Figurative Paintings
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
Late 20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1990s Romantic Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1870s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
19th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Wood, Cotton Canvas, Ink, Acrylic, Pencil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Newsprint
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
Late 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1960s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1790s Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 1900s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
1940s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Early 20th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Masonite, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
1890s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
1980s English School Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 19th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1970s Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1980s Cubist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Paper
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
Late 19th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1980s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Screen
1910s Modern Figurative Paintings
Crayon, Watercolor, Oil
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Linen, Wood Panel
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Glass, Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1660s Dutch School Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 19th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, 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.