Skip to main content

Surrealist Art

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.

615
to
584
4,715
3,092
1,375
1,762
5,116
2,104
648
3,171
1,554
1,614
786
930
Overall Height
to
Overall Width
to
119,718
69,653
49,764
22,492
15,172
4,943
4,759
4,011
2,797
2,608
2,589
2,407
594
3,687
2,372
1,343
1,251
998
957
922
517
313
282
277
262
258
239
206
206
175
97
97
97
22
14
5,205
2,815
3
11
110
102
177
278
1,607
1,430
361
252
19
927
164
146
120
99
2,420
1,765
1,531
1,246
1,111
Style: Surrealist
Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Exhibition Poster Galerie Gerald Cramer is a contemporary artwork realized by Joan Mirò. Mixed colored lithograph. The poster was realized in occasion of the exhibition of the arti...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Von Hyin Kolk (American, 1997 - ) Oil She Can Sew the Sky Before It Ruptures
Located in New York, NY
Title: "She Can Sew the Sky Before It Ruptures" Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 48 x 36 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: Excellent. Year: 2023 Artist: Von Hyin ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Von Hyin Kolk (American, 1997 - ) Oil On Canvas "99 Sky Girl Ornament"
Located in New York, NY
Title: "99 Sky Girl Ornament" Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 48 x 36 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: Excellent. Year: 2023 Artist: Von Hyin Kolk Signature: S...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

STATE OF PLAY 2024 - Mixed Media Whimsical Surrealism colorful
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
"State of Play" is a wonderful, whimsical surrealist mixed media painting. Acrylic, Corrugated Cardboard, Sakura Markers, Caran d’Ache & Pencil on a Birchwood Panel 17 x 17 inches ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Watercolor, Permanent Marker, Pencil, Wood Panel, Color Pencil

Molt Clock : Dance of Time - Pate de verre sculpture, Signed - Daum
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) and Daum Molt Clock : Dance of Time Original pate de verre sculpture Edited and handcrafted by the Daum crystal glassworks Signed in the glass approx. 10....
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Glass

"Tribe" Mother and Children Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mother and Children - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting, 2023 Artwork on supported wooden frame. Ready to hang. "A tribute to the spiritual and ancestral ties that bind us, with a vibrant undercurrent of shared human emotion. I intended to capture the essence of belongingness and familiar comfort that flows between family and friends, and bonded strangers." Tam Ess...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Vintage American Modernist Abstract Surreal Framed Signed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Nicely painted surreal abstract oil painting by Paul Allen Reed (1919 - 2015). Great color and composition. Framed. Signed verso.
Category

Early 2000s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Cream” Photography 36" x 28" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Cream” Photography 36" x 28" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag From "Rite of Spring" series In this melancholy series, we ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée

Surrealist scene oil on canvas painting surrealism
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Oil on canvas. Signed Aress. Oil mesures 33x24 cm. Frame mesures 48x39 cm.
Category

1990s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Surrealist Still Life with Lemon - Original Lithograph Handsigned and Numbered
Located in Paris, FR
Georges ROHNER Surrealist Still life with Lemon, 1972 Original lithograph (Mourlot workshop) Handsigned in pencil Justified HC (hors commerce) On Japan paper 76 x 54 cm (c. 29,9 x 2...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Purgatory 13 - The Second Terrace - Color woodcut - 1963
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Purgatory 13 - The Second Terrace Color woodcut on paper Printed signature 1960/63 Printed on paper Vélin BFK Rives Size 32,8 x 26,4 cm (c. 13 x 10") REFE...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Woodcut

"Moon Birth 3" Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Moon Birth 3" Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Not framed. Ships in a tube. Availabl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Roses are Red - Contemporary colourful figurative surrealistic painting
Located in DE
Gamez de Francisco paints and photographs very passionately, making statements filled with symbolism. He frequently includes insects in his artwork. He says: Flying insects represent...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

UNDER the SEA 5 by Paula Craioveanu NewMedia print/canvas large 27.5x27.5in
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Under the Sea 5 by Paula Craioveanu, New Media composition printed on canvas Size is 27.5 x27.5in / 70x70cm part of my "NeoMythology" series. Shipped rolled in a tube.
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Archival Pigment

UNDER the SEA 4 by Paula Craioveanu NewMedia print/canvas large 27.5x27.5in
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Under the Sea 4 by Paula Craioveanu, New Media composition printed on canvas Size is 27.5 x27.5in / 70x70cm part of my "NeoMythology" series. Shipped rolled in a tube.
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Archival Pigment

UNDER the SEA 3 by Paula Craioveanu NewMedia print/canvas large 27.5x27.5in
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Under the Sea 3 by Paula Craioveanu, New Media composition printed on canvas Size is 27.5 x27.5in / 70x70cm part of my "NeoMythology" series. Shipped rolled in a tube.
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Archival Pigment

