Figurative Paintings
1980s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1940s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper, Gouache
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Oil, Archival Paper
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Clay, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Geometric Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
Late 20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil, Archival Paper
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
Artist Sharon Sieben presents a strong portrait of a woman in bright yellow, orange, and teal with defining black strokes. "It takes time to make a commitment...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1960s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Gouache, Archival Paper
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Ink, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A poised swimmer confidently sits at the edge of a diving board. Rather than a sunny beach, this painting exudes a dramatic and mysterious night scene. Bold con...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Paper, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
1980s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1990s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel, Tempera, Cardboard
1930s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Clay, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Paper
1970s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Masonite
Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Paper, Magazine Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Clay, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1980s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Oil, Archival Paper
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1940s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Stretcher Bars, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Wood, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Oil, Archival Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Ink, Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil
1970s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Paper
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Oil, Archival Paper
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Clay, Acrylic
1970s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Cotton 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.