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.
Surrealist Pink Composition Lithograph, 1974, Unframed, Excellent
By Max Ernst
Located in Roma, IT
Pink Composition is an original artwork realized by Max Ernst in 1974. Original colored lithograph. Very Good conditions. Printed by Atelier Pierre Chave in Vence, France. This li...
Lithograph
Wide Window II, Surrealist Screenprint by John Hultberg
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: John Hultberg Title: Wide Window II Year: 1978 Medium: Screenprint, Signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200, 30 AP Image Size: 24 x 32.5 inches Paper Size: 26 in. x 35 in...
Screen
Invasion de l'espace - Original Lithograph by Man Ray - 1975
By Man Ray
Located in Roma, IT
Invasion de l'espace is an original print by the American artist and exponent of Dadaism Man Ray (Philadelphia 1890 - Paris 1976). This color lithograph on paper, was edited by the ...
Lithograph
Composition X Lithograph, Surrealist Style, 1974, Unframed, Excellent
Located in Roma, IT
Original lithograph X is a superb color lithograph on paper, realized in 1974 by Joan Miro for the second volume of his catalog " Mirò Lithograph". This plate is from a series compos...
Lithograph
Dark Lemur Etching, Surrealist Style, Signed, 1972, Unframed, 63x47 cm
By Leo Guida
Located in Roma, IT
Dark Lemur is an Etching realized by Leo Guida in 1972s. Good condition, Hand signed, dated with pencil. Artist sensitive to current issues, artistic movements and historical techn...
Etching
The Styx from Indelible Miro, Surrealist Offset Lithograph after Joan Miro
By Joan Miró
Located in Long Island City, NY
Joan Miro, After, Spanish (1893 - 1983) - The Styx from Indelible Miro, Year: 1972, Medium: Offset Lithograph, Size: 13.5 x 18.5 in. (34.29 x 46.99 cm), Frame Size: 20 x 25.5 inc...
Lithograph, Offset
Composition - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1974
Located in Roma, IT
Original Lithograph is a beautiful color lithograph on paper, realized in 1974 by Joan Miro for the second volume of his ”Mirò Lithographe III”, composed by an original lithograph fo...
Lithograph
Untitled - Lithograph by Marcello Avenali - Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled is a contemporary artwork realized by Marcello Avenali in the mid-20th Century. Mixed colored lithograph on paper. Includes frame: 38 x 3 x 43 cm Hand signed and numbered...
Lithograph
$316Sale Price|20% Off
Miro, Lucifer, 1975
By Joan Miró
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: After Joan Miro (1893-1983) Title: Lucifer Year: 1975 Medium: Lithograph exhibition poster on wove paper Size: 31.5 x 21 inches Condition: Excellent Notes: Published by Galer...
Lithograph
Emergence, Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Hank Laventhol
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hank Laventhol, American (1927 - 2001) - Emergence, Year: Circa 1980, Medium: Aquatint Etching, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 300, AP XXXV, Image Size: 26.5 x 17 inches...
Etching, Aquatint
Mirò Lithographe I - Plate IX - Lithograph - 1972
By Joan Miró
Located in Roma, IT
Miró Lithographe I - Plate IX is an original artwork realized by Joan Miró in 1972. Lithograph on paper; the hallmark of Graphis Arte, Livorno is on the back. Perfect conditions. This beautiful abstract print comes from the set of...
Lithograph
Surrealist Figurative Aquatint Etching California Modernist Sculptor Artist
By Jack Zajac
Located in Surfside, FL
Jack Zajac, American, born 1929 1964 Etching and aquatint hand printed on Fabriano paper, pencil signed and editioned. Edition Roman Numeral III Image: 12 9/16 x 8 5/8 in. (31.9 x 2...
Etching, Aquatint
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
André Masson, "Figures in Landscape, " hand signed lithograph in colors
By André Masson
Located in Chatsworth, CA
André Masson Figures in Landscape Lithograph in colors on Arches paper Hand signed in pencil, numbered 51/150
Lithograph
Signed surrealist lithograph by German artist Horst Antes, 1966- 68
By Horst Antes
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Horst Antes (German, 1936) Zwi Fusse (Two feet) Signed ‘Antes’ (lower right) and inscribed ‘profe’ (lower right) Executed in 1966 – 1968 Lithograph 22.3/4 x 28 in. (57.8 x 71.2 cm.) ...
