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.
$1,871Sale Price|20% Off
Surrealist Female Nude with Cosmic Orbs and Biomorphic Landscape oil canvas art
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Surrealist Female Nude with Cosmic Orbs and Biomorphic Landscape Artist: Ángel Preciados Vega Title: Surrealist Nude Vision with Cosmic Orbs, Spanish Oil Painting, 1987 Date: 1987 M...
Oil
$7,018
Lovers
Located in London, London
Clown, circus, theatre, play, red, green, clowns, opera, realist, surrealist, art, contemporary art, painting on canvas The item is located in Rome,Italy framed. original oil p...
Canvas, Oil
$2,200
"The Oracle of Time" (ca. 2016) By John Tarantola, Surrealist Oil Portrait
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "The Oracle of Time" (ca. 2016) is a beautiful surrealist painting done with oil on panel, which depicts a nude male figure posing with a roma...
Oil, Panel
$3,800
"Solitary Confinement" (2016) By Diego Glazer, Original Surrealist Oil Painting
By Diego Glazer
Located in Denver, CO
Diego Glazer's "Solitary Confinement" is an original, handmade oil painting that is framed and ready to hang. The framed measurements are 22 in H x 26 in W. About the Artist: For a...
Canvas, Oil
"The Cat", Surrealist John Devoluy (1903-1982) Oil on canvas
Located in New York, NY
John Devoluy (1903-1982) The Cat, 1950 c. Oil on canvas 28 3/4 x 24 inches l 73 x 61 cm With frame: 30 3/4 x 26 inches l 78 x 66 cm Signed lower left John Devoluy was born in 1903 a...
Canvas, Oil
Two Fantastic Scenes / - Image dreams -
Located in Berlin, DE
Gertrude Degenhardt (1940 New York - 2025 Greifswald), Two Fantastic Scenes, 1970. Oil on hardboard, each 27.5 cm x 22.5 cm (pictures), 38 cm x 33 cm (frame), each signed “G. Degenha...
Oil
$5,000
"The Cosmic Dance" GAIA as Mother Earth a Visionary Figurative - Acrylic
Located in Soquel, CA
Emergence of Woman The Cosmic Dance A Visionary Figurative in Acrylic Flowing and stylized figurative work by Visionary artist Kimberlee Kuwica (American, b. 1967). From GAIA: "As t...
Acrylic, Illustration Board, Foam Board
"Characters", Surrealist John Devoluy (1903-1982) Oil on canvas
Located in New York, NY
John Devoluy (1903-1982) Characters, 1950 c. Oil on canvas 28 3/4 x 24 inches l 73 x 61 cm With frame: 30 3/4 x 26 inches l 78 x 66 cm John Devoluy was born in 1903 and became a cen...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled, Surrealist Oil on Board Painting by Tito Salomoni
Located in Long Island City, NY
Untitled Tito Salomoni, Italian (1928–1989) Oil on Board, signed lower right Size: 11.5 x 9 in. (29.21 x 22.86 cm) Frame Size: 18 x 15.5 inches
Oil, Board
"Salvador Dalí"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This painting was inspired by girls. They froze on a rug on a nudist beach. Like a city in the steppe. Eventually I met them, they became my muses, I repeatedly painted them naked in...
Oil
$2,000
"Man with a yellow rose", Surrealist John Devoluy (1903-1982) Oil on canvas
Located in New York, NY
John Devoluy (1903-1982) Man with a yellow rose, 1950 c. Oil on canvas 28 3/4 x 24 inches l 73 x 61 cm With frame: 30 3/4 x 26 inches l 78 x 66 cm John Devoluy was born in 1903 and ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modernist Surreal Sunset Abstract Nude Woman Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American school modernist surreal landscape. Oil on canvas, circa 1981. Signed on verso. Image size 30L x 18H. Housed in a period modern frame.
Canvas, Oil
$44,917Sale Price|20% Off
Morning glory. Surrealistic artwork. Oil on canvas, 65x92 cm
By Leonid Purygin
Located in Riga, LV
Bizarre scene of Lady in bed dreaming socially diverse erotic activities.
Canvas, Oil
"Trinity"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This painting, Holy Trinity, symbolizes the Holy Spirit of the universe, the earth, the moon, and a black hole. It evokes reflection on life and death. This painting offers a prophet...
Paper, Oil
"Flora" - Geometric Surrealist Painting - Nude - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flora" is one in a series of surreal paintings of the female figure featuring intricate patterning and hues of dark blue, bright yellow, lime green, pink, orange, and yellow ochre. ...
