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.
Wild Flowers 2 - Abstract Vibrant Color Drenched 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
Lucky Road - Abstract Large Scale Lively Geometric 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
Strategy
Located in Zofingen, AG
Strategy (series “1000 and 1 Night”) In this work, the theme of falling in love shifts into the realm of power and control. The space is constructed like a game board, where movement...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,800
A Surrealist 1950s Mid-Century Modern Still Life Painting, Black Cat on a Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A Striking, Early 1950s Abstract, Surrealist Mid-Century Modern Still Life Painting (Black Cat on a Table) by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Depicting a capt...
Canvas, Board
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
Where Am I? - 21st Century, Contemporary, Surrealism, African Nature, Boy Child
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Where am I?" is a piece that delves into themes of identity, place, and imagination. These dream-like and imaginative scenes create a fantastical atmosphere, inviting viewers to exp...
Acrylic, Canvas
Tea Rex, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A surreal scene unfolds at a genteel afternoon tea, where women in period clothing share stories with an unexpected dinosaur companion. Something about the mome...
Oil
"My Peace", Surreal, Dove, Bird, Blue, White, Oil Painting
Located in Franklin, MA
Anita Zotkina’s “My Peace” is an 8 x 10 x 0.7 inch surrealist oil painting on canvas depicting a luminous white dove standing within a quiet atmosphere of soft blue and lavender tone...
Canvas, Oil
Planning for the Future - Blue Jay Birds Still Life Framed Acrylic Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figurative surrealistic paintings of Carlos Gamez de Francisco are heavily influenced by his Cuban upbringing in a Russian-governed academic setting. This presence exposed Franci...
Canvas, Acrylic
Landscape 2 - Abstract Color Drenched Architectural Modern 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
The Cliche, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson commissioned a formal family portrait, insisting their beloved pet elephant, Elbert, be included. Elbert is family, after all. When the co...
Oil
$4,275
Confident Figure - Original Figurative Abstract Man in Purple Suit on Blue Wall
By Iqi Qoror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iqi Qoror's surreal figurative paintings are arresting in their earthy palettes offset by pops of fluorescent textile embroidery. His artworks revolve around questions of trust, inte...
Wool, Canvas, Thread, Mixed Media, Acrylic
A Home in the Woods - Original Birds Portrait Still Life Framed Acrylic Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figurative surrealistic paintings of Carlos Gamez de Francisco are heavily influenced by his Cuban upbringing in a Russian-governed academic setting. This presence exposed Franci...
Canvas, Acrylic
Island. Women's Sculpture Head, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Guigen Zha presents a stylized portrait of a woman’s head, adorned with floral and tree-like elements against a backdrop of blue sky, moon, and seascap...
Acrylic
Bluebird, Tulip Petals - Framed Botanical Flowers & Birds Still Life Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figurative surrealistic paintings of Carlos Gamez de Francisco are heavily influenced by his Cuban upbringing in a Russian-governed academic setting. This presence exposed Franci...
Canvas, Acrylic
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Flower Pot 6 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract, Still Life, Nature, Floral
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 Aka...
Canvas, Acrylic
The Spilt, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A surrealist painting captures the tension between prey and predator. In the foreground, a rabbit stands wary while a fox snarls nearby. Others of their kind sc...
Oil
"Honfleur Street" (2024) By Christopher Clark, Cityscape, Oil & Acrylic
Located in Denver, CO
Christopher Clark's "Honfleur Street" is an original, handmade oil & acrylic painting that depicts an abstracted cityscape bustling with people and the sun brightly reflecting off of...
Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
"The Post-Truth Era V", Surrealist Portrait, Brown, Collage, Acrylic Painting
By John Baker
Located in Franklin, MA
John Baker’s “The Post-Truth Era V “ is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 20 x 16 inches in blues, whites, tans and browns. In our post-truth era it is next to impossible to...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,500Sale Price|58% Off
Moonlight Acrylic on Masonite, Surrealist, Signed, 1963, Framed
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Title: Moonlight Signed Date: 1963 Leonardo Nierman Mendelejis (Mexico City, November 1, 1932 – June 7, 2023) was a Mexican artist known primarily for his painting and sculpture....
Masonite, Acrylic
$2,500
An Abstract, Surrealist 1950s Mid-Century Modern Interior Still Life Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
A Visually Striking, early 1950s Abstract, Surrealist Mid-Century Modern Still Life Painting by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Depicting a colorful interior ...
