Surrealist Paintings
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
"Dolls" Contemporary Yellow Toned Surrealist Portrait Painting of a Young Girl
Located in Houston, TX
Pastel-toned surrealist painting done by contemporary artist Henry David Potwin. This work features a girl figure with yellow-toned skin playing with a smaller nude, doll figure. Signed at bottom left corner. Titled and dated on reverse. Currently hung in a wooden, brown frame.
Dimensions Without Frame: H: 11 in. x W: 10in.
Artist Biography: Born in Dallas, Texas David Potwin is the oldest of three children. He first started to paint at the age of 8 years old. As a young boy, Potwin's family would summer vacation in Taos, New Mexico. During the family vacations in 1965, he met artist Eric Gibberd...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
MOUNTAINS, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Mountains“ 80 X 100cm, oil on canvas
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Illusión
Located in Natchez, MS
Cuban artist Ernesto Capdevila insists his paintings are rather more like drawings, in technique, than paintings. I'm not sure I completely agree, though I do see his point. In this ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Amazon River
By Jorge Yances
Located in Nashville, TN
"Amazon River" is an oil-on-canvas painting by Colombian artist Jorge Yances. This piece is part of the artist's "Amazon" series. Yances reflects the Lati...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
TORERO, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Torero“ 130 X 180cm, oil on canvas
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Surrealist Figurative Painting, "Spirit Is An Animal"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original surrealist oil painting by San Diego artist, Charlene Mosley.
Its dimensions are 10x10. It comes complete with a Certi...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Leap Frog
Located in Napa, CA
Largely self-taught, Linda Ridd Herzog’s paintings boast unbelievably detailed animals and objects in fantastical, surreal scenes. Growing up in Utah, Herzog found herself so inspire...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Contemporary Painting "Choose " by Ellen Steinfeld
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original modern surreal oil painting by American artist Ellen Steinfeld titled, "Choose" from the artist 2004 solo exhibition at The Castellani Art Museum.
Category
1980s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Top Down Kind of Day
Located in Napa, CA
Largely self-taught, Linda Ridd Herzog’s paintings boast unbelievably detailed animals and objects in fantastical, surreal scenes. Growing up in Utah, Herzog found herself so inspire...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
ARART, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Ararat“ 120 X 140cm, oil on canvas
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
WINTER BALANCE, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Winter balance“ 90 X 110cm, oil on canvas
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Looking Out From Within: Buffalo
Located in Greenwich, CT
Looking Out from Within: Buffalo is a mixed media painting (acrylic and gold enamel on canvas) with a canvas size of 60 x 48 inches, signed 'afn' lower right, and framed in a contemporary white moulding.
Anne Faith...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Enamel
Harmonic. IX Abstract shades of gray painting, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By Sia Aryai
Located in Yardley, PA
Stunning shades of gray are contrasted and complemented with a twist in this one of a kind abstract minimal painting Painting is 14X18 acrylic on hand-made Asian parchment. Float ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Glass Houses (Left)
Located in Greenwich, CT
Glass Houses (Left) is an acrylic on canvas painting, with a canvas size of 30 x 48 inches, signed 'afn' lower right and framed in a contemporary black moulding.
Anne Faith...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
The Night of the Ram - Desolate Surreal Landscape
Located in Miami, FL
A desolate, surreal landscape with a haunting and mysterious outdoor still life featuring Ram's head emerging from the daisies and underbrush. Classical statues sit on the horizon l...
Category
1960s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Paint. The Natural Science of Speech
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Acrylic on wood
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood Panel
BENGAL TIGER
Located in Aventura, FL
Original painting on canvas. Hand signed on front by Ferjo. Canvas is not stretched.
Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity included. All reasonable offers...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Paint. The Devil's Right Hand
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Acrylic on wood
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood Panel
"Beyond Reach" Surrealist Still Life Painting of books with ladders
Located in New York, NY
Hardbound books in black, orange and yellow are stacked with magazines and soft cover books. In a surreal shift of scale bright orange construction ladders are leaned against the b...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Abstract Figurative Impasto Surrealist Work
By Robert Del Rio
Located in Houston, TX
Textured abstract painting of what appears to be a serpent or venus fly traps. The painting is signed by the artist on the back of the canvas with the date. Canvas is not framed.
Artist Biography: Robert Del Rio is a Mexican artist who has a very distinct abstract style. His solo exhibits include: 2019 Art Palm beach by Marcel Katz
2018 The art plug...
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"10:00 Shadow" Minimal Abstract Surrealist Landscape
Located in Houston, TX
Purple structure in a grey sky with a single white cloud. Artist signed the work in the bottom right corner, as well as titled and dated the work on the back. Canvas is not framed.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Spermy and Licorice Popsicle Meet the Club" Bubble Surrealist Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Three made up characters named Spermy, Licorice, and Club. Painting is mostly grey toned with yellow and orange hints. Artist signed the canvas on the bottom right corner, as well as...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
ELEVEN, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Eleven“ 129 X 147cm, oil on canvas
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Glass Houses (Right)
Located in Greenwich, CT
Glass Houses (Right) is an acrylic on canvas painting, with a canvas size of 30 x 48 inches, signed 'afn' lower right and framed in a contemporary black moulding.
Anne Faith...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
The Crying Seer
Located in Greenwich, CT
The Crying Seer is an acrylic on canvas painting with a canvas size of 60 x 48 inches, signed 'afn' lower center and framed in a contemporary black moulding.
