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Rudolf Kosow

German, Kazakhstani, b. 1972

Like images from a dream, Rudolf Kosow’s Surrealist figurative and still-life paintings and drawings conjure into reality otherworldly and absurdist scenes.

Kosow was born in 1972 in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. From 1994 to 2000, he studied painting at the city’s State Academy of Fine Arts.

Now based in Germany, he divides his time between Stuttgart and the town of Laichingen. He creates oil paintings based on three subjects: humans, animals and landscapes. He invites the viewer to interpret each work’s enigmatic message. For instance, in Contact, an astronaut is seemingly unaware of a colossal cat’s peering eye. In Missing Pieces, Kosow depicts a couple considering the whereabouts of slices taken from a giant Black Forest cake.

Kosow also explores the nature of human relationships in his portraits, such as Couple and Discord. Capture features a large-scale image of a sleeping girl juxtaposed with a miniature soldier standing guard. 

“I try to paint things as realistically and as close as possible to enhance the real impression,” Kosow says in his artist’s statement. Although the imagery in his paintings and figurative drawings can be strange and somewhat unsettling, Kosow’s unique interplay of light and shadow creates a sense of “calm, harmony and peace.” 

Kosow has exhibited across Germany and France. His works are sought by collectors of 21st-century Surrealist art.

On 1stDibs, find a range of Rudolf Kosow’s paintings, drawings and more.

Owner (black Lab dog, sleeping lady, vintage dress, animal, surrealist painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Owner," Rudolf Kosow captures a tender moment of connection that is as powerful as it is subtle. The main subject of the painting is a large black Lab, soulful dog, its fur textu...
Category

2010s Surrealist Rudolf Kosow

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Holding Leather Bag (Brown leather bag surréaliste oil painting vintage dark)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Superbe bold original painting on canvas depicting the vivid portrait of a red boxing glove held by an anonymous figure in a coat. keywords; boxing glove, red glove, Brown coat, ame...
Category

2010s Surrealist Rudolf Kosow

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Here Too, Isn’t It George (surreal painting vintage crack in the blue sky grass)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Two men dressed in early 20th-century garb crouch across a fractured path, peering intently into a massive rupture that tears through both the earth and the sky. They appear to be ex...
Category

2010s Surrealist Rudolf Kosow

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fragment 2 (dreamy woman portrait face painting on wood, soft Earth tones)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Fragment" by Rudolf Kosow is a compelling painting that intricately uses the medium of wood to enhance its textural and emotional depth. The artwork features a close-up of a human f...
Category

2010s Post-Impressionist Rudolf Kosow

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel

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 Rudolf Kosow

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Forever (surreal painting vintage couple man woman blue Grey monochrome)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Rudolf Kosow’s Forever delivers a striking blend of surrealism and vintage aesthetics, reinforcing his thematic exploration of fragility and disintegration. The figures—a well-dresse...
Category

2010s Surrealist Rudolf Kosow

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Soulmates (brown pet dog, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Soulmates," a poignant work by Rudolf Kosow, tenderly illustrates the profound bond shared between a dog and a human. In this intimate portrayal, the dog's gaze is imbued with an emotional depth that transcends the boundaries between species. Its eyes, rendered with striking clarity, convey a world of understanding and companionship. The lady, is nestled against the dog's face in a pose that suggests a mutual trust and shared existence. This closeness speaks to a relationship that goes beyond the conventional pet-owner dynamic, hinting at a deeper, spiritual connection—a true meeting of souls. In Kosow's vision, the concept of soulmates expands, encompassing the idea that our most understanding and compassionate partners may not be human at all. The painting's title, "Soulmates," encapsulates the notion that kindred spirits are connected not by words, but by the heart and soul, through gestures of love and moments of silent understanding. With "Soulmates," Kosow invites us to contemplate the essence of connection and the forms it can take. It's a celebration of the unspoken bond that animals and humans can share, an acknowledgment that the purest forms of love and understanding sometimes require no language. This piece serves as a beautiful reminder of the loyalty, comfort, and unconditional acceptance that define the most precious of life's relationships. keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...
Category

2010s Surrealist Rudolf Kosow

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Curious (black old dog, snout, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Curious," by Rudolf Kosow, is an engaging portrayal of inquisitiveness and wonder, bridging the natural world and humanity. Dominating the scene is a giant bulldog, its face a tapestry of textures from the soft fur to the glistening nose, each detail crafted to convey a lifelike presence. Facing the monumental canine is a small-scale girl, her posture embodying the essence of childhood wonder as she stands before the immense animal. Her tilted head and attentive stance suggest a moment of mutual discovery and fascination. This poignant interaction is a snapshot of the innocent and pure connections that can occur across the divides of size and species. Kosow's "Curious" captures the beautiful moments of discovery that occur when the young and the gentle giants of the animal kingdom meet, encapsulating a shared curiosity that transcends words. The artwork serves as a reminder of the universal language of wonder that connects us all. keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...
Category

2010s Surrealist Rudolf Kosow

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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Rudolf Kosow Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2025$900Animal Paintings, Figurative PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2021
2025$800Animal Paintings, Figurative PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2024
2025$800Animal Paintings, Figurative PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2024
2025$960Animal Paintings, Figurative PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2024
2025$900Figurative Paintings, Animal PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2024
2025$3,000Landscape Paintings, Figurative PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2020
2025$1,000Figurative Paintings, Nude PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Wood Panel2024
2025$1,200Figurative Paintings, Nude PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Wood Panel2024
2025$5,000Figurative Paintings, Animal PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2018
2025$3,100Landscape Paintings, Figurative PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2023
2025$2,790Animal Paintings, Figurative PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint2025
2025$800Nude Paintings, Figurative PaintingsCanvas, Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Wood Panel2024
$1,780
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$800-$5,000
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Artists Similar to Rudolf Kosow

Rudolf Kosow art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Rudolf Kosow art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, orange, purple and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Rudolf Kosow in oil paint, paint, canvas 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 Surrealist style. Not every interior allows for large Rudolf Kosow art, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Valton Tyler, Henry David Potwin, and Joseph Broghammer. Rudolf Kosow art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $503 and tops out at $10,000, while the average work can sell for $4,863.

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