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: 1910s
Studious Girl Reading a Book - Women's Education - Female Illustrator
Located in Miami, FL
The work represents a carefully rendered and meticulously observed environmental portrait of a young girl absorbed in study in front of a book case. It celebrates the intelligence o...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Chalk, Charcoal
Scene of Venetian evenings during the Carnival - Ink drawing - circa 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Scene of Venetian evenings during the Carnival
Original India ink and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10....
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink, Color Pencil
“India, 1912”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original watercolor and gouache on paper of a busy street scene in India done in 1912 by the American artist, William Henry Drake. Copyrighted signed and dated 1912 lower left. Condition is good. Recently professionally matted. Unframed. Overall matte size is 12 by 16 inches. Provenance: A Long Island, New York estate.
William Henry Drake
Born: 1856 New York
Died: 1926 Los Angeles
Nationality: American
Education: Académie Julian, Art Students League of New York
Known for: Painting, illustration
Awards: National Academy
Biography:
Drake studied at the Académie Julian in Paris, with Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant and Henri Lucien Doucet.
Back from Europe, he studied at the Cincinnati School of Design, and would often go to the zoo, where he could draw the animals. He was then employed by the Museum of Natural History. He continued to study at the Art Students League of New York. In 1878 he worked as a freelance pen-and-ink artist for such periodicals as Century or Harper’s with animal studies...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
“Tsingtao, China 1912”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original watercolor and gouache on paper of a Tsingtao, China street scene in 1912 executed by the American illustrator, William Henry Drake. Copyrighted and signed and dated 1912 lower left. Condition is good. Recently professionally matted. Unframed. Overall mat size is 16 by 12 inches. Provenance: A Long Island, New York estate.
William Henry Drake
Born: 1856 New York
Died: 1926 Los Angeles
Nationality: American
Education: Académie Julian, Art Students League of New York
Known for: Painting, illustration
Awards: National Academy
Biography:
Drake studied at the Académie Julian in Paris, with Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant and Henri Lucien Doucet.
Back from Europe, he studied at the Cincinnati School of Design, and would often go to the zoo, where he could draw the animal...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Paper, Gouache
Vogue Magazine Illustration Turn of the Century - Woman Illustrator
By Helen Dryden
Located in Miami, FL
Early in the artist's career most likely for Vogue Magazine. Signed lower left. Helen Dryden (1882–1972) was an American artist and successful industrial designer in the 1920s and 1...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Graphite, Gouache, India Ink
The Swiss by Otto Vautier - Drawing 31x24 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on canvas
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon, Watercolor
Sketch of women and infant by P.E Vibert - Drawing 41x29 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal, Watercolor
Gentle Evening - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Gentle evening
Original pencil and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very good condition, pa...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
"Young woman in evening dress" by Emile Hornung - Drawing 43x57 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Sketch of Pierrot tuning his guitar on the back of the artwork
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon, Graphite
Pensive young woman by Emile Hornung - Pastel on paper 37x29 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Sketch on the back of the work
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Two divine women - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Two divine women
Original pencil and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very good condition, ...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
Study of woman in bathing suit - Ink drawing - circa 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Study of woman in bathing suit
Original India ink and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10.4 x 7.8 in)
Ver...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink, Color Pencil
Elegant Woman Seen in Cafe de la Paix (Paris) - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Elegant Woman Seen in Cafe de la Paix (Paris)
Original pencil and color pencils drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x ...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
Fishing Party - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Fishing Party
Original pencil and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very good condition, pap...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
Moulin Rouge Dancer - Pencil drawing - circa 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Moulin Rouge Dancer
Original pencil and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c....
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
J.Jacques Berne-Bellecour (1874-1939), North African Horseman, 1915, watercolor
Located in Paris, FR
Jean-Jacques Berne-Bellecour (1874-1939)
A North African Horseman in the forest,
Watercolor on paper
signed and dated 1915 lower right, 32 x 27.5 cm
In a modern frame : 53 x 48 cm
...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
French Woman with a Officer - Ink drawing - 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
French Woman with a Officer
Original India ink and pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very good co...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Color Pencil, India Ink
Study of female nude and a couple - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Study of female nude and a couple
Original pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Good condition, paper...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Naked woman facing a little devil - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Naked woman facing a little devil
Original pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Good condition, paper...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
France early 20th century View of the Grosbois castle and head study, watercolor
Located in Paris, FR
French school early 20th century
View of the Grosbois castle and a portrait study.
