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Academic Paintings

ACADEMIC STYLE

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. 

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Style: Academic
Antoni Costa   Woman. original figurative Academician drawing painting
Antoni Costa   Woman. original figurative Academician drawing painting

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 ...

Category

1960s Academic Paintings

Materials

Carbon Pencil

Evening View a Port, Harbor, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Evening View a Port, Harbor, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

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 ...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Return from the Field”
“Return from the Field”

“Return from the Field”

Located in Southampton, NY

Oil on canvas backed onto wooden board of a worker with a scythe returning home from a day of labor. In a picturesque Swiss village. The painting is attributed to the hand of Karl Adolph Weber, the Swiss artist. Signed “K. Weber” lower right. Circa 1935. The painting is a contemporary wood frame in a mahogany finish. Overall framed measurements are 19 by 15.25 inches. Provenance: A Sarasota, Florida collector. Karl Adolph Weber was a Swiss artist born in 1899 and died in 1978 known for his rural landscapes and figurative paintings of Switzerland...

Category

1930s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

Rural Scene Oil Painting of Peasant Couple, 1870s
Rural Scene Oil Painting of Peasant Couple, 1870s

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...

Category

1870s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Hind Legs
Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Hind Legs

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:...

Category

20th Century Academic Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Still life pear and grape - Oil on canvas 25x30 cm
Still life pear and grape - Oil on canvas 25x30 cm

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

Category

20th Century Academic Paintings

Materials

Oil

At the Beach, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
At the Beach, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

At 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: 2024 Style: Impressionism Title: At the Beach Size: 31.5" x 39.5" x ...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Puerta Bisagra, Toledo”
“Puerta Bisagra, Toledo”

“Puerta Bisagra, Toledo”

Located in Southampton, NY

Oil on artist board painting of the historic city of Toledo by the Australian artist, Robert Camm. Signed lower left and titled and dated verso, 1931. Th...

Category

1930s Academic Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Italian School of the 17th Century : Saint Jerome with a Lion - Oil Painting
Italian School of the 17th Century : Saint Jerome with a Lion - Oil Painting

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)

Category

Early 17th Century Academic Paintings

Materials

Oil

Muse, Women Portrait, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Muse, Women Portrait, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

Muse, Women Portrait, 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: 2016 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Title: Muse, Size: 19.5" x 19.5" x 0.8'' ...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait Max Surrealism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Portrait Max Surrealism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

Portrait Max 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: 2017 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Title: Portrait Max, Size: 23.5" x 19.5" ...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Anatomy Drawing of a Horse - Original French Artwork Equestrian Anatomy Study
Anatomy Drawing of a Horse - Original French Artwork Equestrian Anatomy Study

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...

Category

20th Century Academic Paintings

Materials

Charcoal, Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil, Color Pencil

Set of Four Butterflies. French Watercolours on Silk Laid on Handmade Paper.
Set of Four Butterflies. French Watercolours on Silk Laid on Handmade Paper.

Set of Four Butterflies. French Watercolours on Silk Laid on Handmade Paper.

By La Roche Laffitte

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Academic Paintings

Materials

Silk, Watercolor, Handmade Paper, Carbon Pencil, Gouache

Stony Beach, Impressionism, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind
Stony Beach, Impressionism, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind

Stony 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: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Stony Beach Size: 24" x 30" x 0.8'' ...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Still Life in Blue, flowers, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind
Still Life in Blue, flowers, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind

Still Life in Blue, flowers, 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: 2012 Style: Impressionism Title: Still Life in Blue Size: 23.5" x 27.5" x 0.8'' inch, (60x70x2cm), 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...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Seashore, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

Seashore, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

By Karen Darbinyan

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: Seashore Size: 16" x 21.5" x 0.8'' i...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Head
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Head

Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Head

By Robert Ladou

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Head Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pen Size: 19.75 (Height) x 12.75 (Width) Signed: No Condition: Good, minor di...

Category

20th Century Academic Paintings

Materials

Pen

Beehives, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

Beehives, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

By Karen Darbinyan

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: Beehives Size: 12" x 17" x 0.8'' inc...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Boats, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

Boats, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

By Karen Darbinyan

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: Boats Size: 15.5" x 21.5" x 0.8'' in...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Roses, Flowers, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Roses, Flowers, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

Roses, Flowers, 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: 2020 Style: Impressionism Title: Roses Size: 19.5" x 23.5" x 0.8'' in...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Flowers with a Statue, Still Life, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind
Flowers with a Statue, Still Life, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind

Flowers with a Statue, 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: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Flowers with a Statue Size: 24" x 30" x 0.8'' inch, (61x76x2cm), 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...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Stony Beach, Cliffs, Impressionism Original Painting, One of a Kind
Stony Beach, Cliffs, Impressionism Original Painting, One of a Kind

Stony Beach, Cliffs, 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: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Stony Beach Size: 24" x 30" x 0.8'' inch, (61x76x2cm), 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...

Category

2010s Academic Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Dynamic Watercolor study of Equine Trainer with a Horse
Dynamic Watercolor study of Equine Trainer with a Horse

Dynamic Watercolor study of Equine Trainer with a Horse

By Robert Ladou

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title: Dynamic Watercolor study of Equine Trainer with a Horse Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Watercolour on paper Size: 7.75 (Height) x 11.25 (Width) Signed: No C...

Category

20th Century Academic Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Original French Anatomical Study of Equine Leg Muscles
Original French Anatomical Study of Equine Leg Muscles

Original French Anatomical Study of Equine Leg Muscles

By Robert Ladou

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Equine Leg Muscles Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on paper Size: 19.5 (Height) x 12.75 (Width) Signed: No Conditi...

Category

20th Century Academic Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Academic paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Academic 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 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, pink, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Karen Darbinyan, Mark Beard, Kyna de Schouël, and Elizabeth Zanzinger. 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 Academic paintings, so small editions measuring 4.14 inches across are also available. Prices for 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 $140 and tops out at $700,000, while the average work sells for $4,850.