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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
Antoni Costa Woman. original figurative academician drawing painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
woman. original figurative academician drawing painting.. frame Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD....
Category

1950s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Graphite

Stony Beach, Cliffs, Impressionism Original Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Stony Beach Size: 24" x 30" x 0.8'' inch, (61x76x2cm), Unframed, Stretched on wooden bar, Ready to Hang, Artist Bio Ara H. Hakobyan is an Armenian artist and art critic, Doctor of Sciences (arts, 2017), professor (2018) and a member of Artist Union of the Republic of Armenia (1999). Ara H. Hakobyan was born in 1973 in Yerevan in the family of art historian Hravard Hakobyan. In 1997 Mr. Hakobyan graduated from the Yerevan State Academy of Arts, Department of Painting. During 1997-2000 Ara Hakobyan...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Waves, Seascape, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Waves Size: 20" x 27.5" x 0.8'' inch...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Young People on the Rocks, Figurative, Original Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2016 Style: Impressionism Subject: Young People on the Rocks Size...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

“Bavarian Flower Girls”
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is a vibrant portrait of a pair of Bavarian flower girls in traditional dress. The painting is unlined and has recently been cleaned. Circa 1875. The pain...
Category

1870s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Misty Morning Gloucester”
Located in Southampton, NY
Oil on artist board painting of a misty morning in Gloucester Harbor by the Provincetown artist, Kay Kellogg. Signed lower left. Circa 1935. The painting d...
Category

1930s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

The Librarian
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas : 61 x 43 cm Golden frame With frame : 70 x 52.7 x 4 cm This 19th-century portrait by an anonymous artist shows an elderly man seated at his desk, engrossed in writing...
Category

19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

A. Costa Woman original Figurative academician drawing painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Woman. original figurative academician drawing painting Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD. He was f...
Category

1960s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Carbon Pencil

Forest Nymph - Figurative Nude Oil Painting Colors Brown Grey Pale Blue Green
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

Antoni Costa Woman. original figurative Academician drawing painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
woman. original figurative academician drawing painting Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD. He was ...
Category

1960s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Carbon Pencil

Asian girl portrait Teddy bear innocence toys pink soft colors fine art classic
Located in Zofingen, AG
Girl with Teddy bear / Tender innocence This is one of my favorite artworks painted from nature. Painting are on stretched canvas come ready to hang. This is the “hidden frame”...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"The Battle of Ptolemais, 1191"
By Adam Springfield
Located in Southampton, NY
This large oil on canvas painting by Adam Springfield depicts the Battle of Ptolemais which took place in 1191. It is signed lower left and dated 1877. The verso of the painting contains the title of the painting. It has it's original period gold leaf frame and measures 44 x 63.75 inches. The siege of Ptolemais is unique in the history of the Crusades since the Frankish besiegers were themselves besieged, by Saladin's troops. It was not captured until July 1191 when the forces of the Third Crusade, led by King Richard I of England and King Philip II of France, came to King Guy's aid. Acre then served as the de facto capital of the remnant Kingdom of Jerusalem...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Brother Sister
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Pierre Lavarenne (French, born 1928) Title: Brother Sister Year: Circa 1975 Medium: Oil on canvas Canvas size: 15 x 18.25 inches Signat...
Category

Late 20th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"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

Oil, Board

Czech 19th Century Dalmatian Costume Young Man Orientalist Oil Portrait Kovács
Located in London, GB
Czech 19th Century Dalmatian Costume Young Man Orientalist Oil Portrait Kovács Czech, c. 1870 Canvas: Height 46cm, width 34cm Frame: Height 79cm, width 68cm, depth 10cm This oil por...
Category

1870s 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

“The Swordsman”
Located in Southampton, NY
Exquisite, vibrant original oil on canvas painting of a French swordsman in an interior. Very finely done with exacting detail. Circa 1880. Signed lower left “Jean Lamaire”. Conditi...
Category

1880s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Departure of the infantrymen for the war of 14, signed
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas signed lower right Dimension with frame 70 x 80 x 6 cm This striking work captures a group of French soldiers marching determinedly along a dusty road, with the distan...
Category

1910s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Gentry People in The Park in 18th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
LEVIGNE Théodore (1848-1912) "Genre scene in 18th century" Oil on canvas signed low right Old original frame Dim canvas : 72 X 100 cm Dim frame : 103 X 127 cm LEVIGNE Théodore (1848...
Category

1880s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Crossing
Located in New York, NY
The Crossing, 1855, by Theodore Frere (1814-1888) Oil on wood panel 9 x 14 inches unframed (22.86 x 35.56 cm) 17 ¾ x 22 ½ inches framed (45.085 x 57.15 cm...
Category

19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

“The Potato Peelers”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on canvas painting of a man and a woman intently peeling potatoes at a table. No visible signature. Old gallery label in German verso that is dated 1934 Condition is go...
Category

1930s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Las costureras - Óleo sobre lienzo
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Óleo sobre lienzo de Baldomer Gili Roig – Mujeres cosiendo, firmado, con marco ornamentado. Magnífica pintura al óleo sobre lienzo del reconocido artista catalán Baldomer Gili Roig ...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

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 Du...
Category

19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"The Working Man"
By R.V. Rowe
Located in Southampton, NY
34 x 28 overall Canvas laid down on artist board Signed lower right Overall in gold leaf frame 30x24 inches R.W. Rowe Circa 1970’s
Category

