Figurative Paintings
1930s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Cardboard
1960s Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Ink, Tempera, Watercolor
1980s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Cotton, Rag Paper
1970s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Tempera
1960s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Plywood, Oil
1980s French School Figurative Paintings
Oil
1960s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
1980s Folk Art Figurative Paintings
Paper, Gouache
1930s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Gouache, Cardboard, Watercolor
1980s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
1940s Figurative Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
20th Century Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Paper, Pencil, Color Pencil
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Board, Oil
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
20th Century Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1980s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil Pastel, Archival Paper
1990s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Paper
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
1960s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Pen, Permanent Marker, Graphite
1930s Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1980s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media
1980s Street Art Figurative Paintings
Permanent Marker, Paper, Acrylic, Pen
1960s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Tempera
20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Ink
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1990s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Iron
1950s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Tempera
Late 20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Paper, Ink
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1990s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media
1960s Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1950s Figurative Paintings
Tempera, Gouache, Board
1970s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Enamel
1990s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Late 20th Century Figurative Paintings
Paint
1970s Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Board
Mid-20th Century Figurative Paintings
Oil, 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.