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.
$1,777Sale Price|28% Off
Inside a Cloud (Window, Skyscape, Warm, Bluesy, Dreamy, ~29% OFF)
By Annieo Klaas
Located in Kansas City, MO
Annieo Klaas Inside a Cloud 2024 Oil on Canvas 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 30.48 cm) Signed lower right COA provided *On stretcher frame - gallery wrapped - ready to hang Annieo Klaas’...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$200Sale Price|20% Off
D.N.A.
By Roman Sustov
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An ex libris print featuring an elaborate structurewith figures at work on creation. Roman Sustov's prints often provide a fantastic blend of classic technique combined with images from the vast worlds of surrealism, eroticism, fantasy and fairy tales. Signed in pencil artists proof from the edition of 100. Roman Sustov was born in 1977 in Minsk, Belarus. In 1995 he graduated from Minsk Art College and six years later he graduated from the Belarusian Academy of Arts (Department of Graphic). Through this long training he has become a master in etching, lithography and linocut prints. His works can be found in collections in the USA, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Japan, Russia and Belarus, and in the Contemporary Fine Art Museum (Minsk, Belarus). Roman notes...
Aquatint, Etching
Sea Otter, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A small otter floats on a pink geometric plane. Below, intersecting blue planes form a sharp angle and give an illusion of depth. In creating this piece, artist...
Mixed Media
$520Sale Price|20% Off
"My Peace", Surreal, Dove, Bird, Blue, White, Oil Painting
Located in Franklin, MA
Anita Zotkina’s “My Peace” is an 8 x 10 x 0.7 inch surrealist oil painting on canvas depicting a luminous white dove standing within a quiet atmosphere of soft blue and lavender tone...
Canvas, Oil
$12,000
Angel's Whisper, Figurative, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang, Framed
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2018 Style: Surrealism, Title: Angel's Whisper, Size: 35" x 48" x 1'' inch, 89x122.5x6 cm, Fr...
Canvas, Oil
$1,777Sale Price|28% Off
Held Inside a Shaft of Light (Window, Skyscape, Warm, Dreamy, ~29% OFF)
By Annieo Klaas
Located in Kansas City, MO
Annieo Klaas Held Inside a Shaft of Light 2023 Oil on Canvas 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 30.48 cm) Signed lower right COA provided *On stretcher frame - gallery wrapped - ready to hang ...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$956Sale Price|20% Off
Joan Miro, Untitled, from Joan Miro, 1956
By Joan Miró
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the 1956 publication Joan Miro. Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and printed by M...
Lithograph
Five stories about Ms. Janet, Portrait Surrealism Original oil Painting
By Ashot Yan
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Surrealism Original Painting Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Portrait Surrealism, T...
Canvas, Oil
$746Sale Price|20% Off
Classical Sculpture Fragments Painting Cut Paper Relief Sunset Landscape Art
By Gozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Surrealist acrylic painting on cut paper and mounted panel, depicting fragmented sculptures across a dreamlike sunset terrain. This original work by Gozo Collective is part of the Fr...
Paper, Spray Paint, Acrylic
Modern Midden - Critical Masses
Located in Burlingame, CA
Artist's statement: In my series Critical Masses, I explore the relationship between our species and various small marine creatures to illustrate in symbolic form various narrative...
Canvas, Oil
Gnomes et Gnose
Located in OPOLE, PL
Pierre Alechinsky (1927) - Gnomes et Gnose Lithograph from 1974. The edition of XVI/XXV. Dimensions of work: 75.5 x 54.5 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Atelier Clot, Paris. Publis...
Lithograph
Jeux Olympiques - Rare Book Illustrated by L.T. Foujita - 1925
Located in Roma, IT
Edition of 816 copies on vélin simili curve des papeteries Navarre, including a portrait of the author by Foujita. Very good conditions, uncut.
Paper
Fashion Designer
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Fashion Designer MEDIUM: Lithograph SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISHER: Levine & Levine for DALART EDITION NUMBER: I 234/250 MEASUREMENTS: 21" x 2...
Lithograph
$800Sale Price|20% Off
"Picador" 1966 Experimental Surrealist Composition
Located in Soquel, CA
"Picador" 1966 Experimental Surrealist Composition Intriguing mixed-media piece by prominent California artist Morris Broderson (b. 1928 d. 2011.) A picador sits upon his horse, hol...
