Figurative Paintings
to
964
2,059
1,222
1,305
1,029
966
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
6
260
2,973
3,341
80
71
107
85
76
126
168
162
177
140
4
14,582
5,191
3,316
3,094
1,390
1,343
1,325
1,149
491
484
353
185
98
84
3,073
2,768
720
3,974
2,355
1,256
1,115
932
820
760
661
601
340
289
284
278
265
214
204
201
181
173
138
6,326
5,132
2,895
2,746
837
324
138
111
42
37
2,502
465
3,473
2,482
Figurative Paintings For Sale
Style: Impressionist
Style: Expressionist
"West Village Coffee Stop" Oil Painting of a Plein Air Street NYC with Figures
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
"With shades of Pierre Bonnard’s Parisian street vistas and Edward Hopper’s New York shopfronts, American impressionist Cindy Shaoul’s oil paintings depict the much-loved locales and...
Category
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Board, Canvas, Oil
Sandra Pratt "House in the Mountains" Contemporary, Oil On Board, Winter Scene
By Sandra Pratt
Located in Denver, CO
This original, unframed oil on board requires a frame to hang. Created by Sandra Pratt in 2024, it measures 36 x 48 and captures a serene winter landscape in cool blues and pristine ...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
"Bastille Paris" Oil on Canvas Parisian Street Scene & Figures Framed Painting
Located in New York, NY
A vibrant and colorful Parisian city scene by Australian Mollie Flaxman. Captured in a very impressionist manner 'The Bastille' which was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the B...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board, Canvas
"Alices Tea Cup" Colorful Impressionistic Plein Air Oil Painting New York City
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
"With shades of Pierre Bonnard’s Parisian street vistas and Edward Hopper’s New York shopfronts, American impressionist Cindy Shaoul’s oil paintings depict the much-loved locales and...
Category
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
"Just snowed" white, snow, forest, winter Oil cm.100 x 99 Free Shipping
Located in Torino, IT
Published in a monographic catalogue
Georgij MOROZ (Dneprodzerzinsk, Ucraina, 1937 - St. Petersburg, 2015)
1937: he was born in Dneprodzerzinsk, Ucraina.
1949-56: he began artistic...
Category
1990s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Stolen" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Stolen" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting.
About the Artist:
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
French Impressionist, Figures on the beach, South of France, French Riviera
Located in Harkstead, GB
One of several paintings that we are offering by Henri-André Martin's. A wonderfully evocative image of an expansive beach with a figure by a sailing boat in the South of France, pai...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Lady in pink - British Edwardian art Impressionist portrait oil painting girl
Located in London, GB
A lovely portrait oil painting by British listed artist Tom Mostyn ROI. Painted circa 1910 it depicts a beautiful smiling young woman in a pink dress holding an umbrella. A glorious ...
Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
English Harvest - Vintage Impressionist Landscape Painting with Horses & Figures
Located in Preston, GB
English Harvest - Vintage 20th Century Impressionist Oil Painting with Horses & Figures by British Artist, David Hyde
Art measures 16 x 12 inches
Frame m...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
"Sailboats, Brittany" , France Oil cm. 65 x 54 1930
Located in Torino, IT
Sailboats, Ocean, France , grey, blue, azure,landscape France
Henry Maurice CAHOURS (Paris, 1889 – Vence, 1974)
He was born in Paris but spent his childhood and adolescence in Amie...
Category
1930s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
OLD MASTER Signed L S Lowry " The Tower " Oil Painting 20th Century GGF
By Laurence Stephen Lowry
Located in Ferndown, GB
LARGE OLD MASTER STYLE Signed L S Lowry " OIL PAINTING 20th CENTURY
NEW COLLECTION Of RARE PIECES OF OLD HISTORY
Here we have a unique and rare piece of Art signed
Good Detail one...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Blushing in Monique Lhuillier" Figure in Large Gown Oil Painting on Board
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
Exploring the purity of the feminine form and the drama of French haute couture, artist Cindy Shaoul creates a dialogue between the figurative and the abstract. Her spirited composit...
Category
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
19th Century Original Hudson River School Landscape - Fishing in Sierras
Located in Soquel, CA
1880s Century Original California School Oil Painting of Native Americans Fishing in Sierras by Ransome Gillet Holdredge
Wonderful landscape of Sierra Mountains in Hudson River Scho...
Category
1880s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Raw Linen, Stretcher Bars
Flutter of Silk- contemporary figurative painting - original expressive artwork
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online.
In Flutter of Silk, Tom Searles captures the ethereal grace of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Fish Market in Cadaqués Spain oil on canvas painting seascape
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Title: Fish Market in Cadaqués
Artist: Shigeyoshi Koyama (1940, Osaka, Japan)
Technique: Oil on canvas
Style: Figurative Expressionism with Mediterranean influences
Dimensions (unfra...
