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Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

IMPRESSIONIST STYLE

Emerging in 19th-century France, Impressionist art embraced loose brushwork and plein-air painting to respond to the movement of daily life. Although the pioneers of the Impressionist movement — Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir — are now household names, their work was a radical break with an art scene led and shaped by academic traditions for around two centuries. These academies had oversight of a curriculum that emphasized formal drawing, painting and sculpting techniques and historical themes.

The French Impressionists were influenced by a group of artists known as the Barbizon School, who painted what they witnessed in nature. The rejection of pieces by these artists and the later Impressionists from the salons culminated in a watershed 1874 exhibition in Paris that was staged outside of the juried systems. After a work of Monet’s was derided by a critic as an unfinished “impression,” the term was taken as a celebration of their shared interest in capturing fleeting moments as subject matter, whether the shifting weather on rural landscapes or the frenzy of an urban crowd. Rather than the exacting realism of the academic tradition, Impressionist paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings represented how an artist saw a world in motion.

Many Impressionist painters were inspired by the perspectives in imported Japanese prints alongside these shifts in European painting — Édouard Manet drew on ukiyo-e woodblock prints and depicted Japanese design in his Portrait of Émile Zola, for example. American artists such as Mary Cassatt and William Merritt Chase, who studied abroad, were impacted by the work of the French artists, and by the late 19th century American Impressionism had its own distinct aesthetics with painters responding to the rapid modernization of cities through quickly created works that were vivid with color and light.

Find a collection of authentic Impressionist art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Impressionist
Color:  Brown
Original Ronald Shap figure drawing, signed
Located in Columbus, OH
Original gouache and oil pastel figure drawing by celebrated, twentieth-century California impressionist landscape painter, Ronald Shap. Crouching nude man with a mustache...
Category

1980s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Gouache

Figure Bending Over
Located in New York, NY
Image dimensions: 5 ½ x 3 ½ inches Framed dimensions: 12 ⅛ x 10 ⅜ inches Inscribed at lower left: JS 220 Our drawing is also referred to as Young Boy Adjusting His Sandal, and is illustrated in the catalogue for Sargent's 1928 exhibition of drawings at Grand Central Art Galleries in New York. It is an example of an early study from life executed c. 1874-8.* Sargent drew continuously from an early age and had benefited from the emphasis on drawing at the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Florence where he entered the life class in 1870. He arrived in Paris on May 16th, 1874, with a large portfolio of drawings...
Category

1870s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pencil

"Untitled 15, " Watercolor Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Clyde Steadman's "Untitled 15" is an original, handmade watercolor painting that depicts an impasto scene of artists with their easels.
Category

2010s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Paper

Mid Century Seated Nude Figure with Rose
Located in Soquel, CA
Elegant mid century figure study in pastel on brown paper depicting a seated nude woman with a hat and rose, by by American artist Louis Nadalini (Italian, 1927-1995). Signed Nadalini upper right. Presented in a simple wood frame, with new mat and new foam core backing. Image size: 29"H x 19.5"W. Signed and dated "Nadalini 85" lower right. Unframed. ARTFORUM article: Louis Nadalini In the last couple of seasons, San Francisco has lost several of its galleries. Some others have just recently begun operating but often with an entirely new group of artists. Some members of those apparently secure gallery stables that went out of business have found their way into other stables, but a larger group is without a place to show. I decided to look into such a person’s studio in my endeavor to find out what is really happening in the Bay Area art world. I went to see Louis Nadalini. His latest painting continues with the lattice of slats protruding forward with two variations of the painting painted on the sides of the slats which are viewable when standing to either side. This was always a very abstract method and he had quite often painted pure abstractions which centered quietly into hypnotic devices of exceptional color richness, but which gave a kaleidoscopic change as you moved past it. Untitled #42 (the most recent painting) has subject matter and was done in a much more painterly way. The side variations were flat in color, and there were some elements seen only in the side views, a skeleton’s arm and a black hand, for example. Nadalini says that he may abandon the lattice altogether if it gets in his way, but so far it seems to work better than it did with the abstractions. He is enthusiastic about the work he is doing, felt very free about making changes, and was, at the same time still happy about work from several years ago and unwilling to think that older work and new work should not be exhibited together. He hasn’t been thinking about galleries for a while. Nadalini goes to sea periodically which gives him time for contemplation as well as for renewing his resources. by —Knute Stiles...
Category

