Figurative Paintings
1850s Academic Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1870s English School Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Symbolist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Late 19th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 19th Century Baroque Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
19th Century Rococo Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Linen, Oil
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Linen, Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
Late 19th Century Baroque Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
19th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Thread
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Egg Tempera, Panel
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Linen, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Late 19th Century Hudson River School Figurative Paintings
Linen, Oil
Late 19th Century Pre-Raphaelite Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Linen
2010s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Epoxy Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Newsprint
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1880s Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 19th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Mary Pratt paints women parading with parasols, each unique in their own way. "Geishas intrigue me, and I never tire of capturing their beauty," says Mary. The intricate patterns of their kimonos stand...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Masonite, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Clay, Acrylic
19th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Early 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
Late 19th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 19th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
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.