Lithograph
Composition V - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1974
Located in Roma, IT
Original Lithograph V is a really beautiful color lithograph on paper, realized in 1974 by Joan Miro for his catalog "Mirò Lithographe". This artwork is from a series composed by an...
Lithograph
Bather, Surrealist Screenprint Poster after Joan Miro
By Joan Miró
Located in Long Island City, NY
Joan Miro, After, Spanish (1893 - 1983) - Bather, Medium: Screenprint Poster, Image Size: 21 x 30 inches, Size: 23 x 35 in. (58.42 x 88.9 cm)
Screen
Untitled - VII, Surrealist Lithograph by Wojtek Kowalczyk
Located in Long Island City, NY
Untitled - VII Wojtek Kowalczyk, Polish (1960) Date: 2005 Lithograph, signed in pencil Size: 19.5 in. x 13.5 in. (49.53 cm x 34.29 cm)
Lithograph
Frontispiece for Cahiers d'Art - Lithograph by J. Mirò - 1960
By Joan Miró
Located in Roma, IT
Cahiers d'Art is a splendid abstract artwork realized by Joan Miró in the 1960. Color lithograph. Not signed and not numbered. Good conditions except for some light foxings and so...
Lithograph
Les Chiens Ont Soif, Surrealist Color Etching by Max Ernst
By Max Ernst
Located in Long Island City, NY
Max Ernst, German (1891 - 1976) - Les Chiens Ont Soif, Portfolio: Les Chiens Ont Soif, Year: 1964, Medium: Color Etching, signed in pencil lower right, Edition: 165/320, Image Si...
Etching
Surrealist Carborundum Etching, Homage a Rodin
Located in Surfside, FL
This is from a portfolio Hommage A Rodin. It included a lithograph by Henry Moore, Ossip Zadkine, Berto Lardera, an etching by Robert Couturier and an etching...
Etching
Le Lézard aux Plumes d'Or - Lithograph by Joan Mirò - 1971
By Joan Miró
Located in Roma, IT
Image dimensions: 33.5 x 47.5 cm. Le Lézard aux Plumes d'Or is a beautiful color lithograph on tissue paper, realized in 1971 by the Spanish Surrealist artist, Joan Mirò (Montroing ...
Lithograph
Portrait 2, Surrealist Lithograph by Hans Graeder
By Hans Graeder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hans Graeder, German (1919 - 1998) - Portrait 2, Year: circa 1979, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 100, Size: 23 in. x 34 in. (58.42 cm x 86.36 cm)
Lithograph
Hieroglyphics, Surrealist Screenprint by Rita Simon
By Rita Simon
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rita Simon (aka Atirnomis), American (1938 - ) - Hieroglyphics, Year: 1979, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: AP 30, Image Size: 26 x 22 inches, Size: ...
Screen
Raspberry, Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Hank Laventhol
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hank Laventhol, American (1927 - 2001) - Raspberry, Year: circa 1980, Medium: Aquatint Etching, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 300, AP XXXV, Image Size: 24 x 16 inches, ...
Etching, Aquatint
Le Retour du Fils Prodigue I, Surrealist Lithograph, Signed, 1920s
Located in Roma, IT
From the Series “Métamorphoses”, one of the most important graphic works of the founder of the “Metafisica” Movement. Original colour etching numbered and signed by the artist, reali...
Lithograph
The Hippies The Sun
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: The Hippies The Sun MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISHER: Graphic Europa Anstalt, Switzerland EDITION NUMBER: XII/C MEASUREMENTS: 25" x 1...
Etching
$8,400Sale Price|20% Off
Prophétie de Dalínean (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Title: Prophétie de Dalínean (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13), Imaginations et Objets du Futur (Dalínean Prophecy, Imaginations and Objects ...
