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.
$1,750
'Rider at Sunset' Equestrian and Horse Oil on Canvas Painting by Chris Brizzard
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The rapid pace of the ride over a country landscape and the relationship between the rider and horse are felt in this oil on canvas painting by Chris Brizzard...
Canvas, Oil
19th Century Italian gouache painting of Mount Vesuvius and Naples, summertime
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A beautiful and naive painting of Naples from the sea in summertime from the 19th Century. The beautiful light blue tones of the sea highlight the architecture of Naples and Vesuvius beyond. Circle of Gioacchino La Pira...
Paper, Gouache
$18,042
Skull and Butterflies - Oil Painting Colors Red Black Brown Beige Grey White
By Lyubena Fox
Located in Sofia, BG
"Skull and butterflies " Oil on canvas (Painting with restored frame 19th century 83x66 cm.) Comes with symbolism plaque/label* Through philosophy the mind flourishes The human mind (portrayed by the skull) flourishes and thrives (depicted by the butterflies, used as a positive symbol and symbolize resurrection) through philosophy and understanding oneself (books represent knowledge). Just like the caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies, able to grasp more of the world, the mind has the ability to transform and gain a greater comprehension. Painted entirely from life The Painting’s Qualities Lyubena Fox...
Canvas, Oil
$569Sale Price|20% Off
Óleo sobre tela - Retrato de dama con tocado floral
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra no va firmada Se presenta sin enmarcar la pintura El estado de la pintura se puede ver, está bastante craquelada y está reentelada Medidas de la obra: 59 x 45 cm.
Oil
Young Peasants at Rest, Oil on Board, Academic Style, Signed, 1890s
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Young Peasants at Rest Artist: Adrián de Unzueta (Mexico, 1865 – first half of the 20th century) Medium: Oil on panel Dimensions: 35 x 26 cm (13.8 x 10.2 in) Framed dimens...
Oil, Board
"Port. Batumi"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The painting "Port of Batumi" by Oleksandr Khrapachov is full of legends about the life of the corners of the Black Sea, where the sea ridges and mountain ridges grow together. Paint...
Canvas, Oil
"Sakura is blooming"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The painting "Sakura Blooms" is a true ode to spring, created outdoors in the heart of Transcarpathia. Oleksandr Khrapachov skillfully conveys all the beauty of cherry blossoms, whic...
Canvas, Oil
$8,500
"Harvest" Samuel S. Carr, American Pastoral Scene, Child in Wheat Field
By Samuel S. Carr
Located in New York, NY
Samuel S. Carr Harvest Signed lower left Oil on canvas 16 x 12 inches Samuel S. Carr was an American pastoral and landscape painter. Originally from England, he trained at the Roy...
Canvas, Oil
$4,273Sale Price|20% Off
PLAUZEAU Painting Oil canvas French Academic Portrait of boy Early 20th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Alfred PLAUZEAU Avanton-Paché (Vienna), 1875 - Hendaye, 1918 Oil on oil 61 x 38 cm (75.5 x 52.5 cm with frame) Signed lower right "A. Plauzeau" Good condition (sevreal restoration, w...
Oil
Antoni Costa Woman original Figurative Academician drawing painting
By A. Costa
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
woman. original figurative academician drawing painting Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD. He was ...
Pencil
Fossils, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Fossils" is an oil painting that depicts nude forms suspended in air between highway and underpass. Elizabeth Z...
Oil
$1,200
Conversation, figurative, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2023 Style: Impressionism Title: Conversation Size: 19" x 23" x 0.8''...
Canvas, Oil
Roses, Impressionism, Still Life, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2023 Style: Impressionism Title: Roses Size: 19.5" x 23.5" x 0.8'' in...
Canvas, Oil
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - L'Envolée Légère
Located in Paris, IDF
Franck Bailleul is a French painter born in 1964 who lives & works in Abbeville, Normandy, France. He has exhibited nationally as well as in the United States and China. His works e...
Canvas, Oil
Summer Day, Landscape, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Impressionism Title: Summer Day, Size: 9" x 13.5" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Oil
Flower Sellers, Figurative, Original Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Flower Sellers Size: 16" x 20" x 0.8'' inch, (41x51x2cm), Unframed, Stretched on wooden bar, Ready to Hang, Artist Bio Ara H. Hakobyan is an Armenian artist and art critic, Doctor of Sciences (arts, 2017), professor (2018) and a member of Artist Union of the Republic of Armenia (1999). Ara H. Hakobyan was born in 1973 in Yerevan in the family of art historian Hravard Hakobyan. In 1997 Mr. Hakobyan graduated from the Yerevan State Academy of Arts, Department of Painting. During 1997-2000 Ara Hakobyan...
Canvas, Acrylic
Still Life in Blue and Yellow, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Still Life with Blue and Yellow Size...
Canvas, Oil
$800Sale Price|20% Off
Symphony of Flowers, Original Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Symphony of Flowers Size: 24" x ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Autumn in the Yard, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Autumn in the Yard Size: 18" x 14" x...
