Figurative Paintings
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
1910s Art Deco Figurative Paintings
Gouache, Archival Paper, Pencil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
1910s Art Deco Figurative Paintings
Ink, Gouache, Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Other Medium, Archival Paper, Handmade Paper, Pen, Felt Pen, Permanent M...
Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Gouache
Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Gouache
1970s Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Handmade Paper
1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache, Board
Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Gouache
Late 20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Watercolor, Gouache, Cardboard
Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Gouache
20th Century Art Deco Figurative Paintings
Watercolor, Gouache
2010s Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Gouache, Panel
1920s Art Deco Figurative Paintings
Gouache, Paper
1910s Art Deco Figurative Paintings
Gouache, Archival Paper, Pencil
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Figurative Paintings
Gouache
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
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.