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Surrealist Photography

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
Color:  Silver
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
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 Hans Bellmer, Dora Maar and Man Ray. Jo Ann Krivin born in Reasnor, Iowa in 1933, daughter to Earl Guthrie and Lillie Cramer. She graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, with a bachelor of music degree in voice. She became a copywriter for the CBS Television affiliate in Des Moines, and then a public relations writer for Columbia Records in New York. She later owned and directed The Cramer Gallery in Glen Rock, N.J. Krivin photographed many jazz musicians during the 1980s and 1990s, and published two books of her jazz photos, "25 Years of the Jazz Room at William Paterson University" and "Jazz Studies." Her jazz and doll portraits have been exhibited in group and solo shows, museums, university galleries, and jazz festivals. She was married for over 50 years to painter, musician, and educator Martin Krivin. One of the few women in the field of jazz photography, JoAnn Krivin documented the professional jazz scene from the late 1970's until the late 1990's photographing close to 700 musicians. Her works have been exhibited frequently in solo shows at festivals, museums and galleries across the country. She has served as a still photographer for New Jersey Public Television and has contributed to a variety of national jazz publications. Her book, Twenty Five Years of the Jazz Room at William Paterson University, was published in 2003. Woman artist with a feminist tinge to these photographs. Her work was exhibited at the Ben Shahn Galleries. The exhibit featured photographs of some of the jazz world’s most well-known musicians, including Sonny Rollins, Joe Williams, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Milt Hinton...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Hollywood : Mr and Mrs Woodman - Original Handsigned Gelatin Silver Print
Located in Paris, FR
Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitsky, called) Hollywood : Mr and Mrs Woodman, 1970 Original gelatin silver print Handsigned on the back Authenticated with the artist stamp "Epreuve originale...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Surrealist Doll Art Photo, Jazz Photographer
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 Hans Bellmer, Dora Maar and Man Ray. Jo Ann Krivin born in Reasnor, Iowa in 1933, daughter to Earl Guthrie and Lillie Cramer. She graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, with a bachelor of music degree in voice. She became a copywriter for the CBS Television affiliate in Des Moines, and then a public relations writer for Columbia Records in New York. She later owned and directed The Cramer Gallery in Glen Rock, N.J. Krivin photographed many jazz musicians during the 1980s and 1990s, and published two books of her jazz photos, "25 Years of the Jazz Room at William Paterson University" and "Jazz Studies." Her jazz and doll portraits have been exhibited in group and solo shows, museums, university galleries, and jazz festivals. She was married for over 50 years to painter, musician, and educator Martin Krivin. One of the few women in the field of jazz photography, JoAnn Krivin documented the professional jazz scene from the late 1970's until the late 1990's photographing close to 700 musicians. Her works have been exhibited frequently in solo shows at festivals, museums and galleries across the country. She has served as a still photographer for New Jersey Public Television and has contributed to a variety of national jazz publications. Her book, Twenty Five Years of the Jazz Room at William Paterson University, was published in 2003. Woman artist with a feminist tinge to these photographs. Her work was exhibited at the Ben Shahn Galleries. The exhibit featured photographs of some of the jazz world’s most well-known musicians, including Sonny Rollins, Joe Williams, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Milt Hinton...
Category

20th Century Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Windows X Silver Gelatin Photograph Print architectural machinery
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988) Windows X Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis. Silver Gelatin...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Windows IV Gelatin Silver Photograph Print Gothic Ruin
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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Dam V Gelatin Silver Photograph 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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Windows XI Surrealist Gelatin Silver Print Photograph Published
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis Windows XI Original photography for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, composed by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis. Gelatin Silver Print ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Wires II Gelatin Silver Photograph for book: Pipes and Wires
Located in London, GB
One from a series of photographs we have listed, to see the others scroll down to 'More from this seller' and click on 'View all from seller' and then search. Rosemary Ellis Wires I...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Pipes II Gelatin Silver Photograph Proof Print 1975 for book
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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Dam III Gelatin Silver Photograph Proof Print for Bodley Head
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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Pool Gelatin Silver Photograph 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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Windows Gelatin Silver photograph Print for book: Windows
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988) Windows Original photography for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis. Silver Gelatin Photog...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Dam (detail) Gelatin Silver Photograph Print mid century modern
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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Dam Gelatin Silver Print Photograph for the 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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Windows II Gelatin Silver Print for book: Windows
Located in London, GB
From a series of photographs, to see the others scroll down to 'sell all from this seller'. Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988) Windows II Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outloo...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Windows III Gelatin Silver Print for book: Windows
Located in London, GB
From a series of similar photographs by Rosemary Ellis. To see the others, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this seller" and search for Elli...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rosemary Ellis Windows XIII Gelatin Silver Photograph Print horse stable
Located in London, GB
Rosemary Ellis (1910-1988) Windows XIII Original proof photograph for Windows in the Outlooks and Insights series published by Bodley Head, by Rosemary & Charlotte Ellis. Silver Gela...
Category

1970s Surrealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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Surrealist photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Surrealist photography 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 photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, red, orange, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mitchell Funk, Rosemary Ellis, Brian Ziff, and FPA Francis Pavy Artist. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Photographic Paper 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 photography, so small editions measuring 4.5 inches across are also available. Prices for photography 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 $110 and tops out at $28,800, while the average work sells for $1,750.

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