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Surrealist Portrait Prints

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
Brain of Hunter S. Thompson
Brain of Hunter S. Thompson

Brain of Hunter S. Thompson

By Ralph Steadman

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Ralph Steadman Title: Brain of Hunter S. Thompson Medium: One color silkscreen on White Rising Stonehenge Deckle Edge Paper Size: 11 x15 Inches Edition: of 800 Year: 2010 No...

Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Silk, Screen

Tomano Monote (Cupcake Boy)
Tomano Monote (Cupcake Boy)

Tomano Monote (Cupcake Boy)

By Alejandro Colunga

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Alejandro Colunga is a renowned Mexican artist born in 1948 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He is part of the Nueva Mexicanidad movement and is celebrated for his surrealist and fantastical...

Category

1990s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint, Gouache

SPIRIT OF GONZO
SPIRIT OF GONZO

SPIRIT OF GONZO

By Ralph Steadman

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Ralph Steadman Title: Spirit of Gonzo Medium: One color silkscreen on White Rising Stonehenge Deckle Edge Paper Size: 22 x 30 Inches Edition: of 250 Year: 2006 Notes: Hand S...

Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Silk, Screen

PRINCE OF CUPS 1979, Signed Lithograph on Arches, Tarot Card Series
PRINCE OF CUPS 1979, Signed Lithograph on Arches, Tarot Card Series

PRINCE OF CUPS 1979, Signed Lithograph on Arches, Tarot Card Series

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Union City, NJ

Artist - Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989) Title - PRINCE OF CUPS, Tarot Card Series Publisher - DALART N.V. Year published - 1979 Medium - Lithograph on Arches Cover 270 gsm. 100% acid free, signed in pencil, inscribed 2/5 PP (Printers Proof) by Salvador Dali on lower print margin, publishers mark "DALART N.V. Copyright 1979" blindstamp embossed on lower left print margin. Fine impression, vivid colors, unframed, in very good condition. Print documentation provided.. Listed in the Albert Field's OFFICIAL CATALOGUE OF THE GRAPHIC WORKS OF SALVADOR DALI, Reference #79-15. PRINCE OF CUPS from the Tarot Series 1979, is a surrealist style limited edition lithograph by Salvador Dalí (1904 – 1989) Printed on archival Arches paper, 100% acid free. PRINCE OF CUPS depicts a freely drawn, black line portrait of a young Prince wearing his golden yellow crown, sporting a white ruffle collared shirt, looking slightly sideways posed behind a golden chalice...

Category

1970s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Acrobat, Surrealist Etching by James Kearns
Acrobat, Surrealist Etching by James Kearns

Acrobat, Surrealist Etching by James Kearns

By James Kearns

Located in Long Island City, NY

James Kearns, American (1924 - ) - Acrobat, Year: circa 1975, Medium: Etching on Rives, signed, titled and numbered, Edition: 44/50, Image Size: 14.5 x 8.75 inches, Size: 22 x 15 i...

Category

1970s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

"Conception" - Portrait of a Native American on a Vision Quest
"Conception" - Portrait of a Native American on a Vision Quest

"Conception" - Portrait of a Native American on a Vision Quest

Located in Soquel, CA

"Conception" - Portrait of a Native American on a Vision Quest Large scale and fine detailed work by the artist. Detailed and evocative depiction of a Native American elder by Frank Howell...

Category

1990s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Laid Paper, Screen

Salvador Dali - The Golden Age - Original Lithograph
Salvador Dali - The Golden Age - Original Lithograph

Salvador Dali - The Golden Age - Original Lithograph

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH

Salvador Dali - The Golden Age - Original Lithograph Joseph FORET, Paris, 1957 PRINTER : Ballon. SIGNATURE : plate signed by Dali. LIMITED : 197 copies. EDITION : Number 136 SIZE ...

Category

1950s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Conventional sentiment. Limited edition print Surreal Established Polish artist

Conventional sentiment. Limited edition print Surreal Established Polish artist

By Rafał Olbiński

Located in Warsaw, PL

Giclee limited edition print by worldwidely established Polish artist Rafal Olbinski. Figurative surrealistic print with man and a woman standing on the road. The road is transformin...