The Mythology Thesus & Minotaur
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: The Mythology Thesus & Minotaur MEDIUM: Etching Japon paper SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali PUBLISHER: Pierre Argillet, Paris MEASUREMENTS: 18...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

René Magritte - LA VALSE HESITATION. Limited Surrealism French Contemporary
Located in Madrid, Madrid
René Magritte - LA VALSE HESITATION, 1950 (THE HESITATION WALTZ) Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition number: 131/275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Condition: New,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Yijian Wang Surrealist Original Oil Painting "Meditate"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Meditate Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 19.5 x 15.75 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This paint...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Yijian Wang Contemporary Original Oil On Canvas "Let Me Enjoy It 2"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Let Me Enjoy It 2 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 21 x 13 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Indian Without Reservations
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Chris Orr (British, b. 1943) Indian Without Reservations, 1968. Artist's proof etching, composed of four scenes. Edition of 30 with 5 Artist's proof, of w...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Gold Gilt Bronze Sculpture Pendant Art Israeli Tumarkin Abstract Surrealist
Located in Surfside, FL
Measures about 5.25 X 3.75 inches. Box is 17 X 13 inches. Signed by artist verso. From the literature that I have seen I believe the edition size was limited to 10, I do not know if ...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold, Bronze

"Sea Creatures" Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sea Creatures - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting 2022 Artwork is on supported wooden frame. Ready to hang. "This piece is a whisper of whimsy and a bold leap into the fantastical, destined to infuse any space with a surge of creative spirit and the thrill of the unknown and absurd." Tam Ess...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Magic (red fox, lady, foxy lady, vintage dress, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Magic," Rudolf Kosow weaves a scene of serene enchantment, where the wild and the gentle collide in quiet companionship. Central to the painting is a red fox, its fur a vibrant f...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fashion Essentials I - Contemporary colourful surrealistic painting
Located in DE
Gamez de Francisco paints and photographs very passionately, making statements filled with symbolism. He frequently includes insects in his artwork. He says: Flying insects represent...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Equestrian Style and Decor II - Contemporary surrealistic horse painting
Located in DE
Gamez de Francisco paints and photographs very passionately, making statements filled with symbolism. He frequently includes insects in his artwork. He says: Flying insects represent...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Late 20th Century Surrealist Gouache on Paper. 'Stones'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century surrealist gouache and watercolour on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. SIgned in the bottom right and dated September 1985 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Gouache, Watercolor, Paper

After Pablo Picasso - Peace Dove - Lithograph
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
After PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) Peace Dove 1961 Dimensions: 65 x 50 cm Signed and dated in the plate Edition Succession Picasso, Paris (posthumous reproductive edition) Editions de l...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Surrealist composition
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: collotype (after the Miro lithograph). Printed in 1947 in an edition of 1500 by Meriden Gravure and published by Curt Valentin for "The Prints of Joan Miro" portfolio. Size: ...
Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Photogravure

Gilt Bronze Sculpture Brooch Wearable Art Israeli Tumarkin Abstract Surrealist
Located in Surfside, FL
Measures about 3.75 X 3.5 inches. Box is 11 X 11 inches. (Piece is in excellent condition. box frame has some minor wear and piece might need to be remounted, it has been removed and...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold, Bronze

1970's Large French Surrealist Oil Painting Figures on the Beach
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Surrealist composition French School, dated 1975 verso oil on canvas, framed framed: 33.5 x 27 inches canvas: 32 x 25.5 inches inscribed verso provenance: private collection, France ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Ponte de Rodillas - Etching, Drypoint - 1977
Located in Roma, IT
Con todos estos líos no te escaparás is a contemporary artwork realized in 1977 by Salvador Dalì. The artwork is from the series: 'Les Caprices de Goya de Dali'. Drypoint on Helios...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

MARK RYDEN - YUKI THE YOUNG YAK (WHITE) Limited Surrealism Lowbrow Art Design
Located in Madrid, Madrid
MARK RYDEN - YUKI THE YOUNG YAK (WHITE) Date of creation: 2022 Medium: Plush and rubber Edition: 500 Size: 43.20 x 30.50 x 25.4 cm Condition: Brand new, sent inside its custom box Th...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Rubber

Twenty Shades of Sunlight - Contemporary colourful surrealistic painting
Located in DE
Gamez de Francisco paints and photographs very passionately, making statements filled with symbolism. He frequently includes insects in his artwork. He says: Flying insects represent...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Spring III - Contemporary colourful figurative surrealistic painting
Located in DE
Gamez de Francisco paints and photographs very passionately, making statements filled with symbolism. He frequently includes insects in his artwork. He says: Flying insects represent...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Tramp (pet dog, beagle, troubadour guitare, animal portrait, surrealist painting
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Tramp," by Rudolf Kosow, is a whimsical painting that delights in its surreal juxtaposition of scale and serenity. At the center is a beagle's face, depicted with lifelike detail an...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

