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Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

ACADEMIC STYLE

During the Renaissance, the first European fine art academies were established in Italy and would guide the style and standards of visual culture in the following centuries. Academic art became dominant across the continent in the 17th century, with artists coming together to offer instruction in this style of painting and sculpture

The academic art period represented a significant change from the previous era when painters, sculptors and other artists were part of guilds and seen more as artisans than purveyors of culture. While patronage from the elite and the church remained pivotal, young artists were able to support themselves for the first time through academic exhibitions and an independent marketplace. The leading academies included the French Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture founded in Paris in 1648 (which became the Académie des Beaux-Arts after the French Revolution) and the London Royal Academy of Arts formed in 1768 under the inaugural leadership of painter Joshua Reynolds

Academy students sketched drawings based on prints, sculptures and, finally, live models. Movements including neoclassicism and romanticism were particularly popular in these art schools and institutions where the influence of Raphael and Nicolas Poussin was prominent. Beaux Arts architecture and furniture design drew on these movements, too, and, as they also originated at the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the disciplines share common ground with academic painting and sculpture.

Although academic art was a major shift for artistic status when it began, by the middle of the 19th century it was viewed as stodgy and resistant to new ideas, with the subject matter of artists such as William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Jean-Léon Gérôme generally limited to allegorical or mythological themes. Impressionism, realism and the other movements that engaged with contemporary issues that followed were direct reactions to the academic tradition, although it continued to inform the avant-garde as artists like Gustav Klimt and Pablo Picasso started their practices as academic realists.  

Find a collection of academic paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs. 

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Style: Academic
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Bacchanal scene with nymp and Satyrs, pencil on Paper signed and dated 1778
Located in Paris, FR
A Nymph and two Satyrs Signed lower right "................fecit" and dated 1778 Grey wash over charcoal and brown ink, on laid paper 27 x 40.5 cm / 10.5 X 16 inches Framed : 51 x...
Category

1770s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pencil

18th Century Italian head study of a Roman maiden
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Attributed to Giovanni Battista Cipriani (Italian, 1727 – 1785) A head study of a Roman maiden Sanguine, pencil and pastel on paper 7.1/2 x 5.7/8 in. (19 x 14.8 cm.)
Category

18th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Pencil

“Portrait of a Head”
Located in Southampton, NY
Late 18th century mixed media portrait of the head of an old man, perhaps the biblical figure Moses. Italian school . Composed of graphite, colored chalk, watercolor and gouache on ...
Category

1780s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Gouache, Paper, Chalk, Graphite, Watercolor

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The Buttonhole By Charles Spencelayh
Located in New Orleans, LA
Charles Spencelayh 1865-1958 British The Buttonhole Signed “C.SPENCELAYH” (lower left) and inscribed “This Drawing was accepted into the Royal Academy but crowded out for want of ...
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20th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Portrait Sketch
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A portrait of a male head, in profile by BenFenske. The artist uses a variety of colors to convey a naturalist impression. Artist Bio Ben Fenske (b. 1978) although a native of Minn...
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Academic drawing. A large sketch-study of a female figure. 19th Century.
Located in Firenze, IT
A large sketch-study of a female figure. 19th Century. The young woman is depicted nude , with her hand seemingly calling for attention. The figure inserted into a niche. Large drawi...
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19th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Academic Drawing. Figure Study of Young Sitting Nude Man. 19th Century.
Located in Firenze, IT
Charcoal drawing on light gray-blue colored paper. The drawing depicts a young man sitting with the hand on forehead. the position is probably meant to express the feeling of regret,...
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19th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Freya (Seated Backwards), Mixed media on grey board
Located in London, GB
Howard Tangye (b.1948, Australia) has been an influential force in fashion for decades. Lecturing at London’s Central Saint Martins for 35 years, including 16 years as head of BA Wom...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Other Medium, Archival Paper, Handmade Paper, Pen, Felt Pen, Permanent M...

Study of Christ, hands crossed, three pencils on blue paper
Located in PARIS, FR
Victor François Éloi BIENNOURRY (1823-1893) Study of Christ, hands crossed Three pencils on blue paper Signed "V. Biennourry" and located in "Paris" at the top right 10 x 8,5 inch Fr...
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Mid-19th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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A 1930s drawing of a young girl in a blustery windy day with autumn leaves
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Elsa Carlander (British, circa 1930) An autumn gust Watercolour and pencil on paper Signed and inscribed ‘Best wishes from Elsa Carlander’ (lower right) 6.5/8 x 5.7/8 in. (16.8 x 15 ...
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1930s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Paper, Watercolor, Pencil

Persephone, 19th Century Classical French Academy Drawing
Located in Cotignac, FR
19th Century French Academy drawing of a classical maiden, signed Xavier Rendeley bottom right, numbered and dated 2nd April 1883. Presented in ...
Category

1880s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Chalk, Pencil

'Erika in Gesture I, ' by James Cobb, Drawing
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This framed 21" x 19" drawing by artist James Cobb, 'Erika in Gesture I,' captures the female model in a seated pose. The model is seated with her legs tuck...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Chalk, Conté, Graphite

