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Academic Still-life 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
'The Old Oak Tree, Bushey School of Art, British
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, 'Laurence Bell' (British, died 1916) and painted circa 1910. Bell studied at the Bushey School of Art in Hertfordshire in England. His preferred subject was land...
Category

1890s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Still Life with Thistles Watercolor Painting by Marie Benoit-Levy
Located in Atlanta, GA
Marie Benoit-Levy (France, 20th Century). This lovely watercolor on Arches Vellum paper painting features still-life with thistles and a blue water pot, an academic design by Marie B...
Category

1930s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Edouard Detaille (1848 1912), A trophy of arms, original signed Drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Edouard Detaille (1848-1912) A trophy of arms 11.5 x 20 cm Pen and ink with heightenings of white gouache on paper Signed and dated 1885 lower right and annotated "Armée française...
Category

1880s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

“Floral Bouquet with Mandolin”
Located in Southampton, NY
Beautiful floral watercolor and gouache on paper with musical instruments by the German artist, Friedrich (Frederick) Jungling. Signed lower right and dated 1908. Excellent condition...
Category

Early 1900s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper

Untitled: Still Life with Cauliflower, Orange and Pepper
Located in New York, NY
Unidentified/ Unknown Artist, "Untitled: Still Life with Cauliflower, Orange and Pepper", Monogrammed Still Life Watercolor on Paper, 16 x 20, Late 20th Century Colors: Brown, Blue...
Category

Late 20th Century Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Daffodils in Ceramic Pitcher"
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is a beautiful watercolor still life on heavy paper by the German artist, E. Riehle. Signed and dated lower right, 1903. In good condition with it's orig...
Category

Early 1900s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Paper

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Untitled 520, 1980s
Located in Quogue, NY
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Bright Sunflowers In Pink Jug Still Life Watercolour Painting Parisian School
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Sun Flowers original watercolour painting on artist paper signed by Marjorie Schiele (1913-2008) *see notes below piece of paper is 12.5 x 9.5 inches ...
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Elsa Peretti goes out for a drink. From the Art, culture & society series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Elsa Peretti goes out for a drink, 2024 by Manuel Santelices From the Art, culture & society series Unframed Movies, TV. and magazines are constant source of inspiration. Fame, as f...
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21st Century and Contemporary Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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19th Century Danish Drawing and Watercolour Study of a Tree at Indelluket
By Thorald Læssøe
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid 19th Century watercolour drawing and watercolour study of a tree by noted Danish artist Thorald Læssøe. The work is monogram signed bottom left and there is an annotation in the ...
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Mid-19th Century Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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Intérieur Provence, Realistic Figurative original Drawing, Colorful, Interior
Located in AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FR
Coloured Pencils and pastel on Hahnemühle paper - Realistic Figurative original Drawing, Colorful, Interior. Work Title : Intérieur Provence Artist : Gabriel Riesnert...
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21st Century and Contemporary Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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Small, Charming, Fauvist Painting Michel Henry French Modernist School of Paris
Located in Surfside, FL
Michel-Henry was born in Langres in 1928 and has shown strong passion for drawing since his childhood. Michel-Henry is acknowledged as an important painter in French contemporary art. From 1952 his work has periodically been singled out for France's highest prizes and awards. The French Government, the City of Paris , the Museum of Valence , Bogota and the Museum of Alencon are among the distinguished institutions who have acquired his work for their permanent collections. Born in Langres in 1928 the aspiring artist attended the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He later studied with Narbonne , Georg, Chapelain-Midy and Legueult. In 1957 he became a member of the House of Descartes in Amsterdam and the following year was named member of the Casa Velazquez in Madrid , honors which are exceptional for a young painter. He is a member of the Salon d'Automne as well as a member of its jury, he also exhibits in the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, the Salon Comparisons, and the Salon Terres Latines. In 1976 he shared in the honor of presenting the Salon d'Automne exhibition in Japan . Michel-Henry blends delicate tones and strong and fascinating accents into his compositions of flower still life, landscapes and marines. An avid interest in nature is the predominant quality of his luminous works. As a French artist whose works are known internationally, Michel-Henry over a period of twenty eight years has earned the status of a goodwill ambassador in a universal world of cultural exchanges. For his dedication and unselfish contributions to art and artists from all lands he was honored by his country by being awarded the prestigious - la Croix de Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur - on January 1, 1981 by the French Minister of Culture Mr. Jean Philippe Lecat. Michel Henry exhibited at prestigious galleries in Paris (Avenue Matignon) and New York (Madison Avenue) alongside such artists as Pablo Picasso, Fernand Leger, Armand Guillaumin, Maurice Utrillo and Claude Venard. He is part of School of Paris artists that included Marcel Cosson, Jean Jansem, Leni-Dael, Raoul Dufy, Claude Salomon, Michel Kouliche...
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1960s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