Mixed Media, Drypoint, Lithograph, Screen
Surrealist Composition 7 - Original Collotype after A. Masson - Mid-20th Century
By André Masson
Located in Roma, IT
Surrealist Composition 7 is an original collotype realized after André Masson in the mid-20th Century. The artwork is in good conditions, no signature, on a yellowed paper. André M...
Black and White
Surrealist Composition 4 - Original Collotype after André Masson - M20th century
By André Masson
Located in Roma, IT
Surrealist Composition 4 is an original collotype realized after André Masson. The artwork is in good conditions, no signature on a yellowed paper. André Masson (1896-1987) was a F...
Black and White
Miró Lithographe II - Plate IV - Lithograph by J. Mirò - 1975
By Joan Miró
Located in Roma, IT
"Miró Lithographe II - Plate IV" is an original lithograph realized by Joan Miró in 1975. Perfect conditions. It comes from the set of 11 lithographs realized for the catalogue "Mir...
Lithograph
Photogram II, Surrealist Etching with Embossing by Murray Tinkelman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Murray Tinkelman, American (1933 - ) - Photogram II, Year: 1969, Medium: Etching with embossing, signed, dated and numbered in pencil, Edition: 3/5, Image Size: 13.5 x 9 inches, ...
Etching
Les Chiens Ont Soif Cover, Surrealist Lithograph by Max Ernst
By Max Ernst
Located in Long Island City, NY
Max Ernst, German (1891 - 1976) - Les Chiens Ont Soif Cover, Portfolio: Les Chiens Ont Soif, Year: 1964, Medium: Lithograph, Edition: 165/320, Image Size: 17 x 22 inches, Size: ...
Lithograph
Andromède Etching, Surrealist Style, Signed, Edition of 50, 1960s
By André Masson
Located in Roma, IT
Hand Signed. Edition of 50 prints. Original Prints. Publisher : Paris, Galerie Louis Leiris Image Dimensions : 21 x 26 cm This artwork is shipp...
Etching
$5,220
"Musee De L'Athenee Ed. of 1000, " Original Color Lithograph Poster by Joan Miro
By Joan Miró
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Musee de L'Athenee" is an original color lithograph poster by Joan Miro. It is from an edition of 1000. It showcases Miro's surreal biomorphic marks and is an advertising poster for...
Lithograph
Personne Suite No. 6
Located in Columbia, MO
Dorothea Tanning (American, 1910–2012) Etching on paper Signed to lower margin Edition 10/10 Initially associated with the Surrealist movement, Dorothea Tanning developed a person...
Etching
Rencontre de Ruth et de Booz
By Marc Chagall
Located in Paris, FR
Original lithograph by Marc Chagall from The Bible of 1960 Rencontre de Ruth et de Booz Unsigned 35 x 26 cm Excellent condition
Lithograph
Abstract Composition
By Henri Goetz
Located in Roma, IT
This original black and white etching is hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered on the lower left. Edition of 50 prints. It's a very beautiful example of surrealist artwo...
Etching
$500
Andre Lanskoy Dada Lithograph Mourlot Calligraphic French Poetry Brut Abstract
Located in Surfside, FL
ANDRE LANSKOY (French / Russian 1902-1976) 1966 Original color lithograph on watermarked Arches paper The title sheet was hand signed in pencil on the justification page by the arti...
Lithograph
Triumph of the Surreal Moon - Handsigned Original Lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Roland CUCEJ (1958-) Triumph of the Surreal Moon Original lithograph with gold leaf embossing Handsigned in pencil On vellum 57 x 74 cm (c. 22.44 x 29.13 inch) Excellent condition
Lithograph
Les Chiens Ont Soif I, Surrealist Lithograph by Max Ernst
By Max Ernst
Located in Long Island City, NY
Max Ernst, German (1891 - 1976) - Les Chiens Ont Soif I, Portfolio: Les Chiens Ont Soif, Year: 1964, Medium: Lithograph, Edition: 165/320, Size: 17 x 24.5 in. (43.18 x 62.23 cm)...
Lithograph
Garden of Eden, Surrealist Screenprint by Rita Simon
By Rita Simon
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rita Simon (aka Atirnomis), American (1938 - ) - Garden of Eden, Year: 1979, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 300, Image Size: 32 x 23.5 inches, Size:...
