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Realist Figurative Paintings

REALIST STYLE

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.

​​Find authentic realist paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Realist
"Queen s Departure, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Colin Poole's "Queen's Departure" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a dark haired feminine figure in a beaded headdress with clouds swirling in the background.
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Your Choice, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Samantha Buller's (US based) "Your Choice" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts one opened and two unopened green tea bags on a pink background. Bio/artist statement...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Far Off Places, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Colin Poole's "Far Off Places" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a red headed feminine figure with clouds swirling in the background.
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Sacred Heart, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Aixa Oliveras' (US based) "Sacred Heart" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a model's hands delicately holding pink flowers above her hea...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"The Light Within, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Aixa Oliveras' (US based) "The Light Within" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a model's hands curling around the petals of red and pink...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Remnants - Serene Oil Landscape of Rural Barns in Winter Light, 2017
Located in Denver, CO
Dave Santillanes' "Remnants" (2017) is a masterfully rendered oil painting that captures the quiet beauty of a rural landscape transitioning between seasons. Measuring 24 x 40 inches...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Street of Shadows - Finding the Light
Located in Denver, CO
"Street of Shadows," is an original oil painting on 5 acrylic panels by Michelle Jader. It is framed and ready-to-hang.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Feed, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Samantha Buller's (US based) "Feed" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a stack of yellow hay bales. Bio/artist statement: Samantha Buller currently lives in Sonoma...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Enkulette, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Che Leviathan (US based) "Enkulette" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a white horse, with thick white mane, looking behind and over its...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Caligo Vespera" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Kierstin Young's (US based) "Sol" is an oil painting that depicts a grouping of barren trees surrounded with fog and ambiguous light Artist Statement/Bio: (b. The Year of the Rabbit...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Fear of Pointed Objects (Aichmophobia)
Located in Dallas, TX
Vera Barnett has taken on a range of themes in her works, producing series of paintings inspired by phobias (as in this painting), famous artworks, and the written word. Barnett’s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

"Love and Grief" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Shelli Langdale's "Love and Grief" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a yellow dandelion and blue cloud-like shapes. Artist Bio: Shelli Langdale is an oil painter living and painting in Chattanooga, TN. U.S.A. She has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Irresolute" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Shelli Langdale's "Irresolute" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the back of feminine figure looking at a painted self portrait contemplatively. Artist Bio: Shelli Langdale is an oil painter living and painting in Chattanooga, TN. U.S.A. She has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Theatrical or Satirical Scene"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Unidentified Artist, 18th Century – Theatrical or Satirical Scene Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 80 x 116 cm (unframed), 82 x 119 cm (framed) Provenance: Private collection No s...
Category

18th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Untitled" (2015), Original Female Portrait, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Shana Levenson's "Untitled" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a close up portrait of a female model. This painting measures at 20 x 1...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"The Last Remaining Breath, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Daire Lynch's "The Last Remaining Breath" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a dark haired feminine figure in red flannel with a yellow bac...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"The Desolation" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Rob Alexander's "The Desolation" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a barren sandy landscape filled with rock formations and far off mountains on the horizon. This...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Spectre, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Che Leviathan (US based) "Spectre" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a white horse in profile, with thick grey mane, as it emerges from ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Contemporary portrait "Travel Companion"
Located in Zofingen, AG
The memory of the festive Coca-Cola commercial came to mind, where a truck adorned with holiday lights rushes along the night road. There's no festive truck... Only the night and the...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Contemporary painting with Mona Lisa "New Hat"
Located in Zofingen, AG
1 March. Today is spring, which means autumn is coming soon. These are the associations. In this visceral depiction, I've merged timelessness with contemporary energy. My strokes in ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"Moonlight Sonata" Figurative Nude Original Painting
Located in Soquel, CA
Striking nocturnal nude figurative fine art painting by California artist John Bowler (American, 20/21st Century), 2001. Signed and dated Bowler 2001 lower right corner (photo image enhanced). Presented in pewter-toned wood frame under glass. Image size: 22"H x 15"W. Framed size: 33"H x 23.50"W. A Granite Bay...
Category

Early 2000s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Cumin - realistic painting
Located in New York, NY
This hyperrealistic painting by Roni Yoffe is from her latest body of works. It is oil on wood and comes not framed, but framing options are available. "My paintings in recent years ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow with Horns Lying on The Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Dou...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Chalk, Graphite

