Figurative Paintings
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Abstract Geometric Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
Mid-20th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Glass, Mixed Media, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
1860s Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
Late 20th Century Cubist Figurative Paintings
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Wood, Oil
1990s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Gesso, Paper, Glue, Mixed Media, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
Mid-19th Century French School Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
1940s Realist Figurative Paintings
Masonite, Canvas, Oil
19th Century English School Figurative Paintings
Watercolor
Early 20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Copper
2010s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
Early 1800s Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 1900s Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
1880s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Post-Modern Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Permanent Marker
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
Mid-20th Century American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Fabric, Mixed Media
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Acrylic
20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
Early 19th Century Italian School Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Board
19th Century Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1920s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Copper
Early 20th Century English School Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Street Art Figurative Paintings
Spray Paint, Acrylic, Tea
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
1970s Folk Art Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
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.