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Narrative Painting

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Rejoining the Night Circus
Located in Atlanta, GA
storytelling is in my blood and it is impossible to ignore its influence on my narrative paintings.I am the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

A Moment of Grace
Located in Atlanta, GA
storytelling is in my blood and it is impossible to ignore its influence on my narrative paintings.I am the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

There is Still so Much we Don t Know About the Rites of Spring
Located in Atlanta, GA
storytelling is in my blood and it is impossible to ignore its influence on my narrative paintings.I am the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Rapunzel by the Sea, fairy tale narrative, colorful whimsical fantasy
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rapunzel figure narrative, colorful *ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Mid Century Golden Age of Illustration- Narrative Art - Norman Rockwell School
By Alex Ross
Located in Miami, FL
storytelling work is that it embodies the lost art of portrait painting and graphic design. Alex Ross borrows
Category

1940s Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Illustration Board

Summer s Light : artwork in the genre of narrative realism
Located in New York, NY
Painting by a contemporary artist Audrey Ushenko. Audrey Ushenko works in the genre of narrative
Category

1990s Contemporary Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Juicy Plum with Oil Paint on Canvas, Painting by Dani Humberstone
By Dani Humberstone
Located in Deddington, GB
illustrate the narrative. Painting directly from life allows her to translate three dimensions into two and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas

"We the People" Figurative Narrative "Being Human" vs "Human Being"
Located in San Antonio, TX
" The paintings in this series all have a figurative aspect to them and each portrays an idea or emotion
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Route 66 - Mixed Media on Canvas with Frame, Contemporary Narrative Artwork
By Inés Silvalde
Located in FISTERRA, ES
narrative elements through her paintings, often blending humor and introspection. Her education in Fine Arts
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Mar adentro
Located in BARCELONA, ES
applied becomes part of a non-verbal emotional narrative. Painting, for me, is both a physical and
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

The Budding Artist urban narrative muted blue colors subway scene
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on linen mounted on board signed and dated on reverse.
Category

2010s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Linen, Board, Oil

LeMat Debut
By Ken Orton
Located in Lexington, MA
realism, narrative painting, and Western iconography. Bold, evocative, and unforgettable, this piece
Category

2010s Photorealist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Pale Blue Sloes [2023], Baroque Still Life Painting, Small art, Fruit art
By Dani Humberstone
Located in Deddington, GB
: Dani Humberstone uses the symbolism of ripe fruit to illustrate the narrative. Painting directly from
Category

2010s Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Connection
Located in BARCELONA, ES
part of a non-verbal emotional narrative. Painting, for me, is both a physical and spiritual act—a way
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

Deep
Located in BARCELONA, ES
part of a non-verbal emotional narrative. Painting, for me, is both a physical and spiritual act—a way
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

Desquebrajo
Located in BARCELONA, ES
part of a non-verbal emotional narrative. Painting, for me, is both a physical and spiritual act—a way
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

"Shame Spiral" Hand Crafted Mosaic Kinetic Wall Hanging Sculpture with Oil Paint
By Sarah Detweiler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
and narrative paintings with hand embroidery. She has a BFA in Visual Communications from University
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Metal

Painting the Town Red urban narrative warm southwestern color female figure
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
humorous undertones ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pastel

To Know My Fate : artwork in the genre of narrative realism
Located in New York, NY
Painting by a contemporary artist Audrey Ushenko. Audrey Ushenko works in the genre of narrative
Category

Early 2000s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

New York Terrace Cityscape : artwork in the genre of narrative realism
Located in New York, NY
Painting by a contemporary artist Audrey Ushenko. Audrey Ushenko works in the genre of narrative
Category

Early 2000s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ficus 1 - gestural, floral, narrative, abstract, still life, acrylic on canvas
By Fiona Ackerman
Located in Bloomfield, ON
paintings were not really about nature but about my relationship to nature, my curiosity. My experience of
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Bourgeoiscape II : artwork in the genre of narrative realism
Located in New York, NY
Painting by a contemporary artist Audrey Ushenko. Audrey Ushenko works in the genre of narrative
Category

1990s Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

"Boy with Calen" by Anne Siems, Surreal figurative painting, boy with flowers
By Anne Siems
Located in Dallas, TX
"Boy with Calendula" by Anne Siems, is a captivating figurative-narrative painting featuring a
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel

Roy Carruthers, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse I: War, 1971, Monumental Oil on
By Roy Carruthers
Located in North Miami, FL
output, suitable for collectors interested in figurative and narrative painting of the period.
Category

Vintage 1970s South African Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Wood

diptych of Pocket Snowdrop 2 and Pocket White Anemone, Original painting
By Dani Humberstone
Located in Deddington, GB
BIOGRAPHY: Dani Humberstone uses the symbolism of ripe fruit to illustrate the narrative. Painting directly
Category