Screen
Dame au Jules, Surrealist Etching by Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Andre Masson, French (1896 - 1987) - Dame au Jules, Year: 1968, Medium: Etching on Japon, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 6/50, Image Size: 10.5 x 8.25 inches, Size: 15 ...
Etching
Photogram, Surrealist Etching with Embossing by Murray Tinkelman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Murray Tinkelman, American (1933 - ) - Photogram, Year: 1969, Medium: Etching with embossing, signed, dated and numbered in pencil, Edition: 15, Image Size: 14 x 8 inches, Size: ...
Etching
Les Chiens Ont Soif III, Surrealist Lithograph by Max Ernst
By Max Ernst
Located in Long Island City, NY
Max Ernst, German (1891 - 1976) - Les Chiens Ont Soif III, Portfolio: Les Chiens Ont Soif, Year: 1964, Medium: Lithograph, Edition: 165/320, Size: 17 x 24.5 in. (43.18 x 62.23 c...
Lithograph
Potato, Surrealist Screenprint Poster after Joan Miro
By Joan Miró
Located in Long Island City, NY
Joan Miro, After, Spanish (1893 - 1983) - Potato, Medium: Screenprint Poster, Image Size: 24.5 x 21.25 inches, Size: 35 x 23 in. (88.9 x 58.42 cm)
Screen
Jeremiah Signed Limited Edition 1968 Art Etching
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Alistair Grant Jeremiah - 1968 Print - etching, with Aquatint 16'' x 24'' inches Edition: signed and numbered in pencil 17/50 Alistair Grant was a great and justly-revered experim...
Etching
$600Sale Price|20% Off
'Bird Dog' — Mid-century American Surrealism, Chicago Avant-garde
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Robert Vale Faro, 'Bird Dog', color lithograph with relief collagraph, 1946, edition 14. Signed, dated, titled, and numbered '123' (the artist's inventory number) and '12/14' in pen. A fine impression, with fresh colors, on heavy, cream, wove paper; the full sheet with margins(1 3/4 to 3 1/2 inches), in excellent condition. Scarce. Matted to museum standards, unframed. Image size 10 1/8 x 6 7/8 inches (257 x 174 mm); sheet size 17 x 11 7/16 inches (432 x 291 mm). A collagraph is a relief print made from a collage of various materials adhered to a metal, plastic, hardboard, or other type of ground plate. In this work, the artist appears to have combined a lithograph with a collagraph to achieve the intricately textured image. ABOUT THE ARTIST Robert Vale Faro (1902-1988) was a well-known modernist architect and artist associated with the Chicago Bauhaus. He received his degree in architecture and design from the Armour Institute in Chicago and worked at L'Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, from 1924-27, where he was influenced by Harry Kurt Bieg and Le Corbusier. Upon his return to Chicago, Faro worked with the important modernist Chicago architects George and William Keck under Louis Sullivan. Faro founded the avant-garde printmaking group Vanguard in 1945. The group counted Atelier 17 artists Stanley William Hayter, Sue Fuller, and Anne Ryan as New York members and Francine Felsenthal of Chicago. The Brooklyn Museum mounted a show of Vanguard artists' work in 1946, which subsequently toured several other institutions in the United States. Faro's visionary graphics from the 1940s are a sophisticated blend of Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism, and Indian Space...
Lithograph
'Hold that Tiger' — Mid-century American Surrealism, Chicago Avant-garde
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Robert Vale Faro, 'Hold that Tiger', color lithograph, 1945, edition 16. Signed, dated, titled, and numbered '91' and '15/16' in pen. A fine impression, with fresh colors, on heavy, coated, off-white wove paper; the full sheet with margins (13/16 to 1 1/2 inches), in excellent condition. Scarce. Matted to museum standards, unframed. Image size 14 x 9 3/8 inches (356 x 239 mm); sheet size 17 x 11 1/4 inches (432 x 285 mm). ABOUT THE ARTIST Robert Vale Faro (1902-1988) was a well-known modernist architect and artist associated with the Chicago Bauhaus. He received his degree in architecture and design from the Armour Institute in Chicago and worked at L'Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, from 1924-27, where he was influenced by Harry Kurt Bieg and Le Corbusier. Upon his return to Chicago, Faro worked with the important modernist Chicago architects George and William Keck under Louis Sullivan. Faro founded the avant-garde printmaking group Vanguard in 1945. The group counted Atelier 17 artists Stanley William Hayter, Sue Fuller, and Anne Ryan as New York members and Francine Felsenthal of Chicago. The Brooklyn Museum mounted a show of Vanguard artists' work in 1946, which subsequently toured several other institutions in the United States. Faro's visionary graphics from the 1940s are a sophisticated blend of Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism, and Indian Space...