Anne Faith...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
STORM, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Storm“ 90 X 110cm, oil on canvas
Category
Early 2000s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
A Cup of Coffee, 2020
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Alexei Ravski unites landscape painting with the art of the surreal in his dramatic, large-format compositions. Meticulous in technique, they are marked by a striking use of perspe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
Located in Aventura, FL
Original oil painting on canvas. Hand signed on front by the artist. Canvas is stretched.
Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity included. All reasonable...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Butterflies and Bees
Located in Napa, CA
Framed Oil on Canvas
Largely self-taught, Linda Ridd Herzog’s paintings boast unbelievably detailed animals and objects in fantastical, surreal scenes. Growing up in Utah, Herzog f...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Artist
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA -- The idea of meditation and contemplation play a major role in the paintings of artist Craig Carlisle. His paintings articulate inde...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Oil painting of Clown
Located in Fredericksburg, VA
This is a painting done by the American artist L.A. McMillen. It is signed lower right and is in excellent condition for the period. This shows a clown scene with the face of a man i...
Category
Early 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
CANDY BOMBER, Diptychon, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreux, CH
Karen Shahverdyan „Candy bomber“, Diptychon, 160 X 120cm, oil on canvas,
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Paint.Danger on the Road to Here
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Acrylic paint on paper
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
Paint. Mystery of the Hydra
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Acrylic paint on paper
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Voyage To India, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Travel is in your heart, and she beckons you to follow. Original oil painting by artist, painted live at i3 Arts Fest Art Car Ball in Pershing Square Los Angeles. :: Painting :: Surr...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - L’Escalier
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas,
Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, she crea...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
“Make Believe Heroine” - Young Girl Bow & Arrow red green 2017 DeLoss McGraw
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Make Believe Heroine depicts a Young Girl with a Bow & Arrow painted in 2017 by DeLoss McGraw.
Signed lower right. Not framed.
PROVENANCE: Private collection San Diego, Ca. Acquired...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Rag Paper
I'm Just Sitting On The Moon
Located in Napa, CA
Largely self-taught, Linda Ridd Herzog’s paintings boast unbelievably detailed animals and objects in fantastical, surreal scenes. Growing up in Utah, Herzog found herself so inspire...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Charles Houghton Howard Surrealist Painting Still Life with Hand and and Egg
Located in Brookville, NY
California artist Charles Houghton Howards Surrealist painting of a hand holding a green egg was painted in 1931.
He was represented by the legendar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Jungle again, Painting, Acrylic on Wood Panel
By Diana Rosa
Located in Yardley, PA
original acrylic paint on wooden panel, new work since 7 November, 2022, ready to hang :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity sign...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Funky Playhouse Series: Horse, figurative, surrealistic, 37 x 31
By Paul Pretzer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Surrealistic and whimsical, bright and vivid colors. Provenance has only been from Artist studio to Gallery inventory.
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Mother
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas
Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, she create...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Ocean Girl
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic on canvas
Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, she cr...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - La Muleta
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas with knife
Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - El Fuego
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas with knife
Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - La Tierra
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas with knife
Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Abajo
By Helen Uter
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas with knife
Helen Uter is an established Franco-American painter born in 1955 who lives and works in Donnery, near Orléans, France. Heavily influenced by Edward Hopper...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Vesna – 14-03-22, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Corne Akkers
Located in Yardley, PA
Shifting Gear Another Risque painting depicting my muse Julia Filament. Two oil paintings earlier I already did an Ukrainian theme but why not use it once again. After all, the Ru...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Slow Dance
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA -- The idea of meditation and contemplation play a major role in the paintings of artist Craig Carlisle. His paintings articulate inde...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Resist, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By Brent Hanson
Located in Yardley, PA
Original metaphorical surrealist arboreal work. Black and white with a little silver thrown in. 30x22 acrylic on heavy watercolor paper and permanently mounted on an aluminum panel...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
EASY STREET, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Bill Stone
Located in Yardley, PA
A scene that played out every night on our street in Chicago. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready...
Category
1990s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Bat in the Hat
Located in Napa, CA
Largely self-taught, Linda Ridd Herzog’s paintings boast unbelievably detailed animals and objects in fantastical, surreal scenes. Growing up in Utah, Herzog found herself so inspire...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Semente, 2025 - Ritchelly Oliveira
Located in Porto, 13
"Semente" by Ritchelly Oliveira, 2025
Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas 120 x 90 cm (47.2 x 35 in)
"Semente" is a deeply poetic composition where nature and identity intertwine in a qu...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Charcoal, Acrylic
Criação da Fragilidade, 2025 - Ritchelly Oliveira
Located in Porto, 13
"Criação da Fragilidade" by Ritchelly Oliveira, 2025
Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas 120 x 90 cm (47.2 x 35 in)
A compelling meditation on presence and vulnerability, "Criação da Fra...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Charcoal, Acrylic
Pássaro Azul, 2025 - Ritchelly Oliveira
Located in Porto, 13
“Pássaro Azul” by Ritchelly Oliveira, 2025
Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas 80 x 60 cm (31.5 x 23.6 in)
A poetic exploration of harmony and transformation, “Pássaro Azul” by Ritchelly...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Charcoal, Acrylic
Shape of my heart, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Diana Rosa
Located in Yardley, PA
Original , surrealism, ready to hang :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
A enormous sleeve, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Diana Rosa
Located in Yardley, PA
original on canvas, ready to hang :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Yes...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Love is found, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Diana Rosa
Located in Yardley, PA
original, ready to hang :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Yes :: Signat...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Surrealist paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist paintings 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 paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, purple, green and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Elvic Steele, Rudolf Kosow, Isabel Rock, and Henry David Potwin. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint 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 paintings, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are also available. Prices for paintings 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 $1 and tops out at $400,000, while the average work sells for $2,999.