Late 20th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pastel, Paper

Seating Nude
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Arnold Grossman (American, 1923-2016) Title: Seated Nude Year: c.1980 Medium: Watercolor Paper: Watercolor paper Image size: 21.25 x 17.85 i...
Category

Late 20th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Nude Model Woman Roy Petley Color Pencil Drawing Impressionist
Located in Pollenca, Illes Baleares
In every work of art, Petley incorporates a play of light and shadows. As he moves from his natural medium of oil to watercolour or pastel to sanguine, there remains a certain youthf...
Category

2010s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Color Pencil

Angelo
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Arnold Grossman (American, 1923-2016) Title: Angelo Year: c.1980 Medium: Watercolor Paper: Watercolor paper Size image: 22.5 x 15.5 inches...
Category

Late 20th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

English Antique Portrait Sketch of Female Nude Seated (with additional image)
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
English Graphite Sketch of a Female Nude, Seated (with additional image attached) by Henry George Moon (British 1857-1905) on yellowed thin artists paper, unframed measurements: she...
Category

Late 19th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite

Related Items
Side View Seated Female Nude
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Side View Seated Female Nude Graphite on paper, c. 1890's Unsigned Provenance: Rookwood Pottery Factory Collection, Cincinnati Spanierman Gallery, New York (label) Drawings from the sketchbook are in the collections of the Munson Williams Proctor Institute in Utica, New York and the Picker Art Gallery, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York. Condition: Excellent Sheet size: 9 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches Frame size: 16 x 12 1/2 inches Frank Duveneck (1848-1919) Born in Covington, Kentucky, Frank Duveneck had the birth name of Frank Decker. He became a well-trained academic painter whose work ranged from single figures in interiors to plein air canvases of figures in landscape and often included the depiction of low-life persons. His styles included Realism, Social Realism, and Impressionism, and his work was ever influenced by the dark tones and vigorous brush-strokes of the Munich style, which he learned at the Munich Academy in the 1870s. Art historian Matthew Baigell described Duveneck's mature style as having "loose highlights brushed over ruggedly blocked-out forms emerging from a richly suggestive chiaroscuro." He apprenticed to a church decorator, Wilhelm Lamprecht, in Cincinnati, and worked in Catholic Churches in Covington, Cincinnati, Latrobe, Pennsylvania and Quebec, Canada. At age 22, entered the Royal Academy of Munich where he intended to further his interest in church decoration but instead veered to fine-art painting on canvas. One of his most influential teachers was realist Wilhelm von Diez, and Duveneck, also impressed by the realism of French painter Gustave Courbet, became known for adopting this revolutionary approach with rich brushwork. In Munich, Duveneck shared a studio with William Merritt Chase. Returning to Cincinnati, he painted portraits and decorated churches and also taught art classes. At first he did not gain much attention, but an exhibition in Boston in 1875 gained him good attention. In 1875, he went back to Europe and opened an art school in Munich and also in Poling in Bavaria, and many Americans who became known as "Duveneck's Boys," studied with him. Several years later, he opened his school in Italy where he spent the winters in Florence and the summers in Venice. In 1879, he and his followers went to Venice where he began etching and briefly shared a studio with James Whistler in order to learn from him. He also did sculpture. During this period, his painting changed drastically from dark interiors with heavy, impasto paint to outdoor, plein air painting in much lighter colors giving the appearance of sunlight. Among his students was the future Impressionist painter John Henry Twachtmann, and also Elizabeth Boott, whom he married in 1886 and who died two years later. In 1888, he returned to Cincinnati where from 1900 he taught at the Cincinnati Art Academy. He spent the summers in Gloucester, Massachusetts painting...
Category