Rural Mountain Landscape Oil Painting of English Countryside by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Rural Mountain Landscape Oil Painting of English Countryside by British Artist Dennis Harper, ( b. 1940). Known for his Realist Oil Paintings, Harper is ...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sisters
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Sisters" c.1990 is an oil painting on canvas by noted British artist Brenda Burke, b.1957. It is signed at the lower right corner by the artist. The canvas size is 25 x 30 inches, framed size is 33 x 37 inches. Framed in original wooden beige and gold ornate frame, with fabric liner. It is in excellent condition. About the artist: Brenda Burke started to paint at an early age of three years. Her career has spanned more than half a century, encompassing paintings, portraits, sculpture and printmaking. She has trained in the classical style of the old masters at the renowned Farnham art school just outside of London, England and continuing her studies in Florence and Rome, Italy, Burke’s wealth of experience, technical excellence and artistic vision is evident in each of her exceptional works of art. Her work can be seen in private collections around the world. Sometimes known as the Painter of Royalty, Brenda has been chosen to present her work to Her Majesty The Queen of England. She was commissioned to paint the celebratory portrait for Prince Charles and Lady Diana's engagement, and she was again selected to create the painting for the christening of Prince William. Her skill and versatility has also been shown in a collection of limited edition wax and porcelain dolls, dressed in fine silks and antique French lace...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Family Helping Hands
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provnance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist. Signed "Mian Situ: on lower right. Description Three Miao sisters from the Guizhou Province of China, accompanied by the...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surroundings in countryside. 1963, cardboard, oil, 45 x 58 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Surroundings in countryside. 1963, cardboard, oil, 45 x 58 cm Landscape painting of Latvia countryside. Gentle and careful brushstrokes in the foreground accents sunny day. Color use demonstrates Paulovics as fine master of tonal painting. Artist used impasto painting technique that uses thick, rich layers of paint. Applying the paint thickly, author produced an truly incredibly beautiful effect. Teodors Paulovics captured the impressionistic aspects of nature - afternoon light of the sun in late fall- more then details of natural forms. Teodors Paulovics studied art in Vilhelms Purvitis...
Category

1960s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

"Study for decoration Moscow metro station" Kievskaya Tempera, Real socialism
Located in Torino, IT
Real Socialism,Moscow,1970,Russia,Orange,Men at Work,Propaganda VIKTOR A. KONOVALOV (Uidol, Vladimir region 1912 – Moscow 1995) Russian painter and graphic designer. He was born in...
Category

1950s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Tempera

"Dutch landscape"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Unidentified Artist (19th Century) Dutch Landscape Oil on canvas Framed: 69 x 55 cm Canvas: 63 x 47 cm No signatured This evocative 19th-century Dutch landscape painting captures a ...
Category

19th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Embracing Impermanence"
Located in Denver, CO
"Embracing Impermanence" is a digital print on 5 acrylic panels by Michelle Jader.
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Panel, Digital

"Into the Blue"
Located in Denver, CO
"Into the Blue" is a digital print on 5 acrylic panels by Michelle Jader.
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Panel, Digital

"Nothing Ventured"
Located in Denver, CO
"Nothing Ventured" is a digital print on 5 acrylic panels by Michelle Jader.
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Panel, Digital

"Just Out of Reach"
Located in Denver, CO
"Just Out of Reach" is a digital print on 5 acrylic panels by Michelle Jader.
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Panel, Digital

Morning. Women s act. 1959. Oil on cardboard, 95x71 cm
Located in Riga, LV
The morning hour. Act. 1959. Oil on cardboard, 95x71 cm Alfejs Bromults (1913.3.IV - 1991.11.I) His first professional education was at National University at studies to R.Suta, J....
Category

1950s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

"Gardenia on a Blue Table, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Linda Tracey Brandon's (US based) "Gardenia on a Blue Table" is an oil painting that depicts a bouquet of blooming White Gardenias with leaves sit...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Georgia No 1" Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Rebecca Mason Adams (US based) "Georgia No 1" is a black and white acrylic painting that depicts a female figure in a white sweater distorted by shadows and projected patterning. Rebecca Adams is an artist based out of Providence, RI. She graduated from RISD in 2006 with a BFA in photography. Her paintings focus on black and white portraiture referencing stylized and graphic photography...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"Here and Now, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Linda Tracey Brandon's (US based) "Here and Now" is an oil painting that depicts a feminine figure juxtaposed with a floral patterning. Linda Tracey Brandon is a nationally recogniz...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"The Knowledge Seeker" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Kierstin Young's (US based) "The Knowledge Seeker" is an oil painting that depicts a female form shrouded in a back veil with blue butterflies flying around her hands and a desolate ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

"Nori I" Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Rebecca Mason Adams (US based) "Nori I" is a black and white acrylic painting that depicts a female figure with a tiara and face paint smiling demurely against a dark background. Rebecca Adams is an artist based out of Providence, RI. She graduated from RISD in 2006 with a BFA in photography. Her paintings focus on black and white portraiture referencing stylized and graphic photography...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Almazan Store Ancient Containers Realistic Still-Life watercolor Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life watercolor Painting virtual framed MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romanti...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Aurora" Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Julio Labra's "Aurora" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a feminine face framed with curly hair and pink & blue tiled patterning. Artist Biography: Born in Idaho F...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Board

