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 Dream Within a Dream Surrealism Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Tigran Hovumyan Figurative Surrealist Oil Painter Artwork Title: A Dream Within a Dream Medium: Original Oil on Linen Dimensions: 48" x 36" x 1" inch, ( 122 x 91 x 3 cm) Year: 2026 ...
Oil, Canvas
Courtside Blooms, Knicks - Floral Sports Inspired 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
Lunar Eclipse Signed Limited Edition Giclée on Hahnemühle Paper
By Scott Kahn
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Scott Kahn (American, b. 1946) Title: Lunar Eclipse Medium: Archival pigment print (giclée) Hahnemühle fine art paper Edition: Signed in pencil and marked 31/200 Year: 2021 S...
Giclée
$600,000Sale Price|20% Off
Early Dawn Mosaic on MDF Panel, Signed, 2023, 39.5 x 58.5 in
By Scott Kahn
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Scott Kahn Title: Early Dawn Year 2023 Size: 39 3/8 x 53 1/8 inches (100 x 134.9 cm) Mosaic on MDF panel Signed in the front and Signed on the back. About the Artist Scott ...
Mosaic
Salvador Dalí Signed Lithograph, Don José’s Final Appearance, 1968
Located in Roma, IT
Color lithograph by Salvador Dalí (1904–1989), Don José’s Final Appearance: the Bats Symbolizing Death, from the celebrated Carmen suite inspired by Georges Bizet’s opera. The work i...
Lithograph
I'm okay
Located in Zofingen, AG
Sometimes, fear and a sense of security, tension and calm, the desire to hide and the desire to stay in the open all exist within me at the same time. They aren’t necessarily contrad...
Canvas, Acrylic
Garden Under the Moonlight - Original lithograph (Mourlot #896)
By Joan Miró
Located in Paris, IDF
Joan MIRO Garden Under the Moonlight, 1973 Original lithograph (Mourlot workshop) Printed signature in the plate Unknown edition run, unnumbered as issued, apart from a numbered run...
Lithograph
Surrealist Collection, Abstract Figurative Body, Surreal Icons in Primary Tones
Located in Barcelona, ES
Details: Title: Surrealist Collection Medium: Acrylic Painting on Watercolor Paper Size: 100x 70 cm (40x 28 inches). Year: 2026 Artist: Alberto de Blobs Artist's signature: Right co...
Paper, Acrylic
original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1979 and published in Barcelona by La Poligrafa in an edition of 1000. Size: 10 x 7 1/2 inches (255 x 188 mm). Not signed.
Lithograph
$7,500
Griswold Point December 2021 Signed Limited Edition Giclée on Hahnemühle Paper
By Scott Kahn
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Scott Kahn (American, b. 1946) Title: Griswold Point December Medium: Archival pigment print (giclée) Hahnemühle fine art paper Edition: Signed in pencil and marked 9/200 Yea...
Giclée
Salvador Dalí 1970s Surrealist Dated and Signed Work on Paper
Located in Roma, IT
Salvador Dalí 1970s Surrealist Dated and Signed Work on Paper This significant work on paper is a silkscreen print by Salvador Dalí (1904–1989), part of the famous series dedicated ...
Lithograph
$7,500
Early November Pennsylva 2021 Signed Limited Edition Giclée on Hahnemühle Paper
By Scott Kahn
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Scott Kahn (American, b. 1946) Title: Early November, Pennsylvania Medium: Archival pigment print (giclée) Hahnemühle fine art paper Edition: Signed in pencil and marked 1/20...
Giclée
$600,000Sale Price|20% Off
Lunar Eclipse (Blue Sky), 2023 Mosaic on MDF panel
By Scott Kahn
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Scott Kahn Title: Blue Sky Lunar Eclipse Year 2023 Size: 39.5 x 39.5 inches Mosaic on MDF panel Signed in the front and Signed on the back. About the Artist Scott Kahn (b. ...
Mosaic
$4,581Sale Price|33% Off
Surreal Abstract Mineral Landscape with Cadaqués Rock Forms Oil Canvas Painting
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Surreal Abstract Mineral Landscape with Cadaqués Rock Forms Artist: Antoni Pitxot i Soler Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 41 × 33 cm / 16.1 × 13 in Signature: Signed lower right D...
