Academic Figurative Paintings
ACADEMIC STYLE
During the Renaissance, the first European fine art academies were established in Italy and would guide the style and standards of visual culture in the following centuries. Academic art became dominant across the continent in the 17th century, with artists coming together to offer instruction in this style of painting and sculpture.
The academic art period represented a significant change from the previous era when painters, sculptors and other artists were part of guilds and seen more as artisans than purveyors of culture. While patronage from the elite and the church remained pivotal, young artists were able to support themselves for the first time through academic exhibitions and an independent marketplace. The leading academies included the French Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture founded in Paris in 1648 (which became the Académie des Beaux-Arts after the French Revolution) and the London Royal Academy of Arts formed in 1768 under the inaugural leadership of painter Joshua Reynolds.
Academy students sketched drawings based on prints, sculptures and, finally, live models. Movements including neoclassicism and romanticism were particularly popular in these art schools and institutions where the influence of Raphael and Nicolas Poussin was prominent. Beaux Arts architecture and furniture design drew on these movements, too, and, as they also originated at the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the disciplines share common ground with academic painting and sculpture.
Although academic art was a major shift for artistic status when it began, by the middle of the 19th century it was viewed as stodgy and resistant to new ideas, with the subject matter of artists such as William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Jean-Léon Gérôme generally limited to allegorical or mythological themes. Impressionism, realism and the other movements that engaged with contemporary issues that followed were direct reactions to the academic tradition, although it continued to inform the avant-garde as artists like Gustav Klimt and Pablo Picasso started their practices as academic realists.
Find a collection of academic paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.
Style: Academic
Color: Black
The Education of Achilles by Auguste-Clément Chrétien
By Auguste-Clément Chrétien
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Education of Achilles by the Centaur Chiron
Signed and dated "A.C. Chrétien 1861" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
A masterpiece of French N...
Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Zeus and Ganymede - original painting by Paula Craioveanu oil on canvas
Located in Forest Hills, NY
"Zeus and Ganymede", oil and silver leaf on canvas, 39x39in / 100x100cm
Inspired by the legend of Zeus and Ganymede.
Shipped as it is, stretched, directly from the artist's studio.
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Wrestler in a Green Singlet: Figurative Oil Painting of an Athlete by Mark Beard
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic figurative oil painting of a muscular male athlete with a vintage green wrestling uniform
"Wrestler in Singlet", Painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (a pseudonym in homage to the figurative painting of John Singer Sargeant and fashion photography by Bruce Weber)
Oil on canvas, signed upper left corner
30 x 20 inches, 34.5 x 24.5 inches in a black painted wood frame
Excellent condition, the frame exhibits some wear consistent with age which is the artist's intention as the painting was made by his fictitious persona "Bruce Sargeant" who painted during the 1930's - 40's.
Artwork description:
This vertical, figurative portrait painting of a muscular male in a green wrestler singlet...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Joseph and Potiphar
By Jacques-Louis David
Located in Tricase, IT
Circle of Jacques-Louis David
Joseph and Potiphar
88x72 cm oil on canvas.
The story tells of Joseph's duties in Egypt. Sold as a slave to Putiphar, chief of the king of Egypt's guar...
Category
Early 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame.
Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705)
The dramatic subject of the painting depicts th...
Category
Late 17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Tennis Whites & Wrestling Singlet (Figurative Oil of Athletes by Mark Beard)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative oil painting of a young, female tennis player and young male athlete dressed in a wrestling singlet by Mark Beard (aka Bruc...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Petite fille et sa poupée
Located in Washington, DC
Charming example of nineteenth-century genre painting depicting a young girl, her doll, and sewing.
Category
Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Italian beginning 19th oil canvas oval Mythological Bacchus and Apollon child
Located in PARIS, FR
Italian school from the beginning of the 19th century Oil on canvas (2) 99 x 65 cm (103 x 78 cm with the frame) Old frames with gadroons and palmette decoration Excellent condition
...
Category
Early 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Sailor with Rope (Figurative Painting of a Man by Mark Beard, Bruce Sargeant)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic, nautical style figurative oil painting of a handsome sailor against an ocean landscape
"Sailor with Rope" painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (pseudonym in homage to th...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame.
Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705)
The dramatic subject of the painting depicts th...
