Christopher Klein Paintings

American, b. 1954

Christopher Klein was a former illustrator for National Geographic Magazine. Klein was born in 1954, Washington DC. Klein spent 26 years at National Geographic Magazine. His career at National Geographic brought him around the world. He lived with people from Egypt to South America, studied history and artifacts of ancient times and delved into the intricacies of creatures like tarantulas and horseshoe crabs. His research transformed into illustrations filling the pages of National Geographic Magazine. In retirement, he is back to his surrealistic roots combining his love of surrealism with the breadth of his life experience. “Surrealism is a way for me to create my own world,” says Klein. “Whether it be an archeological recreation, deep sea representation, or a futuristic scene, my use of realistic juxtapositions proved to be my key to scientific art with the National Geographic Society. My ability to render in high detail and a vivid imagination are the prerequisites for creating accurate paintings of historic people, the places they lived and worshipped, as well as the inner workings of both animals and machines. After 26 years of scientific art, my work is now going full circle back to my fine art roots in surrealism, now reflecting realistic images in unnatural settings or unnatural images in even more bizarre environments.”

Artist: Christopher Klein

Christopher KleinWisdom Trumps Violence - Surreal Oil Painting with a Leopard, an Owl, and a Man, 2018

$8,800

Wisdom Trumps Violence - Surreal Oil Painting with a Leopard, an Owl, and a Man

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Toying (e.g., rider on toy horse) with violent threats is not wise. The sounds (e.g., horn) of violence (e.g., spear and leopard) will never overtake wisdom (e.g., owl and pearl). This masterfully painted surrealist artwork draws in the viewer with its extraordinary detail. The artwork is framed. Christopher A. Klein Wisdom Trumps...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Christopher KleinThe Sound of the Changing Season - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic, 2022

$10,500

The Sound of the Changing Season - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

A violinist, playing a melancholy tune, helps conjure up the change of season from fall to winter on Halloween, as represented by the black cat. The cat is holding the Tempest in the Teapot kettle. The raven, who is bursting forth from the steam of this tempest, represents the cold, dark and harsh winter to come. Juxtaposing and altering unrelated natural objects with the machinations of man to create a scene of an impossible surreal world, the viewer enters the mind of artist Christopher Klein...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Christopher KleinMusCATteer - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic Original Oil Painting, Framed, circa 2012

$12,000

MusCATteer - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic Original Oil Painting, Framed

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Juxtaposing and altering unrelated natural objects with the machinations of man to create a scene of an impossible surreal world, the viewer enters the mind of artist Christopher Klein...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Christopher KleinDesert Desert - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic Original Oil Painting, 2024

$14,000

Desert Desert - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic Original Oil Painting

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

As a Mexican musician sings and plays the guitar dressed for the day of the dead. He is being unknowingly stalked by a mythical beast. Little does he know that he is singing about ...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Christopher KleinThe Duet -Original Oil Surreal Painting of Man with Tree Growing Out of His Head, circa 2008

$6,500

The Duet -Original Oil Surreal Painting of Man with Tree Growing Out of His Head

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

The Mythical tree of life extrudes from the body of a Christian tortured by the thought that pagan religions, represented by the double-headed snake may hold some truth. The tree is playing Brahms's Lullaby in an attempt to calm the subject's troubled mind during his epiphany - discovering the other religion is his. Christopher A. Klein The Duet oil on panel 13.50h x 11.50w in 34.29h x 29.21w cm CK0001 Christopher A. Klein b. 1954, Washington DC Christopher Klein...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Christopher KleinHeli Hatchlings, Surreal Oil Painting - Giant Chameleons Crab Apples Helicopter, circa 2012

$6,800

Heli Hatchlings, Surreal Oil Painting - Giant Chameleons Crab Apples Helicopter

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

The smiling figures in the helicopter, hatching from a frozen crab-apple, have false hopes that they are on a fun adventure, unaware of the imminent danger- they are about the chameleon’s prey. Fortune can turn on a dime. Such is the subject of Christopher Klein...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Rudolf KosowHopeful (black labrador, dog pet, woman, vintage, animal, surrealist painting), 2024

$1,200

H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in

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...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Rudolf KosowFate Challenge I (lady climber wildcat brown earth tones yellow ochre mauve, 2015