Lithograph
Personne Suite No. 9
Located in Columbia, MO
Signed and numberef 10/10 recto. Dorothea Tanning (American, 1910–2012) Initially associated with the Surrealist movement, Dorothea Tanning developed a personal visual language that...
Etching
Hechizera Antiqua, Surrealist Lithograph by José Luis Cuevas
Located in Long Island City, NY
José Luis Cuevas, Mexican (1934 - 2017) - Hechizera Antiqua, Year: 1969, Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: X, Image Size: 21.5 x 21.5 inches, ...
Lithograph
Cahiers d'art Surrealist Composition 1 Pochoir Print, 1934, Unsigned
By Joan Miró
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Cahiers d'art, Surrealist Composition 1 Pochoir, 1934 Unsigned as issued in Cahier's edition Published in Cahier's d'art, 1934 Unsigned Edition of 1200 There was also a pencil signed...
Stencil
How to Make a Rainbow
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint with varnish and stencil. Artist's proof, aside from the edition of 125. Signed and inscribed "A.P." in pencil. Printed by Styria Stu...
Varnish, Color, Screen, Stencil
D.A.F. de Sade, Surrealist Color Etching by André Masson
By André Masson
Located in Long Island City, NY
André Masson, French (1896 -1987) - D.A.F. de Sade, Medium: Color Etching on laid paper, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 8/20, Image Size: 4.75 x 2.75 inches, Size: 8.5 x...
Etching
$8,500
La Une a L'h Pile (Head to Head), Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
An early large-scale work by Chilean artist Roberto Matta. In this black-and-white surrealist piece, various figures can be seen in various acts. Signed and numbered in pencil. This edition is not from the Arabic numbered edition of 40. La Une a L’h Pile (Head to...
Etching, Aquatint
Rusted Room, Screenprint by John Hultberg
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: John Hultberg Title: Rusted Room Year: circa 1978 Medium: Silkscreen, Signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200, AP 30 Image Size: 23.5 inches x 37 inches Paper S...
Screen
Personne Suite No. 8
Located in Columbia, MO
Signed and editioned 10/10 recto. Dorothea Tanning (American, 1910–2012) Initially associated with the Surrealist movement, Dorothea Tanning developed a personal visual language tha...
Etching
Shakespeare II Timon of Athens
Located in Hollywood, FL
ARTIST: Salvador Dali TITLE: Shakespeare II Timon of Athens MEDIUM: Etching SIGNED: Hand Signed PUBLISHER: Transworld Art/Loinel Praeger/Berggruen EDITION NUMBER: 155/250 MEAS...
Etching
Surrealist Pink Composition Lithograph, 1974, Unframed, Excellent
By Max Ernst
Located in Roma, IT
Color lithograph realized by Max Ernst in 1974. Not signed. as issued. Printed by Atelier Pierre Chave in Vence, France. Excellent condition. This lithograph was realized by th...
Lithograph
Surrealist Lithograph, 1974, Unframed, Excellent Condition
Located in Roma, IT
Original artwork realized by Jacques Hérold in 1974. Colored lithograph. Not signed, as issued. Printed by Mourlot , France. Excellent condition. This lithograph was realized b...
Lithograph
Personne Suite No. 3
Located in Columbia, MO
Dorothea Tanning (American, 1910–2012) Etching on paper Signed to lower margin Edition 10/10 Initially associated with the Surrealist movement, Dorothea Tanning developed a person...
Etching