Figurative Paintings
1950s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
1950s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
1950s Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Board
1950s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Watercolor, Pencil
1950s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Tempera
1950s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Masonite, Oil
1950s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
1950s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Masonite, Oil
1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Fauvist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
1950s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
1950s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Plywood
1950s Cubist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
1950s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Linen, Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
1950s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Archival Paper
1950s Cubist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
1950s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Masonite, Oil
1950s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Masonite, Gouache, Pencil
1950s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
1950s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
1950s Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Plaster, Paint, Board
1950s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
1950s Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Masonite, Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
1950s Ashcan School Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Other Medium
1950s Figurative Paintings
Illustration Board, Gouache, Ink
1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
1950s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
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.