Category
1990s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Mid-Century Portrait of a Young Girl
Located in Soquel, CA
A gentle mid-century portrait of a young girl by Pascal "Pablo" Cucaro (American, 1915-2004). Sealed in a layer of clear resin. Signed in a black textured medium, lower left: "cucaro...
Category
1950s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Resin, Carbon Pencil, Acrylic
Mid Century Female Nude Figure, Sea Cliff Beach
Located in Soquel, CA
Female nude figure at the beach by listed artist Jon Blanchette (American, 1908-1987). Presented in a wooden frame. Signed "Jon Blanchette" verso. Image size, 24"H x 18"W.
Jon Blan...
Category
1950s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil
"Snow by Flatiron" Impressionist Oil Painting Snow Scene Style of Guy Wiggins
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
A charming depiction of the Flatiron building in New York City with figures in the snow. A cozy impressionistic street scene with colors of cobalts, whites, and burnt sienna's. An ic...
Category
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Pocket Bright Red Strawberry fruit art old master style
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Bright Red Strawberry [2023]
original
Oil paint on canvas
Image size: H:5 cm x W:5 cm
Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:5 cm x W:5 cm x D:2cm
Frame Size: H:15 cm x W:15 cm...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Les Grands Boulevards et La Porte Saint Denis
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite oil painting by renown artist Antoine Blanchards depicting the French street scene Les Grands Boulevards et La Porte Saint Denis. Th...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Let's look to the future with hope
Located in Zofingen, AG
This painting will come to you stretched on a wooden stretcher and completely ready to be placed in the interior.
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
"In 'Let's Look to the Future with Hope' from my ...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Vue de Rolleboise - Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting by Maximillien Luce
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed figure in landscape oil on paper laid on canvas circa 1925 by French impressionist painter Maximilien Luce. The piece depicts a view of Rolleboise, a commune in the Yvelines d...
Category
1920s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas, Laid Paper
Perdu dans la Poésie - 19th Century French Oil Painting Belle Epoque Portrait
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
'Perdu dans la Poésie’ by Alfred Stevens (1823-1906)
The painting - which depicts a young Parisian society beauty reading beside an open window – is signed by the artist and present...
Category
1870s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Park Street, Boston" Arthur Clifton Goodwin, Impressionist Snowy Urban Scene
Located in New York, NY
Arthur Clifton Goodwin
Park Street, Boston
Signed lower right
Oil on canvas
25 x 30 inches
A painter especially known for street and waterfront scenes of Boston, Arthur Clifton Goo...
Category
1920s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
I gave you eternal life
Located in Zofingen, AG
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
In my painting "I Gave You Eternal Life" from the PERICHORESIS SERIES, I explore the interplay of nurturing strength and unconditional guardianship through the depi...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Vintage Figurative Landscape Road Through the Village
Located in Soquel, CA
A small figure with a cart travels through a village down a tree lined road in this vintage figurative landscape done in the style of Utrillo, by Gu...
Category
1980s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Imaginary Seascape" (2024) By C.W. Mundy, Original Still-Life Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
C.W. Mundy's "Imaginary Seascape" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts an abstracted seascape with contrasting light and dark colors.
About the Artist:
C.W. Mu...
Category
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Expressionist Gouache and Watercolour Study for 'Alexander and His Army'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
French late 20th century watercolour and gouache study for the series 'Alexander and His Army' by Stephane Lovighi-Bourgogne. Presented in plain wood frame.
A strong and forceful de...
Category
Late 20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
The Guardians of Absolute Wealth - Large Expressionist work with vibrant colors
By Karnish Art
Located in Cullinan, ZA
Title: The Guardians of Absolute Wealth
Large Expressionist work with vibrant colors
This is a large and soulful artwork by Karnish. Symbols and forms unfold in this mesmerizing large work depicting wealth and abundance. The viewer is invited to find their own stories intentionally created to move the viewers eyes to different aspects of riches to be discovered in the work.
This work is part of a series. It is part of a story... It portrays truth, abundant energy, utmost care and wild freedom.
There are hidden treasures – the infinity sign, the triangles, diamonds and squares, the abundance of color, to connect us with affluence and prosperity! Her well loved signature-style Guardians are also at play.
Graffiti, spray-paint, acrylics, oils and mark making with vivid colors of blue, red, orange, yellow, purple, black, off-white, green and white - layer upon layer of shapes and forms, to create this unique artwork!
This work is created on top quality, heavy duty canvas. It is mounted and stretched on wooden bars and ready to hang.
It can also be framed in a style that suits the décor of the place that it will be displayed at. (Cost is for the collector. Keep in mind that the South African Rand exchange rate is favorable and makes it most cost effective to have it framed here. Shipment cost...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Acrylic
Harlequin oil on canvas painting
By Francesc Tornero
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Frame size 53x40 cm.
