Famous Surrealist Artists: Our Top 86

11of 86

Remedios Varo 1908–1963

Spanish-Mexican From Άνγκλεσ Para-Surrealism On Wikipedia in 19 of 32 languages

In the quiet corners of her studio, Remedios Varo worked with a meticulousness that mirrored the technical drawings of her father, a hydraulic engineer. Her upbringing in Anglès, Spain, provided a foundation of duality. She moved through the world with a curious eye, absorbing the landscapes of her frequent relocations and the formal training she received at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid.

12of 86

Λεονόρα Κάρρινγκτον 1917–2011

Βρετανο-Μεξικανή From Clayton-le-Woods Σουρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 22 of 32 languages

Born Mary Leonora Carrington in 1917 amidst the verdant landscapes of Clayton Woods, Lancashire, England, the artist who would become a pivotal figure in Surrealism was, from her earliest years, an individual set apart. Expulsions from two schools – including New Hall School in Chelmsford – signaled a rebellious streak, a refusal to be molded by conventional norms.

13of 86

Υβ Τανγκύ 1900–1955

Γαλλο-Αμερικανός From 8ο δημοτικό διαμέρισμα του Παρισιού Σουρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 26 of 32 languages

14of 86

Ντοροθέα Τάννινγκ 1910–2012

Αμερικανίδα From Γκέlesμπουργ Συρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 20 of 32 languages

15of 86

Λεονόρ Φίνι 1907–1996

Ιταλο-Αργεντινή From Μπουένος Άιρες Surrealισμός On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages

16of 86

Αντρέ Μασόν 1896–1987

Γάλλος From Μπαλανί-συρ-Τεραίν Σουρεαλισμός, Κυβισμός On Wikipedia in 21 of 32 languages

17of 86

Μερέτ Οπενχάιμ 1913–1985

Swiss-German From Βερολίνο Surrealism On Wikipedia in 18 of 32 languages

Family moved to Delémont, Switzerland, due to her father’s military service during World War I. Inspired by her aunt, Ruth Wenger, and her modern lifestyle.

18of 86

Γουίφρεδο Λάμ 1902–1982

Κουβανός From Σάγγα Λα Γκάρντα Σουρεαλισμός και Κυβισμός On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages

This multicultural upbringing instilled within him an appreciation for diverse artistic traditions and perspectives. Simultaneously, his mother’s ancestry – blending Spanish conquistadors and enslaved Africans – introduced him to the spiritual richness of Afro-Cuban culture.

19of 86

Βίκτορ Μπράουνερ 1903–1966

Ρουμανός-Γάλλος From Πιάτρα Νέαμτς Συρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 14 of 32 languages

K's Power of Concentration και το The Strange Case of Mr.

20of 86

Ρομπέρτο Μάττα 1911–2002

Χιλιανή From Σαντιάγκο ['Σουρεαλισμός', 'Αφηρημένος Εκφρασιονισμός'] On Wikipedia in 15 of 32 languages

21of 86

Φελίξ Νούσμπαουμ 1904–1944

Γερμανός Εβραίος From Οσναμπρύκ Νέα Αντικειμενικότητα On Wikipedia in 17 of 32 languages

22of 86

Ιωσήφ Κορνέλ 1903–1972

Αμερικανός From Νέα Υόρκη Συλλογές, Σουρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 14 of 32 languages

23of 86

Έρnst Φούξς 1930–2015

Αυστριακός From Βιέννη Σουρεαλισμός και Σχολή Βιεννών του Φανταστικού Πραγματισμού On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages

Ernst Fuchs (1930-2015) stands as one of the most distinctive voices in Austrian art history, a figure inextricably linked to the emergence of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism—a movement that irrevocably altered perceptions of artistic expression and challenged conventional notions of Surrealism. Early Influences: From Klimt and Schiele to Da Vinci and Munch. The Vienna School of Fantastic Realism: Technique and Vision.

