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Contemporary Portrait Paintings

CONTEMPORARY STYLE

Used to refer to a time rather than an aesthetic, Contemporary art generally describes pieces created after 1970 or being made by living artists anywhere in the world. This immediacy means it encompasses art responding to the present moment through diverse subjects, media and themes. Contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, performance, digital art, video and more frequently includes work that is attempting to reshape current ideas about what art can be, from Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s use of candy to memorialize a lover he lost to AIDS-related complications to Jenny Holzer’s ongoing “Truisms,” a Conceptual series that sees provocative messages printed on billboards, T-shirts, benches and other public places that exist outside of formal exhibitions and the conventional “white cube” of galleries.

Contemporary art has been pushing the boundaries of creative expression for years. Its disruption of the traditional concepts of art are often aiming to engage viewers in complex questions about identity, society and culture. In the latter part of the 20th century, contemporary movements included Land art, in which artists like Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer create large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations and other works in soil and bodies of water; Sound art, with artists such as Christian Marclay and Susan Philipsz centering art on sonic experiences; and New Media art, in which mass media and digital culture inform the work of artists such as Nam June Paik and Rafaël Rozendaal.

The first decades of the 21st century have seen the growth of Contemporary African art, the revival of figurative painting, the emergence of street art and the rise of NFTs, unique digital artworks that are powered by blockchain technology.

Major Contemporary artists practicing now include Ai Weiwei, Cecily Brown, David Hockney, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Kara Walker.

Find a collection of Contemporary prints, photography, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Contemporary
The Four Musea: Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne each of the nine Muses occupies a creative niche. The Four Muses; Calliope, Clio, Erato and Euterpe represent Epic Poetry, History, Lyric Choral Poetr...
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Faces Painting by Marc Zimmerman
Located in Carmel, CA
Faces Painting by Marc Zimmerman. The Faces painting embodies the profound connections and cherished relationships that enrich our lives. This masterpiece is exhibited in the Zimm...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Figurative/Portrait_Abstract Figure_Oil/Acrylic/Canvas_Cuba, Rebecca Jack_2024
Located in 326 N Coast Hwy. | Laguna Beach, CA
Rebecca Jack "Cuba" Oil & Acrylic on Canvas 24 x 24 in. 25.25 x 25.25 in. Framed __________________________ Rebecca Jack, an intuitive painter, creates vibrant, figurative works ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas, Acrylic

"Demon" (FRAMED) Painting 33" x 27" inch by Antonio Pelayo
Located in Culver City, CA
"Demon" (FRAMED) Painting 33" x 27" inch by Antonio Pelayo Medium: "Acrylic Ink & Paint on Animation Acetate Artist Antonio Pelayo, born in Glendale, California, and yet raised fo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Ink

Saint Augustine, Muscular Male, Wearing a Red Cloak & Loin Cloth, Original Oil
Located in Chicago, IL
A muscular male casts his gaze downward towards an unseen object. Over one shoulder a red cape is draped. Set upon an intricate backdrop of ornate floral designs set in gold tones,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Panel

Ojulari I
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Ojulari" is a series of three (3) paintings which does have a similarity of a big eyeball. Ojulari simply means "Exterior Appearance" of a person. There is one Yoruba adage that s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gratuitous Violence, 2023_Billy Schenck_Oil/Canvas_ Figurative/Text/Pop Western
Located in 326 N Coast Hwy. | Laguna Beach, CA
BILLY SCHENCK "Gratuitous Violence" Oil on Canvas 37.5 x 37.5 in. framed Billy Schenck utilizes specific frames of reference in his oil on canvas depictions of the American West, e...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Looking Through Love
Located in Chicago, IL
Rick Beerhorst Looking Through Love oil on canvas 13h x 13w in 33.02h x 33.02w cm RIB008 Rick Beerhorst B. 1960 Education 1987 University of Illino...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Panel, Oil

Clark - Portrait of a Man in Glasses and a Suit, Original Oil Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
This painting is part of a series of portraits by Richard Gibbons in which the subject displays shock, dismay, anger or ambivalence in response to an unknown outside event. The portr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

WAIT! - Portrait of a Woman, Hand on Head in Shock, Original Oil Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
This painting is part of a series of portraits by Richard Gibbons in which the subject displays shock, dismay, anger or ambivalence in response to an unknown outside event. The portr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

