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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Artist Comments
Palm trees stretch upwards, their tall, slender trunks reaching upwards. Overhead, a yellow pedestrian crossing sign with a curved arrow injects a hint of urb...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Brightly colored brown eggs rest on top of a rustic safe, depicting them as treasures. It is a thought-provoking still-life that questions the price of food in ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Emil Morhardt paints a swooping hawk he observed circling the sky and then landing on a tall nearby tree. The bird inspects the many gopher holes nearby. Emil captures it just as it launches a successful attack—painting the plumage with fine detailed brushwork and intense colors against a pure white background. The piece embodies the essence of this powerful raptor.
About the Artist
Emil Morhardt is an acrylic painter from Santa Barbara, California who expresses his passion for birds through realistic acrylic paintings. He paints at home in a studio room that has large windows and a north-facing view of the mountains. He observes the animals from this window, watching roadrunners, foxes, bobcats, deer, and coyote run by. Surrounded by this wildlife, Emil paints bird portraits reminiscent of those by artist John James Audubon. He bases his paintings off hundreds of photographs he takes of birds in the wild and at wildlife recovery centers. Emil captures the freedom and inquisitiveness that birds display...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
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A rustic blue cottage, weathered by time, nestles among vibrant wildflowers. It was once the home of a widow who lost her loving h...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A wintry country road stretches into the distance, evoking a sense of serenity and isolation. Bare trees and snow-covered fields frame the scene. Tire tracks ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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A banjo rests on a sunlit step beside a glass of wine and a bouquet of flowers. A weathered wooden door and cracked wall behind it add rustic charm. Rich, class...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This oil painting captures the warmth of an evening sunset, casting a golden glow over a serene pond. The rich hues of the trees contrast with the vibrant ref...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A rustic barn stands covered in snow, its deep red walls contrasting with the icy blue landscape. The sky glows warmly. Inspired by a scene from the televisio...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
An abandoned house stands in solitude atop a mountain, its peeling paint and broken roof telling stories of time gone by. Wildflowers scatter around. Twisted ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A towering tree stretches toward the sky, its twisting branches creating a striking silhouette. The soft mist in the background contrasts sharply with the dar...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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Heavy downpours left a large puddle in a rural field. The rainwater reflects the bright sky above and the silhouettes of surrounding trees. Soft, diffused lig...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A sunlit outdoor scene features a spread of fresh produce on a wooden table, accompanied by a folded cloth draped over a chair. Layered glazing techniques and d...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A river scene unfolds with quiet vitality, alive with hidden movement. Frogs, bugs, fish, and tadpoles hide above and below the water's surface. Reeds and water...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A weathered country home seamlessly blends into its surroundings. Dry, golden grass adds warmth to the scene, contrasting the dark foliage and overcast sky. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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A large, prominent trunk stands tall in the foreground, its branches stretching outward against a faded, wintery background. Distant barren trees add depth to...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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A weathered farmhouse nestles at the bend of a country road, exuding rustic charm. Remnants of an orange snow fence create a vivid contrast against the dark, muted earth tones of the landscape. Intricate details and rich textures bring depth and realism...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Soft light illuminates a foggy bay as the sun rises over California's central coast. Gentle ripples in the water reflect the pastel sky, while anchored boats ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A rare sight of snow covers the iconic Big Sur coastline on an evening of beauty and calm. Twinkling stars and the moon punctuate the sky, creating a display ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Dawn's first rays bathe the Los Angeles skyline, casting a burnished glow over the iconic palm trees. Billowing clouds add a touch of softness to the scene. T...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The painting highlights the beautiful blue-violet tones often seen in snowy landscapes. Subtle pale gold on the horizon complements and adds warmth to the coo...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A plump green pear sits among scattered wine corks. The white background highlights the speckled skin of the fruit and the rustic appearance of the stoppers. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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A snow-covered mountain gleams as the sun hits its rocky form, offering a striking contrast to a shaded, deep forest at its base. The play of light and shadow...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
It's a peaceful morning, with the sun shining brightly and reflecting its warm light on the pebbles on the riverbed. The trees provide a comforting shade, cre...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Paper, Color
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Resin, Ink, Panel, Graphite, Mylar, Color Pencil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A pair of sandhill cranes stand on opposite sides, their intense eyes seemingly watching each other's backs. Their stoic stance accentuates as the pond they inhabit fades into the grayish rainy mist of California's Central Valley in early winter. Rendered with a loose, watercolor-like technique, the birds' portrayal carries an expressive touch.
