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.
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
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
$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
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
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
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
1970s Salvador Dalí Signed and Dated Original Work on Paper
Located in Roma, IT
1970s Salvador Dalí Signed and Dated Work on Paper This wonderful artwork shown is a silkscreen print by Salvador Dalí (1904–1989), part of the ...
Lithograph
La Tauromachie Individuelle (Bullfight)
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
$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
$1,155
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
$5,609Sale 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
$6,995
Salvador Dali Color Etching, Signed, 1973, The Twelve Tribes of Israel, Reuben
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: Reuben Portfolio: The Twelve Tribes of Israel Medium: Etching and pochoir on Arches paper Year: 1973 Edition: EA Frame Size: 32 3/8" x 26 7/8" Sheet Size...
Engraving
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...
Lithograph
$35,283
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
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
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
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Le Seize Septembre Offset Print, Surrealist, 1998, Authorized Edition
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This reproduction of the Magritte painting is the only authorized and approved copy in its current format. It has been sanctioned by the appropriate authorities managing Magritte’s e...
Offset
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
$1,161Sale 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
"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
$1,509
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
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
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
$67Sale Price|24% Off
Reclining Female (Surreal, Colorful, Vibrant, Modern) (25% OFF LIST PRICE)
By Franz Graw
Located in Kansas City, MO
Franz Graw Reclining Female (Surreal, Colorful, Vibrant, Modern) Color Offset Lithograph Year: 2021 Size: 16.53 x 11.73 inches (42 x 29.8 cm) Edition: 100 Signed and numbered in penc...
Lithograph, Offset
Circus - 25 illustrated books - Vintage poster - 1982
By Marc Chagall
Located in Paris, IDF
After Marc CHAGALL Circus Offset vintage poster, 1982 On heavy paper 66 x 46 cm / 26 x 18" INFORMATION : Vintage poster for the exhibition "25 livres illustres" at Patrick Cramer Ga...
Offset
Design III a - Screen print by Getulio Alviani - 1971
Located in Roma, IT
Screen print in red and blue, realized in 1971. Edition by Griffelkunst Hamburg. Signed in pencil below the image, centered. Image size 47 x 47 cm (image size). Besides geometric...
Screen
Dance, Lithograph, Modern, 1939, Signed in plate, Excellent
Located in OPOLE, PL
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) - Dance Lithograph from 1939. Dimensions of work: 52 x 35 cm Publisher: Tériade, Paris. On the back there are two lithographs signed in plate. The prin...
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
$4,950
Surrealistic Portrait of Dali Surrounded by Butterflies, Signed, Authenticated
Located in Aventura, FL
From the suite Memories of Surrealism. Photolithograph and etching with collage on Japon paper. French edition. Hand signed lower right by Salvador Dali. Hand numbered F XXIV/XL ...
Paper, Etching, Photo-lithograph
Les Caprices de Goya Rasputin
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Les Caprices de Goya Rasputin MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali EDITION NUMBER: 27/200 MEASUREMENTS: Paper: 17.9" x 12.2" Frame: ...
Etching
$464
Jean COCTEAU and Raymond MORETTI : The kiss- Original Hansigned Lithograph, 1973
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Paris, IDF
Jean Cocteau and Raymond Moretti The Kiss Original lithograph Printed signature in the plate, handsigned by Raymond Moretti Numbered 1/79 - Very look for artist proof bearing n°1 On...
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
$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
$4,595
Salvador Dali Color Lithograph, Signed, 1972, Twelve Apostles, James the Greater
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: James the Greater (Lancelot of the Lake) Portfolio: 1972 The Twelve Apostles (Knights of the Round Table) Medium: Lithograph Year: 1972 Edition: 45/350 F...
Lithograph
Soles de Ninive Silkscreen Print, Surrealist Framed Art, 2014
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
PEDRO FRIEDEBERG, GRAPHIC, SURREALIST WORK, IMPORTANT MEXICAN ART, EXQUISITE FRAME . . . Pedro Friedeberg signed print featuring a fantastical surrealistic scene. Includes whimsical ...
Serigraph
Hands - Il tempo che passa - Etching by Mayo - 1977
Located in Roma, IT
Etching on paper. Hand Signed and numbered. Edition of 25, in roman numbers. Excellent condition.
Etching
$384Sale Price|20% Off
FALLING RIBBON Signed Mini Lithograph, Red Satin, Surreal Beach Scene
Located in Union City, NJ
FALLING RIBBON is a hand drawn limited edition lithograph by the American surrealist artist Fanny Brennan, created using traditional hand lithography techniques printed on archival A...
Lithograph
$3,600
Salvador Dali Surrealist Etching Engraving Pochoir L'Automobile Da Vinci Hommage
Located in Surfside, FL
Salvador Dali Title: L'automobile (Automobile) 1975 From Portfolio, Hommage à Leonardo da Vinci (Great Inventions) Original Engraving and Etching with Pochoir on Arches paper Edi...
Paper, Etching, Engraving
$15,000
Escargot
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Escargot MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali EDITION NUMBER: I/XXV MEASUREMENTS: Paper: 14.48" x 11" Frame: 19" x 15" YEAR: 1970 ...
Etching
Surrealist, lithograph, Bird, Fish, Victor Brauner, 1960's
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Victor Brauner (1903-1966) Traces interstices (inscribed on the stone in the image) Color lithograph on wove paper, 1963 Unsigned (as issued) Published by Gualtieri di San Lazzaro fo...