Linen, Oil
Sheba Raven Cloak, Hatshepsut - Original Painting of Egyptian Goddess Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Oliver Hazard’s paintings are produced directly from his imagination and deals with a mixture of imagery he has witnessed in his travels, dreams, and read about in literature. The ar...
Acrylic
In work/Four figures. Double-sided, cardboard, tempera, 56x47 cm
Located in Riga, LV
In work/Four figures. Double-sided, cardboard, tempera, 56x47 cm Vladimir Borisovich Glushenkov (May 21, 1948, Riga - December 26, 2009, Riga.) - painter, graphic artist, poet, translator. Born in Riga in a Russian-Polish-German family. Vladimir Glushenkov...
Mixed Media, Cardboard, Tempera
Nude Native American Indian Girl on Burlesque Stage
Located in Miami, FL
A nude Native American Indian girl, crowned with a feathered headdress, poses on the Burlesque stage while male onlookers visually devour her. The paintin...
Paper, Mixed Media, Board, Acrylic
4500 Transformaciones, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Andres Vivo
Located in Yardley, PA
Picture belonging to my human behaviour series Related to human rights Inspired by the dramatic artworks of Francisco Goya :: Painting :: Surrealism :: This piece comes with an off...
Oil
"Flora #14" - Geometric Surrealist Painting - Nude - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flora #14" is one in a series of surreal paintings of the female figure featuring intricate patterning and hues of blue, black, green, white and yellow. Guy Robinson is inspired by ...
Linen, Oil
$17,000
"The Bronze Emperor", Igor Samsonov, Surrealism, Figurative, Original Oil, 42x53
Located in Dallas, TX
"The Bronze Emperor" by Igor Samsonov is an Original Surrealist Oil painting that measures 42x53 in. Igor paintings are rich with symbolism and tell st...
Oil, Canvas
"Pyramid"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
One of my best works in this series is "Art from Money." This painting has a philosophical meaning. It reflects the philosophy of human impact on the planet. This prophetic painting ...
Paper, Oil
Dagon Calapesce, Symbolic Male Warrior Figure Surrounded by Water, Acrylic/Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
Oliver Hazard Benson Dagon Colapesce acrylic on panel 11h x 14w in 27.94h x 35.56w cm OB0106 Oliver Hazard’s paintings are produced directly from his imagination and deals with a mi...
Acrylic, Panel
"Solace Fairy" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Matteo Di Ventra's (US based) "Solace Fairy" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a surreal nude figure with butterfly wings
Oil, Panel
"Holding Back the Moon" (ca. 2018) By John Tarantola, Nude Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Holding Back the Moon" (ca. 2018) is a beautiful surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts an athletic nude young male figure, with his a...
Oil, Panel
"Dangerous" Contemporary Surreal Hyper Realistic Phallus and Tomato Painting
By Donald Roller Wilson
Located in Houston, TX
Hyper realistic surreal painting by Texas born artist Donald Roller Wilson. The work features a phallus with a single cigarette and a trio or tomato slices floating overhead. Signed ...
Canvas, Oil
$2,000
"Baby's Breath and Roses" (2023) By John Tarantola, Nude Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Baby's Breath and Roses" (2023) is a surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts an athletic nude male figure, with a silhouette of another...
Oil, Panel
$9,357Sale Price|20% Off
Hello Hen! Large Surrealist Oil on Canvas, Colorful, Signed, 113x94 cm
Located in Cotignac, FR
Large surrealist contemporary oil on canvas by Scottish artist Frank McLean Docherty R.S.W. This piece whilst wonderfully colourful, playful and erotic is typical of the witty sense of humour this artist displays in all his work. The title 'Hello Hen !' ( Hen being the scottish slang for 'girl' ) is used playfully as a double-entendre. In the image we see the artist has before him a beautiful naked woman and yet chooses to paint the real hen. Also we notice that the plant's flower heads under the woman are wilting and the artist pictured (a self portrait of Docherty), an older man, suggest that the artist's desires are on the wane. Docherty likes to tease us visually and asks questions and presents conundrums to the viewer. Frank McLean Docherty was born in Glasgow , Scotland in 1942. He became a student at Glasgow School of Art in 1960 and graduated from the Department of Printed Textiles in 1964. He taught in a secondary school in the East End of Glasgow for two years, thereafter departing to work in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland as a textile designer (Marks & Spencer, Heals and Liberty of London). He was also an illustrator for a range of newspapers and an Art Director of magazines. In 1973, he was appointed Principal Teacher of Art in a Scottish High School and in 1978 was honoured by the Queen when he was appointed Member of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours (R.S.W.) He left education in 1994. Since that time he has developed a vision which is quite unique in Scottish Art. Bank Managers, toucans, lighthouses, penguins, bowler hats, Frank Docherty...
