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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.

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Style: Surrealist
Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Hunter (Sagittarius)"
Located in San Diego, CA
A 19” x 25” x 1.25" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. The artist uses Acrylic, Colored Pencils, Imitation Golf Leaf on Wood Panel. A certificate of authentic...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Abundance (Nine of Pentacles)"
Located in San Diego, CA
A 17” x 21” x 1" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. The artist uses Alcohol Ink, Colored Pencils, Acrylic, & Imitation Gold Leaf on Mineral Paper. A certifica...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Exiles from Eden" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 19” x 25” x 1.25" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Golik ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Prosperity ((Ace of Pentacles)
Located in San Diego, CA
A 17” x 21” x 1" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. The artist uses Pastel, Colored Pencil, Acrylic, & Imitation Golf Leaf on Toned paper. A certificate of au...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Gel Pen, Color Pencil

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

René Magritte - LE CHEF D'OEUVRE OU... Limited Surrealism French Contemporary
Located in Madrid, Madrid
René Magritte - LE CHEF D'OEUVRE OU LES MYSTÈRES DE L'HORIZON, 1965 Date of creation: 2010 Medium: Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition number: 131/275 Size: 60 x 45 cm Condition: N...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Queen of Swords" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 22” x 22” x 1" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. This piece is a Mixed-media Aqueous Inkjet Embellished Print on Canvas. A certificate of authenticity wil...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Inkjet

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

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

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Opium (Death)" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
An 18”x 22" x .75" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Golik (...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Spring Herald" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 19” x 25” Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Golik (also kn...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Peculiar Forever" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 16” x 20” x 1" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. It is unframed and Acrylic & Colored Pencils on Wood Panel. A certificate of authenticity will accompany t...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel, Color Pencil

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Honey and Bees" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
An 18” x 18” Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Golik (also k...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel, Color Pencil, Graphite

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Ritual (Devil)" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 16” x 16” x 1" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Golik (al...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Wood, Acrylic, Color Pencil, Graphite

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Duality of Love" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 36” x 24” x 1.5" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. The artist uses Oil and Imitation Gold Leaf on Wood Panel. A certificate of authenticity will accompany ...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Grace (The Tower)" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 21” x 31” x 2" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Golik (al...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Magritte, Ma Mere l'Oye (after)
Located in Auburn Hills, MI
Original Limited Edition Lithograph in Colours on Vélin d'Arches paper. Edition: 350, plus proofs. Signed in the plate by the artist; hand signed in pencil by the printer, Fernand Mo...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Temperance" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 21” x 31” x 2" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Temperance card sig...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Mujer en Rojo, Surrealist Lithograph by Byron Galvez
Located in Long Island City, NY
Title: Mujer en Rojo Date: 1980 Medium: Lithograph on Arches paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Dimensions: 30 x 22 inches
Category

1980s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Sanas distancias" Safe distances - figurative, hands, post COVID art
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
During the pandemic, the artist stayed for 4 months in Oaxaca on a beach called San Aguistinillo, where he developed the Sana Distancia (safe distance) collection, he created each da...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Mack" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 8.5” x 10.5” x 1” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The Bee...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

"The Embrace" Original Surreal Watercolor & Ink Drawing by Walter Schnackenberg
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter Schnackenberg’s style changed several times during his long and successful career. Having studied in Munich, the artist traveled often to Paris where he fell under the spell o...
Category

1940s Surrealist Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Hope : Between Earth and Heaven" Surrealist Acrylic on Canvas by Eugene Hawkins
Located in Pasadena, CA
In the "Fantasy/Metaphysical" series by American artist Eugene Hawkins, the convergence of surrealism and metaphysics unfolds as an exploration of existential themes common to all. C...
Category

1960s Surrealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Maldoror : Allegory of Time & Aging - Original Etching, HANDSIGNED (Field #34-2)
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dali Allegory of time and aging, 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) REFERE...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Engraving

Surrealist Gouache on Paper, 'Threshold or Pagans'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Contemporary surrealist watercolour and gouache on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right. An intriguing and beautifully pain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Surrealist Watercolour/Gouache on Paper. 'The Birth of Sculpture''
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century surrealist gouache and watercolour on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. The painting is signed to the bottom right and title...
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Wild Encounters-original abstract surreal wildlife oil painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
This original artwork by Nathan Neven joyfully presents an unusual scene of wildlife merged with a grand interior space. The artist adds contemporary touches to his subject matter su...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting, "Iris" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 7” x 10” x 1” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Vellum by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase o...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Vellum

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "The Air On A G String" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 20.5” x 16.5" x 1.5" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Evgeniya Gol...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Ink, Color Pencil

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Lloyd" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 10” x 12” x 1” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. Mothboy: W...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

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

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Collage Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on paper by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for art...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Paper, Mixed Media

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surrealist acrylic on board painting surrealism picasso style
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gustavo Úbeda (1930-1994) - Surrealism - Acrylic panel Acrylic measurements 80x100 cm. Frameless. The painting by Gustavo Úbeda Romero (Herencia, 1930 – Sao Paulo, 1994) comes from ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Board

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Charlie" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 9” x 12” x 2” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The Human C...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Lily" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 9” x 14” x 1” Surrealism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “T...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Vitraux in Four Sheets Puzzle of Life
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Vitraux in Four Sheets Puzzle of Life MEDIUM: 4 Lithographs SIGNED: 1 Lithograph is Hand Signed by Salvador Dali EDITION NUMBER: 1 lithograph is num...
Category

1970s Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Marc Chagall "Dédicace"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Marc Chagall (French/Russian, 1887-1985) "Dédicace" 1968 Color lithograph signed and numbered 28/50 in pencil Image: 17 7/8 x 15 1/4 inches. Framed: 38 x 34 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Surrealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Mixed Media Surrealist Portrait, "Mad Barber" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 13” x 15” x 2” Surrealist Mixed Media Portrait Painting executed on Wood Panel by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “The Mad Barber is not quite ‘mad’ in the conventional sense, but rather exhibits a peculiar imbalance. With an eccentric flair reminiscent of characters like Sweeney Todd...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel, Graphite

The forgotten
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Surreal figurative painting. An insect man in slow metamorphosis who lives in a world inaccessible to us, in a parallel reality that is forbidden to us. A magical place where there i...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Clark" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 8.5” x 11.5” x 2” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “Gopher...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Marlowe" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 14” x 16” x 1” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. The L...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Surrealist Mixed Media Portrait, "'Prince' The Guide" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 16” x 16” x 2” Surrealist Mixed Media Portrait Painting executed on Wood Panel with Acrylic and Graphite by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Graphite

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Sculpture Found-Object American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media sculpture by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for artists su...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Mixed Media

Surrealist Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Timmy" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 12” x 14” x 1.5” Surrealist Acrylic Portrait Painting by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or delivery. “The Boy In The Iron Mask...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Surreal Contemporary Figurative Mixed-Media Oil Painting American
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of a kind mixed-media collage on canvas by Philip Kuznicki from the Spirit exhibition. Comes in its original frame. Born in Dunkirk NY, Kuznicki started his career working for ar...
Category

2010s Surrealist Art

Materials

Found Objects, Oil

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.

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