"Nomos", Oil Painting
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
Christopher Remmers' (US based) "Nomos" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude man hugging a glowing orb of light to himself as the landscape around him is engulfe...
Oil, Panel
Invocation, Woman Holding a Glowing Orb in a Surreal Landscape, Oil on Linen
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
“Invocation” is a large-scale contemporary figurative painting from 2022, created in oil on linen. A woman in a flowing white dress and headscarf holds a luminous orb against a vast,...
Linen, Oil
Alchemy #1
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
Alchemy #1, 2021
Linen, Oil, Panel
Cristina
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
"Cristina," is an original oil painting by Christopher Remmers. It is framed and ready-to-hang.
Oil, Panel
Luminous
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
"Luminous," is an original oil painting by Christopher Remmers. It is framed and ready-to-hang.
Oil, Wood Panel
Rune
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
"Rune," is an original oil painting by Christopher Remmers. It is framed and ready-to-hang.
Oil, Linen
Subversion
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
"Subversion," is an original oil painting by Christopher Remmers. It is framed and ready-to-hang.
Linen, Oil
Grasping at Unity
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
"Grasping at Unity," is an original oil painting by Christopher Remmers. It is framed and ready-to-hang.
Linen, Oil
$3,800
H 12 in W 24 in
"Awaken" - Realist Nude Male Portrait, Oil Painting on Panel
By Brian O'Neill
Located in Denver, CO
O’Neill’s work has been showcased in galleries and museums across the United States, Canada, England, and Japan. O’Neill is a graduate of the Ani Art Academy apprenticeship program,...
Oil, Panel
$5,000
H 32 in W 16 in
"Patient Martyr" - Realist Male Portrait, Oil Painting on Aluminum Panel
By Zack Zdrale 1
Located in Denver, CO
"Patient Martyr" is a realist oil painting on aluminum panel by American painter Zack Zdrale, depicting a male model with his arms outstretched and intertwined above his head, leanin...
Oil, Panel
"Glow, " Oil Painting
By Karen Offutt
Located in Denver, CO
Karen Offutt's "Glow" is an original, handmade painting that depicts a close up view of a feminine face with her eyes closed as her necklace and alabaster skin reflect brightly again...
Oil, Panel
$4,000
H 39.38 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
Italian Contemporary Art by Matteo Nannini - Adam
By Matteo Nannini
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas Matteo Nannini is an Italian artist born in 1979 in Bologna who lives and works in Cento, Ferrara, Italy. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. Painter by...
Canvas, Oil
"Exposed" - Original Oil Painting on Panel
By Matt Talbert
Located in Denver, CO
Artist bio/statement: Matt Talbert is a contemporary oil painter living in Southern California. Both a graduate from the Orange County School of the Arts and the Laguna College of A...
Oil, Panel
"Exhale" by Brian O'Neill, Oil painting, Male Nude
By Brian O'Neill
Located in Denver, CO
Brian O'Neill's (US based) "Exhale" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude male figure stooped over and keeling on the ground, with his back exposed and bowing his...
Silver, Gold Leaf
$2,293Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 20.08 in
Afectata: Oil Painting on Linen, Hyper-Realistic Figurative Art, 2010+
By Felix Campean
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Felix Campean's work presents a hyper-realistic human body, displaying every muscle and texture with astonishing precision. The intense colors and slightly distorted shape of the bod...
Linen, Oil
$4,008
H 45.87 in W 25.99 in
Sebastian: Contemporary Oil Painting on Linen, Unframed, 116.5 x 66 cm
By Felix Campean
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Felix Campean's artwork presents a scene of a human body emerging with astonishing anatomical precision, capturing every detail of musculature and skin with hyper-realistic fidelity....
Linen, Oil
"Aura" Oil Painting
By David Cheifetz
Located in Denver, CO
David Cheifetz's "Aura" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude woman's torso in profile overlaid with blue and green colors around her hands. About the Artist: D...