Slumber
By Teresa Oaxaca
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist Signed "ESA" on upper left corner Artist Statement “The 19th century painter Anders Zorn was a big influence for me on this work. I was looking at his 'Dance in Gopsmor Cottage' while painting, and trying to limit myself to brushes no small than an 8. I am quite satisfied with the light effect I achieved. As you can see I really boosted up the highlight on those stockings! It was a case where the sun had streamed in through an east light window (unwelcome at the time), rendering the model's legs impossibly bright. I've used a very thick impasto and even some cadmium lemon to try and convey the impression of light I was seeing. While executing this painting it occurred to me that this was the kind of unusual lighting...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Shade and Shadow", Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Morgan Cameron’s (US based) “Shade and Shadow” is an oil painting that depicts a white wolf peering through a fallen tree. This painting is unframed, ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Peonies - Contemporary Still life Oil Painting, Realism, Polish art
Located in Warsaw, PL
Janusz Szpyt was born in 1960, he is a Polish painter. He graduated from the Graphic design faculty and painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Bloom in the Broken by April Dawes, Oil Painting on Birch Panel
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 21.125" x 21.125" oil on birch panel painting by April Dawes focuses on the human figure, rendered in muted, earthy tones—primarily umber, beige, and hints of pale pink. The fig...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Birch, Oil, Panel

Figures on the road to Dundrum Ireland in the Irish Mountain Landscape
Located in Preston, GB
Figures on the road to Dundrum Ireland in the Irish Mountain Landscape by William Yeaman. Original, Oil on Canvas presented in an ornate frame. Art mea...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a gypsy woman
Located in Zofingen, AG
Gypsies are spread in the world, on different countries and even continents. I have hade opportunity to contact this folk in Moldova, during my childhood and youth and I have had even the possibility to visit house of the Gypsy Baron in our town...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Within The Snow, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Samantha Buller's (US based) "Within The Snow" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a white house surrounded with a fresh snow fall. Bio/artist statement: Samantha B...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Senses
Located in Denver, CO
"Senses," is an original oil painting by Karen Offutt. It is unframed, but ready-to-hang.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Phantasmagorical 4
Located in Denver, CO
"Phantasmagorical 4," is an original oil painting on 2 acrylic panels by Michelle Jader. It is framed and ready-to-hang.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Mirror, Oil, Panel, Digital

Roadeater
Located in Dallas, TX
Eleanor Jones Harvey, Chief Curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, writes about Bob Stuth-Wade: “Over the course of his career, Bob Stuth-Wade has examined his responses to...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"The Whispers in the Shadows, " Oil on Canvas
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

"Blaze, " Watercolor painting
Located in Denver, CO
Joanna Barnum's (US based) "Blaze" is an original, handmade watercolor painting that depicts a female red-headed model using a double exposure effect. ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Magique Noir" (2015) Realist Mystic Portrait, Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Tina Garrett's (US based) "Magique Noir" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a model with a painted face. This is a secondary market work with one previous owner. Ti...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Get Lucky" Abstract Figurative Oil Painting 24" x 20 "inch by Dmitriy Krestniy
Located in Culver City, CA
"Get Lucky" Abstract Figurative Oil Painting 24" x 20 "inch by Dmitriy Krestniy ATTENTION: Painting ships rolled in a tube. A look through Dmitriy’s designs reveals a glamorous, fe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Untitled" (2014) - Original Realist Female Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Sharon Pomales's (US based) "Untitled" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a female model with blonde hair. This is a secondary market w...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"The Last Remaining Time, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Daire Lynch's "The Last Remaining Time" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a blonde haired feminine figure cast in red light with a dark ba...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Wilanow, the Royal Palace (Warsaw) - Acrylic painting, Landscape, Architecture
Located in Warsaw, PL
WŁODZIMIERZ KARCZMARZYK (born in 1930) Painter and an architect. He studied at KUL in Lublin, Academy of Fine Arts and University of Technology in Warsaw. Long-term professor of draw...
Category

1970s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Cardboard

"Endless Rhythms" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Rob Alexander's "Endless Rhythms" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a blue waves restless crashing and churning. This painting is currently unframed but will come ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Portrait of Zola" by Emin Abbasov (b. 1950, Azerbaijan), oil on cardboard
Located in SANTA FE, NM
"Portrait of Zola" Emin Abbasov (b. 1950, Azerbaijan) Oil on cardboard, signed 4 7/8 x 3 7/8 (16 1/2 x 15 3/8 frame) inches Emin Abbasov is classically ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Realist figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Realist figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add figurative paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, red, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Su Yu, Janusz Szpyt, JC Spock, and Matt Talbert. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Realist figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 0.5 inches across are also available.

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