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Woodland Stems On Dark, Jo Haran, Contemporary Floral Art, Original Artwork
Located in Deddington, GB
Woodland Stems on Dark by Jo Haran [2021] original Gouache, watercolour ink and gesso. Image size: H:64 cm x W:47.3 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:67 cm x W:50.7 cm x D:0.01cm...
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21st Century and Contemporary Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

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19th Century Architectural Danish Drawing & Watercolour of Frederiksborg Castle
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid 19th Century watercolour drawing of Frederiksborg Castle by noted Danish artist Thorald Læssøe. The work is monogram signed to the back of the paper where there is another drawin...
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Mid-19th Century Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pencil, Watercolor, Paper

"Sweet memories of yellow roses"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
Dear art lover, This floral painting is called " Sweet memories of yellow roses" abd was done with watercolor paints on a professional heavy weight paper (300 gr). The painting is...
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2010s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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 "Sweet memories of yellow roses"
 "Sweet memories of yellow roses"
Free Shipping
H 25.6 in W 19.69 in D 0.04 in
Original 70's Hand Painted Textile Design Gouache Navy Blue Color on White Paper
Located in ALCOY/ALCOI, ES
Compass Rose and Flower design. Sealed on the back with the design studio name and number 397 We offer a small number of these original illustration designs by this design studio ba...
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1970s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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Grand Bouquet Et Fruits Devant La Fenêtre À Paris By Marc Chagall
Located in New Orleans, LA
Marc Chagall 1887-1985 Russian Grand bouquet et fruits devant la fenêtre à Paris (Large bouquet and fruits in front of the window in Paris) Stamped with signature “Marc Chagall" (...
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20th Century Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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Fine Antique British Botannical Watercolour Painting, circa 1900's
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
A very fine original antique English botanical watercolour painting depicting this beautiful depiction of a flower/ plant. The work came to us from a private collection in Surrey, England and had been part of an album of works assembled by the artist during the early 1900's. During the Victorian and Edwardian era in Britain, it was very fashionable for ladies of aristocratic and wealthy backgrounds to draw and paint still lifes of flowers and plants that they had picked or seen in gardens. Many were highly accomplished and extremely talented artists, who sadly were not encouraged to exhibit due to society frowning upon such activities. Artist/ School: Caroline Worsley...
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Previously Available Items
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This stylish late 19th-century still life by W Erich Taefflinger depicts an arrangement of oranges, apples and nuts. It’s a refined work with an emphasis on form and reflection. The...
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19th Century Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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W Clansmore, Still Life With Fruit & Jug, Watercolour & Gouache
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This vibrant 19th-century still life depicts an abundant array of fruit including pomegranates, pears, and grapes with a jug. There’s a fine quality to the brushwork with every eleme...
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19th Century Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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“Pink Bellflowers”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original watercolor on archival paper of pink bellflowers in a clay pot attributed to the California artist, Kathleen “Kay” L. Talbot. Monogramed in pencil bottom right and dated 1948. Condition is good. Matted and under glass. Original driftwood grey with gold leaf bead frame in good condition. Overall measurements are 18.25 by 16.25 inches. Kathleen "Kay" L. Talbot Born: 1897 - Massachusetts Died: 1949 - San Juan Bautista...
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1940s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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“Pink Bellflowers”
“Pink Bellflowers”
H 11 in W 9 in D 0.75 in
Three vases No.2
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Eliot Hodgkin (British, 1905 - 1987) Three vases No.2 Pencil and ink Signed ‘Eliot Hodgkin’ (lower right) 15.1/2 x 11 in. (39.3 x 28 cm.) Eliot Hodgkin ...
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20th Century Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

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Three vases No.2
Three vases No.2
H 15.5 in W 11 in D 1 in
Magnolia Bud
By Mabel Fairfax Karl
Located in Dallas, TX
This drawing is matted in an 8-ply rag mat measuring 20 x 16 inches. The price does not include a frame.
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1930s Academic Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

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"Black-eyed Susans in Ceramic Pitcher"
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is a beautiful watercolor on heavy paper by the German artist, E. Riehle. Signed and dated lower right, 1905. In good condition with original linen mat ...
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Academic still-life drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Academic still-life 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 still-life 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 and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including and Jean Baptiste Édouard Detaille. 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 Academic still-life drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 7.88 inches across are also available. Prices for still-life 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 $400 and tops out at $2,800, while the average work sells for $1,104.

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