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.
The Flight of Sodom and Gomorrah - Entourage of Monsu-Desiderio
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Italian School 17th Century Close to Monsu Desiderio The Flight of Sodom and Gomorrah Oil on canvas Framed with Black wood and golden ornementation Di...
Oil
Rustic Apples and Bread Food Still Life French Salon Academic Antique Painting
Located in Norwich, GB
A remarkable work by Charles Nicolas Etienne Mayre, an academic painter born in Choisy le Roi near Paris in 1819. He studied with the masters Michel-Martin Drolling and Leon Cogniet...
Canvas, Oil
$2,500Sale Price|21% Off
“Seaside Picnic”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on canvas painting of a bucolic seaside picnic with a mother and her young children. Signed by the artist, F. G. Grust lower left. Condition is very good. The painting is housed in a period style gold leaf frame in fine condition. Overall framed measurements are 31.5 by 41.75 inches. Provenance: A California estate. F. G. Grust was a Dutch painter born in 1889 who was best known for his domestic interior and exterior scenes of a mother with her young children. He is the son of artist Theordor Grust (1859 - 1909), who also painted Dutch genre...
Canvas, Oil
$1,100
Color-full Winter, Landscape Impressionism, 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: 2022 Style: Impressionism Title: Color-full Winter Size: 19.5" x 27.5...
Oil, Acrylic
Untitled Portrait II (Modern, Academic Style Portrait Painting of a Young Man)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Modern, academic style portrait painting on canvas of a young athletic male oil on canvas, 26 x 17 inches in antique wood frame This vertical, contemporary portrait painting of sin...
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of Napoléon II
Located in New Orleans, LA
The son of the legendary Napoléon Bonaparte, Napoléon François Charles Joseph, takes a spirited stance in this remarkable oil painting attributed to the Austrian portraitist Johann Peter Krafft. Believed to have been exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris, this work stands as a testament to both Austrian artistry and the legacy of one of the most powerful men in history. After Napoléon's exile to the island of Elba in 1814, his son was seen by many of his supporters as the last hope of France. The child was named the ruler of half of Europe, holding the titles of Napoléon II...
Oil, Canvas
$520Sale Price|20% Off
“Kingston 2 Tugboat”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original acrylic on masonite painting of the “Kingston 2” tugboat underway by the well known American marine artist, Ron Saporito. Signed by the artist lower right. Condition is ex...
Masonite, Acrylic
$124,500
The Potter
Located in New Orleans, LA
Léon Olivié-Bon 1863-1901 French The Potter Oil on canvas Signed and dated "Olivie-Bon 1888" (lower right) This monumental masterpiece by French artist Léon Olivié-Bon is one of ...
Canvas, Oil
Landscape from French Provence, Painting 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
PONSON Etienne Aimé (1850-1924) French Provence Mediterenean Landscape Oils on canvas in Pair signed low Old frames gilded with leaves Dim canvas (each...
Oil
Landscape By The Mountain Stream
By MOSNY Henry
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
MOSNY Henry (19th Century) Landscape by the mountain Stream Oil on canvas signed below and dated 1882 Black and Golden wood Frame Dim canvas : 73 X 92 cm Dim Frame : 94 X 113 cm MOS...
Oil
Little Girl, Figurative, 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: 2016 Style: Impressionism Title: Little Girl Size: 22" x 28" x 0.8'' ...
Canvas, Oil
Landscape with windmill
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
KUWASSEG Charles Euphrasie (1838-1904) Landscape with Windmill Oil on canvas signed low right New Golden frame Dim canvas : 75 X 108 cm Dim frame : 104 X 140 cm KUWASSEG Charles Euphrasie (1838-1904) French Painter 19th Century born on September 29, 1838 in Draveil (Essonne). Died in October 1904 in Paris Painter, Watercolor Lively landscapes, seascapes, panoramas Charles Kuwasseg...
Oil
Reception at the Salon
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
STEVENS Agapit (1848 – 1924) Reception at the Salon Oil on wood signed low left New Golden Frame Dim wood panel : 24 X 39 cm Dim Frame : 49 X 63 cm STEVENS Agapit (1848 – 1924) Be...
Oil
Samantha Haring "Release" Oil on paper on panel
Located in New York, NY
Samantha Haring "Release," 2024 Oil on paper on panel 20 x 20 in. (hari021)
Paper, Oil, Panel
Bergère près des rochers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Jean-Ferdinand Chaigneau was born in the shipping center of Bordeaux on March 6th, 1830. There he studied drawing under the academic painter Jean-Paul Alaux (1788-1858). In 1847...
