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: 1930s
Portrait of a Redhead in Profile
By Leon Kroll
Located in Miami, FL
Beautifully rendered in Krolls signature academic style. Unframed - Signed lower right, unframed
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood
Feeding the Young
By Edmund Adler
Located in Washington, DC
A rural interior scene by Austrian artist Edmund Adler. The scene is typical of Adler's paintings of Austrian culture and rural life. It is full of gemütlichkeit.
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
“Return from the Field”
Located in Southampton, NY
Oil on canvas backed onto wooden board of a worker with a scythe returning home from a day of labor. In a picturesque Swiss village. The painting is attributed to the hand of Karl Adolph Weber, the Swiss artist. Signed “K. Weber” lower right. Circa 1935. The painting is a contemporary wood frame in a mahogany finish. Overall framed measurements are 19 by 15.25 inches. Provenance: A Sarasota, Florida collector.
Karl Adolph Weber was a Swiss artist born in 1899 and died in 1978 known for his rural landscapes and figurative paintings of Switzerland...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Board
Portrait of an Elegant Young Woman in Warm Grays and Soft Ochers
By Leon Kroll
Located in Miami, FL
Leon Kroll was above all an academician. To him "abstract art was merely the beginning of a picture. Structurally, "Portrait of a Young Woman recalls some of the portraits from the ...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
“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
Miss Carolyn Edmunson
By Leon Kroll
Located in Miami, FL
The art world today does not value traditional academic skills in portrait painting. If it did, this portrait would replace the childlike student-level art that is now achieving two...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
“Puerta Bisagra, Toledo”
Located in Southampton, NY
Oil on artist board painting of the historic city of Toledo by the Australian artist, Robert Camm. Signed lower left and titled and dated verso, 1931. Th...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Portrait of Theresa Rogers
By Leon Kroll
Located in Miami, FL
Portrait of Theresa Rogers
Housed in a period hand carved wood frame. Some scatter minor paint loss and stretcher marks otherwise presents very well
Signature: Signed lower right
T...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Related Items
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
H 34.5 in W 24.5 in D 1.5 in
Portrait of my Young Daughter
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful oil on canvas from the end of the 19th century figuring the portrait of a young woman.
The painting is signed Y Pol on the bottom left .
The artist in his performance perfe...
Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Gondolier (Figurative Painting of Man in Venice by Mark Beard, Bruce Sargeant)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative oil painting of a muscular male gondolier with Venice's St. Mark's Campanile in the background
"Gondolier" painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (pseudony...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Passeggiata a cavallo a Trieste
Located in Roma, RM
Alfredo Tominz (Trieste 1854 – 1936), Passeggiata a cavallo a Trieste
Dipinto ad olio su tela di cm 69 x 110 firmato e datato 1890 in basso a destra.
Provenienza: Asta Stadion Trie...
Category
Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Untitled Portrait II (Modern, Academic Style Portrait Painting of a Young Man)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Modern, academic style portrait painting on canvas of a young athletic male
oil on canvas, 26 x 17 inches in antique wood frame
This vertical, contemporary portrait painting of sin...
Category
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
H 26 in W 17 in D 1.5 in
Grandpa and Naughty Boy Danish Master Genre Scene 19th century Signed Framed
By Erik Ludwig Henningsen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Signed lower right “Henningsen” and dated 1881 at reverse. Attributed by Erik Ludvig Henningsen (1855 - 1930) was a Danish painter and illustrator. Masterly painted genre scene “testing grandfather’s pipe” depicting lively domestic moment. The little prankster wants to be like his grandfather, but how can he not try his grandfather’s pipe, which he loves so much and does not let go of even in his sleep. The curious and brave sly man, despite the consequences, took off his shoes to approach quietly... One can imagine his disappointment and emotions after he accomplished what he had planned... The boy's faithful friend, a small dog, looks at all this with interest and curiosity. Loved and admired for his talent to realistically portray life and tell a story at the same time, Henningsen took great pride to never include any personal feelings or philosophy, but to stay neutral to the subject matter for whichever painting he was doing. Antique oil painting on canvas, signed, framed.