Oil
"Into the Night, " Oil Painting
By Sara Scribner
Located in Denver, CO
Sara Scribner's (US based) "Into the Night" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a woman in a long pink dress walking towards a background of obscure darkness. About ...
Oil, Panel
"Where is Home?", Oil Painting
By Pegah Samaie
Located in Denver, CO
Pegah Samaie's (CA based) "Where is Home?" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a reclining nude woman, wrapped in a white fabric, gently touching the golden compass th...
Oil, Panel
$1,960Sale Price|30% Off
H 24 in W 20.125 in D 0.75 in
Robert White "Modern Mythology" 2021 Oil with Anatomical Realism & Surreal Edge
By Robert Kenneth White
Located in Miami, FL
ROBERT KENNETH WHITE – "MODERN MYTHOLOGY" ⚜ Oil on canvas ⚜ Hand signed lower right ⚜ Frameless display SURREALISM MEETS CONTEMPORARY PORTRAITURE In “Modern Mythology,” Robert Kenne...
Canvas, Oil
"Pocket Full of Dreams", Oil painting
By Tiffany Dae
Located in Denver, CO
Tiffany Dae's (US based) "Pocket Full of Dreams" is a original, handmade oil painting that depicts a feminine figure surrounded by darkness, gently holding a glass jar that emanates ...
Oil, Panel
"Recall, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Alla Bartoshchuk's "Recall" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude female figure in the company of laughing blue and purple women, where some limbs appear bodiless...
Oil, Panel
The Explorer, nude figurative oil on canvas
By Cesar Santos
Located in Miami, FL
Santos art education is worldly, and his work has been seen around the globe, from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sicily, Italy and the Beijing museum in China to Chelsea, New Yor...
Canvas, Oil
$7,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.5 in W 31.5 in
"Reverie" by Dave Seeley, Ascending Nude Female
By Dave Seeley
Located in Denver, CO
Dave Seeley's "Reverie" (2023) is a captivating original oil on canvas painting. The nude female figure floats gracefully, her elongated pose conveying weightlessness and freedom. Se...
Canvas, Oil, Board
Yuletide Spirit
Located in North Clarendon, VT
Whimsical Kate A. Williams arts and crafts impressionist painting circa 1930. Perfect for the holiday season. 20"x 16" oil on board, signed lower left. Frame is about 25x21. Painter...
Oil
$6,550Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 26.38 in
Still-Life Flowers Brueghel Paint 17/18th Century Oil ona canvas Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
A follower of Abraham Brueghel (Antwerp, 1631 – Naples, 1697) Still Life with Flowers and Citrus Fruits Oil on canvas 70 x 52 cm. - Framed 85 x 67 cm. The composition depict...
Oil
$530Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 21 in
Montparnasse Paris Mid Century French Picture Frame original
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French mid 20th century Montparnasse style picture frame Wood and plaster Internal measurement (to house painting or mirror): 13 x 16 inches Overal outer measurements: 18 x 21 inche...
Plaster, Wood
$6,200
H 20 in W 16 in
"The Bather" (2024) Oil Painting by Karen Offutt, Female Portrait, Nude
By Karen Offutt
Located in Denver, CO
Karen Offutt's (US based) "The Bather" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude female in a landscape, bathed in light, with a towel draped around her. The painting ...
Oil, Panel
$12,482
H 35.83 in W 29.93 in D 3.15 in
Portrait Gentleman Armour, Blue Cloak, Diamond Brooch c.1700 French Carved Frame
By Joseph Vivien
Located in London, GB
Portrait of a Gentleman in Armour and Azure Cloak with Diamond Brooch c.1700 Attributed to Joseph Vivienne (1657-1735) The sitter in this superb portrait, offered by Titan Fine Art...
Oil, Cotton Canvas
$6,907Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 28.35 in
Elegant Company Van Mieris Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Frans van Mieris the Elder (Leiden 1635 - Leiden 1681) Workshop Elegant company in an interior (or “Self-portrait with his family”) Oil on canvas 50 x 41 cm In a beautiful fra...