Lithograph
Silouhette Etching by Salvador Dalì, Surrealist, Signed, 1968/69
Located in Roma, IT
Etching on chamois-colored laid paper, realized by Dalì in 1968/69. Plate from "Faust (La Nuit de Walpurgis), published by Argillet, Paris. Edition of 49/150, hand colored. Hand s...
Etching
$1,200Sale Price|50% Off
Malabaristas Parapsicológicos Giclée Print, Surrealist, Framed, 2010+
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg is known for his surrealist paintings, prints, and sculptural furniture. He was the subject of a 2009 retrospective at the Museo del Palacio de B...
Giclée
Les Brisants
By Joan Miró
Located in New York, NY
Color etching and aquatint, 1958. Signed by the artist in pencil, lower right Numbered IV/15 in pencil, lower left. Printed by Crommelynck and Dutrou, Paris. Published by GLM, Par...
Etching, Aquatint
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 ...
Lithograph
The Creation Lithograph, Surrealist Style, 1960, Edition of 6500
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Color lithograph realized by Marc Chagall in 1960 to illustrate "The Bible". Edition of 6500, published by Tériade in no. 33 and 34 of the Art Magazine Verve. Printed by Mourlot a...
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
RENÉ MAGRITTE L'EMPIRE DES LUMIÈRES, 1964 Limited edition Lithograph, Surrealism
Located in Madrid, Madrid
L'EMPIRE DES LUMIÈRES, 1964 (THE EMPIRE OF LIGHTS, 1964) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition: 275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Observations: Lithograph on BFK Ri...
Lithograph
$4,996
Salvador Dali etching with drypoint, 1974, signed and numbered, edition of 120
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) L'Éléphant et Le Singe de Jupiter, from Le Bestiaire de La Fontaine (Field 74-1B; M&L 654) Etching with drypoint and pochoir printed in colours, 1974 signe...
Etching
The Inferno, Canto 21 - Le Diable noir, Woodcut, Surrealist 1960
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - The Inferno, Canto 21 - Le Diable noir Original woodcut from 1960. Dimensions of work: 33 x 26.2 cm Publisher: Les Heures Claires, Paris. Reference: C...
Woodcut
$840Sale Price|30% Off
El Siglo de Pericles Giclée Print, Surrealist Style, Framed, 2010+
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
-Pedro Friedeberg signed print featuring a fantastical architectural scene. Includes whimsical figures, optical art elements, and surreal details. framed in a hand-painted black and ...
Giclée
Untitled Lithograph by Wifredo Lam, Surrealist, 1970s, Edition of 150
By Wifredo Lam
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled is a modern artwork realized by Wifredo Lam in 1970s. Mixed colored lithograph, realized after one of the Artist's paintings. Hand monogrammed in the right lower margin wi...
Lithograph
$900
Portrait with flowers, Leonor Fini (1907-1996) Women Surrealist, Lithograph 1960
By Leonor Fini
Located in New York, NY
Leonor Fini (1907-1996) Portrait with flowers, 1960 Lithograph 25 1/4 x 19 in (64 x 48 cm) With frame: 33 x 26 1/2 in (83,5 x 67,5 cm) Leonor Fini was born in 1907 in Buenos Aires a...
Lithograph
Every Night from Now On, Original Lithograph, Modern, Signed, 1967, Framed
By Joan Miró
Located in OPOLE, PL
Joan Miro (1893-1983) - Toute nuit désormais (Every Night from Now On) Lithograph from 1967. The edition of 99/100 on Arches paper with full margins. Dimensions of sheet: 31.1 x 2...
Lithograph
For Alberti, For Spain! - Etching by Joan Mirò - 1975
By Joan Miró
Located in Roma, IT
For Alberti, For Spain! it's an artwork realized by Joan Mirò in 1975. Etching, 90 x 66 cm. Hand signed. Edition 45/90. Reference: Dupin 926 Printed on Fabriano paper, Printed...
Etching
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Códice Miguelito III, Surrealist Style, Framed, 2010+
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
-Pedro Friedeberg signed digital giclee print featuring a fantastical architectural scene inspired by “Mickey”. Includes whimsical figures, optical art elements, and surreal details....
Giclée
$3,716
Giraffa che brucia (Burning Giraffe), Original Lithograph, Modern, 1973, Signed
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Giraffa che brucia (Burning Giraffe) Lithograph from 1973. Editon 108/250 on Arches paper. Dimensions of work: 48 x 65 cm Publisher: Carpentier. Prin...
Lithograph
$2,310Sale Price|40% Off
"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...
Laid Paper, Screen
$464Sale Price|20% Off
Opposite of sentimental... . Limited edition print, Surreal, Established artist
Located in Warsaw, PL
Size of sheet is ca. 21 x 29 cm (A4) Contemporary figurative giclee print by Polish artist Rafal Olbinski. Print is signed, numbered and has a stamp of an artist's atelier. It comes...
Paper, Color
$4,950
Salvador dali 'Passiflora lauigera - 1968' Lithograph/Etching, Signed & numbered
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Salvador Dali Title: Passiflora laurigera (Le vine, Passionflower) Portfolio: 1968 Flora Dalinae Medium: Photolithograph, etching, and pochoir in colors on BFK Rives Date: 19...
Etching, Photographic Film, Lithograph
Paisaje con Luna, Surrealist Mixografia by Rufino Tamayo
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rufino Tamayo, Mexican (1899 - 1991) - Paisaje con Luna, Year: 1977, Medium: Mixografia on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in crayon, Edition: 16/100, Size: 19.75 x 27.25 in. (...
Etching