Oil, Panel
The Farm to the Donkey
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GARAT Francis (1870 - NC) The Farm of The Donkey Oil on canvas signed and dated 1883 low right Frame guilded Size canvas : 50 X 76 cm - Size frame : 60 X 76 cm GARAT Francis (1870 -...
Oil
Two Landscapes in Pair
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Paul ARMANDI (19th Century) Wood Landscapes by the river Oils on canvas in pair signed low right New golden frames Canvas : 65 X 40 cm Frame : 83 X 58 cm Paul ARMANDI is one of ...
Oil
Greek / Roman Naturalistic Allegory Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Stormy landscape scene in which a Cupid-like figure seen in the clouds appearing to have shot a number of wounded and dying men in the foreground. The men have a number of women and ...
Oil
A.POURFILET - Original Painting Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A.POURFILET (19th-20th Century) Still life with Peaches and Grapes Oil on card signed low left Old frame gilded with leaves Dim card : 33 X 41 cm Dim frame : 50 X 58 cm
Oil
Winter Evening, City, 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 Subject: Winter Evening Size: 16" x 20" x 0...
Canvas, Oil
Watercolor Painting - Flowers with China Porcelain vase
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
ROSENSTOCK Isidor (1880-1956) Still Life of Flowers with China Porcelain Vase Watercolor on card signed low right Old original frame gilded with leaves and Glass Dim card : 38 X 58 c...
Watercolor
$420Sale Price|20% Off
“Classic Sailboats”
Located in Southampton, NY
Beautiful, original watercolor on archival paper of two classic American sailboats by the well known marine artist, Ron Saporito Signed by the artist lower right. Condition is excel...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Picnic on the Hudson
Located in New York, NY
Picnic on the Hudson is a significant canvas painted circa 1860 as Whittredge was purposely transitioning his European training and experience into a purely American style and genre....
Canvas, Oil
After Storm, Seascape, 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: After Storm Size: 11" x 16" x 0.8'' ...
Oil, Canvas
A. 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 f...
Carbon Pencil
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 ...
Carbon Pencil
Portrait of a Japanese Woman wearing Traditional Kimono
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Portrait of a Japanese Woman wearing Traditional Kimono Oil on wood panel signed upper right with a japanese ideogram Signature unread Other portrai...
Oil
A.Bachman (1863-1956), painting view of Venice
By Alfred August Felix Bachman
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
BACHMANN Alfred Félix August (1863-1956) Lively view of Venice Oil on wood panel signed low left Old frame regilded with gold leaves Dim wood : 24 X 34 cm Dim frame : 38 X 48 cm BA...
Oil
$441Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Eyes
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Eyes Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Acrylic on Paper Size: 18.25 (Height) x 14.75 (Width) Signed: No Condition: G...
Acrylic
Classical Naturalistic Style Italian Allegory Study
Located in Houston, TX
Classical style allegorical painting with puti and monarchy type figures floating within the clouds. The canvas is framed in a decorative gold frame. Dimensions Without Frame: H 43.5...
Oil
$661Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Illustrations of an Equine Skeletal and Dental Structures
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Illustrations of an Equine Skeletal and Dental Structures Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil and Pen on Paper Size: 19.75 (Height) x 25.75...
Pencil, Pen
Painting 19th Century Landscape Antique Ruins
By Alfred August Felix Bachman
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
BACHMANN Alfred Félix August (1863-1956) Walking by the Antique Ruins Oil on canvas signed low right Frame gilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 54 X 65 ...
Oil
“Yankee Whalers”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on artist canvas board by the British artist, George Arnold. Titled lower left “Yankee Whalers” and signed lower right “by G. Arnold”. Condition is good. Circa 1955. Th...
