Figurative Paintings
1960s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1980s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Found Objects, Acrylic, Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, C Print, Color, Digital, Laser
1970s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Charcoal, Watercolor
Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Cardboard, Oil Pastel, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Provocative hyperrealist oil painting created with breathtaking detail. Artist David Shepherd used water and flowers to create a feeling of life, and to serve...
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1940s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
1970s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Handmade Paper
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board, Gouache
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1980s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Cardboard, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Enamel
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Leather, Acrylic, Panel, Fiberboard, Archival Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Oil
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Ink
Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Charcoal, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Oil Pastel, Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Wood, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Graphite
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Wood, Lacquer
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Screen, Paper
1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1960s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Masonite, Tempera
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1970s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Ink, Gouache
1950s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Archival Paper
1980s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1970s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
1980s Abstract Expressionist 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.