Category

2010s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper, Color

Art Deco Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Signed, 1990, Pearls and Emeralds
Art Deco Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Signed, 1990, Pearls and Emeralds

Art Deco Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Signed, 1990, Pearls and Emeralds

By Erté

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Erté Title: Pearls and Emeralds Medium: Embossed serigraph Year: 1990 Edition: 265/300 Sheet Size: 41 3/4" x 29 1/4" Image Size: 35 1/4" x 23 1/4" Signature: Stamped signature

Category

1990s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Screen

Happy People in Pink - Lithograph (Maeght)
Happy People in Pink - Lithograph (Maeght)

Happy People in Pink - Lithograph (Maeght)

By Paul Klee

Located in Paris, IDF

Paul KLEE (1879 - 1940) Happy character Color photolithograph after a painting Signed in the plate On vellum 83 x 60 cm (c. 32 x 24 in) Excellent condition

Category

Early 20th Century Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Watercolor, Lithograph

Art Deco Embossed Serigraph Print by Erte, 1991, Boudoir
Art Deco Embossed Serigraph Print by Erte, 1991, Boudoir

Art Deco Embossed Serigraph Print by Erte, 1991, Boudoir

By Erté

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Erté Title: Boudoir Medium: Embossed serigraph Year: 1991 Edition: 290/300 Sheet Size: 41 3/4" x 29 1/4" Image Size: 35 1/4" x 23 1/4" Signature: Stamped signature

Category

1990s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Screen

Salvador Dali - Argus - Original Etching
Salvador Dali - Argus - Original Etching

Salvador Dali - Argus - Original Etching

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH

Salvador Dali - Argus - from "Mythologie" Original Etching Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm 1962 Editor: Pierre Argillet Edition: /150 Handsigned and numbered On Arches Paper References : Fiel...

Category

1960s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Flapper Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Art Deco Style, 1990, Signed
Flapper Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Art Deco Style, 1990, Signed

Flapper Embossed Serigraph by Erte, Art Deco Style, 1990, Signed

By Erté

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Erté Title: Flapper Medium: Embossed serigraph Year: 1990 Edition: CCXXII/CCC Sheet Size: 41 3/4" x 29 1/4" Image Size: 35 1/4" x 23 1/4" Signature: Stamped signature

Category

1990s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Screen

Portrait de Marguerite - Etching - 1960s
Portrait de Marguerite - Etching - 1960s

Portrait de Marguerite - Etching - 1960s

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Roma, IT

Etching on chamois-colored laid paper, realized in 1968/69. Plate from "Faust (La Nuit de Walpurgis), published by Argillet, Paris. Edition of 49/150, hand colored. Hand signed an...

Category

1960s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

LE CHEVALET AUX FLEURS (MOURLOT 838)
LE CHEVALET AUX FLEURS (MOURLOT 838)

LE CHEVALET AUX FLEURS (MOURLOT 838)

By Marc Chagall

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Lithograph in colors on wove paper. Mourlot 838. Sheet size 30.25 x 20 inches. Image size 22.5 x 14.75 inches. Frame size approx 36.5 x 26.5 inches. Edition 34/50. 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...

Category

1970s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Don Juan: The Banquet (Le Banquet)

Don Juan: The Banquet (Le Banquet)

By Salvador Dalí­

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Salvador Dali Don Juan: The Banquet (Le Banquet), Published 1970 Medium: Hand-Colored Drypoint Etching on Arches Paper Edition: 38/250 Artwork Size: 25 x 20 in Framed Size: 33 ...

Category

1970s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Leonor Fini, Rogomelec (rare print on paper)
Leonor Fini, Rogomelec (rare print on paper)

Leonor Fini, Rogomelec (rare print on paper)