Black ink, black ink wash and watercolor on paper
Signed lower right (indistinct, see photo)
27 x ...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Carbon Pencil
Morning moments - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Morning moments
Original India ink drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very good condition, paper lightly y...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink
French Woman with Japanese Inspired Gown - Pencil drawing - circa 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
French woman with Japanese inspired gown
Original pencil drawing
Signed by stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Good condition, pap...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Tribute to Degas Ballerina : Sitting female nude - Ink drawing - circa 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Tribute to Degas Ballerina : Sitting female nude
Original India ink and pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink, Pencil
Nineteenth-century Coachman - Ink drawing - 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Nineteenth-century Coachman
Original India ink and pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very good co...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink
Secretary in the Subway - Pencil drawing - circa 1913
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Secretary in the Subway
Original pencil and color pencils drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Good conditio...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
Libertine Carnaval in Venice - Ink drawing - circa 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Libertine Carnaval in Venice
Original India ink and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very ...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink, Color Pencil
“Boy with Orange”
By Guiseppe Gelanze
Located in Southampton, NY
Watercolor on cardboard of a young boy in a straw hat peeling an orange by the Italian artist, Guiseppe Gelanze. Signed middle right, Gelanze, along with “Napoli” or Naples. Circa ...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Cardboard, Watercolor, Gouache
"Warm Evening Solitude"
By John P. Nicolson
Located in Southampton, NY
For your consideration here is a wonderful original watercolor by the Scottish born artist John P. Nicolson also known as John Nicolson. Executed circa 1915 in the style of Winslow H...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
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Procession Four girls with flowers - English Female Illustrator
Located in Miami, FL
Four young English girls with flowers are shown in a line and moving from left to right. They are pushed forward on the picture plane as if they were on a stage with a simple indica...
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1890s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
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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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Portrait Sketch
By Ben Fenske
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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21st Century and Contemporary Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
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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...
Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
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H 26.38 in W 15.36 in D 0.08 in
Self Portrait Sketch
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Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An early work on paper, by American Impressionist painter, Ben Fenske. It's rare to see a drawing like this from Fenske, especially of a self portrait. Fenske uses classical draftin...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
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Mughal School, 18th century – Emperor Jahangir in his harem in flagrante delicto
Located in Middletown, NY
An illuminated page from a book likely in reference to palace life during Emperor Jahangir's reign over the Mughal Empire.
Circa 1750. Gouache and ink with gold heightening on cre...
Category
18th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
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Untitled (Sideview of a Gentleman)
By John Gilroy
Located in New York, NY
John Thomas Young Gilroy (English, 1898-1985), "Untitled: Sideview of a Gentleman", Charcoal/Pencil on Paper signed and matted to original card stock, 20.75 x 12.75 (22 x 14), Early 20th Century, 1920
Colors: White, Black
John Thomas Young Gilroy (30 May 1898 – 11 April 1985) was an English artist and illustrator, best known for his advertising posters for Guinness, the Irish stout. He signed many of his works, simply, "Gilroy".
Born in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England, Gilroy attended Durham University until his studies were interrupted by World War I, during which he served with the Royal Field Artillery. He resumed studying at the Royal College of Art in London, where he remained as a teacher. He taught at Camberwell College of Arts.[1]
In 1925, he gained employment at S.H. Benson's advertising agency, where he created the iconic advertisement art for Guinness featuring the Zoo Keeper and animals enjoying Guinness.[2] He worked with Dorothy L. Sayers.[3] He was also an accomplished portrait painter, numbering Royalty, Politicians, Actors and many others amongst his sitters. He worked in his large studio at 10 Holland Park, London, the former home and studio of Sir Bernard Partridge. He was a long-standing and much loved member of the Garrick Club...
Category
1920s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Charcoal
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pencil, Color Pencil
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 ...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
H 6.63 in W 5.88 in D 1 in
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
H 23.5 in W 19.5 in D 1 in
Scottish early 20th Century watercolour painting of a sitting girl by Lamont
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
John Charles Lamont ARSA
(Scottish, 1894-1948)
“The sitting girl”
Pencil, watercolour, body colour and pastel Signed ‘LAMONT’ (lower-right)
23. 3/4. X 14. 3/4 in (60.5 x 37.5 cm)
Category
20th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Pencil, Watercolor
John Charles Lamont ARSAScottish early 20th Century watercolour painting of a sitting girl by Lamont
H 23.75 in W 14.75 in D 1 in
Mughal School, 18th Century Emperor Jahangir with Empress Nur Jahan
Located in Middletown, NY
Emperor Jahangir and Empress Nur Jahan exchanging lotus blossoms; a symbol of beauty, purity, honesty, rebirth, self-regeneration, and enlightenment....
Category
18th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gold
Previously Available Items
Elegant Couple in Conversation
Located in Miami, FL
Signed, dated and inscribed lower right: "To Erika my collaborator with sincere admiration Howard Chandler Christy 1911"
Provenance: Morris Weiss collection
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Gouache, Pencil
Woman Undressing - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Woman Undressing
Original pencil and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
On the back an other ...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
Study of a young woman - Ink drawing - circa 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Study of a young woman
Original India ink and color pencil drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very good c...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink, Color Pencil
Morning moments - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Morning moments
Original pencil and color pencils drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Very good condition, ...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
Morning toilet - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
Morning toilet
Original pencil and color pencils drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Good condition, paper ...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
French Marianne and Uncle Sam - Ink drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
French Marianne and Uncle Sam
Original India ink drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink
Studies of Scotish Officers - Ink drawing - circa 1916
Located in Paris, FR
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936)
French woman with Japanese inspired gown
Original India ink drawing
Signed with the stamp of atelier
On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in)
Good condi...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink
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.