Size: 43 cm x 35 cm (roughly 16.9 x 13.8 in), frame 52 x 43.5 cm (roughly 20.5 x 17.1 in). Very Good pristine condition with minimal wear. Please study good resolution images for cosmetic condition. In person actual painting may appear darker or brighter than in our pictures, strictly depending on sufficient light in your environment. Weight of app. 1 kg is going to measure some 2 kg packed for shipment.
Erik Henningsen was educated at the Copenhagen Royal Academy of Art. He Traveled and studied in Germany, Italy, France and Holland, and received numerous awards and medals throughout Europe. He later became a member of the Royal Academy of Art. Exhibited in Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Vienna, Paris, Berlin, Munich, Lubeck, and many more. Erik Henningsen is always mentioned in the same breath as his older brother, painter Frants Henningsen. Both with their traditionally classic approach to realism, anecdotal undertones and bold use of dark colors, they were the most loved and celebrated illustrators of life and times; often depicting the hardships and trials of that day and age. One of Erik Henningsen’s large...
Category
Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Oil
The Goddess Hera - 19th Century Neoclassical Oil Painting Ancient Greek Myth
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
‘Hera’ by Eduard Niczky (1850-1919).
The painting - which depicts the Greek queen of the gods in golden diadem and yellow robe - is signed by the artist and hangs in a newly commis...
Category
Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
A Mandolin Concert
Located in New Orleans, LA
Andrea Landini
1847-1935 Italian
A Mandolin Concert
Signed “A. Landini” (lower right)
Oil on canvas
A cardinal delights in a musical performance in this painting by Italian Card...
Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, 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
Young girl from Tetouan, Morocco
Located in New Orleans, LA
Young girl from Tetouan, Morocco
Signed (center right)
Oil on canvas
In this important oil on canvas, French Orientalist painter Charles Landelle captures the engaging visage of a young Moroccan woman in a moment of tranquil contemplation. Seated on the floor of what is almost certainly an opulent riad, the young woman wears an intricately embroidered Moroccan kaftan and headdress. The sumptuous patterns on the floor and in the background lend an additional warmth to the strikingly vivid red hues which dominate the composition and are a hallmark of Landelle’s work.
The symbols behind the young woman may represent either the Jewish Star of David or the Islamic Seal...
Category
Late 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
H 64.25 in W 51.13 in
Neoclassical Oval Portrait of the Woman as a Greek Muse. Early 19th Cent.
Located in Firenze, IT
Neoclassical Portrait of the Woman in Clothes by Muse (Early 19th Century).
Oval portrait with the period frame.
Entourage of Joseph Maria Grassi (1757-1838).
Portrait of lady which ...
Category
Early 19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Free Shipping
H 27.56 in W 24.81 in D 1.97 in
Interior - XXI Century, contemporary oil painting, Light & shadow contrasts
By Ilona Sapka
Located in Warsaw, PL
ILONA SAPKA
studied at the School of Applied Arts, "Schola Posnaniensis" in Poznan. She received her diploma from the Faculty of Painting in the studio of stained glass led by prof. ...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Previously Available Items
“Chogan” (Polo)
Located in Southampton, NY
Very finely painted Persian figurative scene of men or horseback playing the ancient game of chogan, now called polo. Unsigned. Circa 1930. Egg tempera on thick card panel stock. La...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Egg Tempera, Board
“Persian Traditions”
Located in Southampton, NY
Very finely painted Persian figurative scene of man and three woman in a traditional setting. Unsigned. Circa 1930. Egg tempera on thick card panel stock. Lacquered verso. Stampe...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Egg Tempera, Board
Paris Scenes, a Pair
By Cesar A. Villacres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
SELLING THEM AS A PAIR
CESAR A. VILLACRES
"LE PONT NUEF"
"AU COIN DE PARIS"
OILS ON CANVAS, , TITLED
FRANCE, C.1930
12 X 15.5 EACH
SIZE NOT INCLUDING THE FRAMES
Cesar A. Vill...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Femme De Paris
Located in Nice, FR
Oil on canvas, signed lower left.
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
At the Opera
By Rudolf Anton Bernatschke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
RUDOLF ANTON BERNATSCHKE
"AT THE OPERA"
OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED
AUSTRIAN-AMERICAN, C.1940
36 X 23 INCHES
The following, submitted December 20...
Category
1930s Academic Figurative Paintings
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.