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.
Village Road, Impressionism, fall, 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: Village Road Size: 19.5" x 23.5" x 0...
Canvas, Oil
In the Garden, Blossom trees 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: In the Garden Size: 22" x 28" x 0....
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
Roses, Still Life 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: 2023 Style: Impressionism Title: Roses Size: 23.5" x 23.5" x 0.8'' i...
Canvas, Oil
The Sunflowers Seller, 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: 2013 Style: Impressionism Title: The Sunflowers Seller Size: 15.5" x ...
Canvas, Oil
$774Sale 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 black folder/ thick paper, unframed drawing: 11.75 x 18 inches overall size: 19.75 x 13 in...
Charcoal, Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil, Color Pencil
Time of Seeding, Landscape, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Landscape, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Impressi...
Canvas, Oil
Lavenders, 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: Lavenders Size: 15.5" x 23.5" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Oil
Fly to the Sky, 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: 2018 Style: Impressionism Subject: Fly to the Sky Size: 20" x 28"...
Canvas, Acrylic
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of a Horse's Eye's and Nose
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of a Horse's Eye's and Nose Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on Paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.75 (Width) Signed: ...
Pencil
Flowers on a white table cloth, 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 on a white table cloth 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...
Canvas, Oil
$900
Beautiful Day, 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: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Beautiful Day Size: 20" x 26" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Oil
Fall 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: Fall Landscape Size: 24" x 30" x 0...
Canvas, Oil
The Wave, 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: 2018 Style: Impressionism Title: The Wave Size: 16" x 20" x 0.8'' inc...
Canvas, Oil
Ocean, Seascape Impressionism Original oil Painting, 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 Subject: Ocean, Size: 16.5" x 21.5" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Oil
$1,300
Playing with Sand, Figurative, Coastal, 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: Playing with Sand Size: 22" x 28" x ...
Canvas, Oil
French 19th Century oil painting of The rescue of Deianara by Emile Menard
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Emile Rene Menard (French, 1862-1930) L`enlevement de Dejanira (The rescue of Deianara) Oil on canvas Signed `E R Menard’ (lower left) and inscribed with t...
Canvas, Oil
$556Sale 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
$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
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
$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
Tug Seascape Original oil Painting on Linen, Framed
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Seascape Original oil Painting on Linen, Framed Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2021 Style: Impressio...
Canvas, Oil
Sir Beauchamp, 1880-90 - oil paint, 73x62 cm, framed
Located in Nice, FR
Oil on canvas with its original frame.
Oil
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
“Matterhorn”
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is a wonderfully detailed miniature painting of the Matterhorn. Signed and titled verso. Attributed to the artist William Archibald Wall. Dated 6/50 verso...
Oil, Fiberboard
"Portrait of a Woman" Edward Percy Moran, Early American Portrait, Bucolic
Located in New York, NY
Edward Percy Moran Portrait of a Woman Signed lower right Oil on canvas 30 x 20 inches Provenance: The Madison Gallery, Atlanta Percy Moran was the son of marine painter Edward Mo...
Canvas, Oil
$400Sale Price|20% Off
River and snowy mountains by G. E. Haberjahn - Watercolor on paper 16x21 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Gabriel Eduard HABERJAHN was an artist born in Switzerland in 1890 and died in 1956. His works have been sold at public auction 85 times, mostly in the Painting category. The oldest ...
Watercolor
$448Sale Price|20% Off
"Epesses, Switzerland" by Monique Monod - Pencil and watercolor
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper Silver wood frame with glass pane 36 x 46 x 1,5 cm
Watercolor, Pencil
Landscape, Paysage aux Bories
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Pierre Lavarenne (French, born 1928) Title: Landscape, Paysage aux Bories Year: Circa 1975 Medium: Oil on canvas Canvas size: 15 x 18.25 inches Signature: Signed lo...
Oil
$9,500
"John Van Schaick Lansing Pruyn" Eastman Johnson, Prominent Gentleman Portrait
Located in New York, NY
Eastman Johnson John Van Schaick Lansing Pruyn, 1883 Initialed and dated lower left Oil on canvas 28 x 18 inches For many years the foremost genre painter in the United States, Eas...
