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.
Mujer en actitud pensativa - Dibujo a lapiz graso - Firmado y enmarcado
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Firmado por el artista en la parte inferior El estado de la obra es bueno Se presenta enmarcada la obra Medidas de la obra: 50 x 68 cm. Medidas del marco: 59 x 77 cm. ::::::::::...
Carbon Pencil
Flamenco Dancers Antonio, Antonio Ruiz Soler and Rosario, Florence Perez Padilla
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Les Danseurs Espagnols Rosario and Antonio" referring to the famous Flamenco dancers, Antonio Ruiz Soler and Florence Perez Padilla ...
Watercolor
$594Sale Price|20% Off
Telepathy among peers-Figurative Ink Drawing, 29.7 x 21, Signed
Located in Pampilhosa da Serra, PT
This evocative original drawing explores the subtle, unspoken communication between two figures seated opposite one another beneath an arch. Rendered in expressive black ink and brus...
Paper, Ink
"Back At The Stables (I)" (2024) By James Van Fossan, Original Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
James Van Fossan's "Back At The Stables (II)" (2024) is an original handmade charcoal and graphite drawing on paper that depicts a cowboy about to lean against a sawhorse. James Va...
Paper, Charcoal, Graphite
Filipino Women and Children in a Pastoral Scene Drawing
Located in Houston, TX
Pastoral pencil on paper sketch by a celebrated Filipino artist, Jose V. Blanco. The drawing depicts Filipino women and children sorting out mangoes...
Paper, Pencil
$3,900
Puissance, Horse Drawing, Charcoal and graphite on Fabriano paper, white frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Puissance is a beautiful and unique charcoal drawing on paper of a dynamic horse. The Fabriano paper is a high quality watercolor grade set in a custom white wood frame, all archival...
Charcoal, Archival Paper, Graphite
Gateway, Jumping Horse Drawing, Charcoal on Panel, white frame
Located in Dallas, TX
"Gateway" is a beautiful and unique charcoal drawing on panel of a dynamic horse jumping in mid-air. The composition is contemporary, playing with the positive and negative space. ...
Charcoal, Graphite, Panel, Wood Panel
$9,018
'A Sunday Morning in September' drawing by Frans van Leemputten
By Frans van Leemputten
Located in London, GB
Frans Van Leemputten (1850-1914) 'A Sunday Morning in September' Pencil and chalk on paper 78 x 64 cm, 98 x 84 cm framed Signed lower right Frans Van Leemputten sought to capture...
Paper, Pencil
coastal landscape, bohuskusten, c. 1920s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Watercolor on paper signed Axel Hilleström unframed 39.5 x 72 cm (15.6 x 28.3 in) framed 50 x 83 cm (19.7 x 32.7 in) This expansive watercolor depicts a sandy shoreline along the Sw...
Paper, Watercolor
$2,056
High Moorland Landscape in the fog - The world as a transcendent phenomenon -
Located in Berlin, DE
Charles Edward Brittan Jr (1870 Plymouth - 1949). High moor landscape in the fog. Gouache, signed at lower left "Charles E. Brittan", 18 x 34.5 cm (passepartout), 45 x 62 cm (frame)....
Watercolor
19th Century Loch Tay Scottish Landscape in Watercolor on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
19th Century Loch Tay Scottish Landscape in Watercolor on Paper Masterful Scottish watercolor landscape of Loch Tay with boats and small figures on the short by Aaron Edwin Penley (E...
Paper, Watercolor
$5,800
The Intrepids, Realist charcoal drawing of three women, running flowing dresses
Located in Dallas, TX
The Intrepids Charcoal and graphite on paper Framed in off white float frame behind anti-reflect/ UV glass Framed size: 27.5 x 47 inches / 70 x 120 cm This contemporary figurative d...
Charcoal, Archival Paper, Graphite
$2,400
"Charcoal Portrait of a Young Girl" (2023) By Bunyod Suvonov, Original Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
"I Saw You in My Dreams" (2023) by Bunyod Suvonov is original handmade drawing made with charcoal and graphite on toned paper. This piece depicts a portrait of a woman with long blac...
