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.
$16,200
In The Above - Abstract Modern Surrealist Skyscape Perched Bird Acrylic Painting
By Jeff Faust
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jeff Faust draws from the rich tradition of highly illusionistic canvases, where the eye perceives a sophisticated depth. Faust's ability to blend the ordinary with a touch of the ex...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,599Sale Price|20% Off
Echoes of Picasso Oil on Board Painting, Surrealist, Spain, 1960s
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Artist: Gustavo Úbeda (Herencia, Ciudad Real, 1930 – São Paulo, 1994) Title: Ecos de Picasso (Echoes of Picasso) Medium: Oil on board Dimensions: 81 x 100 cm (31.9 x 39.4 in) Signatu...
Oil, Board
Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Birds of Prey
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen
A Home in the Woods - Original Birds Portrait 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
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
The Cliche, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson commissioned a formal family portrait, insisting their beloved pet elephant, Elbert, be included. Elbert is family, after all. When the co...
Oil
Surreal Dreamlike Village Scene with Figures, Dog & Moonlit Sky - British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Surreal Dreamlike Village Scene with Figures, Dog & Moonlit Sky by British Artist, John Charlesworth (British, b. 1947) Art measures 7 x 5 in (17.8 x 12.7 cm) Fram measures 10 x 8 i...
Oil, Board
"Dile Que No", Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas, Unframed, 2010+
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original oil and resin painting by San Diego artist, Julia San Roman. Its dimensions are 36" x 60" It is unframed. A certificate of authenticity will follow d...
Canvas, Oil
Digital World, Oil Painting
By Eric Vanasse
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A young boy stands indoors, absorbed in his mobile device. Just beyond an open door, a polar bear looms inside the house, its mouth open as if roaring. The brig...
Oil
Spring's First Present, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A vibrant American goldfinch perches on a slender branch, taking center stage as nature's most charming messenger. The striking contrast between the bird's sunn...
Oil
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Owner (black Lab dog, sleeping lady, vintage dress, animal, surrealist painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Owner," Rudolf Kosow captures a tender moment of connection that is as powerful as it is subtle. The main subject of the painting is a large black Lab, soulful dog, its fur textu...
Canvas, Oil
"Bound to Rise", Surreal, Bird, Sky, Blue, White, Pink, Oil Painting
Located in Franklin, MA
Anita Zotkina’s "Bound to Rise" is a 14 × 11 × 0.7 inch oil painting on canvas, created in 2025. Rendered in soft tones of blue, white, and pink, the composition features a bird pois...
Canvas, Oil
$450Sale Price|50% Off
Dessert Landscape (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Dessert Landscape, ca. 1975-80. Gouache on Arches rag paper, Sheet measures 23 x 30 inches. Image measures 22 x 29 inches. Signed lower left. Excellent condition. Unframed.
Gouache, Rag Paper
$5,200
Runner (surrealist oil painting wood rocking horse équine relic gold medallion)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In Runner, Rudolf Kosow transforms a vintage wooden rocking horse into a striking example of contemporary object portraiture, where childh...
Canvas, Oil
$400Sale Price|50% Off
Raccoon (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Raccoon Watching Fish, ca. 1975-80. Gouache on Arches rag paper, Sheet measures 23 x 30 inches. Image measures 22 x 29 inches. Signed lower left. Excellent condition. Unframed.
Gouache, Rag Paper
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Gaze 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern, Men
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity About Artist Oluw...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,304Sale Price|20% Off
Case II (Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas, Banana peel, Unframed)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Case", banal, everyday things meet in this painting to create an unusual, strange, absurd and ironical situation derived by the disproportional scale size of things. Rudolf Kos...
Canvas, Oil
"Hybrid Butterfly 66" (2025), Abstracted Animal Portrait, Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Enjoy a feast for the mind as you explore the oddity, mystery and beauty of the Hybrid Butterfly! This series started off with my desire to do small butterfly studies. During my rese...