Oil
$2,977Sale Price|35% 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
$2,250
Les Bijoux Indiscrets (The Indiscrete Jewels), Signed print by Rene Magritte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Les Bijoux Indiscrets (The Indiscrete Jewels) by Rene Magritte, 1898 - 1967 Date: 1975 Medium: Lithograph, signed in the plate Edition: 575 Size: 10 x 14 in. (25.4 x 35.56 cm) Frame ...
Lithograph
$1,947Sale Price|32% Off
Surreal Anthropomorphic Interior, Dalí Circle Cadaqués Spanish Oil Painting art
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Surreal Anthropomorphic Interior, Dalí Circle Cadaqués Spanish Oil Painting Artist: Antoni Pitxot Technique: Oil on cardboard Date: 1996 Signature: Signed “Pitxot 96” lower left Ins...
Oil
Hell 22 - The Liars - Original Woodcut 1963 (Field p 189 à 200)
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Hell 22 - The Liars, 1963 Wood engraving from "Divine Comedy" with the signature printed in the plate On BFK Rives vellum 32,8 x 26,4 cm (c. 13 x 10") REF...
Woodcut
$980Sale Price|45% Off
Códice Miguelito I Giclée Print, Surrealist Style, Framed, 2010+
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
PEDRO FRIEDEBERG, GRAPHIC, SURREALIST WORK, IMPORTANT MEXICAN ART, EXQUISITE FRAME . . . Artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg is known for his surrealist paintings, prints, and sculp...
Giclée
Believe - 21st Century, Contemporary, Surrealism, African Nature, Fashion
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Believe is a moving meditation on hope, self-worth, and the courage to look past our limits. Standing on a bed of clouds, the figure wears an oversized blue coat and giant red boots,...
Canvas, Acrylic
La Baie des Anges - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1962
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage poster incorporated in 1962 french tourism poster "Nice, Soleil, Fleurs". Printed by Atelier Mourlot. Signed in the plate, not numbered as issued. Very good condition. Re...
Lithograph
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
The Kingdom Hand Signed Lithograph Surrealism
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: The Kingdom MEDIUM: Lithograph SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali EDITION NUMBER: 40/350 MEASUREMENTS: 29.4" x 21.45" YEAR: 1980 PUBLISHER: Le...
Lithograph
RENÉ MAGRITTE LA GRANDE FAMILLE, 1963 Limited edition Lithograph - Surrealism
Located in Madrid, Madrid
LA GRANDE FAMILLE, 1963 (THE LARGE FAMILY) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition: 275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Observations: Lithograph on BFK Rives paper plat...
Lithograph
$2,350
Harvest is Ready - 21st Century, Contemporary, Surrealism, African Nature, Child
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. Akanji Bolaji (b...
Canvas, Acrylic
$43,521
Sirens Combing Their Hair with Coral and Ant, 108-Piece Porcelain Set, 1977
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) “Sirenas peinadas con coral y hormiga” 108-Piece Porcelain Dinner, Tea and Coffee Service Designed in 1977 and produced in 1978 An extensive porcelain tab...
Porcelain
Composition, Lithograph, Signed, Edition of 150+XXX, 1971
By André Masson
Located in Roma, IT
Lithograph on Arches paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered in pencil. Edition of 150+XXX. Arches watermark. Very good condition.
Lithograph
TIE Fighter Beatles Pop Art Print, Signed Limited Edition, 40x30 in
By BATIK
Located in London, GB
TIE Fighter Beatles by B A T I K Pop art work featuring the Fab Four Paul McCartney , George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon running away from Star Wars TIE fighters chasing...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
Waiting Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
By Ashot Yan
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, T...
Canvas, Oil
House on a Hill 2 - Abstract Colorful 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
$5,531Sale Price|30% Off
Neptune, Original Lithograph, Surrealist, 1970, Signed, Excellent
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Neptune Lithograph from 1970. Edition of 187/250. Dimensions of work: 68 x 50 cm Publisher: Simeon Wajntraub. On B.F.K Rives paper as stated in the F...
Lithograph
Portrait of Woman, Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting
By Ashot Yan
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Surrealism, Title: Sti...
