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
Crashing Light-contemporary Art, original realism seascape wave oil painting
Located in London, Chelsea
Embark on an enchanting journey with "Crashing Light," a mesmerizing original seascape painting created by the talented artist Irina Cumberland. This exquisite artwork, born from pre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Shell 8, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's "Shell 8" is an oil on board created in 2019 depicting an illuminated shell floating in a black background.
About the artist:
Gregory was born in Kansas City, Mis...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - Night Pleasure
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas
Kamsar Ohanyan is an Armenian artist born in 1991 who lives and works in Yerevan, Armenia. He studied in Yerevan at State Pedagogical University with Kh. Abovyan at th...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Impressionistic Moonlight Seascape OilPainting Michael Budden MysticalMonlight
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Mystical Moonlight
oil/panel
8 x 10 unframed 13.25 x 15.25 framed.
An oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a beautiful moonlit ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Shell 16, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's "Shell 16" is an oil on board created in 2019 depicting an illuminated shell floating in a black background.
About the artist:
Gregory was born in Kansas City, Mi...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - Waterfall
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas
Kamsar Ohanyan is an Armenian artist born in 1991 who lives and works in Yerevan, Armenia. He studied in Yerevan at State Pedagogical University with Kh. Abovyan at th...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Autumn mood. Oil on cardboard, 38 x 48, 5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Autumn mood. Oil on cardboard, 38x48,5 cm
Alfejs Bromults (1913.3.IV - 1991.11.I)
His first professional education was at National University at studies to R.Suta, J. Bine and G. S...
Category
1980s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cardboard
La Marchande de Fleurs - French Realist Figurative Oil by Victor Gilbert
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed figurative oil on original canvas by French realist painter Victor Gabriel Gilbert. The work shows a flower seller filling a young girl's basket with cherries while a little b...
Category
1910s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Lielupe estuary into the sea. 1979. Cardboard, oil, 40x50 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Lielupe estuary into the sea. 1979. Cardboard, oil, 40x50 cm
Alfejs Bromults (1913.3.IV - 1991.11.I)
His first professional education was at National University at studies to R.Sut...
Category
1970s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cardboard
"Shell 18, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's "Shell 18" is an oil on board created in 2019 depicting an illuminated shell floating in a black background.
About the artist:
Gregory was born in Kansas City, Mi...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Shell 3, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Shell 4" is an oil on board created in 2020 depicting a shell floating above glistening waves.
About the artist:
Gregory was born in Kansas City, Miss...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Small Oil Still Life Painting, "Orange with Reflection"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original still life oil painting on board from southern California artist Anthony Enyedy. It is 9" x 9" x 1.5". It is unframed. A certificate of authenticity ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Plumeria, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A fragrant plumeria found on the tropical islands. I took the reference shot for this painting on a recent trip to Oahu, Hawaii. This painting has been created using professional gr...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Penguins" Oil Painting
By Derek Penix
Located in Denver, CO
Derek Penix's (US based) "Penguins" is an oil painting that depicts a huddle of penguins flocking gently together at water's edge.
Bio/Artist Statement:
Derek Penix was born on December 29, 1980 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Growing up Penix was surrounded by artists in his family as his mother and grandfather painted. Penix did not pursue painting until after graduating high school. Penix’s mother encouraged him to pursue his talent and took his paintings down to a local gallery where he sold his first piece.
Through the years Penix has been inspired by old masters such as Nicolai Fechin, Sargent and the French Impressionists, but it has been over the last few years that Penix has been the most influenced by artist Quang Ho. Penix had the opportunity to take a workshop under Mr. Ho and later to study briefly with him. Since then, Penix believes his paintings have grown more in the last two years than in his last ten years of painting.
As an artist Penix gains inspiration from his environment whether that be at the park, in his home, or traveling abroad. He enjoys the freedom to paint different subject matter and has learned to push himself to try new things, even if they are out of his comfort zone.
Penix was recognized in South West Art...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
Copper - Bath nude portraiture artwork realism oil painting modern human form
By Calvin Lai
Located in London, Chelsea
Contemporary figurative artist Calvin Lai paints a provocative and sensual portrait of the female form in this original oil painting. The artist applies a symphony of gestural brushs...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Hermes Birkin Black - Hyperrealist painting
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Acrylic & oil on canvas
21.3″x37.4″ Framed
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Impressionistic Moonlight Landscape Oil Painting Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Evening Moonrise Study
oil/panel
10 x 8 unframed 14.38 x 12.38 framed.
An oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a romantic moonli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - Mountain Flowers
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas
Kamsar Ohanyan is an Armenian artist born in 1991 who lives and works in Yerevan, Armenia. He studied in Yerevan at State Pedagogical University with Kh. Abovyan at th...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Figurative Nude Painting by Jules Pages 1867 - 1946 American, California, artist
By Jules Pages
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
"Femmes nue allongee"
oil/panel
12.5 x 17.75, is an oil painting on panel by Jules Pages. The painting is in good condition but could benefit from some conservation cleaning, etc and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"The Gunnison Sage-Grouse" Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Lindsey Kustusch's "The Gunnison Sage-Grouse" is a vibrant and textured handmade original oil on wood panel artwork, with dimensions of 18 x 18 x 1.50 inches. Created in 2023, this p...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel, Oil
"Alabama Looking On" a photorealist oil painting, shore horizon with sailboats
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
Evening landscape on the river. Wood, oil, 29x39 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Evening landscape on the river. wood, oil, 29x39 cm
The artwork depicts a landscape scene of Netherlands, showcasing the unique characteristics and natural beauty of the region.
Wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood
Realist french painting Fishermen wifes BILLET portrait costumes 19th
Located in PARIS, FR
Pierre BILLET
Cantin (North), 1837 – Cantin, 1922
Oil on canvas
38.5 x 28.5 cm (48 x 36.5 cm with frame)
Signed lower left “Pierre Billet”
Stamp of the canvas merchant "Tasset & Loth...
Category
1880s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Northern Dreams, " Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Northern Dreams" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts yellow flowers strewn on a table with an arctic landscape in the background.
Mia Berg...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
Summer in the Valley, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Olena Nabilsky draws inspiration from the vast expanse of open space to create a stunning depiction of a rocky valley in Ar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Small Oil Still Life Painting, "Fresh Picked"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original still life oil painting on board from southern California artist Anthony Enyedy. It is 10" x 10" x 1.5". It is framed. A certificate of authenticity ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Roses
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Roses" is a painting that pays homage to the natural beauty and timeless elegance of this luxurious flower. Painted with great precision and a keen eye for detail, this work exudes...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Calm Water" a photorealist oil painting of three small boats resting
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
"Classic White (O)" photorealist oil painting of a detailed Sail's Canvas
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Orchard in Bloom, Mid Century Spring Blossoms Landscape Watercolor by Jay Simm
Located in Soquel, CA
Lovely pastoral landscape of beautiful spring blossoms lining a quiet country lane by Jay Simm (American, 20th Century), c. 1960s. The delicate light pink flowers of the orchard in b...
Category
1960s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Nabi - Modern portraiture artwork realism oil painting modern human form
By Calvin Lai
Located in London, Chelsea
This contemporary figurative study by Calvin Lai depicts an intimate portrait of a nude embellished with abstract gestures. Meaning ‘butterfly’ in Korean, Nabi presents a delicate po...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Harbour Drive, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A couple in a classic car from the turn of the 18th century are taking a drive along the harbour front to see the ships in port. This period piece was created on canvas using pro...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Beach Day, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A nostalgic scene featuring a classic Woody wagon with a surfboard, guitar and coolers ready for a beautiful day at the beach. This scene has been created using professional grade ac...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Chilling, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This young surfer girl is laying on her board and enjoying the relaxation of being alone at sea and watching the setting sun. This painting has been creat...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Verde in View" a photorealist oil painting, overlooking a vibrant green boat
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
Oil Still Life of Peach
Located in Fredericksburg, VA
Sean Beavers is an exquisite still life and landscape artist. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York on scholarship where he received a BFA in fine arts and graduated with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Paper
Block and Tackle, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This painting depicts the running and standing rigging of a ship under sail. The creak of ropes as the strain comes upon them are the music of the ship at sea. This painting has been...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Spread Your Wings, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This is a whimsical piece based on a word play whereupon the classic 1954 Mercedes Benz has "Gullwing" door. The car appears ready to take to the skies and join the flock. This pain...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Nostalgia, " Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Nostalgia" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a brightly lit green pool in a dark landscape with the sun setting in the horizon.
Mia Berg...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
"Figs", Oil Painting
By Quang Ho
Located in Denver, CO
Quang Ho's (US based) "Figs" is an oil on panel depicting figs growing on a tree with lush green foliage.
About the artist:
Quang Ho was born on April 30, 1963, in Hue, Vietnam. He...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Pagan, " Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Pagan" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a brightly lit pool in a dark landscape with turquoise-colored birds flying around.