Canvas, Oil
The Librarian Portrait, 19th Century, Oil on Canvas, Framed
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas : 61 x 43 cm Golden frame With frame : 70 x 52.7 x 4 cm This 19th-century portrait by an anonymous artist shows an elderly man seated at his desk, engrossed in writing...
Canvas, Oil
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
“Cordes”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on board painting of the historic village of Cordes-sur-Ciel in France by the well known American artist, David Buckley Good. Signed lower left by the artist. Titled ...
Oil, Board
“Montalcino”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on board painting of the historic town of Montalcino in Italy by the well known American artist, David Buckley Good. Signed by the artist lower left. Titled verso. Gr...
Oil, Board
$3,969Sale Price|40% Off
Ludwig van Löfftz (1845-1910) The Artist at Work, oil on panel
Located in Les Acacias GE, GE
Ludwig van Löfftz (1845-1910) The Artist at Work Oil on panel Signed and located Munchen lower left 21 x 16 cm Provenance: * Collections of Prof. Dr. Ludwig Borchardt and Emili...
Oil, Wood Panel
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
"Habenero, " Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Thane Gorek's (US based) "Habenero" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts an orange Habanero pepper halved, so that it's seeds and core are ex...
Oil, Canvas
“Venice”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil painting on wooden panel of a bustling Venice square by the American artist, Albert Munghard. Signed by the artist lower right. Circa 1975. Condition is excellent. Th...
Oil, Wood Panel
$3,307
Bonaventure LAURENS Landscape painting View GRENOBLE from mountain French 19th
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean Joseph Bonaventure LAURENS (Attributed to) Carpentras, 1801 – Montpellier, 1890 View of Grenoble from the heights Oil on canvas mounted on cardboard 35.5 x 42.5 cm (46.5 x 54.5 ...
Oil
"Red Bell II, " Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Thane Gorek's (US based) "Red Bell II" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a red bell pepper halved, so that it's seeds and core are exposed...
Oil, Board
$1,828Sale Price|20% Off
Young woman in oriental costume and flower bouquet
Located in Genève, GE
Oil on canvas signed Blanche Pierron, depicting an elegant young woman dressed in an Orientalist costume and holding an abundant bouquet of red flowers and foliage. The sitter is sho...
Oil, Canvas
$2,832Sale Price|41% Off
“View of Switzerland”
By John William Casilear
Located in Southampton, NY
Beautiful oil on fiberboard painting of a view of Switzerland done by the American artist, John William Casilear. Signed with monogram lower left. Condition is excellent. Circa 1857/1858. The painting is housed in a contemporary frame. Overall framed measurements are 6 5/8 by 8 5/8 inches. lProvenance: Long Island, New York collector. Biography John William Casilear was born in New York City on June 25, 1811. Like his fellow Hudson River School landscapists Asher B. Durand and John F. Kensett, he worked as an engraver before turning to painting. In 1826 Casilear was apprenticed to the engraver Peter Maverick (1780-1831), and at first he primarily executed bank notes. Durand encouraged him to attempt other subjects, however, and during the 1830s he madeengravings after some of the most prominent paintings of the day, including Daniel Huntington's The Sybil (New-York Historical Society). In 1832 he began submitting engravings to the National Academy of Design exhibition and he first showed paintings there in 1836. In 1833 Casilear was elected an Associate of the Academy; he was elevated to full Academician status in 1851. In 1840 Casilear accompanied Durand, Kensett, and another painter, Thomas P. Rossiter (1818-1871), on a trip to Europe. There the artists studied and copied paintings...
Fiberboard, Oil
small oil landscape "Village 3"
Located in Zofingen, AG
small oil landscape on cardboard “Village 3”, drawn by Natalya Shiporina, signed to the verso. The painting is part of a series of three paintings...
Cardboard, Oil
“Checco vuol un Soldo” (Checco wants a Penny)
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on wooden panel painting of a young child begging for a coin. The painting is attributed to the hand of Leopoldo Dumini. Circa 1865...
Wood Panel, Oil
Ponte Rialto in Venice Landscape Painting Oil on Canvas with Frame
Located in Rome, IT
Early 20' Century large cityscapes of Venice oil on canvas with a finely carved gilt wood frame. Rialto Bridge painting is beautiful reminder of Venice, Italy's iconic bridge. The...
