Realist More Art
Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world.
Work that involves illusionistic techniques of realism dates back to the classical world, such as the deceptive trompe l’oeil used since ancient Greece. Art like this became especially popular in the 17th century when Dutch artists like Evert Collier painted objects that appeared real enough to touch. Realism as an artistic movement, however, usually refers to 19th-century French realist artists such as Honoré Daumier exploring social and political issues in biting lithographic prints, while the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painting people — particularly the working class — with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history.
By the turn of the 20th century, European artists, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, were experimenting with nearly photographic realism in their work, as seen in the attention to every botanical attribute of the flowers surrounding the drowned Ophelia painted by English artist John Everett Millais.
Although abstraction was the guiding style of 20th-century art, the realism trend in American modern art endured in Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and other artists’ depictions of the complexities of the human experience. In the late 1960s, Photorealism emerged with artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes giving their paintings the precision of a frame of film.
Contemporary artists such as Jordan Casteel, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Aliza Nisenbaum are now using the unvarnished realist approach for honest representations of people and their worlds. Alongside traditional mediums, technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive installations are helping artists create new sensations of realism in art.
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This oil painting captures the quiet beauty of a Florida marsh. Palm trees and billowing clouds add depth and balance to the composition. Artist Kent Sullivan u...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
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A pale winter road winds through a hush of trees, their bare branches reaching into soft, silvery air. The world holds its breath, and only the faint promise of...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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Complementary colors take center stage in this still life. Purple plums rest in a yellow bowl, creating an immediate impact of bright hues. Above, a brightly ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
The vibrant colors in this piece highlight a dynamic interplay of orange and green hues, evoking freshness and vitality. It captures the essence of abundance ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Photographic Paper
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A quiet river winds through a grove of trees. The warm glow at the horizon in mid-October creates a dreamlike mist and softens the scene.Artist Candice Eisenfel...
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Acrylic
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Sunset reveals the vast grandeur of the Grand Canyon. The rugged cliffs glow with deep amber and violet hues beneath a sky brushed with luminous pastel clouds. ...
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Oil
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Inspired by a twilight he witnessed, artist Jose Luis Bermudez captures the setting sun on a natural landscape. Bathed in su...
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Oil
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A squash and a chocolate-covered maraschino cherry rest on a green table. Split open, they reveal rich colors and textures in their cores. In this still life, a...
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Watercolor
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At sunset, the sky shifts from blue to purple and pink. The sea subtly reflects the ethereal colors from above, adding glimmer to its surface. The soft clouds...
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Oil
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A narrow, half-frozen stream winds through a snow-covered field, reflecting the soft light of a pale winter sky. Bare trees frame the scene and lead the gaze in...
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Watercolor
Early 20th Century Realist More Art
Gouache
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Lush green palms border a lake, creating a serene afternoon scene. Lavender shades blend with coral and pink clouds, reflecting the warm glow of the setting sun...
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Oil
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A ripe white peach with dried leaves rests on a wooden surface. Its pinkish-red and yellow skin contrasts with the dark background. Artist Art Tatin used Flem...
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Oil
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A lone palm tree sways gently against the backdrop of a bright blue sky, with the ocean below reflecting the billowing white clouds. During a trip to the Domi...
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Oil
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Artist Jesse Aldana presents a skyscape from a ground-level angle in realistic detail. White clouds, flattened in their haste, race across the sky. It leaves ...
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Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Oil, Canvas
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Barns stand as a sanctuary for many farms across America. In this painting, a lit lantern in a high window of the structure acts as a guiding light under the ...
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Watercolor
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A bright blue sky stretches over a scalloped coastline. Safe in the rookery below the cliffs, elephant seals bask in the sun, their voices blending with the c...
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Oil
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The sea exudes an atmosphere of comfort and peace at sunset. The water mirrors the glorious colors of the sky, creating a captivating display of light. The re...
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Oil
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As the sun rises, the world undergoes a magical transformation. The sky turns vivid and saturated, lending its breathtaking colors to the water below. Smooth ...
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Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Silver
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Photographic Paper
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The sun pierces through the morning mist, casting a warm, golden glow on the fields and meandering stream below. The aerial view captures the scale, depth, and ...
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Oil
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Artist Mandy Main presents an expansive, glowing landscape with an accentuated perspective that pulls the eye deep into the distance. "The impressive momentum...
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Oil
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Sweeping, layered clouds fill the sky, creating a dramatic contrast between light and shadow. Gentle waves with soft white foam at their crest roll towards the ...
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Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Oil, Canvas
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"This work is a representation of the unadorned beauty of nature," shares artist Jose Luis Bermudez. The clear blue sky stre...
