Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MODERN STYLE
The first decades of the 20th century were a period of artistic upheaval, with modern art movements including Cubism, Surrealism, Futurism and Dadaism questioning centuries of traditional views of what art should be. Using abstraction, experimental forms and interdisciplinary techniques, painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers and performance artists all pushed the boundaries of creative expression.
Major exhibitions, like the 1913 Armory Show in New York City — also known as the “International Exhibition of Modern Art,” in which works like the radically angular Nude Descending a Staircase by Marcel Duchamp caused a sensation — challenged the perspective of viewers and critics and heralded the arrival of modern art in the United States. But the movement’s revolutionary spirit took shape in the 19th century.
The Industrial Revolution, which ushered in new technology and cultural conditions across the world, transformed art from something mostly commissioned by the wealthy or the church to work that responded to personal experiences. The Impressionist style emerged in 1860s France with artists like Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas quickly painting works that captured moments of light and urban life. Around the same time in England, the Pre-Raphaelites, like Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, borrowed from late medieval and early Renaissance art to imbue their art with symbolism and modern ideas of beauty.
Emerging from this disruption of the artistic status quo, modern art went further in rejecting conventions and embracing innovation. The bold legacy of leading modern artists Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Piet Mondrian and many others continues to inform visual culture today.
Find a collection of modern paintings, sculptures, prints and other fine art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Modern
Timeless Body Art
Located in Boxholm, SE
Timeless Body Art – Jolanta Johnsson, experienced Polish artist, graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, PhD of fine arts, university teacher. She currently lives in Sweden. ...
Category
Early 2000s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Paper
In Arms Angel
Located in Boxholm, SE
Jolanta Johnsson, experienced Polish artist, graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, PhD of fine arts, university teacher. She currently lives in Sweden. This is how she writ...
Category
1990s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Frau bei Tisch sitzend
Located in Wien, 9
August Dressler is one of the painters of the New Objectivity. He is one of the lesser-known artists of the Weimar era, but he too, like his famous contemporaries Georg Grosz, John H...
Category
20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Paper
Am Wartehäuschen / At the Bus Shelter
Located in Wien, 9
Christian Arnold was an extremely productive artist during his lifetime and produced countless watercolours and oil paintings. In the style of New Objectivity, his landscapes or citi...
Category
20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Leda and the Swan
Located in Greenwich, CT
American, 1897-1986
Reuben Nakian, born August 10, 1897 in College Point, New York enjoyed a long and distinguished career, maintaining his innovative spirit and creativity over mor...
Category
1980s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Crayon
Untitled-042 pastel on paper by Hans Burkhardt
Located in Hudson, NY
Hand-signed and dated "H Burkhardt '63" lower right.
Provenance: The artist to his daughter Elsa. By descent to her son.
Chronology of the artist:
1904 Hans Burkhardt was born in ...
Category
1960s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Paper
Figura Femminile II
Located in ATLANTA, GA
Son of painter Angelo Bonfanti, Maurizio Bonfanti attended Bergamo's Liceo Artistico and studied etching at the Accademia di Belle Arti in the same c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache
"Lilian"
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by:
Gershon Benjamin (1899-1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon Benj...
Category
1920s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Study for Sculpture of Nude Woman Balancing Baby
By Chaim Gross
Located in New York, NY
Study for Sculpture of Nude Woman Balancing Baby, 1949, by Chaim Gross (1902-1991)
Ink on paper
10 ½ x 7 ½ inches unframed (26.67 x 19.05 cm)
1...
Category
1940s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Pen
"Loser's Rack" - Original Charcoal and Graphite Drawing on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
"Loser's Rack" - Original Charcoal and Graphite Drawing on Paper
This drawing by California artist, Angela Stone (American, b. 1983), provides brilliant 1-point perspective in a val...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Graphite
Getting Ready for the Revolution - Learning How to Ride in the Subway
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Getting Ready for the Revolution - Learning How to Ride in the Subway
Litho crayons on illustrator’s board, c. 1932
Signed: Adolf Dehn (VED) lower right corner (signed by Virginia De...