24of 86

Πολ Ντελβό 1897–1994

Βέλγος From Ουί Σουρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 24 of 32 languages

He sought the guidance of established figures, studying under Constant Montald, Alfred Bastien, and Jean Delville. By the time he completed a significant body of work between 1920 and 1925, the transition from student to a distinct painter was well underway.

See them at For those seeking to encounter his visual language in its most concentrated form, the Paul Delvaux Museum in Saint-Idesbald, Belgium, remains the primary destination.

25of 86

Dora Maar 1907–1997

French From 6th arrondissement of Paris Surrealist Photography On Wikipedia in 22 of 32 languages

Dora Maar (Henriette Theodora Markovitch, 1907-1997) remains a captivating figure in the annals of 20th-century art – a photographer, painter, and intellectual whose life was inextricably intertwined with the turbulent currents of Surrealism, political activism, and the passionate intensity of her relationship with Pablo Picasso. Early Life and Artistic Beginnings: Born in Paris to a Croatian architect father and a French mother, Maar’s early years were spent in Buenos Aires.

26of 86

Έλσα Σιαπαρέλλι 1890–1973

Ιταλίδα From Ρώμη Surrealist μόδα

27of 86

Πάουλ Νάς 1889–1946

From Κένσινγκτον

28of 86

Λουίς Ρόινο born 1954

Ισπανός From Ολλανή Εικονογράφηση φαντασίας

29of 86

Τζούλιεν Λέβι 1906–1981

Αμερικανός From Νέα Υόρκη Συρεαλισμός, Αβανγκάρντ

Julien Levy, ένας διακεκριμένος επιχειρηματίας στον χώρο της τέχνης και ιδιοκτήτης της Julien Levy Gallery στο Νέο Υόρκ, γεννήθηκε στις 22 Ιανουαρίου 1906. Σπούδασε διοίκηση μουσείων στο Πανεπιστήμιο Harvard υπό την καθοδήγηση του Paul J. Weyhe Gallery. ανακαλύψτε περισσότερα για τη ζωή και το έργο του Julien Levy στο AllPaintingsStore.

30of 86

Τζίμ Γουάρεν born 1949

Αμερικανός From Λονγκ Μπιτς Συρεαλιστική φαντασία

31of 86

Μάικλ Πάρκες born 1944

From Σικόστον

32of 86

Maurice Tabard 1897–1984

French From Lyon Surrealism

Maurice Tabard, born in Lyon, France on July 12, 1897, emerged as a significant figure within the burgeoning Surrealist movement, though his path to artistic recognition was uniquely shaped by a blend of familial influence and transatlantic experience. A pivotal moment arrived in 1914 when his father’s business necessitated a relocation to New York City, an event that irrevocably altered Tabard’s artistic trajectory.

33of 86

George Wallace Jardine 1920–2002

British Surrealism

George Wallace Jardine (1920–2002) remains a singular figure in British surrealism, celebrated for his evocative depictions of the Scottish Highlands and his masterful manipulation of printmaking techniques. Born in Glasgow, Jardine’s artistic journey began with formative years spent studying at Wallasey School of Art and furthering his education at the Royal College of Art under luminaries like Paul Nash and Stanley Spencer.

34of 86

Γράχαμ Σούρθεντς 1903–1980

Βρετανός From Στρήθαμ Σουρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 13 of 32 languages

35of 86

Claude Cahun 1894–1954

French From Nantes Surrealism

Claude Cahun (Lucy Renée Mathilde Schwob), born Nantes, France in 1894, was a singular figure in the surrealist movement and beyond—a photographer, sculptor, writer, and performer who relentlessly interrogated notions of identity and gender. Cahun adopted the pseudonym ‘claude cahun’ in 1914, a deliberate act of defiance that signaled her commitment to exploring fluid boundaries between male and female experience.

36of 86

Αλέξανδρος Άκσυνιν 1949–1985

Ukrainian From Λεβίβα Soviet art, Printmaking

Oleksandr Aksinin emerged as a prominent figure within the Soviet art scene, born in Lviv, Ukraine, in 1949. He swiftly embraced etching, a printmaking technique that transcended mere craftsmanship and became inextricably linked with his artistic identity, securing him the moniker ‘Dürer of Lviv,’ a recognition of unparalleled technical prowess and visionary artistry.