1890s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite

Modern Dancers
By Mick Micheyl
Located in London, GB
'Modern Dancers', pastel, ink and gouache on fine art paper by French artist, singer and sculptor, Mick Micheyl (1964). Two elegant young men are depicted in a graceful dancing pose, arms outstretched, their lithe bodies so agile and limber. Perhaps one of the dancers was her friend, Philippe, to whom the painting is dedicated on the bottom. The dedication says: 'For you Philippe, all my friendship'. Signed: 'Mick Micheyl'. The work has been newly framed and glazed after having been acquired in the S. of France. It is in fair vintage condition commensurate with age showing minor blemishing on the paper. Upon request a video of the piece can be provided. Dimensions with Frame: H 75 cm / 29.5" W 61 cm / 24" Dimensions without Frame: H 56 cm / 22" W 42 cm / 16.5" About the Artist: Mick Micheyl (1922 - 2019) was born in Lyon and had a busy and rewarding artistic career as a singer, producer, reviewer, metal sculptor, artist. After having received training at the School of Fine Arts in Lyon she became a painter and decorator in the theatre but then commenced a career in the musical activities of a theatrical troupe. She won the ABC competition in Paris in 1949 with a song, Le Marchand de Poésie, which she composed herself. She then performed in many cabarets: L'Échelle de Jacob, Harlequin and Liberty's. In the 1950s she was one of the most important French cabaret singers of that period. One of her titles, 'Un Gamin de Paris', became one of the French standards and also performed by Yves Montand and Robert Clary...
Category

1960s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Gouache, Paper, Pastel, Ink

"Zoltan" - 1990 Male Nude Study
Located in Soquel, CA
"Zoltan" - 1990 Male Nude Study Watercolor painting depicting a nude male figure. The brunette male figure is posing, seated on a purple cloth, his left hand gripping a table net to him, while he leans on his right elbow, his face looking straight ahead. The background is made up of hues of green. Signed "AG" lower left. Signed, titled and dated on verso. "Arnold Grossman, 'Zoltan' November 1990" Presented in a white mat. Image with mat: 19"H x 22"W Image: 10.5"H x 14.5"W Sheet: 12"H x 16"W Arnold A...
Category

1990s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Paper

1940s Nude Figure Study II
Located in Soquel, CA
Nude figure study of a female model by an unknown artist (American, 20th Century). Circa 1940. Unsigned. Unframed. Image size: 25"H x 19"W.
Category

1940s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

1940s Nude Figure Study II
1940s Nude Figure Study II
H 25 in W 19 in D 0.13 in
1940s Seated Nude Figure Study
Located in Soquel, CA
Nude figure study of a seated female model by an unknown artist (American, 20th Century). Circa 1940. Unsigned. Unframed. Image size: 25"H x 19"W.
Category

1940s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

English Antique Portrait Sketch of Female Nude Standing
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
English Graphite Sketch of a Female Nude, Standing by Henry George Moon (British 1857-1905) on off white artists paper, unframed measurements: sheet 14.75 x 10.5 inches provenance:...
Category

Late 19th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite

Nude Woman from Behind in Charcoal on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Nude Woman from Behind in Charcoal on Paper Nude woman laying down by Santa Cruz and San Francisco artist Heather Speck (American, b. 1978). The model is on her side, facing away fr...
Category

Early 2000s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal, Paper

English Graphite Portrait Sketch of Male Nude, Back View
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
English Graphite Sketch of a Male Nude, Back View by Henry George Moon (British 1857-1905) on pale blue/grey artists paper, unframed measurements: sheet 18.75 x 12 inches provenance...
Category

Late 19th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite

Nude Study
Located in Dallas, TX
My work is capturing the energy or mood of a place or event and presenting it to the audience to have them connect to the subject more closely as if it’s an integral part of their li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Duchándome, June 5th", Watercolor Nude, Pastel and Ink on Archival Paper
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"Duchándome June 5th" by Celso Castro-Daza From the Duchándome Series Watercolor, pastel, and ink on archival paper Sheet size: 19.5 in. H x 13.75 in. W 2018 Drawing on paper is ...
Category