Wood, Acrylic, Panel
"Stellar Sea" - Abstracted Animal Portrait, Acrylic Painting on Aluminum
Located in Denver, CO
"Aluminum is my favorite surface to paint on. Its completely smooth texture and natural luminosity create a unique depth. By building up hundreds of thin, transparent layers, I allow...
Metal
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
"Cheshire cat"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This painting is about the fairy tale Alice in Wonderland and her friend, the Cheshire Cat. In this work, I have captured a dance of colors and emotions on canvas. Through oil ...
Paper, Oil
$2,850
Dutress and Her Cat -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Animals
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity About Artist Oluw...
Canvas, Acrylic
Six Birds
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Six Birds" c.1990, is an acrylic painting on canvas by Mexican artist Gustavo Martinez, b.1941. It is signed at the lower left corner by the artist. The canvas size is ...
Acrylic
$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
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
Toast To Celebrate - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Love, Drinks
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity About Artist Oluw...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,480Sale Price|20% Off
Patiently Waiting 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Black Woman, Love
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
$365
"Hybrid Butterfly 44" (2025), Abstracted Butterfly Portrait, Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Artist Statement: My paintings are channeled, Visual Dreamscapes in connection with Unseen Frequencies of the Universe. My exploration of the surreal investigates the mysteries of t...
Wood, Acrylic, Panel
$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
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Not Alone - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa Women, Flora
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity About Artist Oluw...
Canvas, Acrylic
Meditation Practice 101 - Figurative Surrealist Portrait Mixed Media 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...
Ink, Watercolor, Graphite, Paper
$2,608Sale Price|20% Off
French Surrealist Sword Fight Oil Painting Horsemen Battle Scene Signed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
**Title** French Surrealist Sword Fight Oil Painting Horsemen Battle Scene Signed **Key Details** **Artist:** French School, 20th century, signed Cywinski...
Canvas, Oil
$360Sale Price|40% Off
Bull, the Dog
By Y.m.Lo
Located in East Hampton, NY
Bull dog in a suit Animals dressed up fantasy, surreal Comes ROLLED in a tube Needs framing Artist Y.m.Lo is known for his Wheat Pasted Animals in proper ...
Oil
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
Lady Covered With Affection -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Africa
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity About Artist Oluw...
Canvas, Acrylic
$4,150
At The Warehouse - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman, Dog
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
Discovering New Worlds, Oil Painting
By Eric Vanasse
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A large white polar bear lies on a cliff with its eyes closed, while a dodo bird leans beside it. To their side, an easel holds a Rembrandt painting of a stormy...
Oil
$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
"The Trove" Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Patrick Maxcy's "The Trove" is an original, handmade acrylic painting that depicts a tropical bird perched on a pile of buoys and miscellaneous seafaring...
Canvas, Acrylic
"To the Place I Dream Of" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
To the Place I Dream Of
Oil
$450Sale Price|50% Off
Turtle (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Turtle, ca. 1975-80. Gouache on Arches rag paper, Sheet measures 23 x 30 inches. Image measures 22 x 29 inches. Signed lower left. Excellent condition. Unframed.
Gouache, Rag Paper
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Gaze 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern Women, Floral
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity About Artist Oluw...
Canvas, Acrylic
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Game (bob cat, female tennis player, ball, vintage, animal, surrealist painting
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this captivating painting by Rudolf Kosow, the canvas comes alive with a surreal and dynamic encounter. At first glance, we see a massive bob cat head, rendered in repose with a t...
Canvas, Oil
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Afro Lady -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern Women, Floral
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity About Artist Oluw...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,858
Balloon Llama Wildlife Painting Andean Mountain Landscape on Linen
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Balloon llama wildlife painting set within an Andean mountain landscape, combining contemporary landscape art, animal portraiture and pop surrealist imagery on Belgian linen. Plasti...
Linen, Acrylic, Canvas
$760
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Birds Circle Life
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination. Hugely inspired by Paula Rego, Isabel Rock is part of a formidable group of women artists (Leonora Carrington and Eileen Agar amongst others) working with Surrealism. In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams...
