Figurative Paintings
Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Paper, Ink, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil, Vellum
1930s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
Mid-20th Century French School Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1890s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Gouache
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, Pencil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Linen, Ink, Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Silver
20th Century Outsider Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1920s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1930s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Wood Panel
Early 2000s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 20th Century Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Glaze, Pastel
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Early 20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel, Board
20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
1990s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Copper
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Wood, Paint, Oil
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1970s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
Late 19th Century French School Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Spray Paint, Color Pencil, Graphite
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
1950s Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1880s Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1960s Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1920s Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1970s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Charcoal, Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
18th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
1990s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Post-Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 18th Century Rococo 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.