Realist Portrait 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
A Petite Masterpiece: The Traveling Portrait
Located in Stockholm, SE
Venture into the intricate world of 18th-century European art, and you may stumble upon a captivating miniature portrait we are thrilled to present for sale. This piece is painted in...
Category
Late 18th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
Portrait of an old Man with a Beard, Credit Card Size, Oil on Paper, Late 1700s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Delve into the world of 18th century European art, and you'll find a fascinating miniature portrait we are proud to present. Crafted in the style reminiscent of Christian Wilhelm Ern...
Category
Late 18th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
"Woman with child" figuratif acrylic on linen panel 60x73cm
Located in Roscoff, FR
Invited by the Ivorian Minister of Culture Bernard Dadié to exhibit his work in Abidjan, Emmanuelle Vroelant has produced a number of paintings on women and children.
Category
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Genre scene Little girls and their new friends 19th century Oil painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very touching scene with two little girls. Two sisters are thrilled to meet their new pets that their parents have bought. The sincerity and immediacy of children's feelings depicted...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
"Small Room" Oil Painting 47" x 39" inch by Dmitriy Krestniy
Located in Culver City, CA
"Small Room" Oil Painting 47" x 39" inch by Dmitriy Krestniy
ATTENTION: Painting ships rolled in a tube.
A look through Dmitriy’s designs reveals a glamorous, feminine, provocative...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Alba's Mirror, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Please note: If you live outside of the United States, we will ship the painting in a tube.
Presenting "Alba's Mirror" by Conrado López, an original handmade painting created in 20...
Category
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas, Acrylic
Painting of a Dog: "Red"Terrier circa 1910, European School
Located in SANTA FE, NM
"Red" Terrier
Possibly Dutch School
Oil on wood panel, circa 1910
Initialed lower left
7 1/2 x 7 (12 x 11 1/2 frame) inches
A charming and thoughtfully rendered depiction of a typ...
Category
Early 1900s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
Regina dei Fiori - 19th Century Oil Painting Society Portrait of Italian Beauty
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
‘Regina dei Fiori’ by Frédéric Soulacroix (1858-1933). The painting – which depicts an aristocratic Italian beauty sitting beside a porcelain vase ...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Hera - Large 19th Century Neoclassical Oil Painting of Ancient Greece Goddess
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
‘Hera’ by Eduard Niczky (1850-1919). A fine 19th century neoclassical portrait of the Greek queen of the gods depicted in her golden diadem and yellow ro...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
"First Steps" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Austin Howlett's "First Steps" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a tall female figure walking through a snow covered landscape.
Artis...
Category
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
[Buggereau (b. 1956)] Untitled #1
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Oil on canvas with silver leaf, black painted wood frame with gold leaf
Signed and dated in red, l.r.
$6000.00 + $500.00 framing
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New...
Category
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
![[Buggereau (b. 1956)] Untitled #1](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-buggereau-b-1956-untitled-1-for-sale/a_9323/a_30514431531254088092/Buggereau_Untitled1_1stdibs_master.jpg?width=240)
Emiliano Zapata, Original Social Realism Painting
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974) Mexican
Title: Emiliano Zapata
Medium: Pyroxylin on Wood Panel, Signed Lower Right
Size: Unframed 35” x 49”, Framed 39” x 53”
Year: 1958 - ...
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel
The Cardinal Fine Antique Portrait Oil Painting in Ornate Gilt Frame
By Otto Eichinger
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Cardinal's Letter
Otto Eichinger (1922 - 2004)
signed oil painting on board, framed
framed: 15 x 12 inches
board: 12.5 x 10 inches
provenance: private collection, UK
condition: v...
Category
Mid-20th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Black and White Oil Horse Painting with a Boy Donned in Vintage Attire
Located in Charleston, US
In a classic monochrome palette, Valarie Wolf skillfully captures the essence of bygone days with her intricate horse painting featuring a boy donned in vintage attire. The artwork h...
Category
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Traveler's Treasure: A Miniature Portrait
Located in Stockholm, SE
On offer is a beguiling miniature portrait, reminiscent of the works within the circle of Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich, commonly known as Dietricy. This intimate piece captures t...
Category
Late 18th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
A Glimpse into History: Dietricy's Miniature Portrait
Located in Stockholm, SE
For sale is a delicate and enchanting miniature portrait, reflecting the distinct style prevalent in the circle of Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich, more commonly known as Dietricy. ...
Category
Late 18th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
Polish Judaica Portrait of Hasidic Rabbis Shtetl Oil Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Realistic portrait of an older pair of Jewish shtetl types in a warm discussion by Polish artist. Here the artist conveys a sense of quiet grandeur through the eyes of his subject an...
Category
20th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Board
Blue Rotary Telephone-modern contemporary still life Realism oil painting
Located in London, Chelsea
This original artwork by contemporary realist painter Luiza Maia portrays a whimsically rendered scene of a classic telephone. The artist conveys an iconic Blue Telephone which emits...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Walk with the Cat
Located in Sempach, LU
I thought we would go for a walk with the cat.
