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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: Luis Almazan Miquel
Almazan 55 Realistic Still Life pastel Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting virtual frame MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic an...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting. MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translates...
Category

Early 2000s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Almazan Realistic Still Life watercolor Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life watercolor Painting MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translate...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Almazan Realistic Still Life watercolor Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life watercolor Painting. . frame MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and ...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translates ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translates ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

Almazan Store Ancient Containers Realistic Still-Life watercolor Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life watercolor Painting MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translat...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Almazan Store Vertical Milkmaids Containers. StillLife Acrylic
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting. frameD MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and tra...
Category

Early 2000s Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Almazan Bicycle Still-Life Acrylic Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translates us to past times...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

Almazan Realistic Still Life watercolor Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life watercolor Painting. virtual frame MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translates us to past...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Almazan 55 Realistic Still Life pastel Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting virtual frame MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic an...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

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Fishermen on River Idyllic Scandinavian Landscape 19th century Oil Painting
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The scene of this landscape unfolds with a tranquil river nestled between rolling hills, its heavily wooded banks casting a serene backdrop. In the center of the composition, two fis...
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Holy Family with St Elizabeth and Young John Baptist 19th century Oil Painting
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This tender depiction of the Holy Family represents a subject which was central to Raphael's oeuvre. The painting is based on the famous panel by Giulio Romano, called Madonna della ...
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Bacchante Bathes Faun Childrens at Sunset 1932 Swedish Oil Painting
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Signed Ernst Gunnar Widholm (1882 - 1953). Vivid sunset color explosion in the coastal green opening reveals sacred action of the mythological reality: beautiful bacchantes taking ca...
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Sunny Italian Amalfi Terrace View 1899 Oil Painting on Canvas Framed Signed
Located in Stockholm, SE
Late 19th early 20th century marked a period of great artistic expression and innovation, particularly in the realm of painting. During this time, artists sought to capture the beaut...
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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 Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Oil

Homey Scene with Flowers and Lady Reading 1897 Norwegian Oil Painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
The signature at the bottom right with the date and ink inscriptions on the stretcher lead us to the Norwegian painter Henrik Asor Hansen (1862 - 1929). In the center of the scene is...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

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Feeding a Calf Lovely Farm Scene with Redhead Girl mid 19th Century Oil Painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
As we gaze upon this artwork, we are immediately struck by the warmth and tenderness exuding from the scene. The woman, with a gentle smile on her face, carefully feeds the pet calf,...
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Pastoral Country Landscape Travelers on a Forest Road 19th century Oil Painting
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Brass plate leads to Russian artist Pavel Pavlovich Dzhogin (1834 - 1885). This 19th century oil painting beautifully captures a serene rural scene with travelers on a cart traveling...
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Oberwesel on Rhein Scenic Landscape 19th century British Master Oil Painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
Painting is signed “H. Gritten” in the lower center. Spectacular depiction of one of most picturesque town on the middle Rhein was painted in the mid-19th century by British artist H...
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Summer Landscape with Birches by Austrian Master Gollob Early 20th century Oil
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Heinrich Gollob (1886 - 1917) - Austrian painter. Gollob's attention to detail demonstrates his talent for bringing landscapes to life through vibrant colors, textures and the play o...
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Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Painting Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, this is not a print or other type of copy. Signed on the front side and accompanied by a Certificate of Auth...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Pastel, Canvas

Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat
No Reserve
H 48 in W 36 in D 1 in
Previously Available Items
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translates u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

NO TITLE
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Work of the Spanish artist ALMAZAN MIQUEL. Realistic master of pastel drawing. Beautiful works on paper. REF 25513 TRANSPORT INCLOSED
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

NO TITLE
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Work of the Spanish artist ALMAZAN MIQUEL. Realistic master of pastel drawing. Beautiful works on paper.
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

NO TITLE
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Work of the Spanish artist ALMAZAN MIQUEL. Realistic master of pastel drawing. Beautiful works on paper. REF 25570 TRANSPORT INCLOSED
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

ALAMAZN MIQUEL - PASTEL PAPER ORIGINAL " NO TITLE " 1995
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
ALMAZAN MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translates us to past times ... Beautiful works on ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Paper

ALMAZAN MIQUEL - PASTEL PAPER ORIGINAL - " NO TITLE " 1995
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
ALMAZAN MIQUEL was an artist focused on the art of realism. His structured works on his great mastery of drawing, are romantic and translates us to past times ... Beautiful works on ...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

NO TITLE
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Work of the Spanish artist ALMAZAN MIQUEL. Realistic master of pastel drawing. Beautiful works on paper. REF 25203 TRANSPORT INCLOSED
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

NO TITLE
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Work of the Spanish artist ALMAZAN MIQUEL. Realistic master of pastel drawing. Beautiful works on paper.
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

NO TITLE
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Work of the Spanish artist ALMAZAN MIQUEL. Realistic master of pastel drawing. Beautiful works on paper. REF 25205 TRANSPORT INCLOSED
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

NO TITLE
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Work of the Spanish artist ALMAZAN MIQUEL. Realistic master of pastel drawing. Beautiful works on paper. REF 25509 TRANSPORT INCLOSED
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel

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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