Canvas, Oil
Beaujolais - Abstract Muted Tone Architectural Still Life 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, Mixed Media
Mid-century Theatrical Surrealist Signed Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a striking mid-century theatrical surrealist work by the Chilean artist Fabio Lemus, who was active during the mid-20th century. STYLE: Lemus was noted for his whimsical...
Masonite, Oil
The Sad Clown, Figurative Surrealism, Original oil Painting, Handmade artwork
By Ashot Yan
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2018 Style: Figurative Surrealism, ...
Canvas, Oil
Miniature Figures with Speech Bubble, Surrealist Diorama Wall Sculpture
By Vera Vizzi
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This contemporary miniature diorama wall sculpture by Italian artist Vera Vizzi constructs an absurd, surreal scene inside a white wooden box. A pink bird painted in the language of ...
Enamel
Star-Crossed, Oil Painting
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...
Oil
The Colors of Los Angeles - Large Abstract City 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
$1,465Sale Price|20% Off
Spanish Surrealist Oil Painting with Cosmic Egg and Mythological Figures
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Spanish Surrealist Oil Painting with Cosmic Egg and Mythological Figures Francesc Vilaplana Spanish / Catalan, born 1945 Oil on canvas Dated 1974 92 × 73 cm / 36.2 × 28.7 in Unframe...
Oil
$1,139
René Magritte - LES AMANTS Limited Surrealism French Art Contemporary
Located in Madrid, Madrid
René Magritte - LES AMANTS, 1928 (THE LOVERS) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition: 275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Condition: New, in mint condition and never f...
Paper, Lithograph
"Flight Risk" illustrative photography, surrealism, paper airplane motif
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "Flight Risk" is a limited edition photographic print by Andrew Pinkham and is made from archival pigment on cotton rag. This piece measures 20"h x 20"w unframed an...
Rag Paper, Archival Pigment
$1,488
La Cascade - 20th Century, Surrealist, Lithograph, Figurative Print
Located in Sint-Truiden, BE
Color lithograph after the 1961 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
$17,752
Pablo Picasso - Bouquet de Fleurs - Color lithograph on Arches paper - 1958
Located in Varese, IT
Color lithograph on Arches paper, edited in 1958. Limited edition of 200 copies, numbered as 20/200 in lower left corner. Hand-signed in pencil by artist in lower right corner. Pape...
Lithograph
Litografia Original VI (Abstract, Modern, Surrealism)
By Joan Miró
Located in Kansas City, MO
Joan Miró Litografia Original VI Color Lithograph Year: 1975 Size: 13.25 × 10 inches (33.65 x 25.4 cm) Catalogue Raisonné: Weber, Genf, 949 (p86) Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris, Fr...
Lithograph
René Magritte - LE DOMAINE D'ARNHEIM Limited Surrealism French Contemporary
Located in Madrid, Madrid
René Magritte - LE DOMAINE D'ARNHEIM, 1962 (THE DOMAIN OF ARNHEIM) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition number: 155/275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Condition: Ne...
Paper, Lithograph
$244Sale Price|50% Off
Untitled Composition (Poligrafa, Redfern, Figurative, Surreal, 50% OFF MUST GO)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jorge Castillo Untitled Composition from "Ediciones Poligrafa, Barcelona at Redfern Gallery, London" Original Color Lithograph Year: 1979 Size: 10 x 7.325 inches (25.4 × 18.61 cm) Ed...
Lithograph
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Walking Creature: Contemporary Surreal Figurative Abstract, 2005
Located in Soquel, CA
Walking Creature, Contemporary Surreal Figurative Abstract by Michael William Eggleston Bold and imaginative contemporary figurative abstract by San Francisco artist Michael William...
Oil, Board
$1,145Sale Price|33% Off
Sorcière Bleue Color Lithograph on Arches Paper, Surrealist, E.A. 4/35
By Leonor Fini
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Artist: Leonor Fini (Buenos Aires, 1907 – Paris, 1996) Title: Sorcière Bleue (Blue Witch) Date: ca. 1970–1972 Technique: Color lithograph on Arches paper Edition: E.A. 4/35 (Épreuve ...