By Leonor Fini

Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Leonor Fini, Rogomelec (rare original print on Rives paper) Texte : Rare lithograph on Rives paper, handsigned and numered by surrealist artist Leonor Fini, now rediscovered and inscreasingly esteemed with the movement of rediscovering art by women. Leonor Fini was actually the life of the party during the Surrealist movement like Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Jacqueline Lamba and Claude Lalanne. Many consider her to be the most fiercely independent female artist of the 20th centuryThis rare lithograph was made after the painting untitled Rogomelec, which was sold by Christie's on october 9th 2024 at GBP 907,200. Created in 1978, Rogomelec is an arresting example of Leonor Fini’s fantastical visions. Within a barren land stands a king dressed in an elaborate coat of peacock feathers. Light glints off his dazzling crown. He is magisterial, imperious, royalty incarnated. The painting shares its title with that of Fini’s third novella, first published in 1979; Rogomelec means ‘he who stones the king’. Written in the first person, the story tells of a traveller in a faraway land, home to a decaying monastery-turned-sanatorium, where monks proffer hallucinatory herbal cures, and culminates in an unsettling discovery during a ritual celebration of the king, the subject of the present work. Born in Buenos Aires, Fini moved to Trieste as a young child. There, she developed an early interest in Renaissance and Mannerist art – the latter’s influence is evident in the elongated figure of Rogomelec – as well as Gustav Klimt, the Pre-Raphaelites, and the German and French Romantics, artists she discovered while riffling through her uncle’s extensive library. Largely self-taught, she moved to Paris in 1931 where she befriended René Magritte, Paul Éluard, Max Ernst, and Victor Brauner. Through them, Fini grew close with the Surrealists and participated in their exhibitions, including Peggy Guggenheim’s landmark show 31 Women at her eponymous gallery on West 57 Street in New York. Like her contemporaries, Fini’s paintings too seem wrenched from a dream and across her works she sought to reconcile the world that she experienced with that of her subconscious mind. In Rogomelec, the king’s clothing is meticulous, and the drama of the ensemble was likely influenced by Fini’s work outside the studio. She created sets and costumes for the ballet, stage, and film; collaborated on performances for the Paris Opéra and La Scala in Milan; and conceived of the bottle and packaging for Elsa Schiaparelli’s perfume...

Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper

Uncaged Man Hand Drawn Lithograph, 1979 Trial Proof, 21.5 x 29.5 in.
Uncaged Man Hand Drawn Lithograph, 1979 Trial Proof, 21.5 x 29.5 in.

Uncaged Man Hand Drawn Lithograph, 1979 Trial Proof, 21.5 x 29.5 in.

By De Es Schwertberger

Located in Union City, NJ

UNCAGED MAN is a hand drawn original lithograph(not a photo reproduction or digital print) printed using hand lithography techniques on archival Arches printmaking paper 100% acid free. UNCAGED MAN is a highly detailed depiction of a stone man squatting by an empty oblong stone cage-like structure. He appears to be contemplating the moment - creating for the viewer a sense of mystery and metaphysical thought. Print size - 21.5 x 29.5 in., unframed, excellent condition, rare unsigned trial proof aside from the printed edition of 100, printers legend stamped on verso, fine impression, completely hand drawn lithograph by DE ES Schwertberger Year printed - 1979, printed by master printer Joseph Kleineman at JK Fine Art Editions Co., NYC DE ES (DE ES Schwertberger) - Popular Viennese Fantastic Realist artist was born in 1942 in Gresten, Lower Austria, as Dieter Schwertberger. He studied the painting technique of the Old Masters in Vienna under Ernst Fuchs and has been an independent artist since 1962. DE ES lived three years in Switzerland and twelve years in New York City. The painter has been known under the name DE ES since 1972. He currently lives in Vienna. The artist considers himself to be a seeker, who shows what he has found through “the language of the images”. His message of “meaning and transformation” finds clear and intense expression in his paintings through a precise use of space, light and texture. De Es' was the featured artist for Omni magazine...

Category

1970s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Leonor Fini, rare original serigraph on Rives paper, circa 1970
Leonor Fini, rare original serigraph on Rives paper, circa 1970

Leonor Fini, rare original serigraph on Rives paper, circa 1970

By Leonor Fini

Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Rare print handsigned by surrealist artist Leonor Fini, inscreasingly esteemed with the movement of rediscovering art by women. This silkscreen is in perfect condition and from a ver...

Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper

Historical Document - Hunter Thompson
Historical Document - Hunter Thompson

Historical Document - Hunter Thompson

By Ralph Steadman

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Ralph Steadman Title: Historical Document - Hunter Thompson Medium: One color silkscreen on White Rising Stonehenge Deckle Edge Paper Size: 13 x 22 Inches Edition: of 300 Ye...

Category

2010s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Silk, Screen

Hunter S. Thompson in Straight Jacket
Hunter S. Thompson in Straight Jacket

Hunter S. Thompson in Straight Jacket

By Ralph Steadman

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Ralph Steadman Title: Hunter S. Thompson in Straight Jacket Medium: One color silkscreen on White Rising Stonehenge Deckle Edge Paper Size: 22 x 30 Inches Edition: of 250 Ye...

Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Silk, Screen

FUJI UNDER SIEGE Signed Lithograph, Mini Landscape, Snow Capped Mountain, Duster
FUJI UNDER SIEGE Signed Lithograph, Mini Landscape, Snow Capped Mountain, Duster

FUJI UNDER SIEGE Signed Lithograph, Mini Landscape, Snow Capped Mountain, Duster

By Fanny Brennan

Located in Union City, NJ

FUJI UNDER SIEGE is a hand drawn, limited edition lithograph by the American surrealist artist Fanny Brennan, created using traditional hand lithography techniques printed on archiva...

Category

1990s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

SELVAGGIA Signed Lithograph, Robed Figure, Bird, Surrealism, Latin American
SELVAGGIA Signed Lithograph, Robed Figure, Bird, Surrealism, Latin American

SELVAGGIA Signed Lithograph, Robed Figure, Bird, Surrealism, Latin American

By Norma Bessouet

Located in Union City, NJ

SELVAGGIA is an original hand drawn limited edition lithograph by the Argentine woman artist Norma Bessouet printed using hand lithography techniques on Arches paper, 10% acid free. SELVAGGIA is unframed, in mint condition, full bleed image, hand torn edges, signed in pencil by Ms. Bessouet. Print size - 28.5 x 20.5 inches, unframed, excellent condition, pencil signed by Norma Bessouet Edition size - 150, plus proofs Year printed - 1986 Printer - J K Fine Art Editions Co. NYC Bessouet, born in Argentina, schooled in Argentina, London and in Italy, where she was able to look to the works of the Old Masters for inspiration. She refers to the artists of the Italian quattrocento along with Velazquez and El Greco as her muses, and traces of these historic artists shine through in her paintings. Her work is in numerous private and public collections throughout the world. Bessouet's art focused primarily around portraits, domesticity and the female nude. In the original print, SELVAGGIA, Norma Bessouet merges certain Latin American strands of literary magic realism with Surrealism and presents a portrait of an androgynous seated figure, with bald head, serene facial expression, wearing a full length ombre shaded robe, cradling a large, long-beak bird. Ms. Bessouet's sensitive, masterly drawing expresses a fantasy doll...

Category

1980s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Winter - 21st century, Figurative Surrealist print

Winter - 21st century, Figurative Surrealist print

By Rafał Olbiński

Located in Warsaw, PL

The work comes directly from the artist, is numbered out of limited edition of 20, signed and made on sealed paper. RAFAŁ OLBIŃSKI (born in 1943) He graduated from the Faculty of Ar...

Category

2010s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper, Color

PUBLIC OUTCRY Signed Lithograph, Man, Tree, Magritte-Style, Surrealism
PUBLIC OUTCRY Signed Lithograph, Man, Tree, Magritte-Style, Surrealism

PUBLIC OUTCRY Signed Lithograph, Man, Tree, Magritte-Style, Surrealism

By Michael Hasted

Located in Union City, NJ

PUBLIC OUTCRY is an original hand drawn limited edition lithograph by the British artist, Michael Hasted printed using hand lithography on archival Somerset paper, 100% acid free. PUBLIC OUTCRY is a surrealist portrait composition portraying a semi interior scene showing a man in brown trousers standing positioned on stage-like black and white checkered tile...

Category

1980s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

ECLIPSE Signed Lithograph, Surrealist Portrait, Shrouded Moon, Midnight Blue Sky
ECLIPSE Signed Lithograph, Surrealist Portrait, Shrouded Moon, Midnight Blue Sky

ECLIPSE Signed Lithograph, Surrealist Portrait, Shrouded Moon, Midnight Blue Sky

By Fanny Brennan

Located in Union City, NJ

ECLIPSE is a rarely seen, hand drawn limited edition lithograph by the American surrealist artist Fanny Brennan, created using traditional hand lithography techniques printed on arch...

Category

1990s Surrealist Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Surrealist portrait prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist portrait prints 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 portrait prints created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, pink, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Salvador Dalí, Rafał Olbiński, Marc Chagall, and Guelfo Bianchini. Frequently made by artists working with Lithograph, and Paper 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 portrait prints, so small editions measuring 2.5 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait prints 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 $50 and tops out at $220,000, while the average work sells for $1,000.