Realist More Art
Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world.
Work that involves illusionistic techniques of realism dates back to the classical world, such as the deceptive trompe l’oeil used since ancient Greece. Art like this became especially popular in the 17th century when Dutch artists like Evert Collier painted objects that appeared real enough to touch. Realism as an artistic movement, however, usually refers to 19th-century French realist artists such as Honoré Daumier exploring social and political issues in biting lithographic prints, while the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painting people — particularly the working class — with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history.
By the turn of the 20th century, European artists, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, were experimenting with nearly photographic realism in their work, as seen in the attention to every botanical attribute of the flowers surrounding the drowned Ophelia painted by English artist John Everett Millais.
Although abstraction was the guiding style of 20th-century art, the realism trend in American modern art endured in Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and other artists’ depictions of the complexities of the human experience. In the late 1960s, Photorealism emerged with artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes giving their paintings the precision of a frame of film.
Contemporary artists such as Jordan Casteel, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Aliza Nisenbaum are now using the unvarnished realist approach for honest representations of people and their worlds. Alongside traditional mediums, technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive installations are helping artists create new sensations of realism in art.
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Artist Comments
Dawn's first rays bathe the Los Angeles skyline, casting a burnished glow over the iconic palm trees. Billowing clouds add a touch of softness to the scene. T...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A lone cypress, bathed in the golden light of sunset, stands tall against the rising sea. The cool, dark foreground contrasts with the warm, glowing backgroun...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Olena Nabilsky draws inspiration from the vast expanse of open space to create a stunning depiction of a rocky valley in ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A yellow rubber duck carries a cupcake on its back. The dark blue and purple background enhances the warm tones of the subjects. The composition exudes both s...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Emil Morhardt depicts a family of aquatic birds he saw in a northern Iceland lake. "The mother bird saw me and swam across to proudly show off her chick," says Emil. With near-photographic detail, the subjects stand out vividly against a clean white background.
About the Artist
Emil Morhardt is an acrylic painter from Santa Barbara, California who expresses his passion for birds through realistic acrylic paintings. He paints at home in a studio room that has large windows and a north-facing view of the mountains. He observes the animals from this window, watching roadrunners, foxes, bobcats, deer, and coyote run by. Surrounded by this wildlife, Emil paints bird portraits reminiscent of those by artist John James Audubon. He bases his paintings off hundreds of photographs he takes of birds in the wild and at wildlife recovery centers. Emil captures the freedom and inquisitiveness that birds display...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Palm trees stretch upwards, their tall, slender trunks reaching upwards. Overhead, a yellow pedestrian crossing sign with a curved arrow injects a hint of urb...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
1980s Realist More Art
Paper, Ink, Gouache
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Grass emerges and spindly branches fan out as the snow begins to thaw. Muted tones of brown soil and green foliage blend with the lingering patches of white. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Fog rolls gently against the steep walls of Big Sur, softening the rugged cliffs. A faint line traces the path of Highway 1 as it winds north from Ragged Poin...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A lone red-tailed hawk floats between lofty palm trees and the moon. Wispy clouds drift across the sky, basking in the light from the setting sun. As the nigh...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Shela Goodman paints a lone oak tree standing majestically in an open sunlit field. "It is a symbol of strength, endurance...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The artwork captures the serenity of the ocean. Painted with oil paint and cold wax, the waves carry a slightly raised texture, adding to the realistic qualit...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A ghostly white, weathered house stands in contrast against the dark, looming trees. The worn texture and faded paint of its exterior capture a sense of aband...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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A large, prominent trunk stands tall in the foreground, its branches stretching outward against a faded, wintery background. Distant barren trees add depth to...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
1960s Realist More Art
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A fallen tree stretches along a tranquil, icy riverbank, its gnarled branches reaching toward the pale winter sky. Patches of snow cling to the rugged bark, c...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A towering tree stretches toward the sky, its twisting branches creating a striking silhouette. The soft mist in the background contrasts sharply with the dar...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A weathered country home seamlessly blends into its surroundings. Dry, golden grass adds warmth to the scene, contrasting the dark foliage and overcast sky. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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A fallen tree stretches across a winding river, its bare branches creating a tangled web against the sky. The water flows gently, reflecting soft light as it ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
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Artist Elizabeth Garat paints a realistic vision of twilight in a dramatic skyscape. Clouds glazed in rich tones of plum, white, and deep orange dominate the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A tranquil morning scene unfolds with soft, harmonious colors. Umber hills rise gently between the turquoise ocean and the expansive blue sky. The calls of bi...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The sun sets on the Grand Canyon, leaving a blanket of soft light over its ridges. It is a magical time as a mesmerizing array of colors fills the landscape. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
As the sun rises, the world undergoes a magical transformation. The sky turns vivid and saturated, lending its breathtaking colors to the water below. Smooth ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Shela Goodman presents a birch tree by the roadside bursting with fall colors. "Birch trees with their white bark, black m...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The vibrant colors in this piece highlight a dynamic interplay of orange and green hues, evoking freshness and vitality. It captures the essence of abundance ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A rare sight of snow covers the iconic Big Sur coastline on an evening of beauty and calm. Twinkling stars and the moon punctuate the sky, creating a display ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The painting highlights the beautiful blue-violet tones often seen in snowy landscapes. Subtle pale gold on the horizon complements and adds warmth to the coo...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Ocean waves crash onto the shore beneath a dramatic, stormy sky, with colors dancing throughout the scene. This seascape evokes the idea of finding light in d...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A nocturnal painting depicts Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices and Ice Cream on Avenue A in the East Village. It's a tranquil October night, with the server idly ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Linen, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
The sun hovers low on the horizon, casting its golden light creating a warm glow over the rugged landscape. This scene captures a timeless moment, where passi...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Emil Morhardt paints a swooping hawk he observed circling the sky and then landing on a tall nearby tree. The bird inspects the many gopher holes nearby. Emil captures it just as it launches a successful attack—painting the plumage with fine detailed brushwork and intense colors against a pure white background. The piece embodies the essence of this powerful raptor.
About the Artist
Emil Morhardt is an acrylic painter from Santa Barbara, California who expresses his passion for birds through realistic acrylic paintings. He paints at home in a studio room that has large windows and a north-facing view of the mountains. He observes the animals from this window, watching roadrunners, foxes, bobcats, deer, and coyote run by. Surrounded by this wildlife, Emil paints bird portraits reminiscent of those by artist John James Audubon. He bases his paintings off hundreds of photographs he takes of birds in the wild and at wildlife recovery centers. Emil captures the freedom and inquisitiveness that birds display...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A lone palm tree sways gently against the backdrop of a bright blue sky, with the ocean below reflecting the billowing white clouds. During a trip to the Domi...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
An expansive sky streaked with ethereal white clouds suggests both movement and depth. In the foreground, textured rocks and lush greenery contrast beautifull...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Oil, Other Medium
Artist Comments
Soft light illuminates a foggy bay as the sun rises over California's central coast. Gentle ripples in the water reflect the pastel sky, while anchored boats ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
Artist Comments
In this still-life watercolor, a cup of coffee sits perfectly centered on a rustic table. The morning brew evokes a sense of routine and comfort. The rich, da...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 2000s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
1970s Realist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
A wooden basket contains a variety of apples and a World Series baseball. Painted realistically, this still-life watercolor ho...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A golden rose peeks out between soft pink and lavender tulips, radiating bright energy in sunshine colors. The contrast between the warm and cool tones of the...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
In a strange cave, a delicate rose unfolds its creamy white petals and reveals its peachy center. The flower faces a new branch with two buds, like a mother p...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