Oil
$3,481Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.84 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in
Bronze sculpture, Fisherman of Pompeii, Sig, Sabatino, Italy, 1882
By Sabatino Naoloi
Located in Greding, DE
Bronze of Hermes with petasos on stylized landscape base with shell decoration on round marble plinth. There signed Sabatino, Naples, 1882.
Bronze
$1,612Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 19.69 in D 0.79 in
Caesar on his way to Pompeii. 1999, canvas, oil, 40x50 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Caesar on his way to Pompeii. 1999, canvas, oil, 40x50 cm
Canvas, Oil
Grand Tour Male Nude Bronze Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th Century bronze male nude sculpture on wood pedestal base.
Bronze
19th Century Arched Architectural Model Or Decorative Niche
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century arched architectural model or decorative niche. This grand tour piece resembles a neoclassical temple or monument. Raised on an ebonised plinth stand two pairs of ala...
Wood
$750
H 12 in W 10 in
"Self-Portrait" (2015) By Michael DeVore, Original Oil Portrait Painting
By Michael DeVore
Located in Denver, CO
"Self-Portrait" (2015) by Michael DeVore is an original handmade oil portrait painting of the artist that measures at 12 x 10 inches framed and is ready to hang.
Oil, Panel
Pair Marbro Neoclassic Amber Column Alabaster Table Lamps
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of large hand carved neoclassic style column form alabaster lamps with brass mounted fittings. The color of the stone is rich amber with lots of color variation and veining. Man...
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
“Landscape”
By Louis Aimé Japy
Located in Warren, NJ
Louis Aime Japy (1840-1916) “landscape” oil on canvas. One of Louis better paintings. In goodnight condition. Frame has some minor damage. Otherwise in good condition . Priced to sell
Oil
ONIX Organic Modern Pouf Ottoman in Dedar Velvet Tiger Mountain
Located in Viseu, PT
Like a talisman for the home, Onix pouf exudes quiet luxury and natural beauty. Onix is upholstered with Tiger Mountain, an opulent and luxurious jacquard velvet fabric from italian...
Jacquard, Velvet
Greco Roman Classical Wrestlers Oil Painting
Located in Rochester, NY
Late 20th century modernist oil painting of Greco Roman wrestlers done in the classical style. By David Loeb. Oil on handmade paper. Signed on reverse and dated 1989. Loeb was born...
Paint
Interior of a Kitchen, c. 1840
By Egron Sellif Lundgren
Located in Stockholm, SE
Egron Sellif Lundgren (1815–1875) Sweden Interior of a Kitchen, c. 1840 oil on paper laid on cardboard, inscribed “Lundgren Nr. 15” on the reverse. unframed 27.5 x 20.5 cm (10 ¾ x ...
Paper, Oil, Board
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.
Figurative art, as opposed to abstract art, retains features from the observable world in its representational depictions of subject matter. Most commonly, figurative paintings reference and explore the human body, but they can also include landscapes, architecture, plants and animals — all portrayed with realism.
While the oldest figurative art dates back tens of thousands of years to cave wall paintings, figurative works made from observation became especially prominent in the early Renaissance. Artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and other Renaissance masters created naturalistic representations of their subjects.
Pablo Picasso is lauded for laying the foundation for modern figurative art in the 1920s. Although abstracted, this work held a strong connection to representing people and other subjects. Other famous figurative artists include Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. Figurative art in the 20th century would span such diverse genres as Expressionism, Pop art and Surrealism.
Today, a number of figural artists — such as Sedrick Huckaby, Daisy Patton and Eileen Cooper — are making art that uses the human body as its subject.
Because figurative art represents subjects from the real world, natural colors are common in these paintings. A piece of figurative art can be an exciting starting point for setting a tone and creating a color palette in a room.
Browse an extensive collection of figurative paintings on 1stDibs.
A hyperrealist canvas by Heinz Schönhammer transforms a café classic into an unforgettable still life.
With a solo show at the Denver Art Museum and a commission from the Met, the Cree Canadian painter has become an international sensation.