Oil, Masonite
Mid-20th Century Magical Realism, Surrealist Painting, Cleveland School Artist
By Paul Riba
Located in Beachwood, OH
Paul Riba (American, 1912-1977) Untitled Oil on panel Signed lower right 30 x 18 inches 39.25 x 27.25 inches, framed Paul Riba was a painter of Magic Realism. He explored the unrea...
Oil
1970's Large French Surrealist Oil Painting Figures on the Beach
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Surrealist composition French School, dated 1975 verso oil on canvas, framed framed: 33.5 x 27 inches canvas: 32 x 25.5 inches inscribed verso provenance: private collection, France ...
Oil, Canvas
Dancing Lovers
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I've blended abstract, figurative, and surreal elements to capture the fluid motion and raw emotion of an intimate dance. The intertwining forms, awash in shade...
Oil
On the Towerhelm street. 1985. Cardboard, oil pastel, 65x80 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Janis Zemitis graduated from the Riga Art School of J. Rosenthal in 1958, in 1964 Art Academy of Latvian State, painting department, Head of the diploma work "Working in the forest" ...
Cardboard, Oil Pastel
$460Sale Price|20% Off
Nude Figurative in Oil on Artist's Board
Located in Soquel, CA
Nude study by Andy Smith (American, 20th Century). A woman is seated, slightly leaning to the left of the composition. The background fades from a rusty red to a dark blue, changing ...
Canvas, Oil, Illustration Board
The Côte d'Azur. Sun, Sea and Sand. Mid-Century Oil on Canvas.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid-century oil on canvas of a summer scene on the Côte d'Azur. The work is signed but the artist unknown. This artwork is a vibrant and eclectic composition that captures the essen...
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
London Bus - London cityscape impressionism painting - contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
$4,802Sale Price|40% Off
Large Scale Surrealist Oil on Canvas, 'Noah's Ark and the Animals'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Very large scale late 20th century oil on canvas of Noah's Ark and the Animals by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right. A magical, highly colourful and energe...
Canvas, Oil
House on a Hill 1 - Abstract Color Drenched Nature 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, Mixed Media
Meeting Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Tigran Hovumyan Figurative Surrealist Oil Painter Artwork Title: Meeting Medium: Original Oil on Linen Dimensions: 36" x 47" x 1" (91 x 120 x 3 cm) Year: 2012 Unframed, Stretched o...
Canvas, Oil
$2,589
Signed Oil Painting Cadaqués 2001 – Organic Surreal Composition on Cardboard
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Artist: Antoni Pitxot Title: Untitled (Cadaqués, 2001) Medium: Oil on cardboard Dimensions: 23 × 17 cm (9.05 × 6.69 in) Framing: Unframed Signature: Signed “Pitxot 01” upper right In...
Oil
$1,887Sale Price|46% Off
Echoes of Picasso Oil on Board Painting, Surrealist, Spain, 1960s
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Artist: Gustavo Úbeda (Herencia, Ciudad Real, 1930 – São Paulo, 1994) Title: Ecos de Picasso (Echoes of Picasso) Medium: Oil on board Dimensions: 81 x 100 cm (31.9 x 39.4 in) Signatu...
Oil, Board
Don't Hurt Me
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez writes of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined painti...
Oil, Linen
Diving Deep, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A mesmerizing underwater scene comes to life where an enchanting mix of sea creatures, humans, and scuba bunnies coexist in perfect harmony. The submerged wor...
Oil
Italian Surrealist Colorful Metal Enamel Plaque Painting Wall Hanging Art Luigi
Located in Surfside, FL
Biomorphic Surrealism. Signed Luigi, Enamel on metal (probably copper). Mounted to a plexi or acrylic purple mounting. I am assuming it is Italian as it is signed Luigi but it might ...
Enamel
Road Less Traveled Hawaii Surrealist Mid Century Figurative Abstract Landscape
Located in Soquel, CA
Road Less Traveled Hawaii Surrealist Mid Century Figurative Abstract Landscape Symbolistic and romantic Surrealist 1940s figurative abstract landscape with a figure journeying down a path in an idyllic landscape by Marguerite Louis Blasingame circa 1940-45. Signed Blasingame lower right corner; from a collection of her work. Unframed. Condition: Excellent; professionally cleaned and UV varnished. Image, 30"H x 20"W. Marguerite and her husband Frank Blasingame...
Oil, Linen
20th Century Surrealist Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Beachwood, OH
Surrealist Landscape Oil on canvas 'R. Lee Glenn' verso 30 x 24.25 inches 31.75 x 26.75 inches, framed Surrealism aims to revolutionize human experience. It balances a rational visi...