Paper, Watercolor, Graphite, Pinhole, Color Pencil
$10,000
Butler Fight, Figurative Surrealism, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Tigran Hovumyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2018 Style: Surrealism, Subject: Butle...
Canvas, Oil
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Italian Super Realist Surreal Landscape Framed Signed Modern Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique Italian modernist landscape oil painting. Oil on board. Signed. Framed. Provenance from a Brooklyn, NY collection. Measuring: 23 by 33 inches overall. Handsomely framed in d...
Oil, Board
Untitled - Etching by Johnny Friedlaender - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled is an artwork realized by Johnny Friedlaender , 1970s. Etching on wove paper. Signed and numbered. Edition of 135 copies.
Etching
$9,600Sale Price|23% Off
Joan Miró “Italia 1969” Hand Signed Lithograph, Galleria del Milione, Milan 1970
By Joan Miró
Located in Miami, FL
JOAN MIRÓ (1893–1983) – “ITALIA 1969” Color Lithograph ⚜ Hand Signed and Numbered ⚜ Gilt Wood Frame PUBLISHED FOR ONE OF ITALY’S MOST IMPORTANT MODERNIST GALLERIES “Italia 1969” is...
Lithograph
$2,307Sale Price|25% Off
Bright Green Vegetable Garden Huge Still Life Signed Large French Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Garden, Signed Oil Painting By French artist Claude Benard, (1926 - 2016) Signed by the artist to the lower left hand corner, oil painting on board unframed size: 31.5 x 41.5 inc...
Oil
$5,250
Enrico Baj ( 1924 – 2003 ) –Mixed media with passamentrie and collage on brocade
By Enrico Baj
Located in Varese, IT
Mixed media with passamentrie and collage on brocade with originals medals and pins, edited in 1971 Limited edition of 300 copies, numbered as 254/300 in lower left corner. Hand si...
Textile, Mixed Media
"La Deese de Cythere" from the suite "l'Art d'Aimer d'Ovide"
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled, "La Deesse de Cythere" from the suite, "l'Art d'Aimer d'Ovide" 1976. is an original wood engraving on Japan nacre paper by artist Salvador Dali 1904-1989. It i...
Woodcut
$9,000
"Blue Shiver" (2025) Original Surrealist Marine Animal Still-Life, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Robin Hextrum's "Blue Shiver" is an original oil painting on stretched canvas. Artist Statement: This painting is part of my "Magical Realism" series. A group of sharks is known as...
Linen, Oil
At the Museum I - surreal, contemporary, figurative, oil on canvas
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This surrealist painting by Toni Hamel features a Group of Seven piece and focuses on the theme of climate change. In this imaginative painting, Toni Hamel sends a powerful message ...
Canvas, Oil
$6,440Sale Price|20% Off
Le Centaur de Crête Lithograph, Surrealist, 1972, Edition 187/250
Located in OPOLE, PL
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Le centaur de Crête Lithograph from 1972. The edition of 187/250. Dimensions of work: 68 x 50 cm On B.F.K Rives paper as stated in the Field catalogue...
Lithograph
1971 L'Académie de Paris, Pencil Signed EA Colorful Etching
Located in New York, NY
Salvador Dali 1971 L'Académie de Paris Etching 19x25 inches Image 27x33 inches with frame overall good condition Pencil Signed lower right Pencil Edition Size EA This Large piece is pencil signed and has lots of light Colors "Academy of Paris - Dali" refers to the etching L'Académie de Paris (1971) by Salvador Dalí, created to commemorate his admission to the French Academy of Fine Arts. It also refers to the Dali Paris...
Lithograph
Dawn of Port Lligat
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Dawn of Port Lligat MEDIUM: Lithograph SIGNED: Hand Signed by Salvador Dali EDITION NUMBER: 208/250 MEASUREMENTS: 35.37" x 24.62" Frames: 43" x 36" ...
Lithograph
Still Life with Pear
Located in New York, NY
Created by Surrealist Fanny Brennan from 1992-96, Still Life with Pear is a lithograph in colors on wove paper. Hand-monogrammed in pencil and numbered from the edition of 250, the a...
Lithograph
Composition VI - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1974
Located in Roma, IT
Composition VI is a beautiful color lithograph on paper, realized in 1974 by Joan Miro for the second volume of his catalog ”Mirò Lithographe III. This...