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Oil
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Three juicy cherries line up on a table, with the light enhancing their luminous and vibrant color. The sharp and detailed rendition of the fruit imparts a re...
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Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
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Capturing the timeless majesty of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, this painting conveys the rugged beauty of the Oregon coastline. The structure stands as a steadf...
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Oil
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The lake is still, and the air is crisp on an early spring morning. The emerald hues of the water at Sand Harbor in Lake Tahoe reveal its crystal clear quality....
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Oil
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This still-life arrangement of Granny Smith apples resembles a family portrait. Thoughtfully composed to guide the eye, the grouping of fruit evokes the warmt...
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Watercolor
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A blood moon glows softly against a brilliant night sky. A row of palm trees in the foreground reaches upward. Pale clouds drift and billow, adding a sense of c...
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Oil
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Nestled amidst the vibrant foliage, Jackson Creek emerges as the centerpiece of artist Kent Sullivan's realistic piece. The flowing water possesses an idyllic allure amidst the lush landscape, reflecting the verdant bounty that thrives along its banks. The meeting of land and water echoes the harmonious balance co-existing within this ecologically diverse region. The work serves as a poetic reminder of the profound beauty lying within reach and demanding our respect. With every delicate brushstroke, Kent invites us to reflect on the value of nature's magnificence and our shared responsibility to protect and cherish these invaluable treasures.
About the Artist
There are more places Kent Sullivan would like to paint than he ever will be able. Employing many of the Hudson River School methods in his landscapes, Kent captures the ephemeral interactions of clouds, sun and earth with his delicate use of color and gesture. His work is published in two prominent books: "Art of the National Parks" and "Picturing Florida." He has lectured at museums and been sought after by many large corporations. “Several years ago I had the incredible fortune of being part of the NASA art program. Five paintings are now part of the Smithsonian Collection. At one gathering at the Kennedy Space Center...
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Oil
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A serene woodland bathes in dappled sunlight. Tall trees cast shadows across a winding road and the grass, while streaks of light add a sense of peace to the sc...
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Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Late 19th Century Realist More Art
Oil, Board
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Linen, Acrylic
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Artist Jay Jense depicts an iris patch in his backyard. It portrays a moment of a humid spring evening, capturing a vivid memory of seeing the blooms in the lig...
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Watercolor
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Mist lingers over the distant ocean, softening the horizon and capturing the mystic beauty of Monhegan Island in the early morning. Waves and currents weave thr...
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Oil
Artist Comments
A sweeping landscape where rugged mesas rise beneath a vast, glowing sky. Layers of deep indigo and violet mountains fade into the distance, while golden and ...
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Oil
Artist Comments
A fallen tree stretches along a tranquil, icy riverbank, its gnarled branches reaching toward the pale winter sky. Patches of snow cling to the rugged bark, c...
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Watercolor
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A quiet expanse stretches beneath a pale sky, where the lake and horizon merge in muted, cool tones. This winter landscape speaks of stillness, endurance, and t...
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Watercolor
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A tranquil winter scene unfolds in this watercolor, where a partially frozen river winds through a quiet, snow-covered forest. Tall trees frame the foreground, ...
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Watercolor
1860s Realist More Art
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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Artist Dwight Smith depicts a modern interpretation of a strawberry plant. Ready for harvest, the fruit grows from the silverware that represents vines. This wa...
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Watercolor
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An adorable black-and-white cat gazes forward with its green eyes, exuding curiosity. Soft, blended brushstrokes capture its smooth fur. Artist Catherine McCarg...
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Watercolor
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An arrangement of baking essentials rests on a wooden table, illuminated by the interplay of light and shadow, which highlights the diverse shapes and texture...
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Watercolor
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Golden light from the setting sun glows softly on one side of the woods, while the foreground rests in cool shadow. Autumn colors peek through the trees. A wind...
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Oil
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A weathered can rests beside a Bible atop a wooden stool. Golden wheat stalks rise from a small tin cup, adding a touch of nature and warmth to the scene. The a...
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Watercolor
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The warm rays of the summer sun illuminate a rock formation in the Grand Canyon. Through light and shadow, the landscape reveals its beautiful contours, sculp...
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Oil
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A lone cabin rests beside still waters, surrounded by a peaceful winter landscape. The warm colors of the setting sun contrast with the crisp snow, marking th...
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Acrylic
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Artist John Jaster shares a relaxing summer scene of blue skies over a turquoise sea lapping onto a white sandy beach. Two empty red chairs await to be filled...
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Acrylic
Artist Comments
A white farmhouse sits quietly beneath a gray sky, its brick chimneys contrasting against the muted backdrop. A red tractor rests in the golden field. Artist ...
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Watercolor
Mid-20th Century Realist More Art
Oil