FRANCERSC TORNERÓ (1934)
He studied at the Barcelona School of Arts and Crafts and later at the Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts. In 1956 he won the “El Paular” ...
Category
1970s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
French Impressionist Oil Painting of Fishermen and Beached Boats at Low Tide
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: French Impressionist Oil Painting of Fishermen and Beached Boats at Low Tide
by Fanch Lel (French b. 1930)
Size: 9.75 inches (height) x 12.5 inches (width)
Oil painting on boa...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Fine 17th Century Dutch Old Master Oil Painting Interior Scene Many Figures
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Alms for the Poor
by Richard Brakenburg (Flemish 1650-1702)
oil on canvas, unframed
Canvas: 25 x 30 inches
Provenance: private collection, France, extensively inscribed verso
Conditi...
Category
17th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
"Happiness vase with pink flowers " ( expressive contemporary floral painting)
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This modern colorful expressive artwork "Happiness vase with pink flowers" belongs to my “Floral” series which is full of expressionism and vivid colors where I could fully experienc...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
La Rotonde
Located in Zofingen, AG
Painting: Oil, Acrylic on Canvas.
La Rotonde - acr. oil on canvas painting. 2022, ready to hang
Size - 100cm x 70cm, (39,5" x 27,5"), 2022
The painting was created on canvas, and ...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Acrylic
English Impressionist landscape , late 19th century with horse hay cart, cottage
Located in Woodbury, CT
Very decorative and well painted British or Scottish landscape with horse, Haycart, figures and a cottage.
Dating from circa 1900 this is a very pretty example of late Victorian Br...
Category
Early 1900s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
For the first time I see myself so clearly
Located in Zofingen, AG
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
The painting "For the first time I see myself so clearly" from the “Inner Garden Series” reveals the profound process of self-identification, where a person gains t...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Paris, Cafe de la Paix. Oil on canvas, 60x73 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Paris, Cafe de la Paix. Period 1920-1940s. Oil on canvas, 60x73 cm
Lucien Adrion (1889-1953)
was a French painter known for his depictions of the countryside and bustling street sce...
Category
1920s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
The Streets of Barcelona 1 Impressionism Cuban Artist Oil on Canvas Spain 29x20
Located in Houston, TX
JUST ARRIVED January 2025
The Streets of Barcelona 1 Impressionism Cuban Artist Oil on Canvas Spain 29" x 20" gallery wrapped .
This is Streets of Barcelona series that Cristian ...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Jesus Christ, Portrait, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Alexander Litvinov
Work: Original oil painting, handmade artwork, one of a kind
Medium: Oil on Cardboard
Style: Classic Figurative
Year: 2001
Title: Jesus Christ
Size: 20.5"...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
French Impressionist Provence Seaside Village with Sailboats on the Horizon
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Provence
signed by Fanch Lel (French b. 1930)
Dated 99
Size: 13.5 x 16 inches
Oil painting on board, unframed
Inscribed verso ' Provence'
Condition: The painting is in good condition...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Francisco Bartus, "Joyous Love" 55.5x19.75 Colorful Textured Figure Painting
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This piece, "Joyous Love", is a 55.5x19.75 mixed media painting on canvas by artist Francisco Bartus. Featured are the letters L.O.V.E., made up of individual helpings of paint, stra...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media
St Raymonds Church
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "St Raymonds Church" c.1960 is an oil painting on canvas by noted California artist Clifford Holmes 1876-1963. It is signed at the lower left corner by the artist...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
St. Tropez Harbor South of France Sleepy Boats Impressionist Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
St. Tropez
French, circa 1973
indistinctly signed
oil on canvas, unframed
Canvas : 21.5 x 26 inches
Provenance: private collection, Nice, France
Condition: very good condition
Descr...
Category
Late 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
1960's French Portrait Female Detectives, Capes & Hats - Caricatures
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Character Portrait
French school, Mid 20th Century
Gouache paint on unframed paper
inscribed verso
stamped to the reverse
Image : 19.5 x 25.5 inches
Superbly decorative 196...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Gouache
Nude Figurative art Original oil Painting One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Eduard Matevosyan
Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind
Medium: Oil on Paper
Year: 2025
Style: Figurative art
Title: Nude
Size: 16" x 12" x 0.1'' inch...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
Young Girl Sitting on a Bench
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Young Girl Sitting on a Bench" 1954, is an oil painting on canvas by California artist Jonathan David Batchelor, 1913-2003. It is signed at the lower left corner by the artist. The canvas size is 24 x 18 inches, framed size is 33 x 27 inches. Framed in an antique style gold frame, with pink velvet liner and gold spacer. It is in very good condition, I could have say excellent but the velvet is slightly evenly faded and has minor soiling.
