Figurative Paintings
Late 19th Century Romantic Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Masonite
2010s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 20th Century Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Ink, Watercolor
Early 2000s Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
1980s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board, Glass
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Charcoal, Mixed Media
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
1930s Art Deco Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1970s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Clay, Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Charcoal, Oil, Acrylic
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil
1920s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel
2010s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1910s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Watercolor
Early 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1880s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Raw Linen, Stretcher Bars
Mid-20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Three sisters sit closely together on a couch, their fashion evoking the feeling of vintage Hollywood style. A black furry dog sits on the floor and enjoys th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Cardboard
1880s Academic Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1980s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1890s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Oil, Gesso
2010s Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century French School Figurative Paintings
Color Pencil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1920s Constructivist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Gouache
Late 20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
19th Century Renaissance Figurative Paintings
Engraving
17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1920s Barbizon School Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Pastel
2010s Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Watercolor
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
2010s Folk Art Figurative Paintings
Oil
1980s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1890s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
1980s Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Gouache
Mid-20th Century Color-Field Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
1940s Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Panel
1890s Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 20th Century French School Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
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.