About the Artist
Emil Morhardt is an acrylic painter from Santa Barbara, California who expresses his passion for birds through realistic acrylic paintings. He paints at home in a studio room that has large windows and a north-facing view of the mountains. He observes the animals from this window, watching roadrunners, foxes, bobcats, deer, and coyote run by. Surrounded by this wildlife, Emil paints bird portraits reminiscent of those by artist John James Audubon. He bases his paintings off hundreds of photographs he takes of birds in the wild and at wildlife recovery centers. Emil captures the freedom and inquisitiveness that birds display...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A yellow rubber duck carries a cupcake on its back. The dark blue and purple background enhances the warm tones of the subjects. The composition exudes both s...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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Early morning light glimmers across a winding winter creek, scattering pale blues and cool shadows between the intricate weave of bare branches. Water moves ben...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
In this quietly cinematic winter scene, artist Vic Roschkov captures the faded grace of an old farmhouse beneath drifting snow. Stark trees reach almost lifelik...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A soft winter hush settles over a quiet bend where a dark ribbon of water slips gently through snow-covered banks. Sparse reeds and delicate branches create a m...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
In a strange cave, a delicate rose unfolds its creamy white petals and reveals its peachy center. The flower faces a new branch with two buds, like a mother p...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Sunlight streams through a window, illuminating a simple domestic scene. An orange pot and a single purple-hued fig rest on a woode...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A Highland cow stands in a grassy field with a dramatic sunset in the background. The animal dominates the foreground, its long hair and large horns clearly vis...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
In this still-life watercolor, a cup of coffee sits perfectly centered on a rustic table. The morning brew evokes a sense of routine and comfort. The rich, da...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A golden rose peeks out between soft pink and lavender tulips, radiating bright energy in sunshine colors. The contrast between the warm and cool tones of the...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A cluster of green winter grapes hangs from a single stem, standing out against a stark black background. Each grape displays lif...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Shela Goodman paints a lone oak tree standing majestically in an open sunlit field. "It is a symbol of strength, endurance...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A lone red-tailed hawk floats between lofty palm trees and the moon. Wispy clouds drift across the sky, basking in the light from the setting sun. As the nigh...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Deep within a forest on the West Coast, golden winter light bathes the scene. Despite the chilliness of the season, the magnificence of the surroundings preva...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Olena Nabilsky draws inspiration from the vast expanse of open space to create a stunning depiction of a rocky valley in ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Oil, Panel
Artist Comments
A solitary glass of bourbon stands against the backdrop of muted hues. Bathed in soft, ambient light, its amber depths evoke a sense of warmth and tranquility...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The teapot's handle and spout mirror the stems of the plums. The interplay of the sturdy, metallic exterior of the container with the vibrant and soft flesh a...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A still life rendered in a realist tradition using watercolor. The bowls sit beside each other, with a curled purple ribbon bridging the gap between the rusti...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
The sun sets on the Grand Canyon, leaving a blanket of soft light over its ridges. It is a magical time as a mesmerizing array of colors fills the landscape. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two modern buildings, one raw sienna, and the other white, stand side by side against a deep blue sky. The daylight in the background contrasts with the struc...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Jesse Aldana presents a peaceful grassland with a well-trodden path leading inward. Inspired by two early morning spring hikes—the background comes f...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Elizabeth Garat paints a realistic vision of twilight in a dramatic skyscape. Clouds glazed in rich tones of plum, white, and deep orange dominate the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Inspired by the scenic landscapes of the State of Washington, this painting features a mountain of rocks at the edge of a lake. The vibrant contrast of orange...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
At the break of dawn, the Grand Canyon embraces yet another fleeting moment in its timeless existence. Its layers echo the majestic grandeur of this natural wonder. Artist Olena Nabilsky...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
1960s Realist More Art
Silver Gelatin
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Oil