"Moon Birth 2" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Moon Birth 2" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Not framed. Ships in a tube. Availab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Marc Chagall ( 1887 – 1985 ) – La Piège – hand-signed Lithograph on Arches paper
Located in Varese, IT
Color lithograph on Arches paper, edited in 1962 Limited edition of 75 copies signed in pencil by artist in lower right corner and numbered 37/75 in lower left corner Framed size: 75...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Vintage American Modernist Trompe L'Oeil Surreal Still Life Exhibited Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Amazing American modernist still life oil painting by Adrian Martinez (Born 1949) . Oil on canvas. Exhibited.
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

No - Etching, Drypoint - 1977
Located in Roma, IT
No is a contemporary artwork realized by Salvador Dalì in 1977. The artwork is from the series: 'Les Caprices de Goya de Dali'. Drypoint on heliogravure, with pochoir on Rives pape...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Wonderers (coyote, ukulele, man, nature, animal portrait, surrealist painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Wanderers" by Rudolf Kosow is an evocative painting that captures the kindred spirit of the traveler and the wild. A coyote, poised and attentive, gazes upward, its fur rendered wit...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Tense (pet dog, bulldog, baseball, animal portrait art, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Tense," a thought-provoking piece by Rudolf Kosow, presents a surreal interplay between a colossal bulldog and a diminutive baseball player. The dog's face, detailed with astonishin...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Parting (pet dog, bulldog, cowboy, animal portrait art, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Parting," a surrealistic painting by Rudolf Kosow, masterfully employs scale to create a poignant narrative of farewell. The canvas is dominated by the face of a bulldog, each hair ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hungry (pet dog, pug snout, cooking lady, animal art, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Hungry" is a captivating painting by Rudolf Kosow that beautifully illustrates a moment of connection between a gargantuan, doleful-eyed bulldog and a diminutive woman. The dog’s fa...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Moody (black dog, hat man, green vintage suit, animal, surrealist oil painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Moody," the painter Rudolf Kosow presents a composition that captivates with its emotional depth and surreal creativity. The subject, a soulful canine with eyes that gleam with a...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Stopper of Horror, from: Dawn of the Antipode - Surrealism Belgian Iconic
Located in London, GB
This original etching is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Magritte” in the lower right margin. It is also numbered in pencil from the edition of 17, at the lower left margin. Th...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Lost in Woods" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 16” x 20” x 1.25" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. The artist uses Acrylic on Canvas. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purc...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Ponte de Rodillas - Etching, Drypoint - 1977
Located in Roma, IT
Ponte de Rodillas is a contemporary artwork realized in 1977. The artwork is from the series: 'Les Caprices de Goya de Dali'. Drypoint on Heliosgravure, on Rives paper. Plate dime...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Surrealist composition
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: collotype (after the Miro lithograph). Printed in 1947 in an edition of 1500 by Meriden Gravure and published by Curt Valentin for "The Prints of Joan Miro" portfolio. Size: ...
Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Photogravure

Traveller On A horse - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting
Located in Lisboa, PT
Traveller On A horse - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting, 2023 Artwork is on supported wooden frame. Ready to hang. Tam Ess makes oil paintings that explore t...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil

Peaceable Kingdom with Boston Terrier surrealist painting
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Surrealist painting based on Edward Hicks painting, Peaceable Kingdom. Oil on wood panel, 14 x 20 inches. Signed Sovjani, 1970. Most remarkable about the image is the appearance of...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Algun Dia - figurative painting, landscape painting
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful surrealist painting by Mauricio comes rolled in a tube and needs to be stretched when received. In his pieces, Mauricio combines his figurative expertise along with su...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Hopeful (black labrador, dog pet, woman, vintage, animal, surrealist painting)
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 Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Candido Ballester.30 surreal. black. face. acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Personaje original surrealist acrylic painting Cándido Ballester is a contemporary Mallorcan painter who was born in 1926. As a child he had to emigrate to Argentina. In the 60's he ...
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Cardboard

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Swan Song" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 24” x 18” Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. This piece is a Mixed-media inkjet print on Canvas. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Inkjet

Maldoror : Surrealist Fight - Original etching, HANDSIGNED (Field #34-2)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali The Fight, 1975 Original etching Signed in pencil Limited to 100 copies (Here numbered 52) On Arches vellum 32.5 x 25 cm (c. 12.7 x 9.8 in) REFERENCES : - Catalog ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Codex d'un Visage - Etching by Victor Brauner - 1962
Located in Roma, IT
Codex d'un visage is a b/w original etching realized by Romanian Surrealist artist Victor Brauner (1903-1966) in 1962. Signed, dated in pencil on lower margin. Numbered in Arabic nu...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Etching

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Sailor" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 10.5” x 16.5” x 2.5” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist art 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 art 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, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Salvador Dalí, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, and Leonor Fini. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Lithograph 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 art, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available. Prices for art 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 $1,450,000, while the average work sells for $1,426.

Recently Viewed

View All