Category
1930s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon
Bull Ring Brass - Mexico City
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Bull Ring Brass - Mexico City
Watercolor, pen and ink on paper, 1955
Signed in ink, dated and titled in pencil (see photos)
Condition: 1'' repaired tear left edge, along with other ...
Category
1950s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink, Watercolor, Pen
Large Drawing of Boy by French Armenian Modernist Jean Jansem Ecole De Paris Art
By Jean Jansem
Located in Surfside, FL
Jean Jansem (Hovhannes Semerdjian) 1920-2013
Young Boy (sad young man)
Hand signed lower left corner
Provenance: Marble Arch Gallery NYC
Measurements Image size: 25 by 18 inches, ove...
Category
1960s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Two Worlds Festival - Spoleto - Watercolor by Mino Maccari - 1960 ca.
By Mino Maccari
Located in Roma, IT
Two Worlds Festival - Spoleto is an Artwork realized by Mino Maccari (1924-1989) in 1960 ca.
Drawing pwatercolor on paper, with another drawing in pen on the rear
Good conditions ...
Category
1960s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Family at the Beach WPA Modernism American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Family at the Beach WPA Modernism American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century
William Gropper (1898 - 1977)
"Family at the Beach"
27 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches
Mixed media on paper, c. ...
Category
1940s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache, Watercolor, Ink, Paper
1950's Modernist/ Cubist Painting - Figures Celebrating Life
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Figures
by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century)
original gouache on card
size: 19.5 x 13 inches
condition: very good and ready to be enjoyed
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache
Colorful Cottage - Drawing - Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Colorful Cottage is a drawing realized by an anonymous in the mid-20th century.
Pastel on paper.
Fair condition with a cutting on the left.
The artwork is created through deft st...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pastel
Untitled, Nude drawing on paper
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Untitled, 1984 by Enrique Grau
Graphite on paper
Signed in the lower right corner. Great condition.
Provenance: Private collection.
Image size: 12 in H x 9 in W
Unframed
____
Enriq...
Category
1980s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Graphite, Archival Paper
1968 gouache by British artist Hans Feibush 'A study for the four seasons'
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A very magnificent work by 20th Century British artist Hans Feibusch of a nude classical figure posed for a study for the four seasons
Escaping the grip of Nazi Germany in 1933, Han...
Category
20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Gouache
1968 gouache by British artist Hans Feibush 'The beauty of youth'
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A very magnificent work by 20th Century British artist Hans Feibusch of a boy looking out over a landscape, classically inspired with a modern flair.
Escaping the grip of Nazi Germa...
Category
20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Gouache
Wire Haired Girl and Cat
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Wire Haired Girl and Cat
Pen and ink with watercolor, c. 1930
Signed with the Estate stamp "B"
Provenance: Estate of the Artist
By descent to his son Edward
...
Category
1930s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Untitled (Study for The Aerialists)
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled (Study for The Aerialists)
Graphite on paper, 1932
Signed lower right in pencil: "John Steuart Curry"
Dated: 1932 in pencil
Exhibited:
Schroeder Romero & Shredder, NYC (la...
Category
1930s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Graphite
Body of Man - Drawing - Mid-20th century
Located in Roma, IT
Body of Man is a drawing realized by an Anonymous artist in the mid-20th century.
Charcoal on paper. With another drawing of hands in the rear.
Good conditions with slight foxing.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
Letters to Sardinia - Drawing by Filiberto Scarpelli - 1925
Located in Roma, IT
Letters to Sardinia is a modern artwork realized by Italian artist Filiberto Scarpelli (Naples, 1870 - Rome, 1933).Four Separate artworks in one frame. Original drawings realized i...
Category
1920s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pen, Paper
Skeleton - Drawing by Paul Ackerman - Mid 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Skeleton is a drawing realized by Paul Ackerman in the mid-20th century.
Pencil on paper.
Signed on the lower right.
Fair conditions with slight cutting on the margins
The artwor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
The Prison - Drawing by Mino Maccari - 1960 ca.
