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.
$2,350
"Shot 2" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Shot 2" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Not framed. Ships in a tube...
Photographic Paper
Shot spring
Located in Edinburgh, GB
I did a photo session of a neighbour in my bombed-out office in a studio in Kharkiv. A Russian fighter jet dropped a bomb on March 2 on the roof of this 5-storey building and a neigh...
C Print
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
By JoAnn Krivin
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Silver Gelatin
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
By JoAnn Krivin
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Silver Gelatin
$3,248Sale Price|45% Off
Traffic Island, "Wandsworth Roundabout", London, ‘A lone figure’, Signed Print
Located in London, GB
A lone figure stands before a stark architectural scene, inviting contemplation of urban solitude… In a moment of stillness, a man looks toward geometric buildings, evoking thoughts ...
Photographic Film, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Arc...
$7,500
Jaguar
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 3 plus 2 AP.
Photographic Paper
$5,250Sale Price|30% Off
Halloween...
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 10 plus 2 AP.
C Print
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
By JoAnn Krivin
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Silver Gelatin
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
By JoAnn Krivin
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Silver Gelatin
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
By JoAnn Krivin
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Silver Gelatin
'Dali's Party, ' Estate Edition, ft Surrealist Salvador Dali in New York
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1959: Surrealist painter Salvador Dali (1904 - 1989) with a red-haired woman in a green dress at a vintage ball in New York. The artist is captured with his characteristic walking st...
Lambda
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
By JoAnn Krivin
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Silver Gelatin
$1,350
"Euphoria" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Euphoria" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the arti...
Photographic Paper
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
By JoAnn Krivin
Located in Surfside, FL
These were from a show of her work. Influenced by Surrealism and Dada Photographs these are images of old children's dolls in various states of decay. These bear the influence of Ha...
Silver Gelatin
Untitled (Grand Piano/Bat)
By Chema Madoz
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 5 Toned gelatin silver print 54 3/4 x 46 3/4 in. Frame Included. Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish photographers, who is greatly known for his...
Silver Gelatin
$1,850
"Pygmalion and Galatea 2" Photography 31" x 31" in Ed. of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pygmalion and Galatea 2" Photography 31" x 31" in Ed. of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the art...
Photographic Paper
"Disappearing" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Disappearing" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the artist Not...
Photographic Paper
$7,500
Jaguar
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
C-print, edition 3/3
C Print
Blanco 2, 2010 - Limited Edition Digital Photographic Print on Cotton Paper
By Rosa Basurto
Located in Brighton, GB
Blanco 2 is a 30cm x 30cm digital print on 50cm x 50cm cotton paper in a limited edition of 9 + 2 Artist Proofs. Rosa Basurto is a self-taught photographer from Spain who, within ...
Photographic Paper, Digital
$7,500
Nest
By Ryan Schude
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edition of 3 plus 2 AP.
C Print
Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a moo...
Archival Pigment
The Gamekeeper's Charge, limited edition photograph, archival, signed
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
The Gamekeeper's Charge, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evok...
Archival Pigment
$1,200
Tart to the Taste, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Tart to the Taste, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a m...
Archival Pigment
Welcome to the Water Planet
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Maggie Taylor's digital creations are emblematic, afterimages that invite, transport and are unforgettable. Taylor's images are built, layer by layer and object by object, through a ...
Archival Pigment
$600
Vintage Hand Signed Color Photograph Digital Photo Baby Portrait Jo Ann Callis
Located in Surfside, FL
JoAnn Callis (1940- American, Contemporary) Baby Color photograph, hand signed in pencil en verso, dated 2000, and numbered 4/200 Upon magnification, it appears to be some kind of ...
Color
Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood...
Archival Pigment
Winter Sun
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
Marsh Flight, Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Marsh Flight, Steady My Steed, limited edition photograph, archival, signed and numbered I present unspoken stories that illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended t...
Archival Pigment
Buffalo Gal
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
Lunge Line
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
Marc Lacroix, "Dali with Flowers", original photograph
By Marc Lacroix
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is an original photograph taken by French photographer, Marc Lacroix in 1971. This image depicts Surrealist artist, Salvador Dali, who Lacroix photographed numerous times. There is a large room at the Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain, that is dedicated to Lacroix where his photographs of Dali are on permanent display. This piece is hand signed and numbered 6/15 from the edition of 15 on glossy Kodak photo...
Photographic Paper
Double Heist
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
Moi sans toi
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
Wildfire
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
Tangled Up in Blue
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
Your Move
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
An American in Italy
By Tom Chambers
Located in Sante Fe, NM
I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer. These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of...