Canvas, Oil, Fiberboard
Rural Scene Oil Painting of Peasant Couple, 1870s
Located in Genève, GE
An elegant and evocative example of 19th-century figurative painting, combining narrative charm with timeless decorative sophistication. Monogrammed lower right and dated 1878. A charming and finely executed 19th-century European genre painting, oil on canvas, monogrammed L.A. and dated 1878. The composition depicts a tender rural scene: a young peasant woman pouring a drink for a seated farm worker resting beside a rocky outcrop, his scythe laid across his lap. In the background, a pastoral landscape unfolds with grazing livestock, distant figures, and tall trees, evoking the quiet rhythms of agrarian life. Rendered with academic precision and warm naturalistic color, the painting captures both the dignity of rural labor and the intimacy of everyday moments. The artist demonstrates particular skill in the modeling of the figures, the textures of clothing, and the atmospheric depth of the landscape. Soft light bathes the scene, enhancing the harmonious palette of earth tones, greens, and warm reds. Works of this type were highly prized in late 19th-century Europe, reflecting the period’s fascination with pastoral virtue and traditional country life. The painting offers both historical character and strong decorative appeal, making it suitable for collectors of antique European art as well as refined interior settings. 19th century genre painting, antique oil painting 1878, European peasant painting, rural genre scene painting, antique figurative oil painting, pastoral scene antique, farm worker painting, peasant couple painting, academic oil painting 19th century, Continental school painting...
Oil, Canvas
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
“Sailboats off the Coast”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on academy board by the well known American marine artist, Franklin Dullen Briscoe. Signed lower right. (Under gold liner) Circa 1885. C...
Oil, Fiberboard
An Amusing Thought by Georges Croegaert
Located in New Orleans, LA
Georges Croegaert 1848-1923 Belgian An Amusing Thought Signed "Georges Croegaert Paris" (lower left) Oil on panel This oil on panel by Belgian artist Georges Croegaert is a rich ...
Oil, Panel
Landscape of the Valley in French Normandy
By Eugène Jules Delahogue
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
DELAHOGUE Eugène Jules (1867-c1930) " Landscape of the Valley" Oil on canvas signed low right Frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 91 X 150 cm Dim frame : 110 X 172 cm DELAHOGUE Eu...
Oil
Jules TOULOT (1863-nc) Painting 19th century soldier uniform interior
By Toulot Jules
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Toulot Jules (1863-nc) Pianist officer in the Second Empire period Oil on canvas signed low right Old frame regilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 65 X 43 cm Dim frame : 90 X 67 cm TOULOT Jules (1863-nc) French painter 19th century Born 11th November 1863 in Champeinx (Puy de Dôme...
Oil
$480Sale Price|20% Off
Still life pear and grape - Oil on canvas 25x30 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Oil on canvas with frame unsigned Total size with frame 31x39 cm
Oil
Coastal, 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: Coastal Size: 16.5" x 21.5" x 0.8'' ...
Canvas, Oil
Woman offering corn, 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: 2016 Style: Impressionism Title: Woman offering Corn Size: 22" x 28" ...
Canvas, Oil
Evening View a Port, Harbor, 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: 2013 Style: Impressionism Subject: Evening View a Port, Size: 16" x ...
Canvas, Oil
Summer Field, 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 Field Size: 15.5" x 21.5" x 0...
Canvas, Oil
Solothman on the Aase, Switzerland
By Eugene Schmidt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Eugene Schmidt (German/American, 1919-2007) Title: Solothman on the Aase, Switzerland Year: Circa 1970 Medium: Oil on canvas board Board size: 10 x 8 inches Signature...
Oil
Italian School of the 17th Century : Saint Jerome with a Lion - Oil Painting
Located in Paris, IDF
Italy : Venetian school of the 17th century Saint Jerome wit a Lion, circa 1620 Oil on panel Unsigned On wood board 49 x 30 cm Good condition, accidents/wear (see photos)
Oil
$551Sale Price|20% Off
Anatomy Drawing of a Horse - Original French Artwork Equestrian Anatomy Study
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Anatomy of a Horse by Robert Ladou (French 1929-2014) original drawing stuck on card in blue folder/ thick paper, unframed drawing: 11.75 x 14.5...
Charcoal, Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil, Color Pencil
$12,775
Forest Nymph - Figurative Nude Oil Painting Colors Brown Grey Pale Blue Green
By Lyubena Fox
Located in Sofia, BG
"Forrest Nymph" (2016) Oil on canvas 80 x 100 cm unframed Painting was started in 2015, most of it was finished by 2016, the last touches done in 2019. Inspired by the 19th century French painter Bouguereau, she wanted to depict a nymph that inhibits the forest, wearing a flower crown made from Hepatica flowers, wild forest flowers. The Painting’s Qualities Lyubena Fox...