Paper, Charcoal, Graphite
Antique 19th Century Swiss School Pastel Portrait Painting Beautiful Young Girl
Located in Portland, OR
A enchanting & intimate 19th century Swiss pastel portrait painting of a beautiful young girl, circa 1870, attributed to the celebrated Swiss artist Albert Anker (1831-1910). The pai...
Pastel, Paper
John William North - 19th Century British Watercolour - Courtship
Located in London, GB
JOHN WILLIAM NORTH, ARA, RWS (1842-1924) Courtship - Bicknoller, Somerset Signed with initials l.r.: JWN Watercolour Framed 17.5 by 13.5 cm., 7 b...
Watercolor
Lake landscape – Swiss School early 19th century
Located in Middletown, NY
Brush and brown ink and wash with graphite on cream wove paper, 6 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches (165 x 232mm). Inscribed "Fahlerant, No. 9754, Paisaje--Orillas de un lago" in ink on the verso. ...
Ink, Handmade Paper, Graphite
Wettersteinkamm - The blue of the mountains -
Located in Berlin, DE
Adalbert Holzer (1881 Munich - 1966 Munich). Wettersteinkamm. Watercolour, 29 x 34.5 cm (visible size), 37.5 x 43 cm (frame), signed and dated at lower right 'ADALBERT HOLZER [19]23'. Framed behind glass. Frame shows signs of wear. - The blue of the mountains - About the artwork The Wetterstein ridge is revealed to the viewer from a gentle, snow-covered hill. In contrast to conventional depictions of mountains, the painting is composed entirely of shades of blue, which condense into the blue-grey of the rock or fade into the white of the snow. As a complementary colour to the blue, Holzer virtuously activates the ochre ground. The uniform yet exciting polarity of the colours emphasises the massive majesty of the mountains and at the same time underlines the special character of the Wetterstein ridge. Holzer transferred the translucency of glass painting, in which he was originally trained, to watercolour and developed a pictorial language related to the art of Ferdinand Hodler, which earned him the nickname 'Master of Blue' and led to the appreciation of his watercolours in particular. About the artist After an apprenticeship as a stained glass painter at the Kunstgewerbeschule, Adalbert Holzer studied at the Munich Art Academy under Carl von Marr...
Watercolor
Portrait of a Young Man
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Vito Tomasello. Portrait of Wayne Herman, 1971. Pasel on paper, 18 x 24 inches. Signed and dated upper left. A lifetime NYC resident, Tomasello is best known for his male nude draw...
Paper, Pastel
"Portrait of Long Haired Girl" (2023) By Bunyod Suvonov, Original Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
"Portrait of Long Haired Girl" (2023) by Bunyod Suvonov is original handmade drawing made with charcoal and graphite on toned paper. This piece depicts a portrait of a woman with lon...
Paper, Charcoal, Graphite
Rheims Cathedral
Located in Middletown, NY
Watercolor and gouache on cream wove paper. Signed and titled in watercolor in the lower right image area. Small circular pea-sized damp stain in the top center image area (visible in the are of the sky), and some additional small spots of unobtrusive foxing in the upper left sheet area. Otherwise in very good condition with fresh colors and intricate brushwork. Henri Schäfer...
Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper
$135
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of Two Dapper Gentleman Fishing On The Riverbank
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 7 x 5.5 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
George Denholm Armour - Late 19th Century British Watercolour Illustration
Located in London, GB
GEORGE DENHOLM ARMOUR, RSA, OBE (1864-1949) “Keep your ‘ead in” Signed, inscribed: Cabman: “Now then bunny, you keep your ‘ead in the rabbit-‘...
Watercolor
Sleepyhead
Located in Zofingen, AG
While working with a model in the studio, it often happens that models get tired and fall asleep - such moments are beautiful in their naturalness and often become the impetus for cr...
