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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.  

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Style: Academic
Recognized Seller Listings
"Sons and Lovers" Drill Drawing, #2
Located in Dallas, TX
Signed by artist "M. O'KEEFE 2013" at lower left. Media is graphite on clay-coated panel. Overall dimensions including the frame are 18 x 15 inches.
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Clay, Panel, Graphite

ACADEMIC MALE NUDE FIGURE STUDIES
Located in Portland, ME
Michallet (attributed). ACADEMIC MALE NUDE FIGURE STUDIES. Four Charcoal drawings, each on heavy wove paper, 19th Century. 24 1/2 x 19 1/8 inches (s...
Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal

Boats at the Dock
By Stephen Seymour Thomas
Located in Dallas, TX
gouache with pen and ink signed "Seymour Thomas" at lower right
Category

20th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Gouache, Ink, Pen

Night Fishing at Saint Maurice
By Emile Noirot
Located in Dallas, TX
signed "Emile Noirot 1893" at lower right overall dimensions, including frame, are 19 3/4 x 23 5/8 inches
Category

1890s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Paper

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Untitled - After Cadmus - Nude Males Embracing, Original Graphite Drawing
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This untitled work by Rick Sindt was inspired by the works of Paul Cadmus. It is a small graphite drawing of two male nude figures with both of their faces somewhat obscured during an intimate moment. The graph lines often used by artist are still visible to distinguish between the photographic elements of a Polaroid photo and this actual drawing. The piece is framed in a white float frame measuring 12.5h x 10.5w inches. Rick Sindt Untitled - After Cadmus graphite on panel 10h x 8w in 25.40h x 20.32w cm Shifting the historic male gaze into a male-on-male gaze, this body of work anchors its exploration of queer culture in relationships and introspection. Beginning with a survey of several photo archives, I overwhelmingly encountered pictures that fit into two distinct categories: spectacular demonstrations or public displays of sexuality. All of these images were overtly political. Then, I began to find a subset of more intimate images. Typically, these were images submitted by loved ones or donated to foundations after someone’s death. These images depicted common, tender scenes. Working my way through these images, I reflected on D. A. Miller’s assertion that gay identity, to which we have entrusted our politics and ethics, stands in an essentially reductive relation to the queer desires on which it is based. And David Halperin’s argument that, “identity has become the preferred category for thinking about homosexuality. Moreover, it has been promoted at the direct expense of pleasure or feelings or subjectivity.” This left me asking the questions: how is queer culture transmitted if not genealogically? Is there a universal queer experience? What is queer sensibility and subjectivity and can it be visually represented? In the body of work submitted here, black and white graphite drawings maintain a Polaroid scale referencing the found historical photographs on which they are based, oil paintings provide isolated moments of feeling as they investigate questions about queer dispositions in a contemporary setting, and a few key sketches provide insight into how a few individual inquiries began. Rick Sindt b. 1990, Hastings, MN, EDUCATION 2013 North Park University, Chicago, IL - BFA Magna Cum Laude SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2016 Two Countries, Rogue Philanthropy, Chicago, IL 2013 Tides, Erosion or Catch, Pull, Recover; The-One-Right-Now, North Park University; Chicago, IL GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2016 Are We Not of Interest to Each Other, Uptown Arts Center, Chicago, IL Reinventing Ourselves From Another Point-of-View, Contemporary Gallery at Zhou B. Arts Center, Chicago, IL Collective: Process, Beans and Bagels, Chicago, IL 2015 Collective: for(a)ging, Hammond Art Center; Hammond, IN How We Make It, The Arts of Life, Chicago, IL Collective: One, Albany Park...
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2010s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Nude Sketch #2
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
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The Fiddler, Small Ink Drawing by John Bauer
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This intricate ink drawing by John Bauer, measuring approximately 8 x 5 cm and presented in an oval format, encapsulates a profound expression in its modest size. It features a minus...
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'Erika in Gesture I, ' by James Cobb, Drawing
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Early English watercolour, Figures and cattle by a river
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A delightful composition by this master watercolourist. William Payne (1760-1830) Figures and cattle by a river Watercolour 7¾ inches, circular, unframed 15 x 14½ inches with the fr...
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Academic Drawing. Figure Study of Young Sitting Nude Man. 19th Century.
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Located in Roma, IT
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Category

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MB 017 (Figurative Life Drawing of Female Nude by Mark Beard)
Located in Hudson, NY
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Category

