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.
$1,175
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 16" x 16" in Edition 1/24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 16" x 16" in Edition 1/24 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist...
Photographic Paper
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
"Six" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 2/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Six" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 2/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ...
Photographic Paper
$371Sale Price|25% Off
Bon Fire Night Circle - In Celebration of Pride Month
By Omer Ga'ash
Located in New Orleans, LA
Stone and Press Gallery is excited to offer several works in celebration of the LGBTQ community. Thirteen nude men form a circle in the desert. Arms bent over their faces set the symbol in a circular motion. This is number 1 from a limited edition of 12. The work is signed on the back. London-based Photographer and Graphic designer Omer Ga...
C Print
$1,850
"Duality" Black & White Nude Photography 39" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Duality" Black & White Nude Photography 39" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
$1,850
"Wet Stone" Black & White Photography 39" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Wet Stone" Black & White Photography 39" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ...
Photographic Paper
"Mirror" Nude Photography 35" x 28" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mirror" Nude Photography 35" x 28" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist No...
Photographic Paper
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist ...
Photographic Paper
"Milk” Nude Photography 36" x 28" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
"Milk” Nude Photography 36" x 28" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA signed by...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$1,350
"I Love You Anna" Photography 24" x 16" inch Edition 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"I Love You Anna" Photography 24" x 16" inch Edition 2/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artis...
Photographic Paper
"Ahead of me 2" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Ahead of me 2" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issues by the artist No...
Photographic Paper
"W" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 3/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"W" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 3/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Ladybugs" Nude Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Ladybugs" Nude Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist...
Photographic Paper
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
“Emergence 1” (FRAMED) Photography 24" x 36" inch Edition 1/7 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Emergence 1” (FRAMED) Photography 24" x 36" inch Edition 1/7 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA ...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
"Mother" Nude Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mother" Nude Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist N...
Photographic Paper
$3,000
“Tramp Stamp 1” (FRAMED) Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Tramp Stamp 1” (FRAMED) Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with ...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
"Mirrors" Nude Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mirrors" Nude Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist N...
Photographic Paper
$1,750
"Mirrors" Black & White Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mirrors" Black & White Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
$1,750
"Pygmalion and Galatea" Photography 31" x 31" in Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pygmalion and Galatea" Photography 31" x 31" in Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the a...
Photographic Paper
$321Sale Price|28% Off
Bon Fire Night (Body Terrain) - In Celebration of Pride Month
By Omer Ga'ash
Located in New Orleans, LA
Stone and Press Gallery is excited to offer several works in celebration of the LGBTQ community. This is number 1 from a limited edition of 12. London-based Photographer and Graphic designer Omer Ga'ash, graduated from Bezalel Academy...
C Print
$2,250
"Pygmalion and Galatea" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pygmalion and Galatea" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the a...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Black Cloud 2" Nude Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 3/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 2" Nude Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 3/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artis...
Photographic Paper
$2,250
"Black Cloud 3" Nude Photography 49" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 3" Nude Photography 49" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist...
Photographic Paper
"Ahead of me 2" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Ahead of me 2" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist Not...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Miss Rose" Black & White Photography 24" x 16" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Miss Rose" Black & White Photography 24" x 16" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the art...
Photographic Paper
$1,850
"Miss Rose" Black & White Photography 35.5" x 24" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Miss Rose" Black & White Photography 35.5" x 24" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
$2,250
"Duality" Black & White Nude Photography 49" x 39" in Ed. 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Duality" Black & White Nude Photography 49" x 39" in Ed. 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by t...
Photographic Paper
Vintage René Magritte press photograph
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Rare René Magritte press photograph published on the occasion of a 1990 Magritte exhibition held at the world famous Pace/Macgill gallery New York. Silver-gelatin print. 8x10 inches...
Silver Gelatin
$2,250
"I Love You Anna" Photography 47" x 31" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"I Love You Anna" Photography 47" x 31" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artis...
Photographic Paper
Surrealist Nude Photography: Limited Edition Signed C Print
By Omer Ga'ash
Located in New Orleans, LA
Stone and Press Gallery is excited to offer several works in celebration of the LGBTQ community. Formation is from a limited edition of 12. It is signed in pencil on back, Nude males are the falling leaves in this autumnal wonderland. A new book on the artist will be published in Spring. London-based Photographer and Graphic designer Omer Ga...