Paper, Tempera, Permanent Marker
$1,804
Do butterflies live in winter? (sketch for the painting of the same name)
Located in Zofingen, AG
A quick spontaneous live sketch started on the windowsill of a house on Patriarch's Ponds turned into a sketch for a future large painting of the same name. An additional strip of pa...
Paper, Tempera, Permanent Marker
Siegfried and the Bear
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist Signed "WM Stout" on lower left. UNFRAMED: 10" x 7" FRAMED: 18.75" x 14.75" x 1.5" Exhibitions William Stout: South Pa...
Ink, Watercolor
Self-Portrait / - The Inner Essence -
Located in Berlin, DE
Herbert Rolf Schlegel (1889 Breslau - 1972 Landsberg am Lech), Self-Portrait, 1946, pencil on heavy paper, 94 cm (height) x 73 cm (width), monogrammed “HRS” in the upper right corner...
Paper
Danseurs Espagnols, Antonio and Rosario
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Les Danseurs Espagnols Rosario and Antonio" referring to the famous Flamenco dancers, Antonio Ruiz Soler and Florence Perez Padilla ...
Watercolor
$319Sale Price|20% Off
A girl II - XXI century, Contemporary Realistic Figurative Mixed Media Drawing
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary realistic figurative mixed media drawing PROVENANCE Exhibited at Katarzyna Napiorkowska Gallery. The Gallery is a primary representative for this artist. The Gallery o...
Chalk, Pastel, Pencil, Cardboard
"Storytime" (2023) By Allen Williams, Original Graphite Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
"Storytime" (2023) by Allen Williams is an original graphite drawing on Strathmore medium weight drawing paper that depicts a young girl reading a book ...
Paper, Graphite
Scarecrow of OZ
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist Signed "1999 WM Stout" on upper right corner. Description Inspired by works of the great early 20th-century children’s book illustrators, such as Arthur Rackham, Kay Nielsen and Edmund Dulac, contemporary artist William Stout created a series of paintings depicting characters from popular children's stories and folktales. One of the characters from Stout's "Wizard of Oz" series is the Scarecrow...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of Two Dapper Gentleman Fishing On The Riverbank
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 7 x 5.5 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
New York City Police Fortune Magazine Illustration
By Robert Riggs
Located in Miami, FL
This original illustration, titled "Cops at Ease in the Muster Room of a Station," is packed with character and detail and shows an unexpected and rare vision of the police in an off moment. Riggs unveils the real-life behind-the-scenes in this narrative work, which stylistically flaunts Riggs ' prodigious drawing skills. It accompanied the article Nineteen Thousand Cops published in the July 1939 issue of Fortune Magazine. This issue was dedicated to the city of New York and included a total of ten paintings by Riggs for this article on New York City's police department. Robert Riggs was a gay artist...
Charcoal, Archival Paper
Oil Portrait painting of Man in Hat & Raincoat
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Howard Cook (1901-1980) Portrait of Man in Hat and Raincoat, ca. 1950. Oil on masonite panel, 14 x 16 inches. Framed measurement: 15 x 17 inches. Original frame. Signed by artis...
Masonite, Oil, Color Pencil
$1,600
"Waiting" (2023) By Bunyod Suvonov, Original Charcoal and Graphite Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
"Waiting" (2023) by Bunyod Suvonov is original handmade drawing made with charcoal and graphite on toned paper. This piece depicts a portrait of a woman with long flowing hair laying...
Paper, Charcoal, Graphite
Danse Espagnole, Teresa Viera Romero
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Danse Espagnole" referring to the famous Flamenco dancers, Teresa Viera Romero, is a watercolor, on paper by noted French artist Jean Target, 1910-1997 It is sig...
Watercolor
"Back At The Stables (II)" (2024) By James Van Fossan, Original Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
James Van Fossan's "Back At The Stables (II)" (2024) is an original handmade charcoal and graphite drawing on paper that depicts a cowboy leaning against a sawhorse in a moment of re...