Canvas, Oil
$818Sale Price|41% Off
Companion Oil on Canvas Painting, Surrealist Style, Unframed, 29x24
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Companion (Compañera) Artist: Félix Ferreras Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 28.7 x 23.6 inches Framing: Unframed Description The artwork Companion (Compañera) by Félix Ferr...
Oil, Canvas
You Broke My Heart
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this painting, I blend expressionism, surrealism, and symbolism to explore deep emotional narratives. The canvas features fragmented figures and abstract forms, evoking a sense of...
Oil, Acrylic, Canvas
"Here, There, and Everywhere" (2020) By John Tarantola, Nude Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Here, There, and Everywhere" (2020) is a surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts an athletic nude male figure staring forward painted i...
Oil, Panel
$2,000
"Raven Moon" (2014) By John Tarantola, Surrealistic Nude Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Raven Moon" (2014) is a beautiful surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts two young nude athletic male figures in an embrace in front o...
Oil, Panel
$3,975Sale Price|20% Off
Pair French Surrealist Nude Man & Woman Portraits Archery Bow & Arrow signed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Arrows of Love French School, dated 1998 indistinctly signed to each painting each inscribed verso and with former collectors label pair of acrylic paintings on canvas, framed ea...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,650Sale Price|20% Off
HUGE ORIGINAL 1970'S FRENCH ABSTRACT MODERNIST PAINTING - SURREALIST NUDE
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist: Claude Lagouche (French 1943-2020) Claude Lagouche was born January 2, 1943 in Naves, died January 16, 2020. He quickly gained recognition for his talent and his work, exh...
Oil
$840Sale Price|65% Off
The couple by Franck Chabry - Oil on canvas 49x70 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper Frame in wood moldings and gilded plaster with glass pane 64,5 x 85 x 3 cm
Oil
$988Sale Price|20% Off
Robert Bouille French Classical Nude Provence Window Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Key Details Artist: Robert Bouille, French, 1926–2021 Title: Classical nude looking out over Provençal landscape Medium: Oil painting on canvas, unframe...
Oil, Canvas
$828Sale Price|20% Off
ROBERT BOUILLE (1926-2021) LARGE SURREALIST OIL PORTRAIT MUSCULAR NUDE MODEL
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Robert Bouille (French 1926-2021) This artist of Var origin studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris in the sculpture section befor...
Canvas, Oil
"Metamorphosis"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A surrealist painting, intertwining images of woman and seduction. Leaping architecture dances in the arousal of the female body. The painting is depicted on a Ukrainian banknote. Th...
Paper, Oil
Carlos Alpizar "Mujer Enamor" Original Surreal Oil Painting C.2000
Located in San Francisco, CA
Carlos Alpizar "Mujer Enamor" Original Surreal Oil Painting C.2000 Woman in Love Original oil on canvas. Signed lower right. Canvas dimensions 46.5" wide x 38.5" high The frame m...
Canvas, Oil
$8,500
Sword Swallower, Surrealist Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Alejandro Colunga
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alejandro Colunga, Mexican (1948 - ) Title: Lady Sword Swallower Year: 1975 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed l.l. Size: 16 x 12 inches
Canvas, Acrylic
Her Transformation, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Miranda Gamel shares a dreamy portrait of a woman with a neon pink crown surrounded by glowing butterflies. Miranda portrays the subject with illuminat...
Oil
"Salvador Dalí"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
In this painting, I've swirled a traditional landscape into a floating, serpentine form, blending the realistic with the surreal. Each building, painted meticulously in oil, seems to...
Oil
$445
Sent My Spirit Adrift - Original Figurative Singer Mixed Media Surrealist Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Robert Lebsack creates artworks using mixed media with ink, acrylic, and charcoal on archival copies of newspapers, textbooks, and sheet music. As a visionary artist, Lebsack weaves ...
Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel
"Supplicant" (2017), Surrealist Female Nude Portrait, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
David Cheifetz's "Supplicant" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude woman with horns resting her head gently on a nude woman's knees, the fleshy tones of her face...
