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Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

German, 1912-1975

Surrealist German artist Hans Bellmer produced images of contorted, disfigured or bound forms of usually pubescent women in drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures. He is best known for creating life-sized dolls and disassembled mannequins and used his art to explore themes of sexuality, lust and death as well as to express his viewpoints on politics and society, work through his own traumas and comment on Freudian psychoanalytic principles.

Bellmer was born in Katowice, Germany. He and his brother lived in constant fear of their stern father who showed the boys little affection. Childish play was forbidden by his cold father. Even though he passed university entrance exams, his father insisted that he work in factories and coal mines instead of furthering his education. His father did eventually agree to allow Bellmer to enter the engineering program at the Berlin Polytechnic but his true passion was art. 

In 1924, Bellmer quit school and became an illustrator and advertising designer for a left-wing publishing house. Upon discovering Dadaism, he associated with artists such as John Heartfield and George Grosz and attended lectures at the Bauhaus art school. As fascist politics took hold around him — Bellmer was living in Berlin when Hitler came to power, and his own father became a Nazi —  he was compelled to create art that reflected his anger and inner turmoil.  

Capitalizing on the manifesto of Surrealist André Breton that called for words to be cut up and rearranged, he created a series of mannequins, dressed as children’s dolls, that explored his own erotic obsessions and abusive relationships around him. With like-minded German artist Unica Zürn, Bellmer collaborated on related works that examined bondage and eroticism for 15 years. 

Many of Bellmer’s works can be found in public collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, the International Center of Photography in New York and the British Museum in London. 

On 1stDibs, find authentic Hans Bellmer prints and other art on 1stDibs.

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Artist: Hans Bellmer
Entre deux eaux
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving, 1968 Catalog : Catalogue [Denoël 91] 56.00 cm. x 38.00 cm. 22.05 in. x 14.96 in. (paper) 31.00 cm. x 24.00 cm. 12.2 in. x 9.45 in. (image) Engraving on Japan paper, 1968...
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Engraving

'Blue Eyes' — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, 'Blue Eyes', engraving and drypoint, edition 99, 1971. Flahutez 89. Signed and numbered '74/99' in pencil. A fine impression, on Arches cream wove paper; the full sheet...
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1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Engraving, Drypoint

Abstract Erotism - Original Etching Handsigned and Numbered
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, IDF
Hans BELLMER Abstract Erotism Original etching, 1973 Handsigned in pencil by the artist Numbered / 20 (Roman numerals) On Auvergne paper, 57 x 38 cm (22,4 x 14,9 inches) From the P...
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1970s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching

Untitled (Two Nudes) — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, Untitled (Two Nudes), engraving and drypoint, 1971, edition 99. Signed and numbered '94/99' in pencil. A fine impression, on Arches cream wove paper; the full sheet wit...
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1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Engraving, Drypoint

Les Marionettes II — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, Les Marionettes II, etching with hand coloring, 1969, edition 150, Flahutez 58-8. Signed and annotated 'HC' in pencil. A fine impression on brown Fabriano hand-made laid paper; the full sheet with margins (3/4 to 3 1/4 inches), in excellent condition. Archivally sleeved, unmatted. Image size 13 7/16 x 11 7/8 inches; sheet size 19 1/8 x 13 1/4 inches. A 'Hors Commerce' impression. From a suite of 11 etchings created by Bellmer to illustrate 'On the Marionette Theatre...
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1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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Etching

Composition, Feuilles éparses, Hans Bellmer
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Southampton, NY
Etching on vélin cuve de Rives paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Feuilles éparses, 1965. Published and printed by Louis B...
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching

Femme au Chapeau D'Oiseau
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Hollywood, FL
Artist: Hans Bellmer Title: Femme au Chapeau D'Oiseau Medium: Etching on Japon Paper Signed: Hand Signed by Hans Bellmer Edition Number: 46/100 Measurements: Paper: 15" x 22" ...
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1970s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching

Les Marionettes I — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, Les Marionettes I, etching with hand coloring, 1969, edition 150. Signed and annotated 'HC' in pencil. A fine impression on brown Roma hand-made laid paper; the full sheet with margins (1 to 2 5/8 inches), in excellent condition. Archivally sleeved, unmatted. Image size 11 13/16 x 11 1/8 inches; sheet size 15 5/8 x 13 1/4 inches. A 'Hors Commerce' impression. From a suite of 11 etchings created by Bellmer to illustrate 'On the Marionette Theatre...
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1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching

No title
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Etching and aquatint Edition : 148/200 50.00 cm. x 37.00 cm. 19.69 in. x 14.57 in. (paper) 30.00 cm. x 27.00 cm. 11.81 in. x 10.63 in. (image) Handsigned by the artist in pencil Re...
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Engraving

'Child and Seeing Hands' — after the artist's 1948 Surrealist masterwork
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, 'Child and Seeing Hands', photogravure and engraving, edition 9, 1970. Flahutez 4-9. Signed by the artist and numbered '41/90' in pencil. A superb, richly-inked impress...
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1670s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Engraving, Photogravure