I bought a collar and a leash.
But when I put the collar on the cat, it falls off and lies on the ground or crawls.
Where will I go wit...
Category
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Making a Case
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure
Ships in a well-protected tube
This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gallery)
About ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Wouldn't You Like To Know
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure
Ships in a well-protected tube
This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gallery)
About ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Canvas
Self-portrait oil on canvas painting
By Lluis Ribas
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
LLuis Ribas (1949) - Self-portrait - Oil canvas
Oil measurements 55x46 cm.
Frameless.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Black and White Oil Horse Painting with Man with Cap Donned Vintage Attire
Located in Charleston, US
In a classic monochrome palette, Valarie Wolf skillfully captures the essence of bygone days with her intricate horse painting featuring a man with a cap donned in vintage attire. Th...
Category
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of Teenager Student 18th Century Oil Painting by British Master
Located in Stockholm, SE
Portrait of boy aged 12-14 painted in late 18th century presumably by RA John Opie, 1761 – 1807 (or his studio, circle), English historical and portrait painter. He painted many grea...
Category
Late 18th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Oil
Portrait of Languid Girl in Blue Camisole 18th century Italian Rococo Master
Located in Stockholm, SE
Attributed to Pietro Antonio Rotari (1707 - 1762), Italian painter of the Rococo era. His portraits, mostly of women, are renowned for being beautiful and realistic. The details and ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Oil
Judaica "The Rebbe's Visit" European Hasidic Rabbi Oil Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Realistic portrait of an older rabbi visiting and blessing a child in a European marketplace. Here the artist conveys a sense of quiet grandeur through the eyes of his subject and th...
Category
20th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Race Horse Phoenix with Guilermo Kemmis - British 19th century art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb British 19th century equine oil painting is by noted horse lover, George Gascoyne. Painted in 1889, this French born chestnut horse is Phoenix. While he was essentially a...
Category
1880s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Oil Painting "The Rabbi" Sensitive Judaica Portrait by Italian American master
Located in Surfside, FL
Born in Milan, Italy Lupetti studied at the Royal Academy in Rome where he received classical training and was apprenticed to the school of restoration at the Vatican. At the age of ...
Category
20th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Judaica "The Rebbe'" European Hasidic Rabbi Oil Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Realistic portrait of an older rabbi visiting and blessing a child in a European marketplace. Here the artist conveys a sense of quiet grandeur through the eyes of his subject and th...
Category
20th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Serenade - Italian 19th century art figurative oil painting musicians
Located in London, GB
This lovely Victorian 19th century figurative oil painting is by Italian artist Frederick Andreotti. Painted circa 1880 it is a lovely playful depiction of a pretty seated young woma...
Category
19th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Evening of Life - Interior Portrait - British 1906 Newlyn Sch oil painting
Located in London, GB
This stunning, large British Edwardian Newlyn School interior portrait oil painting is by much noted and exhibited artist Walter Langley. Originally from Birmingham, Langley and his ...
Category
Early 1900s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Lost in Thought - Australian art 1920's portrait oil painting woman flowers
By Frederick William Leist
Located in London, GB
A fine oil on canvas which dates to circa 1920 by noted Australian artist Frederick William Leist. It is a super portrait oil painting which depicts a beautiful young woman lost in c...
Category
1920s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Lady Sewing - British 19th century art Newlyn School oil painting
Located in London, GB
This beautiful late 19th century portrait oil painting is attributed to circle of Walter Langley. It has the hallmarks of the Newlyn School of artists such as the subject matter, com...
Category
1890s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Young Lady in Yellow - French 1900 Victorian art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This stunning French Victorian portrait oil painting is by noted exhibited female artist Jeanne Rongier. This delicately detailed portrait is of the head and shoulders of a beautiful...
Category
Early 1900s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Green Bedroom - British 1920's Royal Academy exhibited interior oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb British 1920's interior oil painting is by noted female interior artist Mary Dawson Elwell. It was painted in 1928 and exhibited the same year at the Royal Academy no. 29...
Category
1920s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of the Artist's Wife Alice Greenwood - British 1928 RA exh oil painting
Located in London, GB
This lovely British portrait oil painting is by noted portrait artist Francis 'Frank' Owen Salisbury. It was painted in 1927 in New York and exhibited the following year at the Royal...
Category
1920s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of Blanche Stuchbury - Scottish Edwardian art portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb atmospheric British Edwardian portrait oil painting is by noted Scottish artist Howard Somerville. Painted in 1911 it is a half length portrait of Miss Blanche Stuchbury,...
Category
1910s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Girl with Daisy Garland - French Breton School art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This is a superb French Breton School portrait oil painting painted circa 1880. The painting is a three-quarter length seated portrait of a young girl. She is wearing an eggshell blu...
Category
1880s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Matilda Wetherall Smoking a Cigarette - British Victorian Portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
This intriguing circular oil portrait painting is by noted British artist Sir Edwin Long RA. Painted circa 1870 the unusual subject matter is a Victorian young woman smoking a cigare...