Category
Late 17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Fair Student
By Henry Wyatt
Located in Washington, DC
Signed and dated '1835' center right
Category
1830s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Olivia Unveiling to Viola (from Twelfth Night)
Located in Washington, DC
Exhibited:
Birmingham Royal Society of Artists, 1879
“Autumn Exhibition of the Birmingham Royal Society of Artists.” The London Times, 25 August 1879. T...
Category
1870s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Teaching him a New Trick
Located in Washington, DC
19th Century Dutch
Category
1890s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame.
Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705)
The dramatic subject of the painting depicts th...
Category
Late 17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
'Piano And Violin Recital', Paris Salon, Royal Academy, Still Life of Tulips
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower left, 'Alf. Broge' for Carl Harald Alfred Broge (Danish, 1870-1955) and dated '1918'.
Alfred Broge first studied with Helger Gronvold and, from 1889 to 1891, at Denmar...
Category
1910s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Woman Reading by JOZEF ISRAËLS - Dutch painter, Hague School, portrait art
Located in London, GB
Woman Reading by JOZEF ISRAËLS (1824-1911)
Oil on Panel
21 x 12.5 cm (8 1/4 x 4 15/16 inches)
Signed lower right
Executed circa 1870
Artist biography
D...
Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel, Oil
Ready to Play (Academic Figurative Painting of Male Athlete by Mark Beard)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative oil painting of a handsome football player against a country landscape
'Ready to Play', Painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (pseudonym in homage to the...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Frieze with Two Athletes on Bikes (Oil Painting by Mark Beard's Bruce Sargeant)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative painting of four young athletes running and on bicycles
"Frieze with Two Men on Bikes", painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (pseudonym in homage to the fashion photographer, Bruce Weber, and figurative painter, John Singer Sargeant)
Oil on canvas, signed upper right
35.5 x 60 inches, 40.5 x 65.5 inches in a black frame with wire backing
Excellent condition, ready to hang as is
This magnificent horizontal composition was painted by Mark Beard under his fictitious artistic persona, Bruce Sargeant. Painted in a modern Academic style, this dynamic portrayal of young, male athletes in motion is an exciting example of the artist's talent for painting human anatomy. Two men are mounted on bikes; one wears khaki shorts and a billowing, white oxford...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Sexy Woman in a Swamp Storm - Pulp Magazine, Hispanic Artist, Mid Century
Located in Miami, FL
Rafael Maria de Soto y Hernandez was born February 18, 1904 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. It's high drama in the swamp. Woman in the Swamp is a masterfully executed example of Pulp Art and showcases Rafael DeSoto's full command of academic painting.
DeSoto did pulp covers up until the industry's demise in the 1950s for such magazines as Adventure, Argosy, Black Mask, Captain Zero, Crack Detective, Fantastic Novels, 15-Story Detective, Fifteen Western Tales, New Detective, Smashing Detective, and Walt Coburn's Western Magazine. He also painted many covers and interior story illustrations for men's adventure magazines, such as Action For Men, Adventure, Battle Cry, For Men Only...
Category
1950s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Board, Oil
Boy in Suit: Academic Figurative Painting by Mark Beard aka. Bruce Sargeant
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative painting of two men in trousers and suits with naval flags by Mark Beard aka "Bruce Sargeant"
"Boy in Suit", painted in the late ...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
“The Harem Girl”
By Konrad Filip
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is an intriguing portrait of a young harem girl in costume by the German artist, Konrad Filip. Signed by the artist top right, Munich. Condition is very ...
Category
Early 1900s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Indian Ritual Walking on Fire, Firewalking Ceremony, Mythology and Religion
By Robert Riggs
Located in Miami, FL
Narrative artist Robert Riggs captures a highly-charged scene of an Indian firewalking ceremony. Firewalking is part of a religious ritual and is associated with the mystical powers...
Category
1950s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Varnish, Pigment
19th C. German painting of figures at a waterfall in the manner of Friedrich
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A very romantic and detailed painting of figures enjoying the views of a waterfall in summertime, Europe
Circle of Caspar David Friedrich (Germ...
Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paper, Oil
19th Century gouache of a visit to Pompei on the Grand Tour
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Neapolitan school (early 19th Century)
A visit to Pompei on the the Grand Tour
Gouache on paper
Inscribed ‘Porzione del quartiere a Pompei’ and ‘In Nap...
Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Archers: Figurative Painting of Two Sporting Men by Mark Beard, Bruce Sargeant
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative painting of two men hunting in a mountain landscape with bow and arrows
"Archers", painted in the late 90's - early 2000's for Abercrombie and Fitch's flag...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Father and children in front of TV - Mid-Century
Located in Miami, FL
John Falter arranges figures and faces in a way that rival the old masters in their compositional perfection. And he makes it look easy. The expressions are captured so the emotion...
Category
1950s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Family scene, children dog and pup, French painting by Delacroix' prodigy friend
Located in Norwich, GB
A sweet and intimate family scene by the rarest of artists: French early 19th Century child prodigy Henri-Louis-Hippolyte Poterlet (1804-1835).
Poterlet was a close friend and confi...
Category
1820s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Asian Love Story - The Good Earth - Golden Age of Illustration
Located in Miami, FL
Magazine Story Illustration most likely for Cosmopolitan or Woman's Home Companion.
Caption: "'I will not heed these old ones,' said the maid. 'Let us flee together somewhere and ...
Category
1920s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Adhesive, Oil
Men & Motorcycles, Mark Beard: Academic Figurative Painting of Four Male Models
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative painting of four male motorcycle riders by Mark Beard aka "Bruce Sargeant"
"Men and Motorcycles", painted in the early 2000's for Abercrombie and Fitch's flagship store in Milan, Italy
83 x 88.75 inches unframed, 88.5 x 94.25 inches with a simple black painted wood frame
Signed "Bruce Sargeant", upper right
Good condition based on scale, size, and age (see condition notes below)
This figurative painting of four young men on a motorcycle joyride was made by Mark Beard under his fictitious artistic persona, Bruce Sargeant. Painted in a modern Academic style, the handsome athletic men...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Dance of the Nymphs
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lyrical landscape entitled Dance of the Nymphs was composed by the French Barbizon painter Paul Désiré Trouillebert. A joyful scene of nymphs dancing the morning fog, the work closely resembles an important work by the great Camille Corot, which is now housed at the Musée d'Orsay (Paris). Renowned for his unique individuality that toed the line between the traditional and modern, Corot and his landscapes helped pave the way for an entire generation of Impressionists who followed him. Trouillebert perfectly captures the poetic atmosphere of Corot’s groundbreaking works, while also imbuing this scene with a freshness and character that is all his own.
Trouillebert's oil on canvas is exemplary of the tradition of historical painting. The work perfectly combines a realistic depiction of the natural world with a spirited romanticism as his idealized nymph figures frolic playfully beneath a crisp morning sky. As a whole, it is a lovely composition executed with a level of skill and artistry that proves Trouillebert's exceptional talent in the arts.
Born in Paris in 1831, Paul Désiré Trouillebert was a student of the academic painters Ernest Hébert...
Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Archers: Academic Figurative Painting of Two Men Bow Hunting by Mark Beard
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative painting of two male archers by Mark Beard aka "Bruce Sargeant"
"Archers", date unknown, painted for Abercrombie and Fitch's flagship store in Milan, Italy
79 x 66.5 inches unframed, 86 x 73 inches with a black painted wood frame
Signed "Bruce Sargeant", upper right
Excellent condition, ready to hang as is
This vertical, figurative painting of two young men bow hunting...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Tracy in Profile, " Mixed Media Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
Mark Bradley Schwartz's (US based) "Tracy in Profile" is an original, handmade mixed media drawing that depicts a woman in profile with her long black hair tucked behind her ears wit...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Paper
Skull and Butterflies - Oil Painting Colors Red Black Brown Beige Grey White
By Lyubena Fox
Located in Sofia, BG
"Skull and butterflies "
Oil on canvas
(Painting with restored frame 19th century 83x66 cm.)
Comes with symbolism plaque/label*
Through philosophy the mind flourishes
The human mind (portrayed by the skull) flourishes and thrives (depicted by the butterflies, used as a positive symbol and symbolize resurrection) through philosophy and understanding oneself (books represent knowledge). Just like the caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies, able to grasp more of the world, the mind has the ability to transform and gain a greater comprehension.