37of 86

Οκτάβιο Οκάμπο born 1943

From Σελάγια On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages

38of 86

Frederick Sommer 1905–1999

American Photography, Surrealism

Frederick Sommer (1905 – 1999) stands as a singular figure in American photography and visual art, recognized for his hauntingly beautiful desert landscapes and his pioneering exploration of photographic techniques.

39of 86

Saul Steinberg 1914–1999

Romanian-American From Râmnicu Sărat Modernist Cartooning On Wikipedia in 17 of 32 languages

His journey began in Râmnicu Sărat, Romania, born into a family of Russian Jewish descent, and was shaped by a life defined by movement, displacement, and an ever-watchful eye for the absurdities of modern existence. After initial studies in Bucharest, Steinberg moved to Milan in 1933 to study at the Polytechnic University, graduating with honors in 1940.

40of 86

Λουίζι Σεραφίνι born 1949

Ιταλός From Ρώμη Φουτουριστική Τέχνη

41of 86

Όσκαρ Ντομίνγκεζ 1906–1957

Ισπανός From Σαν Κριστόμπαλ ντε Λα Λαγούνα Σουρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 10 of 32 languages

42of 86

Χανς Μπέλμερ 1902–1975

German From Κατοβίτσε Surrealism, Photography On Wikipedia in 15 of 32 languages

Born in Katowice, Poland – then part of the German Empire – Bellmer’s artistic journey was shaped by personal trauma, political upheaval, and an increasingly acute awareness of the manipulation inherent within mass culture. However, a pivotal moment arrived in 1926 when he abandoned this career path, declaring an intention not to produce work that could serve the burgeoning fascist regime of Nazi Germany.

43of 86

Μίκαελ Σόουα born 1945

From Μόναχο

Carlos Museum και του Michaelskirche στο Μόναχο, αποδεικνύοντας τη δέσμευσή του να μοιραστεί το όραμά του με ένα ευρύτερο κοινό. Παρουσία στα Μουσεία: Οι εκθέσεις στο Michael C.

44of 86

Γιέκας Γερκά born 1952

Πολωνός From Τορύν Σουρεαλισμός

45of 86

Angus Rowland Mcbean 1904–1990

From Monmouth, New Jersey

McBean’s initial artistic pursuits lay in the realm of theatrical design. He began his career crafting masks and scenery, developing a keen eye for visual storytelling and dramatic presentation.

46of 86

Wolfgang Paalen 1905–1959

Austrian-Mexican From Vienna Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages

Wolfgang Paalen, born in Vienna in 1905 into a family steeped in both wealth and intellectual curiosity, embarked on an artistic journey that would defy easy categorization.

47of 86

Clarence John Laughlin 1905–1985

American Surrealist photography

Clarence John Laughlin (1905 – 1985) wasn’t merely a photographer; he was an architect of atmosphere, a conjurer of forgotten landscapes and spectral narratives. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, into a family grappling with the sudden loss of their rice-growing fortune, Laughlin's early life instilled within him a profound sense of melancholy and a deep connection to the evocative spirit of the American South.

48of 86

Βίλχελμ Φρέντι 1909–1995

Danish From Copenhagen Abstract art, realistic surrealism On Wikipedia in 12 of 32 languages

The formative years of Wilhelm Freddie’s career were defined by a rigorous technical foundation in Copenhagen.

See them at The physical presence of Freddie's work remains scattered across several major international institutions, reflecting the reach of his once-controversial imagery.

49of 86

Manuel Álvarez Bravo 1902–2002

Mexican Surrealist photography; Mexican muralism

Manuel Álvarez Bravo stands as Mexico’s inaugural principal artistic photographer and remains the cornerstone of twentieth-century Latin American visual culture. Born in Mexico City on February 4, 1902, his creative journey began amidst a formative backdrop—the historic center of Mexico City nestled behind the cathedral, populated by former colonial buildings transformed into residences for the city’s burgeoning middle class.