'Napoleonic Guard at the Cathedral of Uspensky Sobor', Moscow, French Militaria
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Initialed lower left, 'C.H.' for Charles Constantine Hoffbauer (French, 1875-1957) and painted circa 1900. Accompanied by the original artist-signed mat, original backing with inscription and newspaper clipping from Los Angeles Times' review of Hoffbauer's 1949 Legion of Honor Exhibition. Mat dimensions: 12.75 x 13.5 Inches An exceptionally fine and detailed, cabinet-sized gouache showing members of the Napoleonic guard relaxing in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Uspensky Sobor during France's brief occupation of Moscow during the fall of 1812. Born in Paris in 1875, Charles Hoffbauer studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts under Fernand Cormon and Gustave Moreau and, during his studies, became acquainted with Matisse, Rouault, and Marquet. He was the recipient of numerous prizes, medals and juried awards including an Honorable Mention in the Salon of 1896, and prizes at the Salons of 1898 and 1899. He was awarded a bronze medal at the Paris Universal Exposition of 1900 and, in the same year, a French government scholarship, the Prix National du Salon, that allowed him to travel and study in Italy, Greece and Egypt. In 1902, he won the Prix Rosa Bonheur. At the Salon of 1904, the French government purchased 'Champs de Bataille' for the Musée du Luxembourg and Hoffbauer was elected a member of the Legion of Honor. Hoffbauer served in the French Army as an official war artist during the first world war, winning the Croix de Guerre and acting as liaison officer to the American camouflage section. On the recommendation of the mural painter, James Wall Finn, Hoffbauer received the 1935 commission to paint the murals for Battle Abbey, the Confederate memorial in Richmond, Virginia. He revisited America to accept a commission for the mural in the Missouri State Capitol, and was appointed to membership of the jury of the 1937 International Exposition. Two years later, he became an American citizen and settled in Rockport, Massachusetts. Charles Hoffbauer's work may be found in the permanent collections of numerous national museums including the Museum of Modern Art in Paris. Reference: Who Was Who in American Art 1564-1975: 400 Years of Artists in America, Peter Hastings Falk, Sound View Press 1999, Vol. 2, p. 1585; Thieme-Becker Allgemeines Lexikon der Bildenden Künstler von der Antike bis zu Gengenwart, Ulrich Thieme and Felix Becker, Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag 1992, Vol. 17/18, p. 246; E. Benezit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs, et Graveurs, Jacques Busse, 1999 Nouvelle Édition, Gründ 1911, Vol. 7, p. 105; Biographical Encyclopedia of American Painters, Sculptors & Engravers of the U.S.: Colonial to 2002, Bob Creps, Dealer’s Choice Books, Inc. 2002, Vol. 1, p. 643; Steen, James T. "The Story of a Painting," Carnegie Magazine 31/32 (February 1957): 57-59; Charles Hoffbauer (1875-1957). Drawings, Temperas & Oil Paintings. Exh. cat. Somerville, MA: Gropper Art Gallery, 1977; Glueck, Grace. New York: The Painted City. Salt Lake City: Peregrine Smith Books...
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1940s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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French School 19th Century, A Muskeeter, original pencil drawing
Located in Paris, FR
French school 19th Century A Muskeeter Pencil on paper 26.5 x 17 cm Bears a signature "F. Roybet" in the lower right In quite good condition, bears some visible foxings, In an old mount (some damages) (not framed) Even if the style, execution and of course subject are those of Ferdinand Roybet...
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1890s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Bozzetto Accademico della Testa di un Cherubino.
Located in Firenze, IT
Bozzetto Accademico della Testa di un Cherubino. Disegno a carboncino e gessetto bianco su carta leggermente colorata di grigio. Seconda metà dell'Ottocento In buone condizioni. Prov...
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19th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Bozzetto Accademico della Testa di un Cherubino.
Bozzetto Accademico della Testa di un Cherubino.
Free Shipping
H 10.24 in W 12.8 in D 0.08 in
Previously Available Items
Pietro Da Cortona (After), 18th-Century, Madonna & Child With Saint Augustine
By Pietro da Cortona
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An exquisite 18th-century drawing depicting the Madonna and Child with Saint Augustine and Saint Barbara. It’s possibly a study of an Italian altarpiec...
Category

18th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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French School 18th century, A young maid asleep, red chalk on paper
Located in Paris, FR
French School end of the 18th century A young maid asleep Red chalk on paper 25 x 33 cm No frame In quite good condition, doubled , stains on the l...
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1780s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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"La Panthere Femelle" Female Panther Cat Animal
Located in Florham Park, NJ
George-Louis Leclerec, Comte de Buffon. HistoireNaturell, Generale et Particuliere avec la Description du Cabiner du Roi. Paris, 1749 – 1804. Drawings by Jacques E. DeSeve. Engraving...
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French School late 18th Century, Imaginary landscape Gouache and watercolor
Located in Paris, FR
French School late eighteenth century Imaginary Maritime Landscape Gouache and watercolor on paper 14.5 x 21.5 cm Framed : 29 x 37 cm
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1780s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Hommage à la Fontaine, 18th Century, Academic, French School, Figurative drawing
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Academic figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Academic figurative drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 20th Century, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add figurative drawings and watercolors 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 and other colors. Frequently made by artists working with Archival Paper, and Archival Tape and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Academic figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 2.56 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative drawings and watercolors made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $11 and tops out at $288,500, while the average work sells for $747.

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