Paper, Charcoal, Graphite
The Prince's Room
By Willy Pogany
Located in Buffalo, NY
Born in Szeged, Hungary, he became one of the better known and successful illustrators of the Golden Age of Illustration, completing over 100 books. Among them are "A Treasury of Verse for Little Children," "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam," and "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." He is probably best known for pen and ink drawings of mythology subjects geared towards children. He studied at Budapest Technical University and attended art schools in Munich and Paris before moving to London at age 23. In 1907, he began illustrating children's books and did a series of annual gift books...
Gouache, Graphite, Pen, Watercolor
Ballet Espagnol, Pilar Lopez
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Ballet Espagnol Pilar Lopez" c.1955 referring to the famous Spanish Flamenco dancer, Pilar Lopez, 1912-2008 is a pastel and crayon on paper by noted French artis...
Watercolor
$6,450
"Eye of the Storm" - Mixed Media Artwork by Andrada Trapnell, Surreal Portrait
Located in Denver, CO
"Eye of the Storm," an original mixed media artwork by Andrada Trapnell, measures 40 x 30 inches and is rendered on a sturdy board. Created in 2023, t...
Panel, Mixed Media
La Danseuse Espagnol Rosita Segovia ( The Spanish Dancer Rosita Segovia)
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "La Danseuse Espagnol Rosita Segovia: c.1950. Is a pastel and black stone on paper by noted French artist Jean Target, 1910-1997. It is hand signed an titled at t...
Pastel
$347Sale Price|27% Off
Orientalist Watercolor 'The Watercarrier', Signed, Early 20th Century
By Aiveill
Located in Cotignac, FR
Early 20th century orientalist watercolour on paper by Aiveill, signed bottom right. In art history, Orientalism is the imitation or depiction ...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
Studies of Cupid - Original Ink Drawing - Signed
Located in Paris, IDF
Demetrios GALANIS (1879-1966) Studies of Cupid Original Indian ink drawing Signed with the blue stamp signature of the artist On vellum 28 x 21 cm (c. 11 x 8") Very good conditio...
India Ink
Woman with Cityscape
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Woman with Cityscape" c.2010, is a watercolor on paper by noted Israeli artist Patricia Govezensky, b.1961. It is signed at the lower...
Watercolor
$2,400
"Fragrance" (2024) By Bunyod Suvonov, Original Charcoal and Graphite Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
"Fragrance" (2024) by Bunyod Suvonov is original handmade drawing made with charcoal and graphite on toned paper. This piece depicts a portrait of a woman with long black hair smelli...
Paper, Charcoal, Graphite
"Girl with Flower" (2023) By Bunyod Suvonov, Original Charcoal Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
"Girl with Flower" (2023) by Bunyod Suvonov is original handmade drawing made with charcoal on toned paper. This piece depicts a portrait of a woman with long black hair looking down...
Paper, Charcoal
Infanta Flower Head with Mountain Body
Located in Burlingame, CA
Chikako Okada’s autobiographical works of art bridge traditional realism with magical realism and surrealism. The artist uniquely addresses questions of the human condition through h...
Paper, Pencil, Graphite
An Eighteenth Century Drawing of a Tavern Scene by a German Artist
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Joseph Georg Winter (German, 1751-1789) Tavern Scene Ink on paper, 10 x 7 3/4 inches FRAMED: 17 x 14.75 inches (approx.) Signed and dated at lower right: "JGW. 1782"
Paper, Ink
"Flamenco Avec Rosario" (Florence Perez Padilla)
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Flamenco Avec Rosario" referring to the famous Flamenco dancers, Antonio Ruiz Soler and Florence Perez Padilla A.K.A Rosario, c.1945...
Watercolor
Dancing Pears art about food Exquisite unique signed ink drawing Japanese artist
Located in New York, NY
Yookan Westfield Dancing Pears (art about food), 2024 Ink drawing done with pigment liner on Saunders Waterford 300 GSM Cold Press Watercolor paper Signed in ink on the front Unique ...