Canvas, Oil
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
“Portrait of Jacob Dolson Cox”
Located in Southampton, NY
Very well executed portrait of Jacob Dolson Cox. See the sitter’s biography below. Signed top right and dated 1881. Relined canvas, very good condition. The portrait is housed in a contemporary replica of a period frame. Overall framed measurements are 33.25 by 28.25 inches. Provenance: A East Hampton, Long Island collector. Biography George Peter Alexander Healy was born in Boston on July 15, 1813, the first of five children of William Healy, an Irish immigrant and captain of a merchant vessel, and his wife Mary Hicks. Healy showed an early artistic interest: by 1830 the self-taught painter had opened a portrait studio from which he hoped to help to support his family. Although commissions were at first sparse, young Healy received important encouragement from Thomas Sully (1783-1872)) who advised him to make painting his profession. His fortunes also improved in 1831 when Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis, a leader in Boston society, granted him permission to paint her portrait and recommended his talents to other potential patrons. In 1834 Healy went to France where he studied with Baron Antoine-Jean Gros (1771-1835). A year later he traveled through Italy, visiting museums and churches in the company of Lady and Sir Arthur Faulkner who soon provided his introduction to London society. It was in England that Healy met and, in 1839, married Louisa Phipps. The couple settled in Paris where Healy embarked upon the beginning of a long and happy marriage and thriving career. His diplomatic and affable demeanor, together with his obvious skill, brought him tremendous success throughout Europe and the United States. Prolific, as well as talented, he had by 1867 produced more than six hundred portraits. The constant stream of commissions included dignified, imposing portraits of such celebrated figures as Pope Pius IX and Queen Elizabeth of Romania, the latter of whom developed a warm friendship with Healy and his family. Although Healy, sometimes accompanied by his wife, traveled to the United States several times during the 1840s and early 1850s, it was not until 1856 that the entire family settled in America. They took up residence in the booming city of Chicago, which Healy used as a base for his work in Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and other cities. During the Civil War years he often traveled to Washington to paint military figures and members of the President's cabinet. The family returned to Europe in 1867, but George Healy...
Canvas, Oil
Seashore, Coastal Original oil Painting, Large Size Ready to hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Coastal Original oil Painting, Large Size Ready to hang Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2019 Style: C...
Canvas, Oil
$551Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Hind Legs
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Hind Legs Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.5 (Width) Signed: No Condition:...
Pencil
Emerald Waves, Impressionism 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: 2024 Style: Impressionism Title: Emerald Waves Size: 8.5" x 12" x 0.8...
Canvas, Oil
Evening Colors, 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: Evening Colors Size: 15.5" x 21" x 0...
Canvas, Oil
Study of an actor, ca 1880 dramatic oil young man staring into fire 19th Century
Located in Norwich, GB
A dramatic, one of a kind oil study. Certainly not your run of the mill 19th Century portait! Depicted is a young man, whose face is brightly lit from what is likely is an open fire....
Canvas, Oil
$3,056Sale Price|36% Off
Set of Four Butterflies. French Watercolours on Silk Laid on Handmade Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
A set of four watercolours of butterflies on silk, applied to handmade paper, with hand cut edges, by French artist La Roche Laffitte. Two are signed by the artist to the bottom righ...
Silk, Watercolor, Handmade Paper, Carbon Pencil, Gouache
Three Fishermen in a Boat Watercolor, 20th Century American Sporting Art
By John Whorf
Located in Marco Island, FL
A masterful example of John Whorf at the height of his powers, this large and luminous watercolor depicts three fishermen on a calm, silver-blue lake or bay, their figures rendered w...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
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
The first time model: the enigmatic young bohemian girl in traditional dress
Located in Norwich, GB
I love the feisty attitude of the girl depicted! With her hand on her hip, she seems to be saying to the artist: "Whatya looking at anyway?" She looks like she has a good head on he...
Canvas, Oil
Queen's Walk, Figurative Surrealism, Original oil Painting One of a Kind
By Ashot Yan
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2014 Style: Figurative Surrealism, Subject: Queen's Walk, Size: 40" x 35" ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,250Sale Price|32% Off
“French Country View”
Located in Southampton, NY
Very well executed oil on canvas painting of a French countryside view by J.S. Dorange. Signed lower right. Condition is very good. Circa 1920. The style is academic with more of an...
Canvas, Oil
Island, Seascape Original oil Painting on Linen, Framed
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2021 Style: Impressionism Subje...
Canvas, Oil