Oil
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Coup de Vent
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
$3,368Sale Price|20% Off
Painting Belgian 19th animal painter VERBOECKHOVEN woodLandscape cow sheperdess
Located in PARIS, FR
Eugène VERBOECKHOVEN Warneton, 1798 – Schaerbeek, 1881 Oil on wood panel 42 x 33.5 cm (58 x 50 cm with the frame) Signed, dated and located lower right “EJ Verboeckhoven / 1826 / à G...
Oil
Classic Still Life with Fan and Flowers
Located in New York, NY
Still Life, 20th Century Oil on board Sight: 16 1/4 x 19 in. Framed: 19 3/4 x 22 1/4 x 1 in.
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
La nina a la cadira - Técnica mixta y collage sobre papel
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
JAUME QUERALT (Tarragona, 1949). “Raquel”. Técnica mixta y collage sobre papel. Firmado y titulado en el ángulo inferior izquierdo. Fechado en el ángulo inferior derecho. Medidas:...
Pastel
Mexican School Mother and Child
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful Mexican school painting of a mother carrying her child. It is a mixed medium on paper using what looks to be oil paint as well as oil, crayon and or pastel. Wonderfully exe...
Oil Crayon, Oil
Formal Portrait of a Chinese Man in Traditional Dress
Located in Miami, FL
Dressed in traditional clothing, a handsome Chinese man is depicted as he sits resolutely with one hand on his leg and the other holding a baton. Female Artist Joyce Ballantyne...
Canvas, Oil
$4,200Sale Price|26% Off
"California Sunset"
By Charles Theller Wilson
Located in Southampton, NY
A truly magnificent oil on canvas painting of a sunset off the coast of California in the late 1800's. Signed lower right and in it's original period gold gilt frame which is in excellent condition. Overall it is 33 x 47 inches. Minor stretcher bar wear. Biography Charles Theller Wilson Born in San Francisco, CA on Oct. 10, 1855. Wilson first studied painting with his mother, Agnes (California's earliest known woman artist) and later with Jules Tavernier...
Canvas, Oil
19th C. German painting of figures at a waterfall in the manner of Friedrich
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A very romantic and detailed painting of figures enjoying the views of a waterfall in summertime, Europe Circle of Caspar David Friedrich (German, 1774 – 1840) Elegant company at th...
Canvas, Paper, Oil
$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
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Humeurs Éthérisées
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
$39,996Sale Price|20% Off
Sans titre (1881), James Drummond, R.S.A., F.S.A.
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: James Drummond, R.S.A., F.S.A. (1816-1877) Title: Sans titre (1881) Year: 1881 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 37 x 29 inches Inscription: Hand signed and dated, recto Provenance...
Oil
$5,200Sale Price|38% Off
“The Harem Girl”
By Konrad Filip
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is an intriguing portrait of a young harem girl in costume by the German artist, Konrad Filip. Signed by the artist top right, Munich. Condition is very ...
Canvas, Oil
"Still Life with Figure"
Located in Southampton, NY
This painting is an oil on canvas mounted to a wood panel. It is signed with his monogram signature JTA lower right. The work is unframed. Axton was born in Fort Leavenworth, Kan...
Oil, Canvas
$639Sale Price|20% Off
Early English watercolour of cottage on lane in Pirbright Constable Contemporary
Located in Harkstead, GB
A very attractive view of a rural lane in Pirbright by this highly collectable artist who was a contemporary and friend of John Constable. Dr William Crotch (1775-1847) Mr Pear's House at Pirbright from the Turnpike Signed with initials on reverse and inscribed as title and additionally " Thunder about/ 1 pm" watercolour and pencil 4 x 6½ inches without frame 11 x 13 inches with frame William Crotch (5 July 1775 – 29 December 1847) was an English composer and organist. According to the British musicologist Nicholas Temperley, Crotch was "a child prodigy without parallel in the history of music", and was certainly the most distinguished English musician in his day. Crotch was a professional musician, becoming the first Principal of the Royal Academy of Music...
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Black-Headed Gull
By John Duncan
Located in Southampton, NY
In original gold leaf pierced frame Signed and dated lower left 1902 Sight size 6 x 8 in
Paper, Watercolor
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
"The Working Man"
By R.V. Rowe
Located in Southampton, NY
34 x 28 overall Canvas laid down on artist board Signed lower right Overall in gold leaf frame 30x24 inches R.W. Rowe Circa 1970’s
Canvas, Oil