$4,200

H 59.06 in W 35.44 in D 0.79 in

Fate Challenge I (lady climber wildcat brown earth tones yellow ochre mauve

By Rudolf Kosow

Located in Quebec, Quebec

In "Fate challenge II“ a mountaineer is eagerly climbing a steep rock ledge because she has seen something from a distance that she could not explain and is planning to find out. Alt...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Quang Ho"Every Which Way" (2024) By Quang Ho, Original Oil Landscape Painting, 2024

$45,000

H 48 in W 70 in

"Every Which Way" (2024) By Quang Ho, Original Oil Landscape Painting

By Quang Ho

Located in Denver, CO

Quang Ho's "Every Which Way" (2024) is a beautiful impressionist oil painting on panel that depicts a large herd of horses on a blurred landscape. This piece is signed in the lower r...

Category

2010s Impressionist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Rudolf KosowIncident II (Pug face dog man's best friend vintage oil painting surreal), 2025

$3,250

H 36 in W 36 in D 1 in

Incident II (Pug face dog man's best friend vintage oil painting surreal)

By Rudolf Kosow

Located in Quebec, Quebec

"Incident" by Rudolf Kosow is a visually stunning oil painting that masterfully utilizes surrealism and a subtle color palette to emphasize the unexpected juxtaposition of a giant pu...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gwen WongMirage, 2025

$675

H 12 in W 12 in

Mirage

Located in Atlanta, GA

Gwen Wong's work is both painterly and allegorical, caught somewhere in the middle between the representational painter and the narrator. "I am inspired by the idea of a childhood re...

Category

2010s Contemporary Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Derek CarruthersLarge Scale Surrealist Oil on Canvas, 'Noah's Ark and the Animals'.

$6,024Sale Price|27% Off

H 47.92 in W 60.04 in D 0.71 in

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Jeff SlemonsPanther in the Grass, Oil Painting, Landscape, Animal Painting, Illustrator, 2018

$1,840Sale Price|20% Off

H 24 in W 24 in D 1 in

Panther in the Grass, Oil Painting, Landscape, Animal Painting, Illustrator

Located in Houston, TX

Panther in the Grass is by artist Jeff Slemons .There is the use of the palette knife which builds up a texture of the oil paints used in this landscape...

Category

2010s Impressionist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil, Wood Panel

Bart KoningRobin -21st Century Contemporary Realistic Still life Painting of a Bird, 2025

$3,789

H 7.88 in W 11.46 in D 1.19 in

Robin -21st Century Contemporary Realistic Still life Painting of a Bird

By Bart Koning

Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant

Bart Koning (Dutch artist) Robin 20 x 29,1 cm (Framed included in price 20,4 x 29,5) Oil paint on wood panel We're proud to introduce Dutch/ German artist Bart Koning. Incredibly c...

Category

2010s Contemporary Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Wood Panel, Oil

Rudolf KosowSweet Sounds (cat, feline, lady, flute, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting, 2024

$1,200

H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in

Sweet Sounds (cat, feline, lady, flute, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting

By Rudolf Kosow

Located in Quebec, Quebec

"Sweet Sounds," a mesmerizing painting by Rudolf Kosow, depicts a tranquil scene of harmony between a young girl and a slumbering cat. The girl, seated and playing an instrument, see...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gwen WongNestled In, 2025

$510

H 10 in W 110 in

Nestled In

Located in Atlanta, GA

Gwen Wong's work is both painterly and allegorical, caught somewhere in the middle between the representational painter and the narrator. "I am inspired by the idea of a childhood re...

Category

2010s Contemporary Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Signed Surreal Southwest Modernist Desert Cactus Original Vintage Oil Painting, 1940

$796Sale Price|20% Off

H 20 in W 28 in D 2 in

Signed Surreal Southwest Modernist Desert Cactus Original Vintage Oil Painting

Located in Buffalo, NY

Vintage American modernist surreal landscape oil painting. Oil on canvas, circa 1940. Signed. Unframed. Image size, 28"L x 20"H.

