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.
William Russell Flint mixed media, 'Ray mounted on Pegasus', British
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
William Russell Flint (British, 1880 – 1969) Ray mounted on Pegasus Mixed media Signed ‘W Russell Flint’ (lower right), further signed and titled on the reverse 10.1/2 x 14.1/2 in. (...
Mixed Media
Price Upon Request
Paris
Located in New York, NY
Mixed media on paper Signed This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. “When two worlds collide, mayhem or genius can ensue. Consider the freestyle fellowship t...
Mixed Media
Price Upon Request
Miami
Located in New York, NY
Mixed media on paper Signed This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. “When two worlds collide, mayhem or genius can ensue. Consider the freestyle fellowship t...
Mixed Media
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 31 in D 3 in
Framed Hand Painted Original Wheel of Life Thangka with 24K Gold On Canvas
Located in TRUMBULL, CT
This wheel of life thangka is hand painted on canvas with 24k gold. The contrast of yellow gold on black with broad golden frame makes it a stunning art. The artist has painstakingly...
Mixed Media
Red and blue paint tubes. Mixed Media
By Arman
Located in Paris, FR
Untitled Acrylic and paint tubes on resine Provenance : - Galerie Bernart, Antwerp - former collection of the Dutch Cobra artist Corneille (Cornelius van ...
Mixed Media
$1,663
H 28.15 in W 7.09 in
'Dawn on silk'. Abstract naturalistic pink cherry blossom blue sky sakura season
Located in Penzance, GB
'Dawn on Silk' Original Artwork, Unframed _________________ Capturing the pulse and flush of fleeting youth. Sap rising through branches, buds, blossoms; like blood through the vein...
Gold Leaf
$9,000
H 30 in W 30 in D 2 in
Well Hello Kitty by Craig Alan Original Mixed Media Painting
By Craig Alan
Located in New York City, NY
MIXED MEDIA PAINTING signed by the artist. Ask us for custom framing options for this piece. This original mixed media painting by Craig Alan belongs to his acclaimed work that blur...
Mixed Media, Oil, Panel
Noticed by Craig Alan Original Mixed Media Painting
By Craig Alan
Located in New York City, NY
MIXED MEDIA PAINTING signed by the artist. Ask us for custom framing options for this piece. This original mixed media painting by Craig Alan belongs to his acclaimed work that blur...
Mixed Media, Oil, Panel
$13,800
H 48 in W 36 in D 2 in
Vive la Libertè by Craig Alan Original Mixed Media Painting
By Craig Alan
Located in New York City, NY
MIXED MEDIA PAINTING signed by the artist. Ask us for custom framing options for this piece. This original mixed media painting by Craig Alan belongs to his acclaimed work that blur...
Mixed Media, Oil, Panel
$13,800
H 50 in W 40 in D 2 in
Audrey At first glance by Craig Alan Original Mixed Media Painting
By Craig Alan
Located in New York City, NY
MIXED MEDIA PAINTING signed by the artist. Ask us for custom framing options for this piece. This original mixed media painting by Craig Alan belongs to his acclaimed work that blur...
Mixed Media, Oil, Panel
$2,217
H 23.82 in W 30.71 in
'And Some Shall Thrive'. Palm leaf blue white minimal topical nature, framed
Located in Penzance, GB
'And Some Shall Thrive' Original Artwork. Framed ready to hang ___________________________ The palm appears victorious this hot afternoon, high summer light casting intricate shadows...
Paper, Mixed Media
$13,800
H 48 in W 48 in D 2 in
Showstopper by Craig Alan Original Mixed Media Painting
By Craig Alan
Located in New York City, NY
MIXED MEDIA PAINTING signed by the artist. Ask us for custom framing options for this piece. This original mixed media painting by Craig Alan belongs to his acclaimed work that blur...
Mixed Media, Oil, Panel
2+3 = 4
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Jerusalem, IL
3D Kinetic work by Yaacov Agam. Homage to Einstein’s Time Formula. First viewing the work in 2D from the front, the viewer is then exposed to a third dimension as he moves. Signed by...
Plexiglass, Mixed Media
Unframed Hand Painted Mandala Thangka on Canvas with 24K Gold
Located in TRUMBULL, CT
This mandala thangka is hand painted on canvas with 24k gold. Different hues of Red,green and White colors blend seamlessly with the shimmering of real gold. The size of unframed can...
Mixed Media
$5,396
H 46.07 in W 37.8 in
The red river #1252- Geneviève Seillé, 21st Century, Outsider art, Figurative
Located in Paris, FR
Mixed media on paper Signed and dated on the back Unique work In Geneviève Seillé’s works, the word reigns in master. It fascinates her for its own appearance and becomes an estheti...
Paper, Mixed Media
Blood River, 1838
Located in New York, NY
Mixed media on paper Signed This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. “John Bailly examines the relationship of place and time in his many multi-layered compos...
Mixed Media