2010s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pastel, Archival Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Duchándome. Nude watercolor on paper
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Duchándome, by Celso Castro From the Duchándome Series Watercolor, ink, and pastel archival paper. NUDES 2D Individual size: 19.5 in. H x 13.75 in. W 2018 Drawing on paper is his basic work tool, some are sketches of his surviving works, and others are sketches of moments he documents. ____________ Undefined by medium, Celso Castro’s works each carry the presence of the artist’s hand through the transparency of their process. Castro’s oeuvre is strongly divided between his photomontage assemblies and watercolor paintings: the prior is marked by the labor-intensive deconstruction of portrait photographs and the latter, by the seemingly frenzied recreation of a past encounter rendered in the drips and scribbles of paint and ink. Both discriminating in what they reveal of the subject, his photomontage and watercolor portraits exude raw sexuality through the combination of Castro’s mark-making and gaze. Celso Castro’s work is a bare-bulb erotic photo...
Category

2010s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pastel, Archival Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Reclining Nude - Mid Century Bay Area Figurative Movement Female Figure Study
By Hubert Buel
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid century watercolor figure study, a lively depiction of a reclining nude woman by Bay Area Figurative Movement artist Hubert Buel (American, 1915-1984)....
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Laid Paper, Watercolor

Previously Available Items
Nude Pastel by Emil Kosa Jr
Located in Pasadena, CA
Emil Kosa, Jr., N.A. (1903-1968) Born: Paris, France; Studied: Academy of Fine Arts (Prague), Ecole des Beaux Arts (Paris), Chouinard Art Institute (Los Angeles); Member: National Ac...
Category

1930s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil, Watercolor, Pastel

Figural Nude Watercolor by French Artist Alain Bonnefoit c.1969
Located in San Francisco, CA
Figural Nude Watercolor by French Artist Alain BONNEFOIT c.1969 Alain Bonnefoit (French, b. 1937) paints in an impressionist style. He is known for his figural nude watercolor paint...
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Prone Male Nude Study
Located in Soquel, CA
Wonderful Charcoal and conte crayon on paper of prone male nude. Signed and dated middle right "Peter R Gyesal 1973." Displayed in a rustic wood frame. Shipped without glass. Image, ...
Category

1970s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Conté, Charcoal

Prone Male Nude Study
Prone Male Nude Study
H 18.5 in W 24.5 in D 0.75 in
Fantin-Latour drawing of a nude, 19th Century French
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Henri-Theodore Fantin-Latour (French, 1836-1904) A study of a nude holding a mirror Pencil on tracing paper Signed ‘H Fantin’ (lower left) 5.3/4 x 3.1/2 in. (14.7 x 8.8 cm.)
Category

19th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pencil, Parchment Paper

English Antique Portrait Sketch of Female Nude Leaning
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
English Graphite Sketch of a Female Nude, Leaning by Henry George Moon (British 1857-1905) on off white artists paper, unframed measurements: sheet 22 x 14.75 inches provenance: f...
Category

Late 19th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite

La Toilette
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
An evocative and intimate turn of the century image by this great artist. Watercolour on gouache on paper signed with monogram lower right. A really lovely piece. Ernest Joseph Laur...
Category

19th Century Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache

Kneeling Nude
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Born in Dundee, Scotland in 1877, painter, illustrator and writer Penrhyn Stanley Adamson adopted the pseudonym Penrhyn Stanlaws after immigrating to the United States in 1901. Stanlaws studied at Princeton University and at the Academie Julian in Paris under Benjamin Jean-Joseph Constant...
Category

1920s Impressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pastel

Impressionist nude drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Impressionist nude 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 nude 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 purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Henry George Moon, John Singer Sargent, Arnold A. Grossman, and Michael Decker. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Pencil and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Impressionist nude drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 5.5 inches across are also available. Prices for nude 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 $118 and tops out at $95,000, while the average work sells for $527.

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