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Materials

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Dusk from the Tomb of Lorenzo di Piero de'Medici - Original Ink Drawing
Located in Chicago, IL
This particular drawing is a study of the sculpture at the Medici Chapel in Florence, Italy. The artist creates a true to life representation of the sculpture in question by incorporating techniques of classical academic drawing such as cross hatching and gesture based mark making in order to create volumes and give the study an overall three-dimensionality. Christopher Ganz Dusk from the Tomb of Lorenzo di Piero de'Medici, by Michaelangelo, in Florence Ballpoint pen 24h x 13w in 61h x 33.29w cm CG0064 -ARTIST STATEMENT- I depict my person in multiplicity with different selves representing dramatis personae. My likeness is both implicit and symbolic in the portrayal of my narrative; the drama involved in creating art and the artist’s role in society. I use realism to invite the viewer into mysterious inner worlds that are layered reflections of the outer. Dehumanizing environments are imbued with art historical references as a critique of power structures. The artist is an Everyman who is at odds with society and his self. Visually my work is a celebration of society’s dark undercurrents and its overlooked absurdities. I use charcoal and printmaking media as their tenebrous values add a fitting metaphor. The nuances of light and shadow seduce viewers into a world their better judgment would have them avoid. This provokes a sense of disquietude that causes viewers to assess our world through the austerity of a colorless, yet not humorless, light. -BIO- Christopher Ganz grew up in Northeast Ohio and from early on had a fertile imagination and an interest in art. Christopher's artistic education truly began at the University of Missouri, where his love of the human form led to many figure drawing classes and his exposure to the wonders of printmaking. Christopher's then went onto graduate school at Indiana University and a summer abroad program in Italy was a dream realized. Christopher then grasped charcoal with a renewed vigor and large, sfumato-laden drawings ensued. Christopher's artistic influences are many; from a seminal exposure to Dore's engravings of the Divine Comedy, to Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Goya, and up to Lucian Freud, Mark Tansey, and Michael Mazur. Christopher is now an associate professor of printmaking and drawing at Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Christopher drawings are represented by Ann Nathan Gallery in Chicago, and he shows his prints across the nation. -CV- EDUCATION MFA 2001 Printmaking Indiana University-Bloomington BFA 1995 Drawing and Printmaking University of Missouri-Columbia TEACHING/PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2002-13 Associate Professor, Printmaking and Drawing Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), Fort Wayne, IN 2002 Adjunct Professor: Lithography (instructor of record) Indiana University-Bloomington 1998-00 Associate Instructor: Beginning Drawing (instructor of record) Indiana University-Bloomington 1998 Artist’s Assistant, Assisted Distinguished Professor Emeritus Rudy Pozzatti in the production of an intaglio edition, Bloomington, IN SOLO OR SMALL GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2013 Multiplicities: Drawings and Prints by Christopher Ganz, Franklin College, Franklin, IN Feb. 5 – Feb. 21 2012 Dramatis Personae: Drawings and Prints by Christopher Ganz, University of South Carolina-Columbia, Jan 16. – Feb. 16, 2012 2011 Christopher Ganz; Prints and Drawing Hendrix College, Hendrix, Arkansas, March 5 - 18 2009 Fall Season Exhibition, six drawings displayed Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago. Oct 16 – Nov. 24 South Bend Museum of Art Biennial 25 - regional juried exhibition for artists in all media, six large drawings displayed; 14 artists selected from over 200 submissions; May 30-Aug. 23 Juror: William Lieberman, Director of Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Chicago 2007 Christopher Ganz: Drawings, The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center Covington, KY, March 9 - April 6 Alter Egos: Drawings and Prints by Christopher Ganz Trisolini Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, OH, Jan. 9 - Feb.17 2005 The Two-Way Mirror: Self - Portraits by Christopher Ganz Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN, Aug.20 - Oct. 23 2004 Works on Paper: Christopher Ganz and Paul Schumann Robert E. Wilson Gallery, Huntington College, Huntington, IN, Sept. 2 - 25 2002 Images by Christopher Ganz - Visual Arts Gallery Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN, Sept. 3 – Oct. 11 2001 M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition - School of Fine Arts Gallery Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, March 27 - April 7 SELECTED ADJUDICATED OR INVITATIONAL GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2012 International Expositions of Sculpture Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) Chicago, Drawing, “The Initiation” on display in Ann Nathan Gallery space, Nov. 2-4 Reverse Watching, Invitational Print Portfolio Monoprint, “The Mind’s Eye" displayed at Mid America Print Council’s National Conference, Southeast Missouri State, Cape Girardeau, MO, Nov. 1 – 3 Contemporary American Realism: Fort Wayne Museum of Art 2012 National Biennial, Fort Wayne, IN, Aug.11-Oct. 28 32nd Annual National Print Exhibition at Artlink - National Juried Exhibition Artlink Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN, April 13 – May 23 Juror: Ladislav