2010s Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Equal Justice
By Cham Hendon
Located in Branford, CT
Narrative Paintings and Photographs, Hudson Photographic Center, Hudson, New York 1991 American Narrative
Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Abstract Paintings

Materials

Adhesive, Acrylic Polymer, Acrylic

Cousin Lydia s Last Dream Ride - romantic, narrative, figurative oil on canvas
Located in Bloomfield, ON
create a curious border for the main painting. A tondo of another winged child appears to the right of
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Vagabond and His Dog oil on board painting
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
. This painting is an excellent addition for collectors seeking art that blends narrative, emotional
Category

1970s Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Board, Oil

Flemish Oil on Board Love Scene, Netherlands, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
during a period marked by strong narrative painting and refined genre scenes. The work depicts a love
Category

Antique 17th Century Dutch Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint

Moon Flower - lively, narrative, overlapping botanicals, acrylic, oil on canvas
By Fiona Ackerman
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Flower is one of a new series of abstract oil and acrylic paintings created by Fiona Ackerman. The images
Category

2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Living Holiday Trees : artwork in the genre of narrative realism
Located in New York, NY
Painting by a contemporary artist Audrey Ushenko. Audrey Ushenko works in the genre of narrative
Category

2010s Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Queen of the Night, narrative, partial nude figure, red colors, ethnic fabrics
By Audrey Anastasi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
ABOUT the artist: Audrey Frank Anastasi is a prolific feminist artist, working in painting, drawing
Category

2010s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Untitled" Mernet Larsen, Abstract, Hard-Edged, Shades of Purple, Dark Colors
Located in New York, NY
she recalls saying, “I wanted to create traditional narrative paintings that have volume and depth and
Category

1980s Abstract Geometric Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Oil

Sleepwalking at the Olcott, mystery monochromatic narrative noir
By Tom Bennett
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monotype on paper
Category

2010s American Modern Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Monotype

"Everywhere and Nowhere", Sarah Detweiler "Hidden Mother" Woman in Grass
By Sarah Detweiler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
figurative and narrative paintings with hand embroidery. She has a BFA in Visual Communications from
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Found Objects, Mixed Media

Larry Rivers Modernist Male Figure Original Charcoal Mid 20th C.
By Larry Rivers
Located in San Francisco, CA
contemporaries he stayed away from abstraction instead preferring narrative paintings. Rivers attended Hans
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal

My granny Polli
Located in Genève, GE
, narrative painting, and post-Soviet or Eastern European artistic traditions. • Zurab Kurchishvili painting
Category

1990s Modern Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

One Long Day - lively, narrative, overlapping botanicals, acrylic, oil on canvas
By Fiona Ackerman
Located in Bloomfield, ON
acrylic series of paintings are delicately detailed compositions of natural images—flowers, bulbs and
Category

2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

New Year s Day, Y2K : artwork in the genre of narrative realism
Located in New York, NY
Painting by a contemporary artist Audrey Ushenko. Audrey Ushenko works in the genre of narrative
Category

Early 2000s Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Little Audrey Goes on a Trip #2" original painting by Randall Berndt
By Randall Berndt
Located in Milwaukee, WI
The present work is an excellent example of the narrative paintings of Randall Berndt. In the
Category

1980s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Loyal Companion
Located in New Orleans, LA
myth and ancestral burden. These narrative paintings work to reclaim the reputations of their subjects
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Permanent Marker

The Leopards
Located in New Orleans, LA
myth and ancestral burden. These narrative paintings work to reclaim the reputations of their subjects
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

India Ink, Acrylic, Paper

Serpentine
Located in New Orleans, LA
myth and ancestral burden. These narrative paintings work to reclaim the reputations of their subjects
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Cotton Canvas, Latex, Permanent Marker

Harvest Bowl
Located in New Orleans, LA
myth and ancestral burden. These narrative paintings work to reclaim the reputations of their subjects
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Cotton Canvas, Latex, Permanent Marker

Harvest Burnt Sienna
Located in New Orleans, LA
myth and ancestral burden. These narrative paintings work to reclaim the reputations of their subjects
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Permanent Marker, Ink

Harvest Contour
Located in New Orleans, LA
myth and ancestral burden. These narrative paintings work to reclaim the reputations of their subjects
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Permanent Marker

Flower Chain
Located in New Orleans, LA
myth and ancestral burden. These narrative paintings work to reclaim the reputations of their subjects
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, India Ink

19th century English Victorian sketch portrait of two Young Girls
Located in Woodbury, CT
the work a quiet psychological depth, characteristic of Victorian narrative painting at its most
Category

1860s Victorian Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Green Grid Play - bright, colourful, geometric abstract, acrylic on canvas
By Milly Ristvedt
Located in Bloomfield, ON
will reveal a narrative. "Painting is my freedom 'to be' in the world, to transform what I think and
Category