By Mino Maccari
Located in Roma, IT
The Prison is an Artwork realized by Mino Maccari (1924-1989) in 1960 ca.
Hand Signed on the top left.
Good conditions with some short-cutting and folding on the margins.
Mino Ma...
Category
1960s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Tempera, Pastel, Paper
Cocaine - Drawing - Mid-20th century
Located in Roma, IT
Cocaine is a satiric drawing realized by an Anonymous artist in the mid-20th century.
Watercolor and China ink on paper.
Good conditions with slight foxing.
The artwork is created...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor
Geocentric Universe - Drawing - Late 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Geocentric Universe is a China ink drawing realized by Anonymous in the late 19th century
Good conditions.
Good condition with aged margins
Category
Late 19th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Composition With Figures. Figurative Gouache Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Excellent work from this Indian Born (1930) artist, who moved to South Africa.
She has received International critical aclaim and her work rarely reaches the market
Reddy’s style of...
Category
1970s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache
A Triptych: The Olympic Games, Modern British Drawing, Ancient Greek, Nude
Located in London, GB
Graphite on paper
Image size of rectangular works: 33 x 43 inches (84 x 109 cm)
Image size of arched central work: 38 1/4 x 29 inches (97 x 73.5 cm)
Provenance
Private Collection o...
Category
1930s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Graphite, Paper
The Horses - Drawing - Mid 20th century
Located in Roma, IT
The Horses is a satiric drawing realized by an Anonymous artist in the mid-20th century.
Pen drawing on paper.
Good conditions with slight foxing.
The artwork is created through ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
Men at the Table - Drawing by Fiorenzo Tomea - Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Men at the Table is a drawing realized by Fiorenzo Tomea in the mid-20th century.
Pencil on paper glued on a hard cardboard as support.
Good conditions with slight foxing.
The art...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Cardboard, Pencil
Handwritten, signed letter
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Calder
Handwritten, signed letter, 1956
Ink on paper: 2 page handwritten and hand signed letter
Hand signed by Calder at the end of the letter on the second page.
Unique
11...
Category
1950s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Paper
Artist's Studio - Drawing - 1941
Located in Roma, IT
Artist's Studio is a modern artwork realized by an unknown artist in 1941.
Watercolor on paper.
Dated and Hand-signed, illegible.
Good conditions.
Category
1940s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
20th Century French Modernist Painting Colourful Abstract Figures
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Expressionist
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 15.75 x 19 inches
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: very good and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
French 20th Century Modernist Painting Female Figures Gossiping Watercolour
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Expressionist
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 15 x 19.5 inches
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: very good and s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
20th Century Modernist Painting Girls Gossiping In French Bistro
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Expressionist
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 15.5 x 19 inches
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: very good and s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Rough Conversation - Drawing by Mino Maccari - 1960 ca
Located in Roma, IT
Rough Conversation is a drawing Artwork realized by (1924-1989) in the 1960s.
Hand-signed and dedicated to Corrado Sofia.
Good conditions with slight foxing and folding.
Mino Mac...
Category
1960s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pen
Flower - Drawing - 1967
Located in Roma, IT
Flower is a drawing in mixed media with hand-dedication on the left, realized in 1967.
Hand-signed on the lower, illegible.
Good conditions with slight folding.
Category
Late 19th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media
Eros - Drawing by Maurice Vertès - 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Eros is a pencil drawing realized by Maurice Vertès in the 1930s.
Good conditions with slight folding.
Category
1930s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
20th Century French Painting Figures In Waiting Room Watercolour
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Expressionist
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 19 x 15.5 inches
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: very good and s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Sleeping - Drawing - 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Sleeping is a pencil drawing on paper realized by an anonymous artist in the 1950s.
Good conditions with slight folding.
Category
1950s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Rhythmic Gymnast. Modern British Pastel.Competition.Judge.Coach.Reds. Composure.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Robert King.
English ( b.1936 ).
Gymnast. Dancer.
Pastel on paper. Signed.