Lithograph
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Best Friends I (spaniel puppy dog ear surreal scale animal boy farm earth tones
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
We love Rudolf's latest series and particularly this exquisite demonstration of TLC in "Best Friends". The artist says "Two inseparable friends, regardless of the size differences, t...
Canvas, Oil
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Joan Miro, The Great Figure, from Derriere le miroir, 1970
By Joan Miró
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Joan Miro (1893–1983), titled Le Grand Personnage (The Great Figure), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 186, originates from the 1970 edition publis...
Lithograph
Howdy! (Roses) - Original Blue Floral Arrangement in Boot Still Life Artwork
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Paper, Mixed Media
$70,001
Dante and Beatrice - Original WATERCOLOR, Signed (Descharnes #d6970_1951)
Located in Paris, IDF
Salvador Dali Divine Comedy : Dante and Beatrice, 1952 Original watercolor Signed in lower center Dated 1952 On vellum lined on thin board 42 x 30 cm (c. 17 x 12in) REFERENCES : Th...
Ink, Watercolor
L'Origine des Espèces par Voie de Selection... - Lithograph by Man Ray - 1972
By Man Ray
Located in Roma, IT
Color lithograph on vellum. Artist proof out of an edition of 180. Hand signed in pencil. Published: XXe Siècle, Paris, Galleria Schwarz, Milan, Leon Amiel, New York. Arches map, ...
Lithograph
$994
Schéhérazade - 20th Century, Surrealist, Lithograph, Figurative Print
Located in Sint-Truiden, BE
Color lithograph after the 1950 oil on canvas by René Magritte, printed signature of Magritte and numbered from the edition of 275. The lithograph features the dry stamps of the Mag...
Lithograph
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
Leonor Fini, Untitled, from The Flowers of Evil, 1964
By Leonor Fini
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Leonor Fini (1907–1996), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil), originates from the 1964 issue published by Le Cercl...
Lithograph
Janet and Bill, Surrealist Painting of Woman and Cat w/ Party Hats
By Mary Spain
Located in Beachwood, OH
Mary Spain (American, 1934–1983) Janet and Bill, 1970s Oil on canvas Signed middle right, titled verso 26 x 30 inches 32.5 x 36.5 inches, framed Set in a realm of fantasy, Mary Spai...
Oil
original lithograph
By Yves Tanguy
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in Paris by Mourlot and published by Pierre à Feu and Maeght Editeur for the Marcel Duchamp / André Breton project "Surréalisme en 1947". Issued ...
Lithograph
La Licorne (The Unicorn), Surrealist Lithograph by Salvador Dali
Located in Long Island City, NY
A woman with flowing gold hair kneels before a unicorn. The horse theme was frequently used by Dali throughout his career. The horse is seen as a symbol of beauty and elegance as wel...
Lithograph
Light Angel Figurative Surrealism Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Tigran Hovumyan Figurative Surrealist Oil Painter Artwork Title: Light Angel Medium: Original Oil on Linen Dimensions: 36" x 39" x 1" (91 x 100 x 3 cm) Year: 2012 Unframed, Stretche...
Canvas, Oil
"The Moon" original lithograph
By André Masson
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1938 and published in Paris by Teriade for the art revue Verve (volume 1, number 2). Andre Masson was invited to contribute an original compos...
Lithograph
Shrunk Abyss - Digital Print by Kevin Abanto - 2023
By Kevin Abanto
Located in Roma, IT
Shrunk Abyss presents a chilling tableau of emotional abyss, with a figure shrunken and twisted by the weight of inner suffering. The canvas becomes a reflection of the human psyche'...
Digital
Galerie Maeght Miro Original Color Lithograph Poster, Surrealist, 1970
By Joan Miró
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Galerie Maeght Miro" is an original color lithograph poster with art by Joan Miro. It was printed by Maeght Editeur Imprimeur in 1970. The poster showcase...
Lithograph
"Le Retour (Return), " Color Lithograph after Painting by Rene Magritte
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Le Retour (Return)" is a color lithograph after the original 1940 painting by Rene Magritte. A bird which is really just the sky in the day and clouds. A nest bellow the bird has th...
Lithograph
A cruise. Limited edition print, Surreal, Established Polish artist
Located in Warsaw, PL
Size of sheet is ca. 21 x 29 cm (A4) Contemporary figurative giclee print by Polish artist Rafal Olbinski. Print is signed, numbered and has a stamp of an artist's atelier. It comes...