Category
19th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of Mary - British RA exh interior portrait oil painting Japanese urns
Located in London, GB
This absolutely charming Royal Academy exhibited British portrait oil painting is by noted portrait artist Ralph Peacock. It was painted in 1925 and exhibited at the RA that year. Th...
Category
1920s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Girl with Doll - British Edwardian art portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb British Edwardian portrait oil painting is by noted female artist Emma Rose Mead, known as Rose Mead. This stunning painting, circa 1907 is of a young girl, sat with her ...
Category
Early 1900s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Dutch Girl with Goat - Laren School 19thC pastoral oil painting
Located in London, GB
This beautiful 19th century Dutch oil painting is by noted artist Willem or more often Willy Martens. Painted circa 1890 it is very much in the style of the Laren School. The Laren S...
Category
19th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of Girls with a Cat - British Victorian Genre animal art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This charming British Victorian genre oil painting is by noted exhibited artist John Morgan. Painted circa 1870 the composition is two young girls, one dark haired one blonde, who ar...
Category
19th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Maiden - British Newlyn exhib art nude Laura Knight portrait oil painting
By Harold Knight
Located in London, GB
This stunning exhibited nude portrait oil painting is by noted British Newlyn School artist Harold Knight. `The Maiden` was painted at Dozmary. The Belgrave Gallery catalogue 1986 su...
Category
1910s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Lady in Turquoise Dress - Scottish female portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb British portrait oil painting is by noted Scottish artist David Cowan Dobson, better known as Cowan Dobson. Painted circa 1950 it is a bust length oil painting of a sophi...
Category
1950s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Miss Moggy Hennesey on her Hunter - Scottish 60s art horse portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb horse portrait with rider is by keen Scottish horse artist and rider, Doris Zinkeisen. Painted circa 1960 the rider is Miss Margaret 'Moggy' Hennesey. Moggy, well known a...
Category
1960s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of Brian de Lolme Bullock - British Edwardian art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This absolutely charming Edwardian portrait oil painting is by noted artist Edward Francis Wells. Painted in 1908, the sitter is Brian de Lolme Bullock as a six year old boy. (See hi...
Category
Early 1900s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Seated Girl in Blue - British 1930's art portrait oil painting
By Lionel Ellis
Located in London, GB
This lovely British portrait oil painting is by noted artist Lionel Ellis. The painting comes from a collection of works by the artist, previously owned by his wife. Painted circa 19...
Category
1930s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Moment
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The journey is never-ending. There is always going to be growth, improvement, and adversity; you just have to take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, and continue to li...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Esther, After My Mom's
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Esther, After My Mom's" is a captivating artwork that beautifully captures the essence of storytelling through painting. Adeniyi Joshua Adetayo, a visionary artist, creates a stunni...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic, Pen
Emily Gertrude Lilias Muirhead - British Edwardian art portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
A stunning portrait of Emily Gertrude Lilias Muirhead, Grandmother of Gillian Kulane Tanner, awarded a George Medal for bravery in world war II and mother to Rear Admiral Gerald Cha...
Category
Early 1900s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Delightful Soul
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
There is a moment when all we need is one person always there to put a smile on our faces, lighten up our hearts, set our path for the greater good, and believe in us.
Delightful So...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Portrait of an Edwardian Lady - British 1900 art female portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
This stunning British Edwardian portrairt oil painting is by noted 19th century born portrait painter Ralph Peacock .Painted circa 1900 it is a seated portrait of a lady in a black d...
Category
Early 1900s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait John Gilbert - Australian 20's exhibited art male portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
A stunning portrait of Mr John Gilbert. This original oil on canvas was painted by James Peter Quinn in 1929 and was exhibited at The Paris Salon of that year. A fine portrait, it is...
Category
1920s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Al Pasino
Located in Sempach, LU
Al Pacino is an American actor, director and screenwriter. Portrait painted in oil on linen canvas. Realism. It is varnished, the sides are painted in the color of the picture, ready...
Category
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Judaica "The Rebbe'" European Hasidic Rabbi Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Signed with monogrammed initials and has his name written on verso.
Realistic portrait of an older rabbi.
CHARLES E. HANNAFORD, English; 1863-1955, Hannaford was a British waterco...
Category
20th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Girl with a Puppy - Scottish Edwardian art portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
This stunning Edwardian portrait oil painting is attributed to Scottish Kirkcudbright School artist William Stewart MacGeorge. Painted circa 1910, The painting shows the influences o...
Category
1910s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of Muriel Sutherland Playing Badminton- Scottish Edwardian Oil Painting
By George Fiddes Watt
Located in London, GB
This charming Edwardian Scottish full length portrait oil painting is by noted Scottish portrait artist George Fiddes Watt. Painted circa 1910, the sitter is Muriel Sutherland, daugh...
Category
1910s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Realist portrait paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Realist 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, purple, red, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Matt Talbert, Mark Beard, Louis Letouche, and Bruce Adams. 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 portrait paintings, so small editions measuring 0.5 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 £143 and tops out at £701,413, while the average work sells for £2,997.
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