Canvas, Oil
Farm, Original oil Painting, Impressionism, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2018 Style: Impressionism Title: Farm Size: 16" x 20" x 0.8'' inch, ...
Oil, Canvas
Waves, Seascape, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Waves Size: 20" x 27.5" x 0.8'' inch...
Canvas, Oil
On the Rocks, Coastal, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: On the Rocks Size: 24" x 25" x 0.8''...
Canvas, Oil
$452Sale Price|20% Off
Play on the Beach, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Play on the Beach Size: 11" x 14" x ...
Oil, Canvas
Young People on the Rocks, Figurative, Original Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2016 Style: Impressionism Subject: Young People on the Rocks Size...
Acrylic, Canvas
Chinese Monastery, Impressionism, Original Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Chinese Monastery Size: 16" x 20...
Canvas, Acrylic
City Park, Impressionism, Original Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: City Park Size: 16" x 20" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Acrylic
Winter Landscape Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2018 Style: Impressionism Subject: Winter Size: 20" x 28" x 0.8'' inc...
Canvas, Oil
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Skeletal Structure
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Skeletal Structure Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil and Coloured Pen on Paper Size: 19.75 (Height) x 12.75 (...
Pencil, Pen, Color Pencil
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Pelvic Girdle
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Pelvic Girdle Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on Paper Size: 19.75 (Height) x 12.75 (Width) Signed: No Cond...
Pencil
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of Horse’s Head and Neck
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of Horse’s Head and Neck Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on Paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.75 (Width) Signed: No ...
Pencil
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of Horse’s Limb
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of Horse’s Limb Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on Paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13 (Width) Signed: No Condition: G...
Pencil
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Hoof
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Hoof Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Watercolor on card Size: 19.75 (Height) x 12.5 (Width) Signed: No Condition: ...
Pencil, Watercolor
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Shoulder
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Shoulder Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.5 ...
Pencil
$465Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Limb
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Limb Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.75 (Width) Signed: No Condition: Lig...
Pencil, Color Pencil
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Study of Children Watching Horses Cross a Bridge
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Study of Children Watching Horses Cross a Bridge Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Ink on card Size: 6.5 (Height) x 14.75 (Width) Signed: No Co...
Ink
$12,500
Sexy Woman in a Swamp Storm - Pulp Magazine, Hispanic Artist, Mid Century
Located in Miami, FL
Rafael Maria de Soto y Hernandez was born February 18, 1904 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. It's high drama in the swamp. Woman in the Swamp is a masterfully executed example of Pulp Art and showcases Rafael DeSoto's full command of academic painting. DeSoto did pulp covers up until the industry's demise in the 1950s for such magazines as Adventure, Argosy, Black Mask, Captain Zero, Crack Detective, Fantastic Novels, 15-Story Detective, Fifteen Western Tales, New Detective, Smashing Detective, and Walt Coburn's Western Magazine. He also painted many covers and interior story illustrations for men's adventure magazines, such as Action For Men, Adventure, Battle Cry, For Men Only...
Oil, Board
Lion and Lioness On The Hunt
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
RÖTIG Georges-frédéric (1873-1961) Lion and Lioness On The Hunt Oil on canvas signed and dated 1933 lower right. The canvas is mounted in a frame called "Berain style” inherited fro...
Oil
$1,918
1974 oil painting still life of squashes and glass by British George Weissbort
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
George Weissbort (Belgian / British, 1928 – 2013) SQUASHES AND A GLASS OF WATER Oil on canvasboard 18.1/4 x 21.3/8 in. (46.3 x 55.4 cm.) George Weissbort was born in Brussels in ...
Oil, Board
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Luxe, Calme & Volupté
Located in Paris, IDF
Franck Bailleul is a French painter born in 1964 who lives & works in Abbeville, Normandy, France. He has exhibited nationally as well as in the United States and China. His wor...
Canvas, Oil
The gift of flowers / - The depth of allegory -
Located in Berlin, DE
Conrad Kiesel (1846-1921), The gift of flowers. Oil on wood, 43 x 35 cm, 69 x 61 cm (frame), signed at lower left "Conrad Kiesel pxt [pinxit]", about 1900. In a magnificent gilt stuc...
Oil
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Omaha
Located in Paris, IDF
Franck Bailleul is a French painter born in 1964 who lives & works in Abbeville, Normandy, France. He has exhibited nationally as well as in the United States and China. His works e...
Oil, Panel
Gentry People in The Park in 18th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
LEVIGNE Théodore (1848-1912) "Genre scene in 18th century" Oil on canvas signed low right Old original frame Dim canvas : 72 X 100 cm Dim frame : 103 X 127 cm LEVIGNE Théodore (1848...
Oil
Journey to the Center of the Soul III: Figurative Oil Painting, 160x130cm, 2010+
Located in BARCELONA, ES
“The Journey Home series” begins with the image of a young girl seated inside an old train carriage. The work is rooted in Alena’s personal memories of returning with her daughters t...
