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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.

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Style: Realist
Pocket Blush Pear, Still Life Food Painting, Traditional Still Life Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Blush Pear is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque still lif...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Cardinal Fine Antique Portrait Oil Painting in Ornate Gilt Frame
By Otto Eichinger
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Cardinal's Letter Otto Eichinger (1922 - 2004) signed oil painting on board, framed framed: 15 x 12 inches board: 12.5 x 10 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: v...
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Pocket Autumn Collection Autumn leaf #2 [2024], Baroque Still Life, Small art
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Autumn Leaf Collection #2 (Naples Yellow) is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

ORIGINAL superb English realist oil painting BOATS AT PORLOCK WEIR SOMERSET
Located in Cirencester, GB
ARTIST: Peter Barker RSMA (1954-) British TITLE: "Porlock Weir Somerset" SIGNED: lower right MEDIUM: oil on canvas SIZE: 68cm x 52cm inc frame CONDITION: excellent DETAIL: Barker ...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

River in May, 2022., oil on canvas, 60x80 cm
Located in Riga, LV
"I like to observe nature, animals, birds, landscapes. I depict my observations in paintings. Painting helps me to see, feel and understand the world, to be part of the world." -Jānis Ziņgītis...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Dividing Light II, Contemporary Expressionistic Style Painting, Realist Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Dividing Light II [2021] Please note that insitu images are purely an indication of how a piece may look Dividing Light II is an original painting by artist Sheryl Roberts. Sheryl has mastered the composition of dramatic light...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Goblets XXV, Sweet wrapper art, contemporary wall sculpture, conversation art
Located in Deddington, GB
Goblets XXV is a signed original wall sculpture made from sweet wrappers by Joanne Tinker of a selection of colourful wine goblets on a black shelved frame. Joanne Tinker wall sculpt...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Metal, Foil

White Horses Running Free Large Russian Signed Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
"Running Wild" by Lubov Bazanova (Russian b.1957) signed to the front, inscribed verso oil painting on canvas, framed framed: 24 x 34 inches Beautiful quality contemporary oil painting on canvas, by the well listed Russian artist, Lubov Bazanova (born 1957). The work is signed to the front as well as inscribed verso in Cyrillic. It is a stunning image and superbly painted, capturing these wild horses...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Oil On Canvas " two ballerinas " By Maria Szantho with Frame
Located in Gavere, BE
"Two Ballerinas Oil On Canvas By Maria Szantho Frame" Nice and large painting "two ballerinas", painted by the female artist Maria Szantho (1897 - 1998) Hungarian school. Maria Szant...
Category

1960s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Still life with Watermelon, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Still life with fruits: watermelon, apples, plums, pears and honey on the windowsill. Autumn fruits are bright, juicy and picturesque. They will decorate your kitchen or living room ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

pocket dark blue sloes, Baroque Still Life Painting, Small Art, Fruit Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Dark Blue Sloes is an original still-life painting by artist Dani Humberstone. This painting is a small scale renaissance inspired still life in a photorealistic style and sol...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Sunny Italian Amalfi Terrace View 1899 Oil Painting on Canvas Framed Signed
Located in Stockholm, SE
Late 19th early 20th century marked a period of great artistic expression and innovation, particularly in the realm of painting. During this time, artists sought to capture the beaut...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Ventura River Channel; Santa Ana Road, Ojai Valley
Located in Pasadena, CA
Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist UNFRAMED: 24" x 30" FRAMED: 30.75" x 36.625" x 1.5" Artist Statement "The dramatic Scenery surrounding Ojai and the coastal range ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil, Panel

Summer Landscape with Birches by Austrian Master Gollob Early 20th century Oil
Located in Stockholm, SE
Heinrich Gollob (1886 - 1917) - Austrian painter. Gollob's attention to detail demonstrates his talent for bringing landscapes to life through vibrant colors, textures and the play o...
Category

Early 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Fine Original Large Realist oil painting Little Baddow River Chelmer Essex
Located in Cirencester, GB
ARTIST: David Smith (1949-) British TITLE: "River Chelmer Essex" SIGNED: lower right MEDIUM: oil on canvas SIZE: 106cm x 76cm inc frame CONDITION: excellent DETAIL: David Smith ...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Elegant Still Life of Two White, Gold and Blue Cups on Orange and Off White"
Located in Wellesley, MA
Olga Antonova "Elegant Still Life of Two White, Gold and Blue Cups on Orange and Off White" Oil on Canvas 10 x 10 Inches Olga Antonova’s subject is compositions of extraordinarily elegant, beautiful and whimsical cups, plates, teapots, vases and dishes, but there is something playful about these paintings. Stacked teacups are also amusing, having a kind of jaunty and upbeat personality of their own. Polka dots are as endearing to adults as to children, and everyone responds to the bling and sparkle of gold and silver while marveling at Antonova’s seemingly effortless ability to paint these radiant...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Snowdrop 4, Original painting, Baroque Still Life, Floral art, Flower
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Snowdrop 4 is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque still lif...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Pinky Red Pomegranate, Baroque Still Life, fruit
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Pinky Red Pomegranate is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroqu...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Magic Realism Figurative Oil Painting, "Love" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 24” x 36” x 1.5" Magic Realism Figurative Oil Painting executed on Wood Panel with Gold Leaf by artist Evgeniya Golik. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon i...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Rosie Pink, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
I love Rosie’s quirky style, it’s sort of steampunk. Her hair colour changes frequently so I captured her pink phase. I wanted a slightly kitsch feel so added an Orla Kiely p...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Eton College watercolour
Located in London, GB
To see more, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller." Francis Barraud (1856 - 1924) Eton College Watercolour 12 x 18 cm Inscribed f...
Category

20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Idyllic Moon Night Landscape Scandinavian Lakeland 19th century Oil Painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
Nocturnal landscape exudes a sense of calm and serenity, drawing you in with its Naïve Romanticism manner, captured in oils by an unknown artist in the late 19th century. In the fore...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Enchanting Fox Poised Alertly Amidst a Landscape of Woodland Serenity
Located in Charleston, US
Valarie Wolf's animal painting of a fox on "High Alert" in a beautiful wooded landscape invites the viewer into a magical world. Step into the enchanting world of Valarie Wolf's ar...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Matthew Jay Russell, "Three Dories", 30x48 White Boat Blue Seascape Oil Painting
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
"Three Dories" is a 30x48 oil painting on canvas by artist Matthew Jay Russell, featuring three lone white rowboats in the still soft blue waters. The subtle lighting blends the hori...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Antique Bottle Collection. Chemist Shop. Garden Dig Finds. Victorian Dump Tip
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Elin Siân Blake. Welsh ( b.1981). Antique Bottle Collection. Oil on canvas. Signed lower left. Image size 11.2 inches x 9.3 inches ( 28.5cm x 23.5cm ). Frame size 16.3 inches x 14.2...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Ty Nain (Grandma’s House). A Welsh Cottage Interior. Hearth. Cast Iron Oven.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Elin Siân Blake. Welsh ( b.1981). Ty Nain (Grandma’s House). Oil on artist’s canvas board. Signed lower left. Image size 19.5 inches x 15.6 inches ( 49.5cm x 39.5cm ). Frame size 22...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

When I was a Boy. Upper Class Country Pursuits Interior. Victorian. Edwardian.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
John Arthur Lomax. English ( b.1857 - d.1923 ). When I was a Boy. Oil on Panel. Signed. Image size 9.5 inches x 11.4 inches ( 24cm x 29cm ). Frame size 17.3 inches x 19.5 inches ( ...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Milly with Minstrel. Children with their Pony in Dappled Summer Sunlight.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Harold Walton Freckleton. English ( b.1890 - d.1979 ). Milly with Minstrel. Oil on Canvas. Signed lower right. Image size 24.4 inches x 29.52 inches ( 62cm x 75cm ). Frame size 30.7 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Upstar Tulip, Original Painting, Floral art, Nature, Affordable art
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Upstar Tulip is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque still l...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Rocks. 2023, canvas, oil, 75x90 cm
By Rolands Krisjans
Located in Riga, LV
Rocks. 2023, canvas, oil, 75x90 cm Rolands Krishjans (1966) In 1984 I finished J. Rozenthals art school in Riga. In 1993 I graduated from Latvian Art Academy with degree in monume...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

City park at winter. 2023., canvas, oil, 60x74.5 cm
By Rolands Krisjans
Located in Riga, LV
City park at winter. 2023., canvas, oil, 60x74.5 cm Rolands Krishjans (1966) In 1984 I finished J. Rozenthals art school in Riga. In 1993 I graduated from Latvian Art Academy with...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Winter in the city. Oil on canvas, 73.5x85 cm
By Rolands Krisjans
Located in Riga, LV
Winter on Barona Street. Oil on canvas, 73.5x85 cm Rolands Krishjans (1966) In 1984 I finished J. Rozenthals art school in Riga. In 1993 I graduated from Latvian Art Academy with d...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Striped Bellona Tulip, Original Painting, Flower, Still Life, Plant
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Striped Bellona Tulip is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroqu...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Pink Rose with Leaf, Original Painting, Pink, Flower, Black, Single rose
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Pink Rose with Leaf is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Full Moon 2, Original Painting, Skyscape, Space, Lunar, Affordable art
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Full Moon is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque still life...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Lemons with bowl & lime
Located in BUNGENDORE, AU
Original artwork by Tim Snowdon Lemons with bowl and lime, oil on linen, 35.5cm x 40.5cm, 2021 A part of Snowdon's exhibition ‘Conversations’, this piece references the way inanimat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Porch View, Great Harbor Yacht Club, original realist marine landscape
Located in Spring Lake, NJ
Classic elegance and dignified living is customary for members and guests alike at the pristine Great Harbor Yacht Club on famed Nantucket Island, on the Massachusetts coast. As wea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

