Figurative Paintings
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
2010s Figurative Paintings
Oil, Acrylic
Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Figurative Paintings
Oil
1960s Romantic Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Gouache, Pencil, Graphite
1950s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Ceramic, Porcelain, Paint
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Metal
2010s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
Late 17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Oil
16th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Wood Panel, Oil
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
2010s Street Art Figurative Paintings
Enamel
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
19th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Ink, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Fabric
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Early 20th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1960s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Oil
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Charcoal, Pastel, Paper
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Lithograph
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media
2010s Feminist Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Canvas
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Ink, Board, Gouache, Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Conceptual Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil
1930s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Tempera, Casein, Canvas
1960s Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
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.