2010s Abstract Geometric Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Yellow Grid Play - orange, grey, green, geometric abstract, acrylic on canvas
By Milly Ristvedt
Located in Bloomfield, ON
of Ristvedt's paintings that through one's lens of experience will reveal a narrative. "Painting is
Category

2010s Abstract Geometric Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Grey Grid - small, bright, colourful, geometric abstract, acrylic on canvas
By Milly Ristvedt
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Ristvedt's paintings that through one's lens of experience will reveal a narrative. "Painting is my freedom
Category

2010s Abstract Geometric Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Hudibras Triomphante Hogarth Paint Oil on canvas 18th Century Paint Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
London in 1726 with illustrations by William Hogarth, a painter famous for his narrative paintings and
Category

18th Century Old Masters Paintings

Materials

Oil

Pearl - large, soft, bright, peach, pink, gestural abstract, acrylic on canvas
By Milly Ristvedt
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Ristvedt's paintings that through one's lens of experience reveal a narrative. "Painting is my freedom 'to
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Pocket Cabbage and Pocket Peas In A Pod Diptych, Original Painting, Veggies
By Dani Humberstone
Located in Deddington, GB
narrative. Painting directly from life allows her to translate three dimensions into two and capture the
Category

2010s Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Green Hat , California, SF Women s College, SF Art Institute, Romanoff
By Inez Storer
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
narrative paintings, collages and assemblages in naive-sophisticated style, which she describes as Magic
Category

1970s Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Gouache, Color Pencil

"Eye Feel So Seen" Kaleidoscopic Pattern of Eye Reflection in Wood Frame
By Sarah Detweiler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "Eye Feel So Seen" is an original painting by Sarah Detweiler and is oil paint
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Oil

"Feral Forties", Woman in Wolf Mask in a Forest with Felted Embellishment
By Sarah Detweiler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
figurative and narrative paintings with hand embroidery. She has a BFA in Visual Communications from
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Wool, Acrylic

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Narrative Painting For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate narrative painting for your needs in our varied inventory. There are many Contemporary, Abstract and Expressionist versions of these works for sale. Finding the perfect narrative painting may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. On 1stDibs, the right narrative painting is waiting for you and the choices span a range of colors that includes black, gray, brown and white. There have been many interesting narrative painting examples over the years, but those made by Tom Bennett, Stephen Basso, Fiona Ackerman, Britt Spencer and Gerard Schriemer are often thought to be among the most thought-provoking. Artworks like these of any era or style can make for thoughtful decor in any space, but a selection from our variety of those made in paint, oil paint and paper can add an especially memorable touch.

How Much is a Narrative Painting?

The average selling price for a narrative painting we offer is $1,450, while they’re typically $300 on the low end and $18,000 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Paintings for You

Painting is an art form that has spanned innumerable cultures, with artists using the medium to tell stories, explore and communicate ideas and express themselves. To bring abstract paintings, landscape paintings, still-life paintings and other original paintings into your home is to celebrate and share in the long tradition of this discipline.

When we look at paintings, particularly those that originated in the past, we learn about history, other cultures and countries of the world. Like every other work of art, paintings — whether they are contemporary creations or works that were made during the 19th century — can often help us clearly see and understand the world around us in a meaningful and interesting way.

Cave walls were the canvases for what were arguably the world’s first landscape paintings, which depict natural scenery through art. Portrait paintings and drawings, which, along with sculpture, were how someone’s appearance was recorded prior to the advent of photography, are at least as old as Ancient Egypt. In the Netherlands, landscapes were a major theme for painters as early as the 1500s. Later, artists in Greece, Rome and elsewhere created vast wall paintings to decorate stately homes, churches and tombs.

Today, creating a wall of art is a wonderful way to enhance your space, showcase beautiful pieces and tie an interior design together.

No matter your preference, whether you favor Post-Impressionist paintings, animal paintings, Surrealism, Pop art or another movement or specific period, arranging art on a blank wall allows you to evoke emotions in a room while also showing off your tastes and interests. A symmetrical wall arrangement may comprise a grid of four to six pieces or, for an odd number of works, a horizontal row. Asymmetrical arrangements, which may be small clusters of art or large, salon-style gallery walls, have a more collected and eclectic feel.

Download the 1stDibs app, which includes a handy “View on Wall” feature that allows you to see how a particular artwork will look on a particular wall, and read about how to arrange wall art. And if you’re searching for the perfect palette for your interior design project, what better place to turn than to the art world’s masters of color

On 1stDibs, you’ll find an expansive collection of paintings and other fine art for your home or office. Browse abstract paintings, portrait paintings, paintings by emerging artists and more today.

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