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Realist Figurative Paintings

REALIST STYLE

Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world. 

Work that involves illusionistic techniques of realism dates back to the classical world, such as the deceptive trompe l’oeil used since ancient Greece. Art like this became especially popular in the 17th century when Dutch artists like Evert Collier painted objects that appeared real enough to touch. Realism as an artistic movement, however, usually refers to 19th-century French realist artists such as Honoré Daumier exploring social and political issues in biting lithographic prints, while the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painting people — particularly the working class — with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history. 

By the turn of the 20th century, European artists, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, were experimenting with nearly photographic realism in their work, as seen in the attention to every botanical attribute of the flowers surrounding the drowned Ophelia painted by English artist John Everett Millais.

Although abstraction was the guiding style of 20th-century art, the realism trend in American modern art endured in Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and other artists’ depictions of the complexities of the human experience. In the late 1960s, Photorealism emerged with artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes giving their paintings the precision of a frame of film.

Contemporary artists such as Jordan Casteel, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Aliza Nisenbaum are now using the unvarnished realist approach for honest representations of people and their worlds. Alongside traditional mediums, technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive installations are helping artists create new sensations of realism in art.

​​Find authentic realist paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Realist
Artist: Angela Wakefield
Scottish Highlands with Children Playing in the Mountains by Contemporary Artist
Located in Preston, GB
The Scottish Highlands - A colourful and dramatic original acrylic on canvas depicting children walking in the Mountains of Scotland. Entitled "The Road to Glencoe" by British Contem...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gesso, Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor

Painting of the Chrysler Building 42nd Street New York City by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of the Chrysler Building 42nd Street New York City by Contemporary British Artist, Angela Wakefield. Art measures 24 x 36 inches Frame measures 30 x 42 inches Framed in a ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Painting of the Chrysler Building 42nd Street New York City by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of the Chrysler Building 42nd Street New York City by Contemporary British Artist, Angela Wakefield. Painted using warm golden oranges, reds and yellows - capturing the dram...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Street Scene in Manhattan Theatre District New York City at Sunset by UK Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Street Scene in Manhattan Theatre District New York City at Sunset by UK Artist, Angela Wakefield. Art measures 12 x 24 inches Frame measure 16 x 28 inches Wakefield's work is a un...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Board, Acrylic, Oil, Paint

Empire State Building Sunset in Manhattan New York City by British Urban Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Empire State Building Sunset in Manhattan New York City by British Urban Artist, Angela Wakefield. This is a rare early work from her New York Series. Featured in international front cover article in 2011. Art measures 24 x 47 inches Unframed - highest quality Pintura Italian Box Canvas Wakefield's work is a unique blend of abstraction and realism, with a strong emphasis on colour. Her paintings are known for their bold, expressive brushstrokes and vibrant hues, which capture the energy and diversity of New York City. From the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan to the gritty streets of Brooklyn, Wakefield's art reflects the city's many moods and personalities. Whether she is depicting the frenzied pace of Times Square or the quiet beauty of Central Park, Wakefield's paintings are a testament to the enduring allure of New York. Angela Wakefield has twice been on the front cover of ‘Art of England’ and featured in ARTnews, attracting international attention and critical acclaim with her urban landscape paintings of New York, London & the North of England. The style of painting has been described as ‘contemporary realism’, and is often favourably compared with Edward Hopper by collectors and art critics. Angela’s work is held in private collections in Europe and the USA, including the British Royal Family. Her admirers include leading figures in international business...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Gesso, Acrylic Polymer, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Board

New York City Street Scene Painting by Leading British Contemporary Artist
Located in Preston, GB
New York City Street Scene Painting by leading British Contemporary Artist, Angela Wakefield. Art measures 24 x 12 inches Frame measure 28...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Board

Painting of the Chrysler Building New York City by Contemporary British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of Chrysler Building New York City by Contemporary British Artist Angela Wakefield Art measures 31.5 x 31.5 inches Frame measures 36 x 36 inches Angela Wakefield has twice been on the front cover of ‘Art of England’ and featured in ARTnews, attracting international attention and critical acclaim with her urban landscape paintings of New York, London & the North of England. The style of painting has been described as ‘contemporary realism’, and is often favourably compared with Edward Hopper by collectors and art critics. Angela’s work is held in private collections in Europe and the USA, including the British Royal Family. Her admirers include leading figures in international business, filmmaking and the media. PROVENANCE: Ascot Studios...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Female Figure Shopping in New York City Sunshine by Contemporary British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Female Figure Shopping in New York City Sunshine USA by Contemporary British Artist, Angela Wakefield Art measures 31.5 x 31.5 inches Frame...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

American Diner Connecticut USA at Night Painting by British Contemporary Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of Olympia Diner American Diner, Connecticut, USA at Night, by Modern British Urban Artist, Angela Wakefield. Art measures 24 x 12 inches Fra...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Acrylic, Board, Varnish

New York Sunshine Figurative Cityscape Painting British Urban Landscape Artist
Located in Preston, GB
'New York Woman II' - Cityscape Painting by Leading British Urban Landscape Artist. This painting illustrates Angela Wakefield's ability to capture the ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Cotton, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

The New Yorker Hotel 8th Avenue Manhattan New York City by British Urban Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel, 8th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, by British Contemporary Urban Artist, Angela Wakefield. Part of her Ne...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Gesso, Acrylic Polymer, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Board

Stonyhurst College 16th Century Grade 1 Listed Building in English Countryside
Located in Preston, GB
Original Painting of Stonyhurst College, a 16th Century Grade 1 Listed Building in the English Countryside, by leading Contemporary British Artist Angela Wakefield. Framed in a high quality off-black moulding with a white insert. Art measures 20 x 10 inches Frame measures 25 x 15 inches Stonyhurst College of the largest buildings in the North West of England. This magnificent 16th Century Catholic independent school was captured by Angela Wakefield. This is a special painting based on Angela’s own sketches, photos and frequent visits. She captures the scene beautifully in her unique style, the subject matter bringing a welcome change from her urban landscapes. Stonyhurst is one of the foremost public schools in the country. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Board

Figures at Manhattan Henge Sunset New York City by Leading British Urban Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Figurative Painting of People admiring Manhattan Henge Sunset New York City NYC with dramatic light and colours by Leading British Urban Artist, Angela ...
Category

2010s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Acrylic, Board, Gesso, Mixed Media, Oil

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Realist figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Realist 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, purple, red, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Su Yu, Janusz Szpyt, JC Spock, and Matt Talbert. 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 Realist figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 0.5 inches across are also available.

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