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
Subterfuge, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Craig Moran
Located in Yardley, PA
It has makings of A jigsaw feel. And the shapes Are anonymous. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: R...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "On Un-Becoming"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 12 x 6 x 1.6 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Encaustic, Mulberry Paper, Oil
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "I Dreamed of a Great Escape"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 13.4 x 19.5 x 2 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Create...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Thread, Paper, Encaustic, Oil
Pool, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This is purely a surreal painting, without the symbolism that is often the case in my work, but purely surreal images of beauty and calm straight from the subconscious. The water ref...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "Petal Head"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 9 x 9 x 1.75 in. A certificate of authenticity will...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Encaustic
Rise, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Craig Moran
Located in Yardley, PA
A circus of sorts Anonymous performers Reaching for the sky :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Family Portrait, Large Surrealist Oil Painting Mother, Children, Neo Surrealism
Located in Surfside, FL
Hank Laventhol (1927–2001) was an American painter and master print maker. He worked in painting, graphics, sculpture and photography. Associated with ...
Category
1950s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
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
Goldfish XXXVI, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A continuation of my Goldfish paintings. Here two surreal balloons float over a mountainous landscape, I've tried to capture lightness and air in the...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "Growth at a Snails Pace (Diptych)"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 6.1 x 12 x 1.6 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Encaustic, Oil
Surrealist scene Brazil acrylic on board painting geometric
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gustavo Úbeda (1930-1994) - Surrealist scene, Brazil - Acrylic on panel
Oil measures 60x42 cm.
Frameless.
The painting by Gustavo Úbeda Romero (Herencia, 1930 – Sao Paulo, 1994) com...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Board
Good Things, Oil Painting
By Diane Flick
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Dwelling in a space of absolute simplicity, free from endless mental chatter, seems quite appealing. A tiny robot with a die is captivated by what exists before...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
A Surreal Encaustic Mixed Media on Wood "Single Lens Reflex"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 9 x 9 x 2 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created thro...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Encaustic
Encaustic on Wood "Of All The Lace and Shiny Things, My Path Lay Darker Still"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 14 x 12.6 x 2 in. A certificate of authenticity wil...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Gold Leaf
DC On The Grow Tiger And Abstraction
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Yankel (Jacob) Ginzburg (Russian/American, Born 1945). An original Surrealist acrylic painting on canvas. Titled "DC On The Grow". A colorful work featuring a roaring tiger, among sh...
Category
1980s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
"Fire and Ice, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
David Cheifetz's "Fire and Ice" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts several nude women with horns with the fleshy tones of one figure's face fading into blue in this c...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Underwater Fantasy, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original abstract painting inspired by an underwater world, full of fantasy and organic forms. * The artwork is signed on the back and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. * T...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
An Surreal Encaustic on Wood "Shooting Skeets Like Shooting Stars
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 5.3 x 15 x 2 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Encaustic
Murdered doll acrylic on board painting surrealism Ubeda
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gustavo Úbeda (1930-1994) - Murdered doll - Acrylic panel
Acrylic measurements 61x91 cm.
Frameless.
The painting by Gustavo Úbeda Romero (Herencia, 1930 – Sao Paulo, 1994) comes fro...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Board, Oil
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "The Golden Hour 2"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 9.5 x 9.5 x 1 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Encaustic
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "The Golden Hour 1"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 11.9 x 11.9 x 1 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Create...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Encaustic
Holy Mackerel
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
A Surreal Encaustic Landscape on Wood "Floating Above Golden Waters"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 24 x 24 x 2 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created th...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Encaustic, Oil
Earthly Flavors, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
By Craig Moran
Located in Yardley, PA
Earthly Flavors is one of the twenty-odd pieces I did while participating in Palette 22 Restaurant's artist-in-residence program. Amorphous islands of yellow, pink and blue dominate ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
A Surreal Encaustic on Wood "The Family Garden"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original encaustic mixed media artwork by Tiffany Bociek. Its dimensions are 16 x 16 x 2 in. A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery.
Created th...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil Pastel, Encaustic, 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
Seven of Pentacles, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
As part of artist Rachel Srinivasan's Rodeo Tarot series, this interpretation of the Seven of Pentacles tarot card uses green to embody the themes of growth, fe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Eight of Pentacles, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by the Eight of Pentacles tarot card, the vibrant green hues of the artwork symbolize growth, fertility, and abundance, including aspects related to mo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
20th Century Surrealist Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Beachwood, OH
Surrealist Landscape
Oil on canvas
'R. Lee Glenn' verso
30 x 24.25 inches
31.75 x 26.75 inches, framed
Surrealism aims to revolutionize human experience. It balances a rational visi...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Fungo Atomico" (Atomic Mushroom) Surrealist Landscape
By Luigi Pretin
Located in Houston, TX
Surrealist painting of a white structure in a barren desert titled "Fungo Atomico" by Italian surrealist painter Luigi Pretin, circa 1976. Signed and dated in lower right corner as w...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Dreaming in the Backyard, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Brent Hanson
Located in Yardley, PA
Original acrylic painting of a surreal dream-like setting. Varnished, with sides of canvas painted neutral tone and wired. No framing necessary. :: Painting :: Surrealism :: Thi...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Our Lady of the Foam", John Stephens, Acrylic Painting, Surrealism, 24x30
Located in Dallas, TX
This John Stephens original acrylic on panel painting measures 24x30 in and is available for $27,500. "Our Lady of the Foam" features a woman inside a greek mythology dome covered in...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Panel, Acrylic
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
Genovart Gray Background Yellow original surrealist acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Luces original surrealist acrylic painting.