Ink
Studies of Angels - Original Ink Drawing - Signed
Located in Paris, IDF
Demetrios GALANIS (1879-1966) Studies of Angels Original Indian ink drawing Signed with the blue stamp signature of the artist On vellum 25 x 19 cm (c. 10 x 8") Very good conditi...
India Ink
$2,800
Conceptual Realist Drawing Floral Wheat Delicate Detailed American female artist
By Amanda Besl
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original contemporary graphite drawing by American contemporary female artist Amanda Besl. Diana's Field 2, 2018 Graphite on paper 34 × 24 in 86.4 × 61 cm This work was created ...
Paper, Graphite
Portrait of an Italian Peasant - Victorian art watercolour painting
Located in Hagley, England
This beautiful 19th century Italian watercolour portrait painting is by noted artist Frederico Bartolini. It was painted circa 1890 in Rome and is signed and in good condition behind...
Watercolor
$731Sale Price|20% Off
Nude. Contemporary Realistic Figurative Mixed Media Drawing Polish artist
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary realistic figurative mixed media drawing on cardboard by Polish artist Andrzej Szypluk. Monochromatic drawing of a female in nude. PROVE...
Chalk, Pastel, Cardboard, Pencil
$342
Mode Drawing : Black and Color Dresses - Original watercolor & Gouache drawing
Located in Paris, IDF
Rosy ANDREASI-VERDIER (1934-2015) Mode drawing : Black and Color Dresses Original gouache, watercolor and charcoal drawing Bears the Rosy Andreasi Verdier Archives stamp bottom righ...
Charcoal, Watercolor, Gouache
$456
Mode Drawing : Three Colorful Dresses - Original watercolor & Gouache drawing
Located in Paris, IDF
Rosy ANDREASI-VERDIER (1934-2015) Mode drawing : Three Colorful Dresses Original gouache and watercolor drawing Bears the "Rosy Andreasi Verdier&q...
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache
Joven melancólica con perro - Técnica mixta - Firmado y enmarcado
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Firmado por el artista en la parte inferior y fechado del año 1973 El estado de la obra es bueno Se presenta enmarcada la obra Medidas de la obra: 65 x 50 cm. Medidas del marco: ...
Mixed Media, Carbon Pencil
$2,284Sale Price|28% Off
Guglielmo Ciardi (Venetian painter) - 19th century Realism market scene
By Guglielmo Ciardi
Located in Varmo, IT
Guglielmo Ciardi (Venice 1842 - Venice 1917) - Market of Badoere. 20 x 27.5 cm (without frame) - 44.5 x 51 cm (with frame). Pencil on paper, within passe-partout, in wooden frame. ...
Paper, Pencil
"Masha's fairy tales" watercolor cm. 17 x 22 1970
By Marina Yevgenyevna Uspenskaya
Located in Torino, IT
Children, illustrations, tales Marina Evgenevna USPENSKAYA (Moscow, 1925 – 2007) Marina Evgenevna Uspenskaya was born in Moscow. She graduated from the 1905 Art College, where she ...
Paper, Watercolor
$5,800
Cadence, Realist charcoal drawing of women & hair running, graphic and patterned
Located in Dallas, TX
Cadence Charcoal on paper Artwork size: 24 x 46.5 inches / 60 x 118 cm Framed size: 27.5 × 52 inches / 70 × 132 cm Float framed in white behind anti-reflect art glass. This contempo...
Charcoal, Archival Paper
Claude Shepperson - Petrushka - Watercolour scene from the Ballets Russes
By Claude Allin Shepperson
Located in London, GB
CLAUDE ALLIN SHEPPERSON, ARA, ARWS (1867-1921) Petrushka – Scene from the Ballets Russes Signed l.l.: Shepperson Watercolour over traces of pencil on paper Framed 30.5 by 45.5 cm., 12 by 18 in. (frame size 52.5 by 66 cm., 20 ¾ by 26 in.) Provenance: Richard C Davis...
Watercolor, Paper