C Print
$1,750
"Aerial 3" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Aerial 3" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by t...
Photographic Paper
$1,750
"I Love You Anna" Photography 35.5" x 24" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"I Love You Anna" Photography 35.5" x 24" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist ...
Photographic Paper
“Tramp Stamp 2” Nude Photography 24" x 30" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Tramp Stamp 2” Nude Photography 24" x 30" inch Edition 1/12 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA s...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$1,175
"Black Cloud 2" Nude Photography 16" x 16" in Edition of 24 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 2" Nude Photography 16" x 16" in Edition of 24 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper
$2,250
"Gods at the Beach 2" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Gods at the Beach 2" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Wet Stone" Black & White Photography 29.5" x 24" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Wet Stone" Black & White Photography 29.5" x 24" in Ed. 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Not framed. Ships in a tu...
Photographic Paper
$1,400
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Three of Us" Nude Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist...
Photographic Paper
Prunella and Sylvie
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Helmut Newton (1920-2004) was one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, known for his unflinching, heavily eroticized images of women. Born in 1920 in Berlin, Newton’...
Polaroid
$1,350
"Black Cloud 3" Nude Photography 27.5" x 24" in Edition 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 3" Nude Photography 27.5" x 24" in Edition 2/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ar...
Photographic Paper
Nude Man Spouting in the Desert - Gay Interest- Born from Mother Earth
Located in Miami, FL
We are all born from Mother Earth. Mimicking a plant or tree, a muscular man standing on his head emerges upward from the desert ground with is legs spread out like branches. Seen f...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$1,850
"Six" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Six" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ...
Photographic Paper
"Jassara – Rue Aubriot, Paris, 1977" exhibition poster
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Helmut Newton (1920-2004) was one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, known for redefining the way women were portrayed in the fashion industry. Born in 1920 in Ber...
Lithograph, Offset
$1,850
"Black Cloud 3" Nude Photography 39" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 3" Nude Photography 39" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artis...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Mirror" Nude Photography 27.5" x 20" inch Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mirror" Nude Photography 27.5" x 20" inch Edition of 15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist ...
Photographic Paper
"Mother" Nude Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mother" Nude Photography 31" x 31" inch Edition of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist No...
Photographic Paper
"Mother" Nude Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mother" Nude Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist No...
Photographic Paper
Sexy Male Nude on Endless Road in New Mexico in a Quest for Meaning
Located in Miami, FL
A determined, lone, sexy nude male is about to sprint down an endless road in New Mexico and, in a quest for meaning, to meet his destiny. The image exudes a sense of primal instin...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
"Black Cloud 1" Nude Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 1" Nude Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist...
Photographic Paper
$2,250
"Black Cloud 2" Nude Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 2" Nude Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artis...
Photographic Paper
$1,800
"Black Cloud 2" Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 2" Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artis...
Photographic Paper
$2,350
"Aerial 2" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Aerial 2" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by ...
Photographic Paper
"Imprint" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Imprint" Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist Not frame...
Photographic Paper
$1,800
"Imprint" Black & White Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Imprint" Black & White Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Ed. 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Ahead of Me" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Ed 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Ahead of Me" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" in Ed 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the...
Photographic Paper
$2,500
“And His Dark Secret Love” (FRAMED) Photography 30x20 in Ed. of 5 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“And His Dark Secret Love” (FRAMED) Photography 30x20 in Ed. of 5 by Brian Ziff Signed and numbered by the artist “And His Dark Secret Love” (2016) Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Ca...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$1,850
"Black Cloud 1" Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 1" Nude Photography 31" x 31" in Edition 1/7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist...
Photographic Paper
$1,350
"Black Cloud 1" Nude Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Black Cloud 1" Nude Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper
$1,400
"Man 's World" Photography 27.5" x 20" inch Edition 2/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Man 's World" Photography 27.5" x 20" inch Edition 2/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist ...
Photographic Paper
Doubleend: framed abstract black & white photo collage w/ nude, clock, clouds
By Jenny Lynn
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
"Doubleend" is a black & white framed silver gelatin collage photograph in a surrealist style with images of nude, clock, clouds, and other abstract elements from artist Jenny Lynn's...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$2,350
"Mirrors" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Mirrors" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by ...
Photographic Paper