"Lady Justice" Mixed media Painting 67" x 106" inch by Karim Abd Elmalak
Located in Culver City, CA
"Lady Justice" Mixed media Painting 67" x 106" inch by Karim Abd Elmalak Karim Abdel Malak's layered multi-media works are influenced by the old mas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Wood, Oil

Girl With Harpoon - Florence, Italy, 2020
Located in Hudson, NY
ABOUT Born in 1967, Piussi was raised in Florence where he studied at the Istituto d’arte, majoring in sculpture and painting and completing his artistic education at Milano’s Brera Art Academy. He lives in Florence, pursuing painting, bas-reliefs in terracotta and in bronze, and bronze sculpture. Piussi presents an ideal, almost childlike world which can be found below everyday events, a step outside the flow of time, yet still a part of contemporary life, with a nod to Alex Katz and David Hockney. The drama, or lack thereof, is played out in simplified, almost abstract spaces. Pure in intent, Piussi’s oeuvre are inspired by the Early Renaissance. Snapshot images of a world reduced to its essence, the apparently comic-book style has echoes of Giotto, Paolo Uccello, of medieval illuminations. Rather than mimicking the appearance of nature, Piussi reaches for its essence, without distracting details. Women stand on the shore of quintessentially peaceful seas, self-contained, at ease, unwitting replicas of classical goddesses - a proud diver echoes Neptune holding a trident. “Queen Kong...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Scuba Girl, Florence, Italy, 2020
Located in Hudson, NY
ABOUT Born in 1967, Piussi was raised in Florence where he studied at the Istituto d’arte, majoring in sculpture and painting and completing his artistic education at Milano’s Brera ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Woman with Book of Poems_America Martin_Oil/Acrylic/Canvas_Figurative/Portrait
Located in 326 N Coast Hwy. | Laguna Beach, CA
America Martin "Woman with Book of Poems" Oil & Acrylic on Canvas 78.75 x 68.75 in. Framed ______________ Exploring the identity of both her namesake and country, LA-based America M...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Acrylic, Canvas

The Boy, portrait painting, figurative, man, dark tones, contemporary
Located in Deddington, GB
Original painting of The Boy. Sean uses very toned down colours but draws the attention to the portrait of the boy with green toned shirt on a darker background. Additional informat...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Presence - portrait of a moment - oil painting on blue background
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Oil painting of a presence that emerges on the canvas from another existential plane, accompanied by other beings. With dimensions of 27" x 27" inches, and a royal blue background. T...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cotton Canvas

"Surrounded By Fuzzy Friends", Human Figure, Bedroom, Stuffed animals, games
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Surrounded By Fuzzy Friends" is a piece by Akira Gordon made from acrylic and oil on canvas. This piece measures 48"h x 60"w unframed. Akira hopes to give black people images that...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

"Breakfast", Woman Figure, Interior Food, Morning Scene, Oil on Canvas
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Breakfast" is a piece by Akira Gordon made from acrylic and oil on canvas. This piece measures 40"h x 30"w unframed. Akira hopes to give black people images that they can relate t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Eyes Wide", Female figure, Bedroom, Diptych, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Eyed Wide" is an original artwork by Akira Gordon made from acrylic and oil on wood panel. This piece is a diptych and measures measures 48"h x 46"w complete. Akira hopes to give...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Wood Panel, Oil

"Hyde Park", Woman Figure, Portrait, Chicago business, Acrylic on Wood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Hyde Park" is an original artwork by Qiaira Riley made from acrylic and paper on found wood. This piece measures measures 17"h x 24"w unframed. "Inspired by the changing visual la...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paper, Acrylic

"Come Out and Play", Child Portrait, Chicago transport, Acrylic on found wood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Come Out and Play" is an original piece by Qiaira Riley made from acrylic paint on found wood. This piece measures measures 24"h x 14"w unframed. "Inspired by the changing visual ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paper, Acrylic

"An Invasion", Chicago, Woman figure, social change, Acrylic on Wood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"An Invasion" is a piece by Qiaira Riley made from acrylic paint and beads on found wood. This piece measures measures 24"h x 24"w unframed. "Inspired by the changing visual landsc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Wood, Acrylic, Found Objects