Madame est servie
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving 66.00 cm. x 51.00 cm. 25.98 in. x 20.08 in. (paper) 39.50 cm. x 29.50 cm. 15.55 in. x 11.61 in. (image) Annoted "HC" Handsigned by the artist in pencil Ref : LCD1973
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Engraving

Les Mariés - 1968 - Hans Bellmer - Etching - Contemporary
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Roma, IT
Les Mariés is an important colored etching made by the artist Hans Bellmer, after a tempera of 1941. This is an artist proof. The state of preservation is excellent. Signed on the l...
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1960s Contemporary Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching

Mirror of dreams
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Etching and aquatint, 1972 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 101/150 Publisher : Magaglio, Paris 66.00 cm. x 50.50 cm. 25.98 in. x 19.88 in. (paper) 40.00 cm. x 30.00 ...
Category

1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Faces
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Etching Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annoted EA 90.00 cm. x 63.00 cm. 35.43 in. x 24.8 in. (paper) 65.00 cm. x 50.00 cm. 25.59 in. x 19.69 in. (image) Annoted "EA" LCD4559
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1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching

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Previously Available Items
'The Modest Rose' — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, 'The Modest Rose', engraving and drypoint, edition 99, 1971. Signed and numbered '99/99' in pencil. A fine, richly-inked impression, on Arches cream wove paper; the ful...
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1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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Madame est servie
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annoted EA 66.00 cm. x 51.00 cm. 25.98 in. x 20.08 in. (paper) 40.00 cm. x 30.00 cm. 15.75 in. x 11.81 in. (image) LCD1972
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1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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Doriane au chapeau fille
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Etching, 1969 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 65/100 Catalog : Denoël 107 50.00 cm. x 33.00 cm. 19.69 in. x 12.99 in. (paper) 29.00 cm. x 22.00 cm. 11.42 in. x 8.66...
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1960s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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The man with the bowler hat
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annoted HC 47.00 cm. x 32.00 cm. 18.5 in. x 12.6 in. (paper) 26.00 cm. x 21.00 cm. 10.24 in. x 8.27 in. (image) LCD4358
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1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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Hybrid woman
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 9/100 48.00 cm. x 37.00 cm. 18.9 in. x 14.57 in. (paper) 25.00 cm. x 21.00 cm. 9.84 in. x 8.27 in. (image) LCD4357
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1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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Madame est servie 2
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving 64.50 cm. x 50.00 cm. 25.39 in. x 19.69 in. (paper) 39.50 cm. x 29.00 cm. 15.55 in. x 11.42 in. (image) Handsigned by the artist in pencil Ref : LCD1974
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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Les Yeux
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving 46.00 cm. x 38.00 cm. 18.11 in. x 14.96 in. (paper) 24.00 cm. x 24.00 cm. 9.45 in. x 9.45 in. (image) Annoted "EA" Handsigned by the artist in pencil Ref : LCD2694
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Engraving

La Chauve-souris
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving, 1968 Edition : 58/120 Catalog : Catalogue [Denoël 94] 66.00 cm. x 51.00 cm. 25.98 in. x 20.08 in. (paper) 30.00 cm. x 38.00 cm. 11.81 in. x 14.96 in. (image) Handsigned ...
Category

1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching

Les Mariés
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving 57.00 cm. x 38.50 cm. 22.44 in. x 15.16 in. (paper) 28.00 cm. x 24.00 cm. 11.02 in. x 9.45 in. (image) Engraving on Japan paper Handsigned by the artist in pencil Ref : L...
Category

1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

Engraving

Onze heure et demie
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving Catalog : Catalogue [Denoël 96] 66.00 cm. x 51.00 cm. 25.98 in. x 20.08 in. (paper) 39.00 cm. x 29.00 cm. 15.35 in. x 11.42 in. (image) Annoted "HC" Handsigned by the art...
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

Materials

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Anatomie de l'image
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving 66.00 cm. x 50.00 cm. 25.98 in. x 19.69 in. (paper) 48.00 cm. x 42.00 cm. 18.9 in. x 16.54 in. (image) Annoted "HC" Handsigned by the artist in pencil Ref : LCD2690
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1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving, 1967 Catalog : [Denoel 77] 66.00 cm. x 51.00 cm. 25.98 in. x 20.08 in. (paper) 38.00 cm. x 30.00 cm. 14.96 in. x 11.81 in. (image) Annoted "HC" Handsigned by the artist ...
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints

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Hans Bellmer abstract prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Hans Bellmer abstract prints available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Hans Bellmer in engraving, etching, drypoint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Surrealist style. Not every interior allows for large Hans Bellmer abstract prints, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Robert Vale Faro, Clarence Holbrook Carter, and Manuel Amorim. Hans Bellmer abstract prints prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $446 and tops out at $1,872, while the average work can sell for $610.

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