Paper, Color
Untitled, Nude Surreal Figures Together Slovenian French Oil Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Genre: Surrealism Subject: Abstract Medium: Oil Surface: Canvas Country: France In this surreal composition by Heinrich M. Frama the artist clumps a group of figures towards the mid...
Canvas, Oil
$2,250
"Thirst" Black & White Photography 49" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Thirst" Black & White Photography 49" 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
After the storm.
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
$2,520Sale Price|20% Off
Road Less Traveled Hawaii Surrealist Mid Century Figurative Abstract Landscape
Located in Soquel, CA
Road Less Traveled Hawaii Surrealist Mid Century Figurative Abstract Landscape Symbolistic and romantic Surrealist 1940s figurative abstract landscape with a figure journeying down a path in an idyllic landscape by Marguerite Louis Blasingame circa 1940-45. Signed Blasingame lower right corner; from a collection of her work. Unframed. Condition: Excellent; professionally cleaned and UV varnished. Image, 30"H x 20"W. Marguerite and her husband Frank Blasingame...
Oil, Linen
Les Ames Mortes by N. Gogol - Complete Suite by Marc Chagall - 1948
By Marc Chagall
Located in Roma, IT
Les Ames mortes (by N. Gogol) is a very rare suite of etchings realized by Marc Chagall (1887-1985). Complete set of 96 etchings hors-texte and 11 etched vignettes en-texte for the ...
Etching
Planning for the Future - Blue Jay Birds Still Life Framed Acrylic Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figurative surrealistic paintings of Carlos Gamez de Francisco are heavily influenced by his Cuban upbringing in a Russian-governed academic setting. This presence exposed Franci...
Canvas, Acrylic
Anthem (Black Surrealist Philadelphia artist)
By Roland Ayers
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Roland Ayers (1932-2014). Anthem, 1972. Ink on Paper, 4.75 × 7 inches. Signed and dated. Measuring 12 × 16 inches in acid-free matting. Artist and art educator, Roland Ayers...
Paper, Ink
Miro a l'Encre II, Surrealist Lithograph by Joan Miro
By Joan Miró
Located in Long Island City, NY
Joan Miro, Spanish (1893 - 1983) - Miro a l'Encre II, Year: 1972, Medium: Lithograph, Image Size: 13.75 x 9.75 inches, Size: 14 x 10 in. (35.56 x 25.4 cm), Frame Size: 21 x 17 inch...
Lithograph
$1,750Sale Price|31% Off
Signed Oil Painting Cadaqués 2001 – Organic Surreal Composition on Cardboard
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Artist: Antoni Pitxot Title: Untitled (Cadaqués, 2001) Medium: Oil on cardboard Dimensions: 23 × 17 cm (9.05 × 6.69 in) Framing: Unframed Signature: Signed “Pitxot 01” upper right In...
Oil
$937Sale Price|25% Off
ORBITS - Large Hoeckner lithograph
Located in Santa Monica, CA
CARL HOECKNER (1883 – 1972) ORBITS, c. 1935 Lithograph, edition unknown but small. Image 11 3/3 \4 x 18 3/8 inches, sheet 12 3/8 x 19. In good condition aside from small margins an...
Lithograph
La Piscine
Located in OPOLE, PL
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) - La Piscine Lithograph from 1958. Dimensions of work: 103 x 35.5 cm. Publisher: Tériade, Paris. Each copy of this Lithograph was originally published w...
Lithograph
"Flight Risk" illustrative photography, surrealism, paper airplane motif
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "Flight Risk" is a limited edition photographic print by Andrew Pinkham and is made from archival pigment on cotton rag. This piece measures 20"h x 20"w unframed an...
Rag Paper, Archival Pigment
$2,956Sale Price|20% Off
Leonor Fini, Untitled, from Satiricon, 1970
By Leonor Fini
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Leonor Fini (1907–1996), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album Satiricon, originates from the 1970 edition published by Ariane Lancell, Editeur, P...
Lithograph
Valentines Night - Original Romantic Playful Still Life Collage Artwork on Paper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Paper, Mixed Media
"Garden Temple", Surrealist Landscape, Collage, Acrylic Painting
By John Baker
Located in Franklin, MA
John Baker's "Garden Temple" is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 29 13/16 x 23 7/8 inches in greens and blues. The temple alludes to the veneration of nature, while the col...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Have a nice day.
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