Fall of Autumn
Located in Denver, CO
Nerhbass’ paintings focus on style as a sublime element of tension within beauty. Thematically they evoke modern dilemmas of what it means to see and be seen in a manner that is simu...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Harness
Located in Denver, CO
Nerhbass’ paintings focus on style as a sublime element of tension within beauty. Thematically they evoke modern dilemmas of what it means to see and be seen in a manner that is simu...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Measure
Located in Denver, CO
Nerhbass’ paintings focus on style as a sublime element of tension within beauty. Thematically they evoke modern dilemmas of what it means to see and be seen in a manner that is simu...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Rush
Located in Denver, CO
Nerhbass’ paintings focus on style as a sublime element of tension within beauty. Thematically they evoke modern dilemmas of what it means to see and be seen in a manner that is simu...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Wake
Located in Denver, CO
Nerhbass’ paintings focus on style as a sublime element of tension within beauty. Thematically they evoke modern dilemmas of what it means to see and be seen in a manner that is simu...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Dandy in the garden of black roses &Terrifying night of the first transformation
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Dandy in the garden of black roses & Terrifying night of the first transformation, 2016 by Ramonn Vieitez Watercolor and Gouache on canvas Overall size: 19.7 H x 31.4 W in. Individu...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache

Ian and Oliver Hartt, Portraits
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Ian and Oliver Hartt, Diptych, 2016 by Ramonn Vieitez Watercolor and Gouache on canvas Overall size: 15.7 H x 23.6 W in. Individual Size: 15.7 H x 11.8 W in. Signed on the back by th...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache

Jeremy Abbott and Oliver Hartt, Portraits
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Jeremy Abbott and Oliver Hartt, Diptych, 2016 by Ramonn Vieitez Watercolor and Gouache on canvas Overall size: 15.7 H x 23.6 W in. Individual Size: 15.7 H x 11.8 W in. Signed on the ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache

On Your Tomb, They Won't Smell Nice
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
On Your Tomb, They Won't Smell Nice is an original painting by Obeka Simon. Simon created On Your Tomb, They Won't Smell Nice with Oil on a 40W by 45H inches primed canvas. Simon Obeka...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ian, Jeremy Abbott and Adam, Triptych. Portraits
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Ian, Jeremy Abbott and Adam, Triptych, 2016 by Ramonn Vieitez Watercolor and Gouache on canvas Overall size: 15.7 H x 35.4 W in. Individual Size: 15.7 H x 11.8 W in. Signed on the ba...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache

we are one - Oil painting with magical animals and people
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
We are all one (recurring thought of a fugitive soul) animal figurative magic. Painting 24" x 19" inch by Ion Xiua. Mixed technique. Oil on canvas made with professional Winsor & Ne...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Set Ian, Jeremy Abbott, Adam and Oliver Hartt. Portraits
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Set Ian, Jeremy Abbott, Adam and Oliver Hartt, 2016 by Ramonn Vieitez Watercolor and Gouache on canvas Overall size: 15.7 H x 47.2 W in. Individual Size: 15.7 H x 11.8 W in. Signed o...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache

Untitled 3 - Series Final Fantasy, Minutiae Contemporary Figurative Painting
Located in Salzburg, AT
Magdalena Peszkowska born in 1980 in Gdańsk, Poland. Studied in Department of Painting at Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk (1999-2004). Diploma with special recognition in painting in ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Cardboard

Sombreros - Oil On Canvas - Contemporary Art By Marc Zimmerman
Located in Carmel, CA
Sombreros float above the jungle flora with characters under them; some real and some invented, however one is a self portrait of the artist ( lower right) Sombreros - Figurative P...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Denny
Located in London, GB
artist: Anastasia Kurakina portrait of a boy oil on canvas one of a kind BIO In search of the human essence As an artist, Anastasia Kurakina (lives and works in London) nurtures a g...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Contemporary self-portrait "Anniversary"
Located in Sempach, LU
In this evocative piece, I blend acrylic and oil to capture an intimate moment, rich with layered emotions. The figure, poised yet wistful, stands enveloped by the depth of the dark ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Lacquer, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Blue boy
Located in London, GB
artist: Anastasia Kurakina a blue boy oil on canvas original painting one of a kind hand signed Anastasia Kurakina BIO by Private Walls Gallery: In search of the human essence A...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Clothed In Light, Abraham and Sarah
Located in Brecon, Powys
This majestic double portrait "Abraham and Sarah" is part of a series of paintings by breaking British artist, Sax Berlin. Inspired by the Bible and also by a commission to paint “Is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Bleasure 6 (The Converse Man)
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Honestly, I have been doing everything I can to become a human being again. I blink my eyes like people do, walk casually, sit with my legs crossed as if I were enjoying myself, and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

