500 by Meriden Gravure and published by Curt Valentin for "The Prints of Joan Miro" portfolio. Size: ...
Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Photogravure

Surrealist composition
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: collotype (after the Miro lithograph). Printed in 1947 in an edition of 1500 by Meriden Gravure and published by Curt Valentin for "The Prints of Joan Miro" portfolio. Size: ...
Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Photogravure

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Timmy" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 12” x 14” x 1.5” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “The Boy ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Marlowe" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 14” x 16” x 1” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The L...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Hell 33 - The Betrayers of their Hosts - woodcut - 1963 (Field p. 189)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Hell 33 - The Betrayers of their Hosts woodcut Printed signature in the plate 1960/63 Printed on paper Vélin BFK Rives Size 32,8 x 26,4 cm (c. 13 x 10") R...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Maldoror : Surrealist Fight - Original etching, HANDSIGNED (Field #34-2)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali The Fight, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9.8 in) REFERENCES : - Catalog ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surrealist Mixed Media Portrait, "'Prince' The Guide" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 16” x 16” x 2” Surrealist Mixed Media Portrait Painting executed on Wood Panel with Acrylic and Graphite by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Graphite

JEREMY GEDDES - EDIFICE, Limited Surrealism Rocket Australian Artist Modern
Located in Madrid, Madrid
JEREMY GEDDES - EDIFICE Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Giclée on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper Edition: 549 Size: 61 x 81 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never framed G...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Giclée, Digital Pigment

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting, "Iris" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 7” x 10” x 1” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Vellum by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase o...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Vellum

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Untitled - Lithograph by Dorothea Tanning - 1974
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled  is an artwork realized by Dorothea Tanning  in 1974. Colored lithograph. Good conditions. Printed by  Atelier Pierre Chave in Vence, France. This lithograph was realized...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surrealist Gouache on Paper, 'Threshold or Pagans'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Contemporary surrealist watercolour and gouache on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right. An intriguing and beautifully painted surrealist work of a figure ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Wild Encounters-original abstract surreal wildlife oil painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
This original artwork by Nathan Neven joyfully presents an unusual scene of wildlife merged with a grand interior space. The artist adds contemporary touches to his subject matter su...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Collage Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on paper by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for art...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Paper, Mixed Media

Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting, "Mr.P" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 12” x 19” x 5” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Vellum with Found Objects by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Acrylic, Vellum

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Clark" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 8.5” x 11.5” x 2” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “Gopher...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Mod Surrealist 1970's Drawing Watercolor Painting Jungle Fantasy, Unicorn, Lion
Located in Surfside, FL
Jungle fantasy Scene, Ink, Colored ink and color watercolor surreal fantasy scene, birds, giraffes, alligators, snakes, turtles, storks, unicorn and maiden in a tepee, lions and elep...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Nancy Baker, Alien Nation , 2010, Oil on board, Surrealist Landscape
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Tauramachie Surrealiste The Giraffe on Fire
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Tauramachie Surrealiste The Giraffe on Fire MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed EDITION NUMBER: LXIV/C MEASUREMENTS: 20" x 26" YEAR: 1970 FRAMED...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Purgatory Canto 22 (The Divine Comedy)
Located in Greenwich, CT
Purgatory Canto 22 is a wood engraving on BFK Rives with an image size of 10 x 7" from the popular French edition of the portfolio. Framed in a classic, gold-tone frame. Cataloging:...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Woodcut

Salvador Dali, In the Hands of Antaeus (M. & L. 1039-1138; F. 189-200)
Located in Auburn Hills, MI
Original Limited Edition Wood Engraving in Colors on Rives BFK paper. Edition: 4765, French; 3188, Italian. Paper Size: 13 x 10.25 inches. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on canvas by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for ar...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Oil

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on canvas by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for ar...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Oil

The forgotten
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Surreal figurative painting. An insect man in slow metamorphosis who lives in a world inaccessible to us, in a parallel reality that is forbidden to us. A magical place where there i...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Bird Master circus series exotic daguerreotype reproduction
Located in Lafayette, LA
exotic daguerreotype reproduction In the bustling world of 1890s circus sideshows, there was a reserved and stoic figure who commanded the attention of audiences with his awe-inspir...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Inkjet

Man Ray, Échiquier Surréaliste: 1934/1991, Silver Gelatin Print, Dada
Located in Hamburg, DE
Man Ray (1890-1976) Échiquier Surréaliste (Surrealist Checkerboard), 1934/1991 Medium: Silver Gelatin Print (later print) Dimensions: 30.5 x 23.7 cm Stamped: "Copie d'une épreuve...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media object collage by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artis...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