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
Purfectly Peaceful, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A surreal domestic scene features two cats resting in a room, gazing directly at the viewer. Whimsical moments unfold around them as a tiny animal stands by a m...
Oil
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Protectress II Oil Painting on Canvas, Surrealist, dog, doberman, Unframed
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Protectress" by Rudolf Kosow is a compelling oil painting that uses surrealism to explore themes of guardianship and scale. In this striking work, a colossal Doberman sits attentive...
Canvas, Oil
$3,000
"Rhino Friend", Surreal, Dreamlike, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Oil Painting
Located in Franklin, MA
Anita Zotkina’s “Rhino Friend” is a 20 x 24 x 0.7 inch oil on canvas painting that celebrates imagination, innocence, and the bond between humans and animals. In this dreamlike compo...
Canvas, Oil
$450Sale Price|50% Off
Birds in Flight (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Birds in Flight, ca. 1975-80. Gouache on Arches rag paper, Sheet measures 23 x 30 inches. Image measures 22 x 29 inches. Signed lower left. Excellent condition. Unframed.
Gouache, Rag Paper
"Just Outside" by Patrick Maxcy, Acrylic Painting, Blue Fish
Located in Denver, CO
Patrick Maxcy's "Just Outside" is an original, handmade acrylic painting that depicts an oversized blue fish next to a tiny house perched on a rock. About the Artist: Nature, anima...
Canvas, Acrylic
$4,734Sale Price|40% Off
Large Scale Surrealist Oil on Canvas, 'Noah's Ark and the Animals'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Very large scale late 20th century oil on canvas of Noah's Ark and the Animals by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right. A magical, highly colourful and energe...
Canvas, Oil
"Speak Softly" - Abstracted Impressionist Animal Portrait, Oil Painting on Panel
Located in Denver, CO
This beautiful original oil painting is framed at 36 x 32 inches in an ornate frame, wired and ready to hang Artist Bio/Statement: Michael W. Vacchiano is a Denver-based artist wit...
Oil, Panel
Flip of the Coin, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This is the second painting in artist Kat Silver’s ongoing series of cozy cat scenes celebrating calm indoor moments. At first glance, it appears to be a play...
Oil
$450Sale Price|50% Off
Cactus Landscape (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Cactus Landscape, ca. 1975-80. Gouache on Arches rag paper, Sheet measures 23 x 30 inches. Image measures 22 x 29 inches. Signed lower left. Excellent condition. Unframed.
Gouache, Rag Paper
$225
"Space Beetle 02" (2025), Original Abstract Figurative Acrylic on Wood Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Stacy D'Aguiar's (US based) "Space Beetle 02" is an acrylic painting that depicts a yellow lady beetle in the midst of a turquoise nebula. Artist Statement: My paintings are channel...
Acrylic, Panel
$4,734Sale Price|40% Off
Large Scale Surrealist Oil on Canvas, 'At the Watering Hole'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Large late 20th century oil on canvas of animals at the watering hole by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed to the bottom right. A magical, highly colourful and energetic paint...
Canvas, Oil
"Electrogenesis" (2024) By Stacy D'Aguiar, Original Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Stacy D'Aguiar's (US based) "Electrogenesis" is an acrylic painting that depicts a colorful and surreal scene of a fish. Artist Statement: My paintings are channeled, Visual Dreamsc...
Metal
$3,500
"Getting the Eye of the Tiger" (2022) by Nathan Durfee, Original Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Nathan Durfee's "Getting the Eye of the Tiger" is an original oil painting depicts a cat in headphones perched on a radio. Artist bio: Nathan Durfee has garnered notoriety for his...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Precognitive Dream" Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Patrick Maxcy's "Precognitive Dream" is an original, handmade acrylic painting that depicts squid and birds attached to a glass bottle filled with birdho...
Canvas, Acrylic
The Spilt, Oil Painting
By Kat Silver
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A surrealist painting captures the tension between prey and predator. In the foreground, a rabbit stands wary while a fox snarls nearby. Others of their kind sc...
Oil
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Circle of Life
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen