Realist 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.
Style: Realist
Color: Gray
Reading - Nude Female Portrait Oil Painting, Realistic, Polish artist
By Janusz Szpyt
Located in Warsaw, PL
Janusz Szpyt was born in 1960, he is a Polish painter. He graduated from the Graphic design faculty and painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. 1983 onward, he became the m...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Study of a Butterfly, Watercolour on Silk Applied to Handmade Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
One from a set of four watercolours of butterflies on silk, applied to handmade paper, with hand cut edges, by French artist La Roche Laffitte. (The other 3 items are available separately)
A beautifully observed and detailed study of a butterfly painted...
Category
Mid-20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Gouache, Handmade Paper, Watercolor, Silk
Contemporary Landscape Winter Snow Scene Oil Painting by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Winter Forrest Interior is an oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden in an impressionistic realism style. The image measures 8n x 10 unframed and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Diaphanous 3, Original Oil and Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Diaphanous 3" by Aiden Kringen (United States) is a handmade acrylic and oil painting that depicts a female model with an abstracted background. It is unframed, but ready to hang.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Presque Isle (Day 83) June 7, 2022, Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Presque Isle (Day 83) June 7, 2022" by Primary Hughes (United States) is a handmade landscape painting that is unframed, and will require a frame.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Queen Elisabeth II - contemporary portrait iconic famous jubilee royal majesty
By Peter Engels
Located in London, Chelsea
This original artwork by Peter Engels presents a revering portrait of the smiling Queen Elisabeth in celebration of the Jubilee. Conveying a tribute to 70...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Monstera deliciosa, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
My still life paintings vary from lively decorative colorful compositions to thoughtful studies of reality. I rip objects out of their context and put them to new context. Here they ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Source 7, Original Oil and Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Source 7" by Aiden Kringen (United States) is a handmade abstract acrylic and oil painting. It is unframed, but ready to hang.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
A necklace - Nude Female Portrait Oil Painting, Realistic, Polish artist
By Janusz Szpyt
Located in Warsaw, PL
Janusz Szpyt was born in 1960, he is a Polish painter. He graduated from the Graphic design faculty and painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. 1983 onward, he became the m...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Winter Landscape Realistic Wildlife Painting by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Winter Pheasant is an acrylic painting by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a flock of pheasant in their natural environment created in an impressionist...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Yin Yang, Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Yin Yang" by Hadley Rampton (United States) is a handmade landscape painting that is unframed, but ready to hang.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Solus 1, Original Oil and Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Solus 1" by Aiden Kringen (United States) is a handmade acrylic and oil painting that depicts a female model with an abstracted background. It is framed and but ready to hang.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Marine Mist, Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Marine Mist" by Leigh Ann Van Fossan (United States) is a handmade landscape painting that is unframed, but ready to hang.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Red Rose
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
From a series of floral still-lives by the artist. An exploration of form, line, color, transparency and the ephemeral quality of nature in blossom.
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Parking Lot, Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Parking Lot" by Clyde Steadman (United States) is a handmade landscape painting that is unframed, but ready to hang.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Diaphanous 2, Original Oil and Acrylic Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Diaphanous 2" by Aiden Kringen (United States) is a handmadeacrylic and oil painting that depicts a female model with an abstracted background. It is unframed, but ready to hang.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Still Life with Grapes and Candelabra
By A.D. Greer
Located in Austin, TX
A stunning still life oil painting by Texas artist A.D. Greer, featuring an overflowing bowl of grapes sparking with reflection, a candle stick, and a g...
Category
20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Impressionistic Seascape Painting Michael Budden Beach Day People Boats Birds
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beach Day III
oil/panel
image 8 x 10, is an oil painting on panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a beach full of summer life with people, boats, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Landscape by William Heatlie - Watercolor on paper 27x37 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
1880s Realist Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Watercolor
'Springtime in the Country', Oil Landscape, New York, Cortland Art Association
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, 'G. Hedlund' for Grace LePage Hedlund (American, 20th century) and painted circa 1995.
An atmospheric, Impressionist oil showing a view of a traditional wooden farmhouse...
Category
1990s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Notre Dame Cathedral Paris France oil on canvas painting
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tomás Martorell (1935) - Notre Dame Paris France - Oil canvas
Oil measures 60x73 cm.
Frameless.
Category
Early 2000s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Club Soda with Sandwich, Contemporary Still Life Diner Scene, Food and Beverage
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Club Soda with Sandwich" is a contemporary still-life painting that depicts a classic diner scene with a modern twist, featuring a sandwich and soda...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor
What Would You Do if You Only Had One Day #4- butterfly contemporary realism
Located in London, Chelsea
This original painting by Mandii Pope takes a unique painterly approach to the butterfly motif. Pope here contrasts the traditional painterly portrayal of the butterfly against a mod...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Dynamic sporting outdoor landscape of Springer Spaniels flushing Quail, framed
By Beth Carlson
Located in Charleston, US
This dynamic sporting landscape in earth tones with Springer Spaniels flushing quail, "Close Flush 2", by Beth Carlson is an example of her action paintings. Beth Carlson's detaile...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait Of Violin Player By Neville Stephen Lytton, Of Claude Tryon
Located in York, GB
A Portrait of Claude Tryon (d.1949),holding a violin .This is a painting of the artists son in law
Oil on canvas in gilt frame . Early 20th century
size of painting...
Category
1920s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Pink Pearl
Located in Fairfield, CT
Richard Parker’s paintings are exquisitely rendered portraits of ephemeral objects more often used to create artworks than as the content. With a nod to Pop Art, Parker focuses on t...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Charge, Animal Art, Realist Elephant Painting, Contemporary Safari Artwork
Located in Deddington, GB
"The Charge" depicts a Bull Elephant charging towards the front of the painting, displacing rocks and dust adding to the atmosheric scene. Painted in water colour and acrylic mixed m...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Watercolor, Paper
"Large Seated Male Nude" - Modern Pastel Portrait
By Kittie O'Meallie
Located in New Orleans, LA
An exquisite nude by Kittie O'Meallie, an artist out of the famous Newcomb arts program at Newcomb College in New Orleans which beginning in the early 20th century led the Southern "...
Category
Early 2000s Realist Paintings
Materials
Pastel
Winter Snow Scene Contemporary Landscape Oil Painting by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
An oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a winter stream caught by the light. The image measures 16 x 20 and 21.5 x 25.5 framed. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Winter in the village. Oil on canvas and cardboard, 34x45 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Winter in the village. oil on canvas and cardboard, 34x45 cm
Winter landscape with old barn
Alfejs Bromults (1913.3.IV - 1991.11.I)
His first professional education was at National...
Category
1950s Realist Paintings
Materials
Cardboard, Canvas, Oil
Ukrainian woman
Located in Aberdeen Dyce, GB
Ukrainian woman in folk clothes with ears of wheat
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
Sandwich with Beer, Modern Still Life, Classic Breakfast Diner Scene Yellow Gray
Located in Barcelona, ES
"BLT Sandwich with Beer" is a contemporary still-life painting that depicts a classic breakfast diner scene with a modern twist, featuring a sandwich and a beer as the central subjec...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor
Still Life Orange Bowl, Modern Kitchen Scene, Fruits and Beverage, Brown & Gray
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Still Life Orange Bowl" is a contemporary still-life painting portraying a vibrant orange bowl brimming with ripe oranges taking center stage against a mi...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor
Precipitate, Portrait, Realism, Classical, Florence Academy, Figurative
By Anton Zhou
Located in Houston, TX
Precipitate is painted in the classical style of Realism that he first learned at the Florence Academy of Art. He has painted portraits over the years and is known for showing the expressions in the person's face. He is also know for winning the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo art contest for several years when he was in high school. His paintings sold for over $200,000 with the proceeds going to the scholarship fund.
Anton Zhou
Painter, Draftsman
Anton Zhou is a painter and draftsman whose work operates along the lines of impressionistic realism. Having studied at the Florence Academy of Art and Columbia University in New York City, he paints primarily in oils with elements that span both classical realism and contemporary art. A Houston native, Anton was named a Young Master by the Texas Commission on the Arts and is represented by artist organizations across the states.
Artist Statement
“Crafted by classical methods and embellished with a vibrant palette, my artistic practice revolves around expressing the ephemeral nature of our surroundings. The transitory state of each happening allows for only brief but pure recollections, so adopting a candid lens is a way of genuinely feeling moments, examining their context and illuminating the beauty woven into this space.
A painter of light...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Ocean Beach Impressionistic Moonlight Seascape Oil Painting by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
An oil painting on panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a beautiful moonlit sailing evening created in an impressionistic realism style. The image...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
A Gentle Breath, Contemporary Original Art, Skyscape Painting, Meditation Art
Located in Deddington, GB
A Gentle Breath is an orignal skyscape painting by Charlotte Elizabeth.
Charlotte Elizabeth is available online and in our gallery at Wychwood Art. Charlotte has been working with paint professionally for over fifteen years. A prestigious training in theatre design preceded a busy career as a Theatrical Scenic Artist in London’s West End...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Canvas
Radicchio, food still life, purple on grey, super realistic painting
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The artist describes this work:
"Inspired by a head of Radicchio in our local market. The white veins crossing through the maroon really caught my eye and needed to be captured in o...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Morning Drink, 12x16 oil on paper on panel , Southwest Art Magazine, Free Ship
Located in Houston, TX
Morning Drink, 12x16 oil on paper on panel . Also shown in images are two other available paintings.
Julian Tejera is a contemporary realist from New ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel, Paper, Oil
“Nocciolo di Pesca”
Located in Southampton, NY
Very well executed oil on canvas still life
painting of a wicker basket of fresh fruit by the Italian born painter, Beniamino Ciccoletti. Signed lower right and signed verso with t...
Category
1970s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Rooftops, Old City
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This painting is a beautiful rendition of the coast along the Mediterranean Sea.
Novikova is a St. Petersburg based artist and graduate of the famous Repin Institute.
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
French school 1920s Brittany Brittons Village fair Pont-Aven Cornouaille
Located in PARIS, FR
J. BREYNAT (XXth century)
Oil on cardboard
20 x 30 cm (28 x 38 cm with the frame)
Signed and dated lower left "J. Breynat / 1921"
Beautiful carved wooden frame from the 19th century
...
Category
1920s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Solving the Problem
Located in Washington, DC
Signed lower left
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Pears
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Small format realist still life by well-known Ukrainian painter, Victoria Kalaichi.
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Summer - seascape winter seasonal coastal original artwork acrylic painting view
Located in London, Chelsea
Contemporary artist Lenny Cornforth paints a pleasing seascape scene conveyed during the season of summer. Presenting an aerial perspective of a beach setting, this piece captures th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Winter - seascape winter seasonal coastal original artwork acrylic painting view
Located in London, Chelsea
Contemporary artist Lenny Cornforth paints a pleasing seascape scene conveyed during the season of winter. Presenting an aerial perspective of a beach setting, this piece captures th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Tango - Contemporary Portrait Oil Painting, Realistic, Polish artist
By Janusz Szpyt
Located in Warsaw, PL
Janusz Szpyt was born in 1960, he is a Polish painter. He graduated from the Graphic design faculty and painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. 1983 onward, he became the m...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
View of Bay of Naples; View of Bellagio (Lake Como) -- pair
Located in Washington, DC
Charles Rowbotham was the son of the British painter Thomas Leeson Rowbotham. Charles specialized in landscape views executed in watercolor and gouache. He is best known for his imag...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Cedaring V
Located in Zürich, ZH
Angela Lyn was born in Windsor, England in 1955 to a Chinese father and an English mother.
In 1968 her family emigrated to the USA. In 1972 she traveled to Taiwan to explore her Asi...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Nica" is the goddess of victory from Greek mythology
Located in Aberdeen Dyce, GB
On the right side from below and behind
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Ruach I" Charcoal Painting
By Robin Cole
Located in Denver, CO
Robin Cole's (US based) "Ruach I" is an original, handmade charcoal painting that depicts a grey monochrome pattern of clouds.
Nature and those that inhabit it—our human selves inc...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Charcoal
Seven Vintage Cameras
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA -- Stott’s work is almost object portraiture, applying traditional still life compositions and lighting but ventures beyond time honor...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Faith
Located in Fairfield, CT
George Billis Gallery presents Stephanie Reiter.
Painting for me is about capturing the light and beauty of the day. Usually a landscape will hit me and say, “paint me”. Then I k...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Spring. Oil on cardboard, 40x50 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Spring. Oil on cardboard, 40x50 cm
Alfejs Bromults (1913.3.IV - 1991.11.I)
His first professional education was at National University at studies to...
Category
1980s Realist Paintings
Materials
Cardboard, Oil
Candle Stick Telephone
Located in Fairfield, CT
Chris Stott is part of a new generation of representational painters pushing the genre forward in fantastic ways. At first glance, Stott’s paintings are elegantly refined compositio...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
View of St. Pauls from the Shard, Vibrant Cityscape of London, Evening Skyline
Located in Deddington, GB
This painting is a view of St. Paul’s cathedral from The Shard. I love how this composition incorporates many bridges and St. Paul’s Cathedral at night.
Discover more original artwork by Lesley Anne...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Enamel
Pouring Bowl 1, Original Art, Still Life Painting Contemporary Realist Style Art
By Fiona Smith
Located in Deddington, GB
Please note that insitu images are purely an indication of how a piece may look
Mother’s Bowl 1 is a contemporary still life painting by Fiona Smith. The delicate tones and Smith’s ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Stardust" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Shelli Langdale's "Stardust" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a horse grazing on yellow dandelions as the night sky fills with stars.
Artist Bio:
Shelli Langdale is an oil painter living and painting in Chattanooga, TN. U.S.A. She has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Impressionistic Moonlight Seascape Oil Painting with jetty by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Magical Moonlight
oil/canvas
8 x 10 image
Magical Moonlight is an oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a beautiful beach scene c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Realist paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Realist 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, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Michael Budden, Su Yu, Olga Antonova, and Mark Hunter. 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 paintings, so small editions measuring 0.5 inches across are also available.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Mary And Child
Black J12
Infinity Sign
Horse Head Painted
Country French Provence
Antique Russian Painting
Pair Street Signs
Dance Floor
Women Sculptures Italian
J12 Black
House Of R And D
Antique Portrait Italian
French School 18th Century
Pair Of Paintings Gold Frame
Cool Vintage Paintings
Cool Vintage Painting
Fresco Modern Painting
Piano Music