GENOVART LLOPIS, Jaume (Barcelona, 1941-1994).
Basically self - taught painter, was released in 1972. Grandson of typesetter and booksell...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Dancing Lovers
Located in Sempach, LU
In this oil painting, I've blended abstract, figurative, and surreal elements to capture the fluid motion and raw emotion of an intimate dance. The intertwining forms, awash in shade...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Egg Girls on a bike
Located in Sempach, LU
I’ve written a book based on my Egg people and Characters such as the Conspirators. It is a fantasy novel that takes place in Egg Island and London. The story has a mix of good and bad characters, full of excitement, sadness, and intrigue.
Egg Island is a mysterious place where you can find all sorts of creatures, such as dolphins, including a giant one as big as a ship and one even bigger one that sleeps at the bottom of the sea. Baboons who think they own the place, firebugs light up the village, giant turtles protect kids while swimming, Bright orange coconut crabs...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
cubist composition oil on board painting expressionism Ubeda
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gustavo Úbeda (1930-1994) - cubist composition - Oil panel
Oil measurements 50x42 cm.
Frame measurements 58x50 cm.
The painting by Gustavo Úbeda Romero (Herencia, 1930 – Sao Paulo, ...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Lovers, I’ll put a spell on you. (I was listening to Nina Simone)
Located in Sempach, LU
Each of the Lovers comes from Ta's memory and imagination, "my feelings, my memories, some good, some not so good, but I try to focus on the good ones, a dance I remember, a hug afte...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Landscape Original Oil On Canvas "Bucket With Dripping Red"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Bucket With Dripping Red
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 27 x 23 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Year: 2000 Circa
Artist: Unclear
Provenance: Direct from the art...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Goddess the Violinist and Swan
Located in Sempach, LU
As the artist, I've poured my soul into this canvas, blending oils to evoke a sense of enigmatic allure and surreal wonder. With each stroke, I've strived to weave a narrative that t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
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
Meet Me @ Dawn
Located in Belfast, GB
Meet Me @ Dawn, 2019
Signed and dated on reverse
Oil on Canvas
35 3/8 x 23 5/8 in
90 x 60 cm
"The quirky manner in which Johnston pulls and twists narratives, highlighted by the rea...
Category
2010s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Books and Flowers-original surreal still life-interior-seascape oil painting-Art
By Luis Fuentes
Located in London, Chelsea
"Books and Flowers" by Luis Fuentes beckons admirers into a world where surrealism and realism seamlessly converge, creating an original interior still life-seascape painting that is...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Le Blouson
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
Oil, Canvas
Qiang Li Still Life Original Oil On Canvas "Comedy 3"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Comedy 3
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 27 x 23 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Year: 2000 Circa
Artist: Qiang Li
Signature: Unsigned
Signature Location: N/A
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Surrealist Watercolour and Mixed Media, "Ne Nastupit bui!" (Wouldn't Come!).
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late 20th century mixed media surrealist painting by Yuri Ilyich Kononenko. Titled 'Ne Nastupit Bui!' (Wouldn't Come!). Signed with artists symbol bottom left. Fully signed, dated an...
Category
Late 20th Century Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Charcoal, Paper, Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil
Serenity-original surreal realism seascape-still life painting-contemporary Art
By Luis Fuentes
Located in London, Chelsea
"Serenity" by Luis Fuentes beckons viewers into a realm where surrealism and realism harmoniously coexist in an original 2D angled still life-seascape painting. Crafted with precisio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Conspirators you saying it's me?
Located in Sempach, LU
Ta's collection of conspirators is full of mischief and secrecy. Each character is always up to something naughty or scheming a dodgy deal, "I want a desperado feel to it, moody as i...
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
Oil, Canvas
Happiness - Contemporary Acrylic on Canvas Painting, Vibrant colors, Landscape
Located in Warsaw, PL
ABOUT THE ARTIST
MARTA RYNKIEWICZ is a Polish contemporary artist (born in 1983).
She studied painting with Professor Henryk Czenik and graphic arts with Professor Jerzy Krechowic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
ShaoHua Nong Surrealist Original Oil On Canvas "Light And Shade"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Light And Shade
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 12 x 16 inches
Frame: Framing options available!
Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition.
Note: This painting ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - Le Petit Patissier
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
Oil, Canvas
Mediterranean View-original realism surreal still life-seascape oil Painting-Art
By Luis Fuentes
Located in London, Chelsea
"Mediterranean View" invites you into a serene and contemplative world, expertly captured by the skilled hand of artist Luis Fuentes. This original Mediterranean seascape-still life-...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
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
French Contemporary Art By Helen Uter - La Bourasque
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
Oil, Canvas
Genovart Grey Background Yellow original surrealist acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Luces original surrealist acrylic painting.
GENOVART LLOPIS, Jaume (Barcelona, 1941-1994).
Basically self - taught painter, was released in 1972. Grandson of typesetter and booksell...
Category
1970s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Dos Cuba Libres
Located in Cazadero, CA
Dos Cuba Libres
Never been here before? The busy rhythm, around every corner another bay, and resting will not come soon but still an elegant chaos
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Clay, Canvas, Charcoal, Oil
High Drama Adventure Scene - Italian Illustrator Mid-Century Jules Verne
Located in Miami, FL
Original illustration was done by Renna for the novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Jules Verne, published in 1963. What makes this work special is how brilliantly the subj...
Category
1960s Surrealist Paintings
Materials
Illustration Board, Tempera
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.
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