Lithograph
Espana, Surrealist figure - Original lithograph, 1982
By Joan Miró
Located in Paris, IDF
Joan MIRO Espana, Surrealist figure, 1982 Original lithograph in colors (atelier Arte, Maeght) Printed signature in the plate On thin paper 95 x 60 cm (c. 37.4 x 23.6 in) Referenc...
Lithograph
$7,000
Between Dreams and Reality Surrealism Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Tigran Hovumyan Figurative Surrealist Oil Painter Title: Between Dreams and Reality Medium: Original Oil on Linen Dimensions: 40" x 40" x 1" inch, ( 100 x 100 x 3 cm) Year: ...
Canvas, Oil
Time Stillness of Time
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Time Stillness of Time MEDIUM: Lithograph SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali PUBLISHER: Levine & Levine, New York EDITION NUMBER: EA MEASUREMENTS...
Lithograph
$1,250
Echoes of Hope - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Fabric, African
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Hope often speaks in quiet ways—through resilience, through healing, and through the strength to keep looking forward. In this piece, layered fragments of color and texture come toge...
Fabric, Canvas
$34,793
Les Caveliers de l'Apocalypse, Original Etching, Surrealism, 1971, Signed
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Les Caveliers de l'Apocalypse Drypoint etching on chromolithograph, embossed from 1971. The edition of 197/197 on Rives paper. Countersigned by the edi...
Drypoint, Etching, Embossed Print
Salvador Dali, Le Girafe en Feu (Giraffe Afire) from Le Jungle Humaine
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is a lithograph made from an original ink drawing with added color. It is from Dali's suite of 6 lithographs entitled "Le Jungle Humaine", which he created in 1976. This p...
Lithograph
$8,500
1970 Mod Surrealist Painting Collage David Hare Abstract Landscape Summer Land
By David Hare
Located in Surfside, FL
David Hare Summer Land, 1970 Acrylic or oil paint and collage on board Dimensions: 26 X 36 inches. Framed measuring 29 x 38 inches. Hand signed, dated and titled on tape to verso 'S...
Acrylic, Board
$4,988Sale Price|28% Off
In Spite of it All (Window, Skyscape, Warm, Dreamy, ~29% OFF)
By Annieo Klaas
Located in Kansas City, MO
Annieo Klaas In Spite of it All 2024 Oil on Canvas 84 x 48 inches (213.36 x 121.92 cm) Signed lower right COA provided *On stretcher frame - gallery wrapped - ready to hang Annieo ...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$9,059
La Tauromachie Individuelle, Original Heliogravure, Surrealist, 1966, Signed
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - La Tauromachie Individuelle (Bullfight) Heliograviure with stencil from 1966. The edition LXIX/C on Japanese paper. Dimensions of sheet: 51.4 x 64.8 cm...
Heliogravure
Passing Clouds - Colorful Whimsical Figurative Feminine Fantasy Artwork on Paper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian painter Silvia Pavarini is known for her distinctly feminine artworks that resonate with the quiet whispers of nature. Each piece she creates embodies an ongoing dialogue wit...
Paper, Acrylic, Pencil
$1,624Sale Price|63% Off
Nudist Woman Surrealist Oil Painting, Signed, Mid-20th Century
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Nudist Women, Signed Oil Painting By French artist Claude Benard, (1926 - 2016) Signed by the artist on the lower left hand corner, Oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas size: 32 x...
Oil
RENÉ MAGRITTE Le Maître d'École - 1955 Limited edition Lithograph - Surrealism
Located in Madrid, Madrid
LE MAÎTRE D'ÉCOLE, 1955 (THE SCHOOLMASTER) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition: 275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Observations: Lithograph on BFK Rives paper plat...
Lithograph
$100Sale Price|20% Off
La Serrure Vintage Lithograph Print, Surrealist, 1980s, Unframed
By Leonor Fini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This reproduction poster of La Serrure by Leonor Fini captures the enigmatic and symbolic nature of the original artwork. Leonor Fini was known for her surreal and fantastical imager...
Offset
With a solo show at the Denver Art Museum and a commission from the Met, the Cree Canadian painter has become an international sensation.
Gallerists Douglas Gold and Eli Sterngass tell us how they uncover lost treasures by stellar artists from the past 160 years.
The eccentric artist's abode is a veritable cabinet of curiosities.
What he says may inspire you to pick up a paintbrush.