Canvas, Oil
$10,089
Rendezvous with Franz Marcs Horse: Figurative Oil Painting, 2010+, 140x130cm
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This piece emerges from Alena’s interest in the work of the German Expressionist painter Franz Marc, particularly his way of constructing compositions through areas of color and frag...
Canvas, Oil
1974 oil painting still life of strawberries by British artist George Weissbort
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
George Weissbort (Belgian / British, 1928 – 2013) Strawberries Oil on canvasboard Signed and dated ‘G Weissbort 1974’ (lower right) 18.1/4 x 20.1/8 in. (46.3 x 51 cm.) George We...
Oil, Board
Still Life with Clock, Teapot, Teacup, and Book
By Franz Krischke
Located in Houston, TX
Wonderful still life oil painting by Franz Krischke from the 1950s. Painting depicts a clock, teapot, teacup, and open book arranged on a tabletop. Framed in a heavy, rustic frame. S...
Oil
"View on Long Island" James Henry Cafferty, Hudson River School Summer Landscape
Located in New York, NY
James Henry Cafferty Landscape and Figures (New Jersey or Long Island), 1845 Signed lower right Oil on canvas 21 x 17 1/4 inches Provenance The artist John L. Schoolcraft, Albany, N...
Canvas, Oil
Samantha Haring, "Enough" Oil on paper on panel
Located in New York, NY
Samantha Haring "Enough," 2024 Oil on paper on panel 20 x 20 in. (hari024)
Paper, Oil, Panel
Samantha Haring "Sic Transit" Oil on paper on panel
Located in New York, NY
Samantha Haring "Sic Transit," 2023 Oil on paper on panel 16 x16 in. (hari020)
Paper, Oil, Panel
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - 7eme Symphonie
Located in Paris, IDF
Franck Bailleul is a French painter born in 1964 who lives & works in Abbeville, Normandy, France. He has exhibited nationally as well as in the United States and China. His wor...
Canvas, Oil
19th Century gouache of a visit to Pompei on the Grand Tour
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Neapolitan school (early 19th Century) A visit to Pompei on the the Grand Tour Gouache on paper Inscribed ‘Porzione del quartiere a Pompei’ and ‘In Nap...
Paper, Gouache
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Untitled (Cafe Interior), Shimshon Holzman
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Shimshon Holzman (1907-1986) Title: Untitled (Cafe Interior) Year: 1962 Medium: Watercolor and graphite on wove paper Size: 27.75 x 19.75 inches ...
Watercolor, Graphite
Marines in Pair - Dutch Painting 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
VAN WYK Henri (1833-NC) Marines in pair Oil on wood panel signed low left Old frame re-gilded with gold leaves Dim wood : 23 X 41 cm Dim frame : 40 X 58 cm Certificate of authenticit...
Oil
View of Venice - Painting 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
KAUFMANN KARL (1843-1901) Pseudonym : CARNIER Venice view Oil on canvas signed CARNIER low right Framed by Gault (Paris) gilded with leaves Dim : canvas ...
Oil
November, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "November" is an oil painting that depicts trees in autumn with a rock foreground. Elizabeth Zanzinger is an award-winning painter with an enthusiastic international following. She developed her artistic voice through her studies at the Aristides Atelier and Gage Academy of Fine Art in Seattle. Elizabeth finished her education with a fellowship award (Grand Prize, 2nd Annual Utrecht Art Competition) at the Grand Central Academy, New York City, in 2012. Since then she has completed a number of commissioned portraits of accomplished individuals, including former Chief Justice...
Oil, Panel
$28,450Sale Price|36% Off
Pair 19th Century French Whimsical Oil on Canvas "Cherubs and Putti Children"
Located in LA, CA
Charles Joshua Chaplin (French, 1825-1891) A Very Fine and Charming Pair of 19th Century French Whimsical Oils on Canvas of Cherubs and Putti, after François Boucher (French, 1703–17...
Canvas, Oil
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Torah Scholar, Shimshon Holzman
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Shimshon Holzman (1907-1986) Title: Torah Scholar Year: 1962 Medium: Watercolor and graphite on wove paper Size: 13.75 x 19.75 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Signed...
Watercolor, Graphite
Composition of Roses With Lute and score
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GODCHAUX Emile (1860) Big Composition of roses with Oil on canvas signed low right Frame gilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 90 X 129 cm Dim frame : 118 x 159 cm GODCHAUX Emile (1860 - nc) French School - 19th century - Born in 1860 Painter of genre scenes, landscapes, waterscapes, marines, flowers, still lives. He sold his paintings on the public place, and sometimes in Lotteries. He is related to Alfred Godchaux...
Oil
Seated Woman
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Seated Woman, 1884 Oil on board 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm) Framed dimensions: 15 1/2 x 13 1/4 inches Signed lower right: Thos. P Anshutz. Dated lower left: 1884– Provenance Priv...
Oil, Board
Courtship Oil Painting on Canvas, Academic Style, 20th Century, Framed
Located in Naples, Florida
Edward Portielje was a Belgian painter known for refined interior scenes influenced by Dutch Golden Age masters. His work blends academic realism with romantic sentiment, emphasizing...
Oil, Canvas