Archival Pigment
Dalí in Pool - Original Gelatin Dilver Photography
By Marc Lacroix
Located in Paris, IDF
Marc LACROIX (1927-2007) Dalí in Pool, 1971 Original Gelatin Dilver photograph Signed in ink Numbered on 50 copies On Gelatin Dilver paper 56.5 x 48.5 cm (c. 22 x 18.9 inch) INFOR...
Silver Gelatin
$685
Kaleidoscope of Dalí - Original Gelatin Silver Photography, SIGNED and LTD / 50
By Marc Lacroix
Located in Paris, IDF
Marc LACROIX (1927-2007) Kaleidoscope of Dalí, 1971 Original silver print photograph Signed in ink Numbered on 50 copies On silver print paper 57 x 47 cm (c. 22.4 x 18.5 inch) INF...
Silver Gelatin
Arco de Libros, Madrid (books)
By Chema Madoz
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 15 Signed, dated and numbered in pencil on print verso. Paper size: 20 x 16 in., Image size: 15 1/2 x 15 in. Chema Madoz is one of the most important contemporary Spanish...
Silver Gelatin
Tantra, Surrealist Color Photograph by Michael DeCamp
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Michael DeCamp, American (1928 - 2013) Title: Tantra Year: circa 1975 Medium: Photograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50 Image Size: 16 x 23.5 inches Size: 20 x 27...
Archival Pigment
Sunny Side Out, Surrealist Color Photograph by Michael DeCamp
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Michael DeCamp, American (1928 - 2013) Title: Sunny Side Out Year: circa 1975 Medium: Photograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50 Image Si...
Photographic Paper
$2,350
"About Love" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Ed. of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"About Love" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Ed. of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the...
Photographic Paper
$2,350
"Little Violin" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Ed 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Little Violin" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Ed 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
"Fell For You" Photography 30" x 45" in Ed. of 7 by Masha Ko & Kolten Horner
By Masha Ko
Located in Culver City, CA
"Fell For You" Photography 30" x 45" in Ed. of 7 by Masha Ko & Kolten Horner Available sizes: Edition of 15: 24" 36" Edition of 7: 30" 45" Edition of 3: 40" 60" Masha Ko is a...
Archival Paper, Digital
$2,070
A Toned and Traditional Watercolor Cyanotype with Shellac Ink, "Resonance 1-3"
Located in San Diego, CA
A vertical diptych measuring 28" high and 12" long when put together with no space between. Toned and Traditional Watercolor Cyanotype with Shellac Ink executed by artist Annalise Ne...
Photographic Paper
A Bleach Toned Traditional Watercolor Cyanotype, "Contextual Slant 2"
Located in San Diego, CA
A one of a kind 12" x 18" Bleach Toned Traditional Watercolor Cyanotype executed on Hahnemuhle Sumi-E Paper by artist Annalise Neil. A certificate of authenticity will be provided up...
Photographic Film, Watercolor
Rosemary Ellis Wires Gelatin Silver Print for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Silver Gelatin
$2,350
"Real 2" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Real 2" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the...
Photographic Paper
"Rigid" Photography 36" x 24" inch Edition of 5 by Alina Karo
By Alina Karo
Located in Culver City, CA
"Rigid" Photography 36" x 24" inch Edition of 5 by Alina Karo "Rigid" From 7 Deadly Sins series by Alina Karo Aluminum 36” x 24” Edition 1/5 Comes ...
Metal
$312
Rosemary Ellis Windows XVII Silver Gelatin Photograph Print Windows Mid Century
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of photographs from Rosemary Ellis's studio. To find more from this series scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller...
Silver Gelatin
"Big Eyes 2" Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Big Eyes 2" Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the artist Not fr...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Lawless" Black & White Photography 29.5" x 24" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Lawless" Black & White Photography 29.5" x 24" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Little Violin" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Ed 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Little Violin" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Ed 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by t...
Photographic Paper
Broken Shell Beach
By Teri Brudnak
Located in Boston, MA
Additional sizes and pricing available upon request. Artist commentary: There is an incredible world that exists at the tide line. This piece recalls the mix of broken shells, sea weeds and tiny organisms that wash up...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$1,400
"Real 2" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Real 2" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Sniffer" Black & White Photography 29.5" x 24" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Sniffer" Black & White Photography 29.5" x 24" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the...
Photographic Paper
The hostess.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Digital Pigment
Night trippers.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
In 1981 Maggie Taylor (b. 1961) began to photograph while she was a student at Yale University majoring in philosophy. She primarily took photographs of suburban landscapes and stran...
Digital Pigment