About the artist:
Jonathan Batchelor...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Beach Scene with Figures and Sailboats" Impressionistic Oil Painting in Holland
Located in New York, NY
A wonderfully rich beach scene done in Zandvoort Holland in the Mid-20th Century depicting figures in the sand. Some figures are by the water with sailboats as kids play in the dista...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Splendor
Located in Atlanta, GA
Small limited edition run of 49 and 6 E.A."s (Edition of the artist). Each canvas reproduction is crafted by a skilled printer under the supervision of the artist. Román Francés has...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Giclée
"Saint Paul's Chapel" Impressionist Winter Street Scene in Lower Manhattan NYC
Located in New York, NY
A stunning and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City winter scenes depicting Saint Paul's Chapel in the snow. It was built in 1766 as the chapel building of Trinity Church, located at 209 Broadway, between Fulton Street and Vesey Street, in Lower Manhattan, New York City. An iconic scene that so many have come to love and cherish. The artist was truly a master of capturing New York in all of its glory throughout the seasons. This piece is executed whimsically, yet dramatically evoking an emotion of wonder and beauty. This piece is signed lower right by the artist and it comes housed in a beautiful ornate silver tone frame with linen liner and hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed.
Art measures 10 x 8 inches
Frame measures 15.5 x 13.5 inches
Johann Berthelsen was born in Copenhagen in 1883, the 7th of seven children, to Conrad and Dorothea Karen Berthelsen. His parents were involved in artistic and professional circles. In 1890, his mother brought the children to America, settling in Manistee, Michigan, with her sister's family. They would eventually move to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a city on the shore of Lake Michigan. As a teenager, Johann was actively involved in choirs and singing groups. And he always loved to draw and paint, and while he was too impatient to take well to schoolwork, and never went beyond the 5th grade.
Although he worked in several trades, Johann's mind and heart were always with the arts. As his voice matured, he also always wanted to be an actor, and at the age of 18 moved to Chicago where he reconnected with an old friend who was studying voice at the Chicago Musical...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Board
Sisters in LA, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
French Impressionist Oil Painting of Coastal Scene with Pier and Red Boat
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: French Impressionist Oil Painting of Coastal Scene with Pier and Red Boat
By Fanch Lel (French b. 1930)
Size: 6.75 x 9.25 inches (height x width)
Signed: Yes
Oil painting on b...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Cradle of Civilization
Located in Denver, CO
Lone figure with city
Category
2010s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
"Fall Along the Roaring Fork", Colorado Landscape Oil Painting
By Gordon Brown
Located in Denver, CO
Gordon Brown's "Fall Along the Roaring Fork" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a forest of fall trees with brilliant autumn color alongside a flowing river.
"My pa...
Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Mid Century Figurative Landscape -- Aptos Village Apple Shed and Market
Located in Soquel, CA
Charming mid century figurative landscape of Aptos Village Apple Shed and Market by listed California artist Jon Blanchette (American, 1908-1987). Aptos is just south of Santa Cruz,...
Category
1960s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
OLD MASTER Signed L S Lowry " Shopping " Oil Painting 20th Century White Frame
By Laurence Stephen Lowry
Located in Ferndown, GB
OLD MASTER Signed L S Lowry " Shopping" Oil Painting 20th Century
NEW COLLECTION Of RARE PIECES OF ART
Here we have a unique and rare piece of Art signed
Good Detail one of the best i have seen , as close as you are going to get,
please note this is more of a clean modern piece
but is exceptionally well done piece.
Good condition canvas for age , frame is in Good Condition
(see pictures)
Clean ready to hang (see pictures)
( 20th century )
Artist: Sold in the manner of L s Lowry for obvious reasons .
This painting needs more research but this can cost thousands.
Beautiful painting
Anyway unless you have £10 million spare for one of his paintings
this is one way to obtain a beautiful piece at a fraction of the price
Please be under no illusion you're are buying a real £8 million pound...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Britton" Winner Evening Snow Scene Townscape Oil Painting on Canvas Framed
Located in New York, NY
A stunning impressionist winter pastoral scene of a quaint snow-covered village. "Britton" is executed with sincere charm and nostalgia. Witty has portrayed this scene in a most inti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Man in Armchair, Mid Century Short Story Illustration
Located in Soquel, CA
Excellent figurative oil painting of a man seated in an armchair with papers strewn about the interior space by Charles Ross Kinghan (American, 18...
Category
1930s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
1950's French Post Impressionist Oil Figures in Provencal Village Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French Post Impressionist School, circa 1950's
Title: Figures in a sloped Provencal village landscape
Medium: oil painting on canvas, unframed
canvas: 23.75 x 28.7...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
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.