50of 86

Sergei Parajanov 1924–1990

Armenian, Ukrainian From Tbilisi Surrealism, Folklore

His parents, Iosif Paradjanov and Siranush Bejanova, were both artists – his father a painter, his mother a sculptor – fostering an environment where art was not merely a profession but a way of life.

51of 86

Eileen Agar 1899–1991

Argentine-British From Μπουένος Άιρες Surrealism On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages

Eileen Forrester Agar, born in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires in 1899 to a Scottish father and American mother, was an artist whose life and work embodied a fascinating interplay of cultures and artistic movements. Agar’s formal training began at Heathfield St Mary's School, followed by studies at the Byam Shaw School of Art in 1919 and later, the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art from 1925 to 1926.

52of 86

Τζορτζ Κόντο born 1957

From Κόνκορντ On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages

53of 86

Μάριο Σεσαρίνι Ντε Βασκόνσελος 1923–2006

Πορτογάλος From Λισαβόνα Συρεαλισμός, Ποίηση

National Theatre and Dance Museum. Εθνικό Θέατρο και Μουσείο Χορού, Λισαβόνα, Πορτογαλία. Rede Portuguesa de Arte Contemporânea a Norte, Πόρτο, Πορτογαλία.

54of 86

Piroska Szanto 1913–1998

Hungarian From Kiskunfélegyháza Surrealism

Szanto’s early life was marked by a keen sensitivity to social issues, leading her initially towards applied arts before gravitating to the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts in 1932. Joining the Socialist Group of Artists in 1934 signaled her early engagement with politically charged themes, but it was her move to Szentendre in 1937 that proved pivotal.

55of 86

Artur Cruzeiro Seixas 1920–2020

From Amadora 1920s Art Deco

His time in Angola, beginning in 1951, proved particularly significant; he worked at the Luanda Museum while simultaneously developing his poetic production. Early exhibitions during this time sparked considerable debate, demonstrating Seixas’s willingness to challenge expectations and provoke thought through unconventional imagery and object-based works.

56of 86

Πάβελ Τσελίτσεβ 1898–1957

Russian-born From Ντουβρόβκα Surrealism, Neo-Romanticism On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages

Pavel Tchelitchew (1898-1957) was a Russian-born surrealist painter, set designer, and costume designer whose work captivated with its blend of fantastical realism, geometric abstraction, and deeply personal symbolism. Following the upheaval of the Russian Revolution, Tchelitchew’s family fled to Kiev, where he began formal training under Aleksandra Ekster, an influential figure in the avant-garde movement.

57of 86

Marcelo Grassmann 1925–2013

Brazilian From Sao Joao do Rio Preto Engraving and draughtsmanship

Transitioned from wood engraving to metal engraving in the 1950s, marking a significant shift in his artistic practice. These influences shaped his early style and thematic concerns.

58of 86

Μαρία Ισκιέρδο Ροδρίγκεθ 1902–1955

Μεξικανή From Σαν Χουάν ντε λος Λάγκος Συρεαλισμός, Λαϊκή Τέχνη On Wikipedia in 11 of 32 languages

59of 86

Kay Sage 1898–1963

American From Watervliet Surrealism On Wikipedia in 11 of 32 languages

Katherine Linn Sage, known to the art world as Kay Sage, emerged as a distinctive voice within the Surrealist movement, yet her journey was one often overshadowed – first by societal expectations and later by the prominence of her husband, Yves Tanguy. Born in 1898 into a prosperous family in Albany, New York, Sage’s early life was marked by a sense of displacement.

60of 86

Σουλ Σόλαρ 1887–1963

Αργεντινός From Σαν Φερνάνδο Αβανγκάρντ, Συρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages

61of 86

Richard Oelze 1900–1980

German From Magdeburg Surrealism On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages

Born in Magdeburg, Germany, Richard Oelze began his artistic journey at the School of Decorative Arts in Magdeburg. Between 1914 and 1918, he trained as a lithographer, while also attending evening classes to learn nude drawing under teachers such as Richard Winckel and Kurt Tuch. Oelze's travels took him through several European cities, including Dresden, Ascona in Switzerland, Berlin, and Paris.

