Figurative Paintings
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Mixed Media
Early 1900s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Gold, Gold Leaf
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
1990s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Gold, Gold Leaf
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Mixed Media
1930s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Fauvist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Fauvist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1930s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1960s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Gold, Gold Leaf
2010s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
Early 2000s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
1990s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Panel
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Watercolor
1990s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
1990s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
1980s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper, Ink
1970s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Silver
20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas, Board
20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 1900s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1940s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 1900s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1980s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Board, Oil
Early 2000s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Foil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1930s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Sandstone
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1970s Fauvist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A mom and her three kids walk toward a gentle surf on a fun summer vacation. Artist John Jaster paints a vibrant heartwarming family portrait under the bright s...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
1980s Fauvist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1960s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
1980s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
1970s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper
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.