Figurative Paintings
Mid-19th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1980s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas, Cotton, Cotton Canvas, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Ink, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
1860s Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Panel, Cotton Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache, Watercolor, Board
Late 19th Century French School Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 20th Century Pre-Raphaelite Figurative Paintings
Oil
1920s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Illustration Board
1920s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Archival Paper, Watercolor
1950s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1990s Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1920s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1970s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
Early 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Panel, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Laid Paper, Oil
Early 19th Century English School Figurative Paintings
Oil
1940s Feminist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1970s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 2000s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Cardboard, Mixed Media
Early 20th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
Early 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Ink, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Gesso, Canvas, Linen, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil
1980s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 19th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Gesso, Canvas, Linen, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
1910s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Wood Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Ink, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Linen
Early 1900s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A mom and her three kids walk toward a gentle surf on a fun summer vacation. Artist John Jaster paints a vibrant heartwarming family portrait under the bright s...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
1950s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Illustration Board
1830s Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1880s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
Figurative Paintings for Sale
Figurative art, as opposed to abstract art, retains features from the observable world in its representational depictions of subject matter. Most commonly, figurative paintings reference and explore the human body, but they can also include landscapes, architecture, plants and animals — all portrayed with realism.
While the oldest figurative art dates back tens of thousands of years to cave wall paintings, figurative works made from observation became especially prominent in the early Renaissance. Artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and other Renaissance masters created naturalistic representations of their subjects.
Pablo Picasso is lauded for laying the foundation for modern figurative art in the 1920s. Although abstracted, this work held a strong connection to representing people and other subjects. Other famous figurative artists include Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. Figurative art in the 20th century would span such diverse genres as Expressionism, Pop art and Surrealism.
Today, a number of figural artists — such as Sedrick Huckaby, Daisy Patton and Eileen Cooper — are making art that uses the human body as its subject.
Because figurative art represents subjects from the real world, natural colors are common in these paintings. A piece of figurative art can be an exciting starting point for setting a tone and creating a color palette in a room.
Browse an extensive collection of figurative paintings on 1stDibs.