"Della" (FRAMED) Painting 19" x 22" inch by Antonio Pelayo
Located in Culver City, CA
"Della" (FRAMED) Painting 19" x 22" inch by Antonio Pelayo Medium: Acrylic Ink & Paint on Animation Acetate Size: 13" x 15" inch Size framed: 19" x 22" inch Artist Antonio Pelayo,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Pencil

When We Were Young
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
When we were young, the world was a dream, Where our hearts were pure, untouched by the stream. Innocence danced on the wings of the breeze, As we chased rainbows and climbed old tre...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Oil

Contemporary portrait "It's Cold"
Located in Sempach, LU
Today marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of our wedding. Thirty-five years together. I dedicated a painting to this date. The subdued tones and soft light highlight a timeless bond, ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Lacquer, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

The Indian's Prayer - Fantastic Realism
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
The prayer of the Indian. - Animal figurative magic. A moment to remember when we were connected to the magical and invisible, when animals were gods. Painting 23" x 20" inch by Ion ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cotton Canvas

Lady with dinosaur
Located in Sempach, LU
The edges are painted The painting is a story of inner acquaintance and complete acceptance of one's own peculiarities and oddities. This ironic canvas tells the story of a girl wh...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Tropicana 3 - Vibrant Fun Abstract Figurative Portrait
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by her background in fashion, artist Lindsey McCord creates vibrant portraits that encapsulate the confidence that comes with the fun of being stylish and chic. Her figures ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic

Golden Angel
Located in Bayonne, NJ
This is an oil on linen painting depicting a nude female figure with wings. Executed in a contemporary, allegorical manner, the painting reminds us of Renaissance portraits. It is in...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Figurative/Portrait_Oil/Acrylic/Canvas_The Striped Orange Cat, America Martin
Located in 326 N Coast Hwy. | Laguna Beach, CA
America Martin "The Striped Orange Cat" Oil & Acrylic on Canvas 62.5 x 33.5 in. 64 x 35 in. Framed Exploring the identity of both her namesake and country, LA-based America Martin ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Crowd in Vivid Colour 6, Original painting, Figurative, People, Audience, Fun
Located in Deddington, GB
This is a painting from Karen Lynn’s ‘Crowd’ series of works. In this particular painting she gave the audience a 60’s retro look and chose very bright colours like reds pinks and o...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Emerald boy
Located in London, GB
artist: Anastasia Kurakina original oil painting on canvas hand signed portrait of a French musician in Paris Anastasia Kurakina Art education: 2018 Sorbonne University, Paris 20...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Melanin Meditation
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Melanin Meditation" is a captivating artwork created by Ekele Francis that delves into the depths of cultural identity and self-reflection. Francis, known for their intricate explor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

artist
Located in London, GB
Artist:Anastasia Kurakina hand sigend painting one of a kind Art education: 2018 Sorbonne University, Paris 2014 – MA Fine Art at the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome; 2012 – Academy of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Figurative/Portrait_Earth Tones_Woman on Lawn Blanket_America Martin
Located in 326 N Coast Hwy. | Laguna Beach, CA
America Martin "Woman on Lawn Blanket" Oil & Acrylic on Canvas 45 x 80 in. 46.75 x 81.75 in Framed Exploring the identity of both her namesake and country, LA-based America Martin ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Sisterhood (We Journey Through Life Together)
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Art has always been a medium for expressing emotions, ideas, and perspectives. It is a form of communication that transcends language, time, and cultural barriers. One artwork that e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media

Figurative/Portrait_Oil/Acrylic/Canvas_Woman With Towel, America Martin_Pink
Located in 326 N Coast Hwy. | Laguna Beach, CA
America Martin "Woman With Towel" Oil & Acrylic on Canvas 60 x 30 in. 61.5 x 31.5 in. Framed Exploring the identity of both her namesake and country, LA-based America Martin draws ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Inner Peace 2
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Inner Peace" by Meshach Charity is a captivating artwork that invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of inner tranquility. In this piece, a young man is depicted turning hi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Texture of Identity (Beauty Within Us)
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The Beauty Within Us" is a compelling narrative series of paintings that celebrates the unique and diverse beauty of Black hair, serving as a powerful symbol of identity, heritage, a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Contemporary portrait paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Contemporary portrait 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 portrait 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, orange, purple, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Nemo Jantzen, America Martin, Jack Graves III, and Timothy Archer. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Fabric and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Contemporary portrait paintings, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait 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 $88 and tops out at $430,743, while the average work sells for $4,000.

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