62of 86

Ηέδα Στερν” 1910–2011

Ρουμανία-Αμερικανική From Βουκουρέστι Αντιεκφραστισμός και σουρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 8 of 32 languages

63of 86

Pierre Roy 1880–1950

French From Nantes Surrealist On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages

Born in 1880, Pierre Roy was a French surrealist painter. In 1905, he committed himself to painting, beginning his exhibition history in 1906 at the Salon of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts (SNBA). Roy's career saw him exhibiting with the Société des Artistes Indépendants in 1907, 1908, 1913, and 1914.

64of 86

Ithell Colquhoun 1906–1988

British From Shillong Surrealism, Occult art On Wikipedia in 6 of 32 languages

Born in the distant landscapes of Shillong, Assam, British India, in 1906, Margaret Ithell Colquhoun embarked on a life that would defy easy categorization. Her formal training continued at the Cheltenham School of Arts and Crafts, followed by a pivotal period at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art in London (1927-1930), where she studied under Henry Tonks and Randolph Schwabe.

65of 86

Φραντσίσκο Τόλεδο 1940–2019

Μεξικανός From Πόλη του Μεξικού Σουρεαλισμός και Παράδοση On Wikipedia in 10 of 32 languages

66of 86

Μάργκριτ Άννα 1913–1991

Ουγγρικότητα From Borota Εκφραστισμός, Υπερρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 8 of 32 languages

67of 86

Jacqueline Lamba 1910–1993

French From Saint-Mandé Surrealism On Wikipedia in 6 of 32 languages

Born in the quiet French suburb of Saint-Mandé, Jacqueline Lamba’s early life was a tapestry woven with threads of profound tragedy. Her childhood excursions to the Louvre, accompanied by her sister, planted the seeds of a lifelong devotion to visual splendor.

68of 86

Vlady 1920–2005

Modern Art

Born in 1950, though specific details regarding his early life are intentionally scarce, Vlady’s artistic journey began with a profound fascination for the human condition and an exploration of inner emotional landscapes. The influence of classical masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer is palpable – particularly in Vlady's masterful use of light and shadow to create dramatic effect and evoke a sense of intimacy.

69of 86

Caleb Lewis

Australian

Born on 16 April 1978, Caleb Lewis grew up within the orbit of a father whose profession was as demanding as it was physically isolating. His formal path into the dramatic arts began at the Flinders University Drama Centre.

70of 86

Raquel Forner 1902–1988

Argentine From Buenos Aires Expressionism, Surrealism On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages

Raquel Forner (1902–1988) stands as a monumental figure in the landscape of Latin American modernism, an artist whose brushstrokes did not merely capture light, but rather channeled the profound tremors of a century defined by upheaval. Born in Buenos Aires to a family of Basque heritage, Forner’s artistic consciousness was ignited at the tender age of thirteen during a transformative journey to Spain.

71of 86

Λούμπo Κρίστεκ born 1943

From Μπρνο On Wikipedia in 6 of 32 languages

72of 86

Τζέιμς Γκλισον 1915–2008

Αυστραλιανός From Αυστραλία Συρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 4 of 32 languages

73of 86

Ιούλιος Τρέβελυαν 1910–1988

Βρετανός From Ντόρκινγκ Σουρεαλισμός και Γλυπτική On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages

74of 86

Jeffrey Smart 1921–2013

Australian From Adelaide Precisionism On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages

Frank Jeffrey Edson Smart, known universally as Jeffrey Smart, emerged onto the Australian art scene from a childhood steeped in both encouragement and constraint.

75of 86

Conroy Maddox 1912–2005

English From Ledbury Surrealism On Wikipedia in 4 of 32 languages

Conroy Maddox, born in the quiet Herefordshire town of Ledbury in 1912, was a figure destined to disrupt artistic conventions. He delved into the works of Max Ernst, Óscar Domínguez, and Salvador Dalí, not as objects of imitation but as catalysts for his own unique vision. Maddox quickly became a central figure in the burgeoning Birmingham Surrealist movement, alongside John and Robert Melville.