Category

1950s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Rudolf KosowFate Challenge II (lady climber art forbidden apple snake brown earth tones, 2015

$4,200

H 59.06 in W 35.44 in D 0.79 in

Fate Challenge II (lady climber art forbidden apple snake brown earth tones

By Rudolf Kosow

Located in Quebec, Quebec

In "Fate challenge II“ a mountaineer is eagerly climbing a steep rocky promontory, hoping to get the sweetest fruit, an apple, and take a bite out of it. Although, she is completely ...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Previously Available Items

Christopher KleinAppalachian Rust - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic Original Oil Painting, 2022

Sold

H 18 in W 14 in

Appalachian Rust - Surreal Rural Scene, Hyper-realistic Original Oil Painting

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Juxtaposing and altering unrelated natural objects with the machinations of man to create a scene of an impossible surreal world, the viewer enters the mind of artist Christopher Klein...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Christopher KleinThe Spring Piper - Highly Detailed Allegoric Painting with Cat Lady and Crows, 2020

Sold

H 16 in W 12 in

The Spring Piper - Highly Detailed Allegoric Painting with Cat Lady and Crows

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

An imaginary human hybrid representing “mother nature” resides in a ruined building symbolic of a decaying society. As the crows flutter and the human hybrid plays a bucolic tune, green shoots emerge from the ruins symbolizing rebirth and victory of nature over human destruction of the environment. This painting is framed in a simple black wooden frame measuring 20.5 x 16.5 inches. Christopher A. Klein The Spring...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Christopher KleinSalvator Mundi - Contemporary Surrealist Painting, 2020

Sold

H 12 in W 9 in

Salvator Mundi - Contemporary Surrealist Painting

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi painting is modified to reflect my feelings about modern Christianity. A scowling Christ wears a crown that represent...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Christopher KleinCat as Catch Can -Surreal Painting, Cat, Medieval Falconry, Bat-Eared Elephant, 2019

Sold

H 12 in W 16 in

Cat as Catch Can -Surreal Painting, Cat, Medieval Falconry, Bat-Eared Elephant

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Cat as Catch Can During the Renaissance, the popular sport of “catry” (similar to the sport of falconry) was so successful that it caused the extinction of the Dwarf Bat-Eared Flying...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Linen

Christopher KleinTemptation of St. Anthony, Surrealist Oil Painting with Female, Bat and Saint, 2019

Sold

H 16 in W 12 in

Temptation of St. Anthony, Surrealist Oil Painting with Female, Bat and Saint

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Temptation of Saint Anthony The ruined cathedral in the background symbolizes the degradation of the world, including religion. A red-horned daemon (the bat) conspires with a female...

Category

2010s Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Christopher KleinThe Unicorn Trader, Surreal Painting, Male Figure, Horse-Like Unicorns, Crystals, 2007

Sold

H 16.5 in W 20.5 in

The Unicorn Trader, Surreal Painting, Male Figure, Horse-Like Unicorns, Crystals

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

At first glance, the viewer is drawn in by the Tibetan monk who is displaying his beautiful horses. But with a closer look, we realize they are not horses at all but mystical unicorn-like animals and dotted among the grasses are what appears to be crystals growing. This surrealist painting from Christopher Klein...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Christopher KleinUntitled, 2018

Sold

H 24 in W 18 in

Untitled

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Christopher A. Klein b. 1954, Washington DC Christopher Klein spent 26 years at National Geographic Magazine. His career at National Geographic br...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Linen

Christopher KleinWisdom of Peace - Wise Owl, Pearl of Wisdom, and Peace Doves, Oil Painting, circa 2012

Sold

H 21 in W 17.5 in D 2 in

Wisdom of Peace - Wise Owl, Pearl of Wisdom, and Peace Doves, Oil Painting

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

The perfectly round pearl is considered something rare, fine, and valuable and is prized as a precious gemstone the world over. Created over long periods of time in the soft folds o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Christopher KleinAmber Waves - Bat Holding Amber Encased Human Floats Above Dystopian Farmland, 2017

Sold

H 18 in W 24 in

Amber Waves - Bat Holding Amber Encased Human Floats Above Dystopian Farmland

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Just as amber entombs living things giving us a picture of the past, this post-apocalyptic scene depicts the next wave or era of life. Bats, with their advanced senses, have risen t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Christopher KleinRapunzel, 2015

Sold

H 28 in W 22 in

Rapunzel

By Christopher Klein

Located in Chicago, IL

Christopher A. Klein Statement After 26 years at the National Geographic Magazine, I am back to my surrealistic roots. However, I will maintain parallel tracks: 1) surreal fine art...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Christopher Klein Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Christopher Klein paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Christopher Klein paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Christopher Klein in oil paint, paint, panel and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Christopher Klein paintings, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Fred Stonehouse, Sarah Olson, and Gian Berto Vanni. Christopher Klein paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,500 and tops out at $12,000, while the average work can sell for $8,800.