Image size 7.5 inches x 5.7 inches ( 19cm x 14.5cm ).
Frame size 14 inches x 11.6 inches ( 35.5cm x 29.5cm...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pastel
Horses - Drawing by Paul Emile Colin - Early-20th century
Located in Roma, IT
Horses is a drawing realized by Paul Emile Colin in the Early 20th Century.
Carbon Pencil on ivory-colored paper
Stamped on the lower.
Good conditions with slight foxing.
The art...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
20th Century French Modernist Painting Figures At The Outdoor Bar
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Outside French Bar
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
signed pencil on artist paper, unframed
painting : 6.25 x 9.5 inches
stamped verso
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
1950's Modernist/ Cubist Painting - Red Roof Green Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Landscape
by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century)
original gouache on board unframed
size: 9.5 x 13 inches
condition: very good and ready to be enjoyed
provenance: the art...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache
20th Century French Modernist Figure and Child Drawing
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figure and child
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 8 x 5.5 inches
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: very good and sound ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ballpoint Pen
20th Century French Modernist Painting Set of Four Dark Watercolour Scenes
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Set of 4
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 8.75 x 6.5 inches
stamped verso
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: very good an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
20th Century French Modernist Black & White Painting Jesus's Crucifixion
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Jesus On The Cross
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
signed watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 8.75 x 6.25 inches
stamped verso
provenance: artists estate, France
condi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Famous Raincoat
By Andy Warhol
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Andy Warhol is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. In the 1950s, he was an in-demand and celebrated illustrator working for New York's toniest publicatio...
Category
1950s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ballpoint Pen
20th Century French Modernist Painting Set of Six Dark Watercolour Scenes
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Set of 6
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 8.75 x 6.5 inches
stamped verso
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: very good an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Soldiers - Drawing by Paul Emile Colin - Early-20th century
Located in Roma, IT
Soldiers is a drawing realized by Paul Emile Colin in the Early 20th Century.
Carbon Pencil on ivory-colored paper
Stamped on the lower.
Good conditions with slight foxing.
The a...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Preliminary Study for a Sculpture Project
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Preliminary Study for a Sculpture Project
Graphite, charcoal and wash on tracing paper, c. 1930-1940
Signed upper left and lower left (see both photos)
Created while the artist was l...
Category
1930s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal
20th Century French Modernist Painting Crowded Cafe Bar Scene with Figures
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Crowded Cafe
by Guy Nicod
(French 1923 - 2021)
watercolour on artist paper, unframed
painting : 15 x 17.5 inches
provenance: artists estate, France
condition: very good and sound...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Untitled II, Nude drawing on paper
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Untitled II, 1984 by Enrique Grau
Graphite on paper
Signed in the lower right corner. Great condition.
Provenance: Private collection.
Image size: 12 in H x 9 in W
Unframed
____
En...
Category
1980s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Archival Paper, Graphite
Soldiers Preparation - Drawing by Paul Emile Colin - Early-20th century
Located in Roma, IT
Soldiers Preparation is a drawing realized by Paul Emile Colin in the Early 20th Century.
Carbon Pencil on ivory-colored paper
Stamped on the lower.
Good conditions with slight fo...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Composition - Drawing by Mino Maccari - 1960 ca
Located in Roma, IT
Composition is an Artwork realized by Mino Maccari (1924-1989) in 1960 ca.
Drawing pen on yellowed paper. Hand Signed on the lower right margin.
Good conditions.
Mino Maccari (Si...
Category
1960s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pen, Paper
Departure of Soldiers - Drawing by Paul Emile Colin - Early-20th century
Located in Roma, IT
Departure of Soldiers is a drawing realized by Paul Emile Colin in the Early 20th Century.
Carbon Pencil on ivory-colored paper
Hand-signed and. dated on the lower.
Good condition...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Modern figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Modern figurative drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, 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 orange, blue, yellow, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mino Maccari, Flor David, Gabriele Galantara, and Alberto Ziveri. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Watercolor and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Modern figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 0.25 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 $648,500, while the average work sells for $409.