Oil
"The Hand", Surrealist John Devoluy (1903-1982) Oil on canvas
Located in New York, NY
John Devoluy (1903-1982) The Hand, 1950 c. Oil on canvas 28 3/4 x 24 inches l 73 x 61 cm John Devoluy was born in 1903 and became a central figure in the Parisian art world of the m...
Canvas, Oil
$1,871Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage American Modernist Surreal Erotic Composition Signed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist surreal painting. Oil on canvas, circa 1990. Signed. Image size 20L x 24H. Framing is available.
Canvas, Oil
"Kamasutra"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
In crafting this piece, I delved into the symbiosis of surrealism and symbolism to portray a vivid exploration of economic themes. The vibrant green dollar sign, entangled and al...
Oil, Cardboard
$3,200
la sala de la bruja (sorcerer's parlor), surrealist interior, green, bird, nude
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Narrative, colorful and surreal fantasy of a room interior. The image incorporates many of the recurring symbols in the artist's work such as hearts fe...
Canvas, Oil
"Salvador Dali"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
I saw this landscape in a deserted place in winter. It was snowing and strong wind. The wind stopped blowing and I saw this surrealism. The picture is framed in a wooden frame. Size ...
Oil, Cardboard
"Flora #10" - Geometric Surrealist Painting - Nude - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flora #10" is one in a series of surreal paintings of the female figure featuring intricate patterning and hues of purple, magenta, blue, and orange. Guy Robinson is inspired by the...
Linen, Oil
"Flora #11" - Geometric Surrealist Painting - Nude - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flora #5" is one in a series of surreal paintings of the female figure featuring intricate patterning and hues of bright yellow, lime green, pale pink, light blue and yellow ochre. ...
Linen, Oil
Le Concile d'Amour - Gouache on Paper Unique Surrealist Woman Painter, 1968
By Leonor Fini
Located in New York, NY
Leonor Fini Le Concile d'amour, 1968 Gouache on paper 14 1/5 × 11 4/5 in l 36 × 30 cm Frame included - 22 x 18 1/8 in l 56 x 46 cm Signed, counter-signed and titled lower right Cond...
Gouache
"Flora #13" - Geometric Surrealist Painting - Nude - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flora #13" is one in a series of surreal paintings of the female figure featuring intricate patterning and hues of purple, pink, orange, blue and white. Guy Robinson is inspired by ...
Linen, Oil
"Flora #2" - Geometric Surrealist Painting - Nude - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flora #2" is one in a series of surreal paintings of the female figure featuring intricate patterning and hues of bright yellow, lime green, pink, blue and purple. Guy Robinson is i...
Linen, Oil
"Flora #3" - Geometric Surrealist Painting - Nude - Arcimboldo
By Guy Robinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flora #3" is one in a series of surreal paintings of the female figure featuring intricate patterning and hues of bright yellow, lime green, pale pink, light blue and yellow ochre. ...
Linen, Oil
Midsummer Night’s Dreamers and Midsummer Ballet Suite diptych
Located in Deddington, GB
Midsummer Night’s Dreamers and Midsummer Ballet Suite diptych Overall size cm : H60 x W80 MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAMERS A dancer looks upwards towards the sun as her fellow dancers s...
Canvas, Oil
$15,100
"The Child", Igor Samsonov, Surrealism, Figurative, Original Oil, 46x37 in.
Located in Dallas, TX
"The Child" by Igor Samsonov is an Original Surrealist Oil painting that measures 46x37 in. Igor paintings are rich with symbolism and tell stories--some well-known, others created ...
Canvas, Oil
$12,000
Puppet With the Green Eyes Contemporary Surrealist Painting Ellen Steinfeld
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original modern surreal oil painting by American artist Ellen Steinfeld titled, "Puppet with the Green Eyes"
Canvas, Oil
Look Up - contemporary diptych depicting a male and female looking up at the sky
Located in Schierensee, SH
"Look Up" (Schau Aufwärts) is a two-piece work (diptych) of German artist Klaus Heuermann. The artist depicts a female in one work (140 x 100 cm) and a male in the other work (140 x...
Acrylic
$19,200
"The Inventor", Igor Samsonov, Surrealism, Figurative, Original Oil, 47x54 in.
Located in Dallas, TX
"The Inventor" by Igor Samsonov is an Original Surrealist Oil painting that measures 47x54 in. Igor paintings are rich with symbolism and tell stories--some wel...
Canvas, Oil