Oil
Surrealist Photo Collage Assemblage Art Butterfly Mouth Ivan Chermayeff
Located in Surfside, FL
Ivan Chermayeff (1932-2017): Butterfly Mouth Mixed media collage, 2002, hand signed 'Ivan Chermayeff' and dated lower right, titled lower left. Bears label from David Findlay Jr. Ga...
Paper, Mixed Media
$4,762
Who? Why? What?-Original realism animal surrealism oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled Micro-Gestalt H4
By Airom
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Acrylic and ink on canvas
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
$3,864Sale Price|20% Off
Golfers 45 - original figurative landscape painting - contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. Step into the serene and orderly world of "Golfers 45," a char...
Canvas, Oil
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
Dutress and Her Cat -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Animals
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
Knight In Armour w/ Horse, Large Magical Realist Landscape
By Paul Riba
Located in Beachwood, OH
Paul Riba (American, 1912-1977) Knight in Armour, 1973 Oil on board Signed and dated lower right 39.5 x 47.5 inches 48.5 x 57 inches, framed Paul Rib...
Oil
$7,000Sale Price|20% Off
Antique American Modernist Period Male Nude Surrealist Masterpiece Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Amazing early American surrealist nude male portrait landscape. Painted by Charles W St Clair. Oil on board. Framed. Image size, 24L x 30H. Super detailed and rare!
Canvas, Oil
$541Sale Price|23% Off
Surrealist scene oil on canvas painting surrealism
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Oil on canvas. Signed Aress. Oil mesures 33x24 cm. Frame mesures 48x39 cm.
Canvas, Oil
Micro Gestalt Series #3b
By Airom
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Acrylic and ink on canvas.
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
Mid Century San Francisco Nocturnal Surrealist Oil Painting
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid Century Nocturnal Surrealist Oil Painting--San Francisco Unreal Dreams by Russell Tripp Dramatic and atmospheric San Francisco surrealist figurative painting by Russell R. Tripp...
Oil, Board
Mid 20th Century French Surrealist Oil Painting Nude Woman Standing
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Nude in Landscape French Surrealist artist, mid 20th century oil painting on board, ornately framed frame: 40 x 31 inches board: 29 x 20 inches provenance: private collection, Paris ...
Oil
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
White Stone Surrealist Painting, Late 20th Century, Cleveland Female Artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
Sally Lachina (American, 20th Century) White Stone, 1994 Acrylic on canvas Signed and dated lower right, signed, dated and titled verso 42 x 42 inches Sally Lachina is an American a...
Acrylic
$16,200
In The Above - Abstract Modern Surrealist Skyscape Perched Bird Acrylic Painting
By Jeff Faust
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jeff Faust draws from the rich tradition of highly illusionistic canvases, where the eye perceives a sophisticated depth. Faust's ability to blend the ordinary with a touch of the ex...
Canvas, Acrylic
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Gaze 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern, Men
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
The Unfolding Silence, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A woman appears surrounded by swirling, luminous strokes. Flowing lines move through her figure, giving her a dreamlike appearance and a poetic presence. The bl...
Acrylic
$1,200
Hopeful (black labrador, dog pet, woman, vintage, animal, surrealist painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this moving piece by Rudolf Kosow, the canvas captures a tender and intimate moment between species. The focus is a deeply expressive black dog, portrayed with a level of detail t...
Canvas, Oil
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Priscilla At Dusk - 21st Century, Surrealism, Africa Woman with Guitar, Musical
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 Bor...
Canvas, Oil
I was offended.
Located in Zofingen, AG
She is offended. And no gifts, champagne or words will melt this ice. What did her Man do - we can only guess. May be he forget about the anniversary, bought the wrong flowers, cheat...
Canvas, Oil
"Pieta" (2021) By John Tarantola, Surrealistic Nude Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Pieta" (2021) is a beautiful surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts two young athletic male figures atop a red cloth in vast desert du...
Oil, Panel
"Pentimento", Figurative Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas, 30x40
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original painting by San Diego artist, Julia San Roman. It is oil on canvas and its dimensions are 30"x40". It is unframed. A c...
Oil, Canvas
La Maison Rouge - Abstract Warm Tone Color Drenched 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, Mixed Media
$1,400
"Reclining Man" (2015) By John Tarantola, Surrealist Nude Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Reclining Man" (2015) is a beautiful surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts a young man lying in the nude, against a surreal scene of ...
Oil, Panel