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.
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Style: Academic
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Women with Resting Minotaur
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil Painting of a women with a sleeping Minotaur.
Light neutral white painting by Cuban Artist Jesus Nordarse.
18 x 18 inches.
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, 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
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
Prosperous Family: Academic Figurative Painting by Mark Beard aka Bruce Sargeant
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative painting on canvas of a family and red tractor against a classic American farm field
"Prosperous Family", painted by Mark Beard under his fictitious persona, Bruce Sargeant
84 x 58 inches unframed, 91 x 65 x 3 inches with a gold painted wood frame
Excellent condition, ready to hang as is
This Academic style figurative oil painting on canvas was painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant, a pseudonym in homage to the fashion photographer, Bruce Weber, and figurative painter, John Singer Sargeant. Here, the artist captures a blue collar American farming family in their field with an old red tractor. The man and woman stand stoically with their young child, dressed in simple white garments, perhaps to symbolize their purity. Rolling mountains...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Crossing", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Crossing" is an oil painting that depicts an elderly man crossing the high water of a river with a young child on...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
Football Players (Framed Academic Style Figurative Painting of Male Athletes)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative oil painting of two muscular football players
Painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant
Oil on canvas, signed upper right
20 x 16 inches unframed, 26 x 22 in...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
"Anaheim, " Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Thane Gorek's (US based) "Anaheim" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a green Anaheim pepper halved, so that it's seeds and core are exposed, with an indigo blue back...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Board, 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
"Red Bell II, " Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Thane Gorek's (US based) "Red Bell II" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a red bell pepper halved, so that it's seeds and core are exposed...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Board, Oil
"Habenero, " Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Thane Gorek's (US based) "Habenero" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts an orange Habanero pepper halved, so that it's seeds and core are ex...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
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
"The Failed Attempt at Avoiding the Inevitable", Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Justin Wheatley's (US based) "The Failed Attempt at Avoiding the Inevitable" is an acrylic painting that depicts a small white house-like object with red roof pierced by a black pain...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
Prism, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Prism" is an oil painting that depicts a woman in the foreground looking into the distance with an atmospheric su...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
Magnolia Grandiflora, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Magnolia Grandiflora" is an oil painting that depicts a nude figure in the foreground with a bright red backgroun...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
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
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Le Mistral
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - La balade des Voiliers
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. Sh...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Leaves II, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Leaves II" is an oil painting that depicts yellow Fall leaves with a cream colored background
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, Panel
Leaves I, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Leaves I" is an oil painting that depicts yellow Fall leaves with a cream colored background
Elizabeth Zanzinger...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Party Skull #1, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Party Skull #1" is an oil painting that depicts a human skull in profile with blow outs and party regalia on blue and purple background.
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
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
Feedback Loop, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Feedback Loop" is an oil painting that depicts peculiar machine with wiring and red in interior with white background
Elizabeth Zanzinger is an awa...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Le saule
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Falaise au moulin
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Brume Tropicale
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
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
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Port Espagnol
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. Sh...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Le Moulin Abandonné
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Volcan
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Caravansérail
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Fatima
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Homme Médecine
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Tempête
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - L'abreuvoir
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
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
Canvas, Oil
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Eau Calme
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. Sh...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
French Contemporary Art by Kyna de Schouël - Coup de Tabac
Located in Paris, IDF
Kyna de Schouel is a French artist born in 1939 who lives & works in Cholet, France. She uses charcoal, sanguine & washing but above all oil, especially for abstract compositions. She is Chevalier du Mérite du Dévouement Français & awarded of Mérite de l’Académie Leonard de Vinci...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
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
Faistenau
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Plein-air landscape painting of Faistenau, in Austria. A snow covered foreground meets a structure filled horizon, a church tower reaches upward, dissecting the blue sky.
Frame opt...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
Lady Degas-Ga
Located in PARIS, FR
Original and unique painting by contemporary french artist Thierry Bruet.
Oil on canvas. Anachronistic artwork created by Thierry Bruet.
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cotton Canvas
Women on the Beach
By Ruth Shively
Located in New York, NY
figurative, women, beach scene
Oil and Charcoal on Linen
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Charcoal, Oil
Corpus Christi II
Located in PARIS, FR
Original and unique painting by contemporary french artist Thierry Bruet.
Oil on canvas, 2024.
#arthistory
Reinterpretation of Titian's "The Entombment...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Tableau de Chasse
Located in PARIS, FR
Original and unique painting by contemporary french artist Thierry Bruet.
Oil on canvas. Anachronistic artwork created by Thierry Bruet.
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Bears Hunting
Located in PARIS, FR
Original and unique painting by contemporary french artist Thierry Bruet.
Oil on canvas.
Anachronistic artwork created by Thierry Bruet, inspired by a pa...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Toutou
Located in PARIS, FR
Original and unique painting by contemporary french artist Thierry Bruet.
Oil on canvas.
Anachronistic artwork created by Thierry Bruet, inspired by a pa...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Keith Acting
Located in PARIS, FR
Original and unique painting by contemporary french artist Thierry Bruet.
Oil on canvas.
This anachronistic work is inspired by a fusion of the works of the Venetian painter Giambattista Tiepolo...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cotton Canvas
Red
Located in PARIS, FR
Original and unique painting by contemporary french artist Thierry Bruet.
Oil on canvas.
Anachronistic artwork created by Thierry Bruet, inspired by a pa...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cotton Canvas
Wrestler (Figurative Painting of Athlete by Mark Beard, Bruce Sargeant)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative painting of a young athlete, wrestler in training
"Wrestler in Training", Painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (pseudonym in h...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
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.