Hanka, internationally exhibiting printmaker International Expositions of Sculpture Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) New York, Park Avenue Armory, Drawing, “The Enigma” on display in Ann Nathan Gallery space, April 20-23 Spring Group Show, drawings, “Checking Out” and “The Enigma” displayed, April – May 2 Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago 2011 Prints U.S.A. 2011 – National Juried Exhibition Springfield Art Museum, Missouri, Nov. 18 – Jan. 8 Juror: Elizabeth Wyckoff, Curator of Prints, Drawings & Photographs, St. Louis Art Museum International expositions of Sculpture Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) New York, Park Avenue Armory, Drawing, Checking Out on display in Ann Nathan Gallery space, April 14-17 2010 Contemporary American Realism: Fort Wayne Museum of Art 2010 National Biennial, Fort Wayne, IN, Sept. 3 – Nov. 7; two pieces accepted Cultural Baggage, Invitational Print Portfolio Intaglio print, Super-Heroes go to Hell, after Dore’ displayed at Mid America Print Council’s National Conference, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, Chicago, Oct. 13-16 Art Chicago: International Fair of Contemporary and Modern Art Drawing, The Cyclops on display in Ann Nathan Gallery space, April 29 - May 2 30th Annual National Print Exhibition at Artlink - National Juried Exhibition Artlink Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN, April 16 – May 26 Juror: Claudia Berlinski, Senior Lecturer of Printmaking at Akron University, Akron, OH 2009 Are you looking at me? Invitational Print Portfolio Color lithograph, Open and Shut, displayed at IMPACT 6: International Print Conference Centre for Fine Print Research, University of the West of England, Bristol, Sept. 16 – 19 Art Chicago: International Fair of Contemporary and Modern Art Drawing, Self-Checkout on display in Ann Nathan Gallery space, May 1 – 4 Identification Please, Invitational Print Portfolio Intaglio print, Good Cop/Bad Cop displayed at Southern Graphics Council National Conference, Columbia College, Chicago, March 25 – 29 Boston Printmakers 2009 North American Print Biennial – National juried printmaking exhibition Juror: Rebecca Waddell, Curator of Prints at the New York Public Library Boston University’s 808 Gallery, Boston, MA, Feb. 15 – March 30 22nd Parkside National Small Print Exhibition - National Juried Exhibition University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI, Jan.18 - Feb. 19 Juror: Professor of printmaking at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside Portraits and Beyond, Ann Nathan Galley, Chicago, IL, Jan. 9 - Feb 19 2008 Contemporary American Realism: Fort Wayne Museum of Art 2008 National Biennial, Fort Wayne, IN, Sept13 – Nov. 2; two pieces accepted 28th Annual National Print Exhibition at Artlink - National Juried Exhibition 2008 Artlink Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN, April 11 – May 21 Juror: Mark Pascale, Printmaking Faculty, School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Curator of Prints and Drawing, Art Institute of Chicago “No Danger” - Invitational Portfolio Folded paper airplane lithograph, “The Dream of Flight” displayed at Richmond International Airport as part of the Southern Graphics Council National Conference Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, March 26 – April 26 21st Parkside National Small Print Exhibition - National Juried Exhibition University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI, Jan.20 - Feb. 21 Juror: Karla Hackenmiller, Printmaking Chair and Associate Professor, School of Fine Arts, Ohio University 2007 Singularities – Invitational group exhibit Joan Resnikoff Gallery, Roxbury Community College, Boston, MA Nov. 2 – Dec. 17 Hong Kong Graphics Art Festival 2007: Crossing Boundaries - Invitational international printmaking exchange exhibition School of Design Gallery, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, Nov. 1 – Nov. 16 27th Annual National Print Exhibition at Artlink - National Juried Exhibition Artlink Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN, May 26 - July 5; two pieces accepted Award Selector: Brett Colley, Assistant Professor of Art and Design, Grand Valley State University Boston Printmakers 2007 North American Print Biennial – National juried printmaking exhibition Boston University’s 808 Gallery, Boston, MA, Feb. 18 - April 1 Juror: Judith B. Hecker, Assistant Curator, Department of Prints and Illustrated Books, The Museum of Modern Art, New York 2006 The Printed Image: The First Biennial Midwestern Graphics Juried Exhibition National Juried Printmaking Exhibition Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka, KS Aug. 11 - Sept 15 Juror: Karen Kunc, Professor of Printmaking/Book Arts, University of Nebraska- Lincoln 2006 National Contemporary American Realism: Fort Wayne Museum of Art's 2006 Biennial, Fort Wayne, IN, June 10 - Aug. 20; two pieces accepted 26th Annual National Print Exhibition at Artlink - National Juried Exhibition Artlink Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN, May 26 - July 5; two pieces accepted Award Selector: Carolyn Autry, artist and Associate Professor of Art and Art History at the University of Toledo 19th University of Dallas Print Invitational - Traveling national invitational exhibition Haggerty Gallery, University of Dallas, Irving TX, Jan. 28 – March 6 three pieces accepted Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, TX, Feb. 1 – March 9, 2007 Juror: Juergen Strunck...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pen, Paper

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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