José Jiménez Aranda, Hussars at Rest
Located in Madrid, ES
JOSÉ JIMÉNEZ ARANDA Spanish, 1837 - 1903 HUSSARS AT REST signed, located and dated “Jz. Aranda. / Paris 1884.” (lower left) oil on wood panel 21 x 26-5/8 inches (53.5 x 67.5 cm) fram...
Category

1880s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

What's the Deal, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
I myself am not a gambler but I do find casinos a wonderful source for entertainment and observation. Body and facial language tells us a great deal of what is happening behind the ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Trepidation, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Children seem to be always mesmerized by animals regardless of the animal's temperament. I wanted to set up a composition that would represent a condition for parental angst. A nan...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Tiger Tail Harvest, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
I'm uncertain what the motivation is to paint small observations in a large format. But I gave it a try here after having returned from my morning jog. While I was out I came acros...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fall's Complement, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Fall is such a wonderful time with its bright sunshine, puffy clouds and the smells, oh the smells.  The crisp breeze brings different fragrances to me as I brush by the fallen leav...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Can this be comedy cried the clown?, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Can this be comedy cried the clown? If this is red, replied the ring master. The elephant farted, the tiger roared, centre ring faded to black. I enjoy being creative. For me th...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Betrayal, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Our society throughout time has guided its direction by how it has raised its young. Betrayal has always been a part of their upbringing. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Sins of My Neighbour, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
This painting refers to benefiting from the evils of others while not directly participating but permitting it to occur. The fox kills the ravens feast. :: Painting :: Realism :: Thi...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Heat Beneath My Feet, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Mortality is the Question. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed: Yes :: Signat...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

One to Three, colorful super real candy oil painting
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a series of paintings of candy, or actually of the wrappers. The cellophane provides transparency, reflections and brilliant color which is a treat and a challenge to paint. I...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Cabane 5 Landscape Pyrenees original realist watercolor painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Landscape Pyrenees original realist watercolor painting Original work on paper by the Spanish artist CABANE Joaquin Cabene. 1922/1993 Painter and watercolorist, Joaquim Cabané trave...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Pocket Veronique Tulip, Original Painting, Floral art, Nature, Red, Affordable
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Veronique Tulip is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque stil...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Alpine Valley Landscape with High Hills and River 19th Century Oil Painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
This artwork captures all the beauty of the German valley in the lower Alps, showcasing a breathtaking scenery that includes ruins atop high hills, hazed mountains in the distance, s...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Rose. 1991, cardboard, oil, 34x24 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Rose. 1991, cardboard, oil, 34x24 cm by Uldis Zemzaris (born 1928.24.II) Uldis Zemzaris graduated from J. Rozentāls Riga Art High School (1953) and the Painting Department of the L...
Category

1990s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Family Portrait Mother with Children Playing Coins Framed Antique Oil Painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
Family genre scene late 19th early 20th century. The boy, tired of posing for a portrait painter, decided to play by spinning a coin on the table, this game greatly impressed his you...
Category

Early 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil, Cardboard

Wolf Guardian Peering From the Shadows in a Woodland Landscape
Located in Charleston, US
Valarie Wolf's animal painting "From the Shadows" unveils a majestic wolf, piercingly gazing out from the depths of the forest underbrush, inviting you into a world of enchantment ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Vintage 20th Century Oil Painting of a River Landscape with Silver Birch Trees
Located in Preston, GB
Vintage 20th Century Oil Painting of a River Landscape with Silver Birch Trees Art measures 10 x 8 inches Frame measures 12 x 10 inches Presented in the original period frame
Category

20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Contemporary portrait "Poolside Party"
Located in Sempach, LU
It's strange to paint frills and ruffles when all I have in my head are post-apocalyptic images. But I've never swum in a pool, nor have I been to a real party, even when I was in sc...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Caesar on his way to Pompeii. 1999, canvas, oil, 40x50 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Caesar on his way to Pompeii. 1999, canvas, oil, 40x50 cm
Category

1990s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

HMS Glasgow returning from Falklands - Shipping Scene Warship & other Vessels
Located in Preston, GB
HMS Glasgow returning from the Falkland Islands - Shipping Scene Warship & other Vessels by British Artist Norman Elford GRA (1931 - 2007) Art measures 29 x 20 inches Frame measur...
Category

1980s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Country yard in spring. Oil on canvas, 74x96 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Country yard in spring. Oil on canvas, 74x96 cm Oto Pladers (1897.8.III – 1970.2.V) Oto Pladers learned in Riga city school of art (1913 – 15). He was called into the army in 1916 a...
Category

1930s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

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.

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