HELL CANTO 19
Located in Aventura, FL
Woodblock engraving on paper from the Divine Comedy series. Sheet size 13 x 10 inches. Frame size approx 18 x 15 inches. Edition 4,765 in French, 3,000 in Italian, 300 in German. ...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Woodcut

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on canvas by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for ar...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Oil

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Cid" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 8” x 11” x 2” Surrealism Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Carnivale’s...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Laid Up
Located in London, GB
Silkscreen in colours on Somerset Tub Sized Radiant White 410gsm paper. Edition of 35.
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

Worldview, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
The composition weaves elements of nature and psychology with paint and twigs forming a nest. A collage of hand-painted maps decorating the surface of the eggs....

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Mixed Media

René Magritte - LE BEAU MONDE- Limited Lithograph Surrealism French Contemporary
Located in Madrid, Madrid
René Magritte - LE BEAU MONDE, 1962 (THE BEAUTIFUL WORLD) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition number: 154/275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Condition: In very goo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Tal Vez - figurative painting, landscape painting
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful surrealist painting by Mauricio comes rolled in a tube and needs to be stretched when received. In his pieces, Mauricio combines his figurative expertise along with su...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrealist Acrylic Figurative Painting, "Whole" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
An original 10” x 12” x 1.5” Surrealist Acrylic Figurative Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or deliver...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Graphite

René Magritte - DÉCALCOMANIE, 1966 Limited ed. Lithograph. Surrealism French
Located in Madrid, Madrid
René Magritte - DÉCALCOMANIE, 1966 (DECALCOMANIA) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition number: 141/275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Condition: In mint conditions...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Boy and puppy
Located in Belgrade, MT
Madeline Luka (French 1894-1989) was a self taught painter known for her landscapes, portraits, nudes and still lifes. She typically portrayed her family and close friends set within...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surrealist Hound
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Amazing surrealist painting by Italian artist Nuccio Fontanella (1936-2005). Ink and watercolor on cold pressed illustration board. Image measures 13 x 18 inches; 20 x 25 inches fram...
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Ink, Illustration Board, Watercolor

Under The Blue Umbrella
Located in London, GB
Silkscreen print. Produced in 2016, pressed on heavy quality stock paper. This series is limited to 50 pieces. Hand signed and numbered by Mehdi.
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Screen

Nancy Baker, Pretty Circles, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape, Painting
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting, "Opium" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 18” x 22” x .75" Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Canvas with Gold Leaf by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its pu...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

'On Voit cette Reine...' Colour Lithograph from ‘L’Arte d’Aimer d’Ovide’
Located in Toronto, CA
Artist proof from Salvador Dalí's series of prints 'L'Art d'Aimer d'Ovide' published in 1978 in Paris. Signed on the plate and in pencil on the paper with handwritten edition number ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Nancy Baker, Tree in Moonlight, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nancy Baker, Green Night, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape, Painting
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nancy Baker, Pretty Pearls, 2020, Oil on canvas, Surrealist Landscape, Painting
Located in Darien, CT
These paintings reflect the love Nancy Baker has for combining classical imagery with an image that is strange. The most direct example is in Alien Nation where i have a potter at a ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Suite of four prints by Henri Goetz abstract colorful geometric surrealism
Located in New York, NY
Set of four abstract, surrealist compositions in rich blue, green, purple, turquoise, grey, navy and black. Henri Goetz Suite of four etchings with carborundum on Arches wove paper...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Surrealist Pop Culture Colored Drawing, "Oh, Edward" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 15” x 12” Surrealist Pop Culture Figurative Colored Drawing with White Ink by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or del...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Ink, Color Pencil

"Moon Birth 3" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Moon Birth 3" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Not framed. Ships in a tube. Availab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Golden Lady - original wildlife interior Leopard contemporary oil painting- art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Golden Lady" by Nathan Neven is an enchanting piece that captures the essence of abstract expressionism. In this oil on canvas masterpiece, a leopard gracefully lounges on a red set...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

René Magritte - LE CHEF D'OEUVRE OU... Limited Surrealism French Contemporary
Located in Madrid, Madrid
René Magritte - LE CHEF D'OEUVRE OU LES MYSTÈRES DE L'HORIZON, 1965 Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition number: 131/275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Condition: N...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Colour Lithograph 'La Triple Roue ll' 1981
Located in Toronto, CA
'La Triple Roue ll' Limited edition colour lithograph on Arches paper from Joan Míro's final series of fifteen lithographs, 'Allegro Vivace' 1981. The series is known for its bold fo...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

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.

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