Mia Bergero...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
CONTEMPORARY Architecture Landscapes British Artist Anthony Garratt
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Anthony Garratt was born in 1979, He lives in South Devon with his young family, and currently works from his studio on the Dartington Estate. He studied at Chelsea College of Art for a Foundation (Dip), and a BA (hons) at Falmouth College of Art.
He has exhibited extensively in public and commercial galleries, including 18 solo shows to date. His paintings are held in private and corporate collections internationally.
His eclectic, self-initiated public installations have garnered much National press interest. In 2016, ‘High and Low’ which was commissioned in Snowdonia to communicate the area’s mining heritage, won the ‘Arts and Business Award’ in Wales and featured on National television. ‘To All At Sea’ from 2019 featured in both The Guardian and The Spectator as a ‘Top Ten Outdoor Artwork 2019’. His recent public participation artworks have encouraged hundreds of people to engage with the practice of painting, whilst raising thousands for associated charitable causes.
In 2019, following an artist residency with a photographer in South Africa, he established a collaborative project called, ‘Cawston Garratt’, which launched in London and combines, and interrupts, the processes of painting and photography.
Since 2014, he has been a tutor and mentor at The Newlyn School of Art, both on short courses and year-long professional practice programmes. He is a member of the Wilderness Art...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic, Oil
BACKSTAGE
Located in Santa Fe, NM
BACKSTAGE (with Custom Seamless 22K Gold Frame)
Evgeny Balakshin was born in 1962 in Saransk, Russia. A member of the Professional Union of Artists of Russia, he received systematic art education in Saransk Art School under the direct tutelage of M. P. Shanin. Evgeny has worked and exhibited in France, England, Spain, Portugal and America. His works are included in the Mordovia Republican Museum of Fine Arts, the Collection of S.D. Erzya and other private collections.
The paintings of Balakshin have a deep and philosophical presence, characteristic of the Russian school of painting...
Category
Early 2000s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Pear branch laden with ripe fruits on a golden background
Located in Milan, IT
Margherita Leoni's small and precious painting presents all the fullness of thriving nature offering its fruits. As in sacred art, gold has always evoked the divine, the choice of th...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Gold
"Arctic Blooms, " Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Arctic Blooms" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts yellow blooms contrasted with an arctic landscape.
Mia Bergeron's interest in art was c...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Panel, Oil
Sailing Through Gold, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Under a glowing morning sky filled with dramatic golden clouds a ship passes by while the sails are painted with the gold of the sunrise. This painting has been created using profes...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
The Blind Woman
Located in Dallas, TX
"The Blind Woman" by artist Miles Cleveland Goodwin is oil on canvas, and measures 72 5/8 x 44 5/8 inches. Including the artist-made frame, the overall dim...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
"Oyster Catcher" a photorealist oil painting, a festive fisherman's boat
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
CONTEMPORARY Architecture Spanish Artist Bea Sarrias Pierre Koenig architect
Located in BARCELONA, ES
PRIVATE LANDSCAPE
Pierre Koenig architect
Case Study House 21
80X80 CM
The artist, Bea Sarrias, has developed much of her work in Barcelona, where she studied Fine Arts and soon bec...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Acrylic
Verónica
Located in Barcelona, ES
Figurative work
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Moody Blues", Oil Painting
By Jeff Legg
Located in Denver, CO
Jeff Legg's (US based) "Moody Blues" is an oil painting created in 2023 depicting a brilliant blue vase with an orange slice, grapes and blue foliage.
About the artist:
Jeff C. Leg...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Pureza
Located in Barcelona, ES
Figurative work
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Orchid with Blue", Oil Painting
By Jeff Legg
Located in Denver, CO
Jeff Legg's (US based) "Orchid with Blue" is an oil painting created in 2023 depicting beautifully lit white orchids in a blue vase with a dark grey background.
About the artist:
J...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Tuareg
Located in Barcelona, ES
Figurative work of a tuareg man
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"The Red-winged Blackbird" Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Lindsey Kustusch's "The Red-winged Blackbird" is a compelling handmade original oil on wood panel artwork, measuring 12 x 12 x 1.50 inches. This 2023 piece is a primary market item, ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel, Oil
Toro al amanecer
Located in Barcelona, ES
Figurative work
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Foggy Morning
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Foggy Morning" is a canvas where nature awakens in the embrace of gentle mist. Gray and blue hues seamlessly transition, creating an atmosphere of mystery. In the soft morning gloom...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Antonio
Located in Barcelona, ES
Figurative work
Category
2010s 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.
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