Painted entirely from life
The Painting’s Qualities
Lyubena Fox...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Untitled Portrait I (Academic Style Portrait Painting of a Young Muscular Man)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Modern, academic style portrait painting on canvas of a young athletic male
oil on canvas, 28 x 22 inches unframed
This vertical, contemporary portrait painting of a single young m...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Forest Nymph - Figurative Nude Oil Painting Colors Brown Grey Pale Blue Green
By Lyubena Fox
Located in Sofia, BG
"Forrest Nymph" (2016)
Oil on canvas
80 x 100 cm unframed
Painting was started in 2015, most of it was finished by 2016, the last touches done in 2019. Inspired by the 19th century French painter Bouguereau, she wanted to depict a nymph that inhibits the forest, wearing a flower crown made from Hepatica flowers, wild forest flowers.
The Painting’s Qualities
Lyubena Fox...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Fossils, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Fossils" is an oil painting that depicts nude forms suspended in air between highway and underpass.
Elizabeth Z...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Plume, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Plume" is an oil painting that depicts two red head women in the foreground with black fabric and forms cascading around them.
Elizabeth Zanzinger is an award-winning painter with an enthusiastic international following. She developed her artistic voice through her studies at the Aristides Atelier and Gage Academy of Fine Art in Seattle. Elizabeth finished her education with a fellowship award (Grand Prize, 2nd Annual Utrecht Art...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Current, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Current" is an oil painting that depicts a lone figure in a golden field with clouds holding a floral fabric agai...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Solothman on the Aase, Switzerland
By Eugene Schmidt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Eugene Schmidt (German/American, 1919-2007)
Title: Solothman on the Aase, Switzerland
Year: Circa 1970
Medium: Oil on canvas board
Board size: 10 x 8 inches
Signature...
Category
Late 20th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Five Gymnasts in Training (Large Academic Style Figurative Painting of Athletes)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Large Academic style figurative painting of five male athletes
Painted by Mark Beard aka "Bruce Sargeant" for New York City's flagship Abercrombie and Fitch store on 5th Avenue
oil...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
After Paolo Uccello's "Battle of San Romano" Painted in 1438
Located in Houston, TX
After Paolo Uchello's set of three paints titled "The Battle of San Romano." Originally painted around 1438 to 1440. Uccello depicts events that took place ...
Category
20th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Le Soir sur la Terrasse
Located in Paris, FR
Delphin Enjorlas
1857-1945 French
"Le Soir sur la Terrasse"
Oil on canvas
Signed lower left
Canvas: 28 3/4" high x 23 5/8" wide
Frame: 37 3/4" high x 42 7...
Category
Early 20th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Flight of Sodom and Gomorrah - Entourage of Monsu-Desiderio
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Italian School 17th Century
Close to Monsu Desiderio
The Flight of Sodom and Gomorrah
Oil on canvas
Framed with Black wood and golden ornementation
Di...
Category
Mid-17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Prospector firing Rifle ( Happiness is a Warm Gun ) Gay Art
By Robert Riggs
Located in Miami, FL
Tempera mixed with gum arabic and alcohol on Renaissance Panel
Robert Riggs was a gay man. Being gay in American during the 1940's time was something not to flaunt in public. Rigg's had to communicate his underlying feelings in more symbolic ways.
Throughout Riggs oeuvre, one sees continuous references to strong hunked out manly men and vulnerable boys. It is a core element of is iconography and is described in a powerful graphic style.
In “Prospector firing Rifle” is a Dick Pic. Riggs is clearly making a sexual statement about the moment of climax. The long, straight rifle explodes and is captured at the peak moment of climax. Meanwhile, the bag two bags of gold clearly resemble the other part of the male anatomy. Riggs was a thoughtful and meticulous visual thinker and nothing in any of Riggs’s compositions were haphazardly placed. In tribute to the artist’s suppressed feelings, I have given this work a second title “Happiness is a Warm Gun...
Category
1940s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Tempera
Academic figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Academic figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add figurative paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, red, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mark Beard, Kyna de Schouël, Elizabeth Zanzinger, and Delphin Enjolras. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Academic figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 4.93 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative paintings made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $280 and tops out at $595,000, while the average work sells for $7,158.