76of 86

Τρίστραμ Πολ Χίλλιερ 1905–1983

English From Πεκίνο Surrealist On Wikipedia in 2 of 32 languages

After receiving an education at Downside School and studying at Christ's College, Cambridge, Hillier sought the true essence of modern art in Paris. It was there, amidst the vibrant energy of the French capital, that he immersed himself in the study of masters like André Lhote and encountered the burgeoning Surrealist movement, finding inspiration in the dreamlike works of Giorgio de Chirico and Max Ernst.

77of 86

Γιόργκ Ρόμαν 1903–1981

Ουγγρός From Ρώμη Συρεαλισμός On Wikipedia in 1 of 32 languages

78of 86

Jorge Castillo born 1933

Spanish From Pontevedra Abstract Expressionist On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages

Born in Galicia, Spain, in 1933, his early life was shaped by an emigration to Argentina at just one year old, a move that would indelibly influence his artistic perspective – blending European sensibilities with the vibrant energy of Latin American culture.

79of 86

Ivan Eyre 1935–2022

Canadian From Saskatchewan Abstract Figurative, Prairie Landscape On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages

Eyre's formal training began in Saskatoon with lessons from Ernest Lindner, followed by studies at the University of Saskatchewan and later, the University of Manitoba, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1957.

80of 86

Κέρι Ρίτσαρντς 1903–1971

Ουαλός From Ντάνβαρτ Συρεαλισμός, Εκφρασιονισμός On Wikipedia in 2 of 32 languages

81of 86

Eldzier Cortor 1916–2015

American From Richmond Surrealism, Realism On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages

Cortor’s early education at Englewood High School in Chicago brought him into contact with fellow artists like Charles Wilbert White and Margaret Burroughs, fostering a creative community that would nurture his developing talent. He continued his studies at the Art Institute of Chicago, graduating in 1936, where he absorbed European artistic traditions but found himself profoundly moved by an encounter with African sculptures at the Field Museum.

82of 86

Linder Sterling born 1954

British On Wikipedia in 4 of 32 languages

Her work has been featured in group exhibitions at the Tate Modern, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. In 2017, she was honored with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award. Her performance art has included works such as The Ultimate Form, a collaboration with choreographer Kenneth Tindall, and Children of the Stain.

83of 86

Juan Barjola 1919–2004

Spanish From Torre de Miguel Sesmero New Figuration On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages

Juan Barjola (1919-2004) was a Spanish artist whose work defies easy categorization, existing at the fascinating intersection of Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and deeply personal symbolism. Born in Barcelona, a city brimming with artistic ferment, Barjola’s journey wasn't one of immediate recognition but rather a slow, deliberate unfolding of a unique visual language.

84of 86

Emilio Tadini 1927–2002

Spanish From Milan Catalan Modernisme On Wikipedia in 1 of 32 languages

Emilio Tadini was far more than a painter; he was a profound architect of meaning within the Italian cultural landscape. Born in Milan in 1927, his journey began not with a brush, but with the written word. A poet, novelist, and essayist, Tadini first emerged onto the prestigious literary stage in 1947 through Elio Vittorini's magazine, Politecnico.

85of 86

Λεάνδρε Κριστόφολ Ι Περαλμπα 1908–1998

Catalan From Όλεσα ντε Μπαλαγκέρ Surrealism, Non-figurative On Wikipedia in 1 of 32 languages

86of 86

Ellen Lanyon 1926–2013

From Chicago World Goes Pop On Wikipedia in 1 of 32 languages

Ellen Lanyon’s paintings are portals, inviting viewers into a realm where the familiar tilts on its axis and the subconscious takes visible form. But it was a childhood visit to the “Midget Village” at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, an undeniably surreal spectacle, that left a deeper, more lasting impression, seeding within her imagination a fascination with the uncanny and the disquieting juxtaposition of realities.