1970s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Study for Roses Du Matin
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist. Signed "AG" on lower left corner Dimensions Framed: 13.5" x 15.5" x 2.5"; Unframed: 7.875" x 10" Exhibited Artist's Ch...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Classical Naturalistic Style Italian Allegory Study
Located in Houston, TX
Classical style allegorical painting with puti and monarchy type figures floating within the clouds. The canvas is framed in a decorative gold frame. Dimensions Without Frame: H 43.5...
Category

20th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

WINGED GENIUS- original painting by Paula Craioveanu Neo Mythology
Located in Forest Hills, NY
"Winged Genius", oil on canvas, 70x110cm, 27.5×43.5in Winged Genius is a fantastic character, a mythological creature, a male figure with birds’ wings, a guardian spirit, a demigod. ...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Nude" Marguerite Stuber Pearson, Female Nude, Outdoor Boston School, American
Located in New York, NY
Marguerite Stuber Pearson Nude, circa 1940 Signed lower right Oil on artist board 20 x 16 inches Marguerite Stuber Pearson was an American painter best known for her elegant portra...
Category

1940s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

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

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

Oil, Panel

A bright and energetic painting of people on a deck near harbor in Nantucket
Located in Colfax, CA
A super bright, and color-filled painting by Nantucket based artist Sybil Goldsmith. This work depicts young, attractive college students having refres...
Category

1970s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Frawg Hollow, Virginia" Corwin Knapp Linson, Southern Country Landscape
Located in New York, NY
Corwin Knapp Linson Frawg Hollow, West Virginia Signed and titled lower left Oil on canvas 24 x 28 inches Provenance The artist Artist's family by descent Corwin Knapp Linson was ...
Category

Early 1900s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nude Women with Resting Minotaur - Neutral White Oil Canvas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil Painting of a women with a sleeping Minotaur. Light neutral white painting by Cuban Artist Jesus Nordarse. Oil on Canvas - 18 x 18 inches. Oil Painting of a Love and Sacrafice...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Antoni Costa Woman original Figurative Academician drawing painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
woman. original figurative academician drawing painting Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD. He was ...
Category

1960s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Autumn in the Yard, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Autumn in the Yard Size: 18" x 14" x...
Category

2010s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, 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

Paper, Gouache

Greek / Roman Naturalistic Allegory Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Stormy landscape scene in which a Cupid-like figure seen in the clouds appearing to have shot a number of wounded and dying men in the foreground. The men have a number of women and ...
Category

19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Figures at a mill
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
English school, 18th Century Figures at a mill Gouache on paper 4.5/8 x 7.1/2 in. (11.8 x 19 cm.)
Category

19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

"Transmutations: A Study of Systems Substitution, Painting by Mary Fish
By Mary Fish
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Mary Fish Title: Transmutations: A Study of Systems Substitution Year: 1980 Medium: Ink and Tempera on Paper, signed Size: 33.5 x 56 in. (85.09 x 142.24 cm)
Category

1980s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Ink, Tempera

"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

Oil, Panel

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

Antique Female American Orientalist painting ARABS PRAYING outside MOSQUE
Located in New York, NY
Maria Martinetti was born in 1864 in Italy. Martinetti attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, studying under the Orientalist painter Gustavo Simoni. Martinetti exhibited works in...
Category

1880s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

The Fair Student
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1835' center right
Category

1830s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lively conversation around a balustrade
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas Dimensions with frame : 83 x 101.5 x 3.5 cm This 19th-century painting depicts a genre scene, typical of the academic and romantic art of the period. It shows three fi...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Escalade Festival in Geneva
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas This striking painting accurately and lavishly depicts the commemorative parade of the Fête de l'Escalade in Geneva, a historical celebration commemorating the victory...
Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil, Panel

"Rowboat in a Summer Landscape" George Bacon Wood, Pleine Air Landscape
Located in New York, NY
George Bacon Wood Rowboat in a Summer Landscape Signed lower left Oil on wood panel 6 1/4 x 8 inches Born in Philadelphia, landscape painter George Bacon Wood, Jr., studied at the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Siblings hugging
Located in GB
The painting is round in shape, a tondo, which was a style sometimes favoured in the 19th century for its intimacy and decorative appeal. It depicts two siblings: the older sister cr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

A Fine Italian 19th Century Oil on Canvas "A Young Man Napoleonic Bicorne Hat".
Located in LA, CA
Napoleone Luigi Grady (Italian, 1860-1949) A Very Fine Oil on Canvas "A Young Man Bicorne Hat". The beautifully executed artwork depicting a posing young boy in full period celebrato...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

A Very Fine Italian Oil on Canvas Titled "The Solo Violinist or Violin Teacher "
Located in LA, CA
A very fine Italian oil on canvas titled "The Solo Violinist" by Luigi Da Rios (Italian, 1844-1892), depicting an interior 18th century room scene of a single violinist player; withi...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Oil

Young Beauty
Located in Mc Lean, VA
An Orientalist figurative or genre painting by Conrad Kiesel.
Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

A Sylvan Toilette -- ca. 1898
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Exhibited: Society of American Artists, New York, 1898 Intimate Revelations: The Art of Carroll Beckwith, Berry-Hill Galleries, New York, 1 December 1999-15 January 2000, no. 49 Li...
Category

1890s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 12
Located in Paris, IDF
Rapidography & acrylic on paper + white frame Pascal Plazanet is a French artist born in 1963 who lives and works in Paris, France. For more 30 years, he constantly uses rapidograph pens in his artworks on paper or onto canvas. The rapidograph is a special pen with a capillary tubular tip in which flows a black pigment, an ancient drawing...
Category

1990s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

At the Stream
By Philip Hermogenes Calderon R.A.
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1864' lower left
Category

1860s Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Girl with Bouquet
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Monogrammed lower right
Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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.

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