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
Bowl Of Cherries. 1920s Watercolor
By Irene P. Gardner
Located in Brecon, Powys
Skilled and very beautiful watercolor by I. P. Gardner from the 1920s to 1930s. Artist is well known for her watercolors of life in the Middle East during that period. Signed lower l...
Category
1920s Realist Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Landscape Campi Phlegraei - Plate XIII - View of Capri - By Hamilton-Fabris
Located in Roma, IT
Landscape Campi Phlegraei - Plate XIII - View of Capri is an original colored etching realized by Pietro Fabris between 1776 and 1779.
This beautiful ...
Category
18th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Etching
"Sea and Sky" Large landscape/seascape with brilliant light, sun behind clouds
Located in Wellesley, MA
"Sea and Sky" Oil on Canvas, 60 x 46 Inches, is a gorgeous, large beach painting of the shoreline at sunset dominated by a dramatic sky of blues...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Calm Before the Storm, " Oil Painting
By Suzy Smith
Located in Denver, CO
Suzy Smith's "Calm Before the Storm" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a feminine figure, in a white and black striped swimsuit, holding a ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
River 1970, paper/watercolor/pencil, 14x20 cm
Located in Riga, LV
River
1970,paper/watercolor/pencil, 14x20 cm
Herberts Mangolds (1901-1978)
Graphic, army officer.
In 1920 he graduated from the Artillery Cadet School of Latvian and many military ...
Category
1970s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
"Once Upon a Time" by Suzy Smith, Original Oil Painting, Portrait with Tea
By Suzy Smith
Located in Denver, CO
Suzy Smith's "Dessert" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a portrait of a feminine figure, in a red velvet gown, wearing a crown and h...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil, Panel
Companionship
By Mian Situ
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original oil painting on canvas by artist Mian Situ. Framed.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Blooming rose, Original Oil Painting, 100 X 81 cm, Landscape, Flower, Plant
Located in AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FR
Work : Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, Unique Work. Produced in 09/2010.
Medium : Oil on Linen Canvas.
Artist : Françoise de Beaucé
Subject : Rose épanouie (Frensh Title), ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas, Linen
On the forest trail. 2023., canvas, acrylic, 90x120 cm
Located in Riga, LV
On the forest trail. 2023, canvas, acrylic, 90x120 cm
"I like to observe nature, animals, birds, landscapes. I depict my observations in paintings. Painting helps me to see, feel an...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Kaleidoscope by Patsy McArthur -oil on canvas, contemporary realistic underwater
Located in Dallas, TX
Scottish artist Patsy McArthur explores the grace and power of human movement in her naturalistic drawings and paintings. Her latest works, including small ink studies, charcoal and ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Oil
'Bixby Bridge, Big Surreal #1', Santa Cruz, Big Sur, California Hwy 1, Carmel
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed, verso, 'David R. A. Watson' (American, born 1950), titled, 'Bixby Bridge, Big Surreal #1' and painted in 2023.
Artist Statement:
" 'El Grande Sur' of the early Mexican settlers could only be penetrated by pack horse until the WPA pushed through the Pacific Coast Highway in 1935. The engineering wonder of the Bixby bridge is a focal point of public amazement drawing hundreds of weekend sightseers. Popular movie lore of this bridge will secure its future as an eternal monument. Yet in truth it is not only a bridge but a stunning entrance toward the Big Sur coast which lies beyond. Thus, the iconic Neo-Classical sculpture...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Paint, Oil
Sea Coast. 1958, canvas, oil, 50x70 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Sea Coast. 1958, canvas, oil, 50x70 cm
Category
1950s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Eugène Lepoittevin. A drawing lesson by the Sea, oil on canvas, signed 1853
Located in PARIS, FR
Conditions : Very good overall Conditions with minor retouching under UV light (as seen on pictures). Slight invisible crack in the canvas. Original Victorian frame in excellent con...
Category
Mid-19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Ficus, Cat, and She...
Located in Zofingen, AG
The woman sits as if she’s just signed a decree to cancel all problems. Her sunglasses have slid down her nose, revealing a gaze that radiates calm while subtly asking, "What now?" T...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
An Interior of a Hunter, Franz Poledne, Vienna 1873 – 1932, Austrian Painter
Located in Knokke, BE
Poledne Franz
Vienna 1873 – 1932
Austrian Painter
'An Interior of a Hunter'
Signature: Signed bottom right
Medium: Aquarelle
Dimensions: Image size...
Category
19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
"Red Trillium" (2024) By Fred Wessel, Egg Tempera on Gold Leaf Floral Painting
By Fred Wessel
Located in Denver, CO
Fred Wessel's "Red Trillium" is a stunning egg tempera painting on gold leaf with garnet cabochons. Created in 2024, this piece features a fully bloomed flower of Trillium Erectum, a...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Lotus interior wall painting emerald green purple pink present botanical floral
Located in Zofingen, AG
STRENGTH. REBIRTH. PURIFY - the main meaning of wonderful lotus flower and the name of this painting.
Lotus are one of my favourite flowers. And I was painting them with all my love...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Small nineteenth century oil painting of Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Charles Lewis Fussell
(American, 1840–1909)
Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn
Oil on canvas, 8 x 11 ½ inches
FRAMED: 15 x 19 inches (approx.)
Signed and inscribed at lower left: "C. L. FUSSEL...
Category
1890s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Evening on River German Master Caucasian Panoramic Landscape 19th century
Located in Stockholm, SE
Attributed Paul Von Franken (1818-1884), famous Gemany a genre and landscape painter, signed bottom right. Fertile scenery coastal town with castle, mosque, minaret, large travelers ...
Category
1850s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Oil
Original Oil Painting Slemish Mountain County Antrim Ireland by Irish Artist
By Manson Blair
Located in Preston, GB
Original Oil Painting Slemish Mountain County Antrim Ireland by Irish Artist, Manson Blair
Art measures 12 x 9 inches
Frame measures 15 x 12 inches
Bo...
Category
Late 20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Vintage Mid Century Modernist Trompe L'Oeil Signed Interior Scene Realist Oil
Located in Buffalo, NY
Impressive 1970s modernist interior scene. Great palette and a sophisticated composition. Oil on canvas. Framed. Signed and dated verso.
Category
1970s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Soft Rebellion
Located in Zofingen, AG
A figure against the American flag is more than just bold color composition — it sparks deeper conversation. The light blue shirt contrasts with the red and white stripes, creating...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Red Wind on the Border of Worlds
Located in Zofingen, AG
This composition is both concise and profound, capturing the resilience of Ukrainian women in war—their endurance through loss, pain, and hardship. The black dress symbolizes mournin...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Carousel, original NYC realist landscape
Located in Spring Lake, NJ
When summer arrives, Central Park in Manhattan comes alive, to the delight of New York City residents and tourists alike! True to life, the park is packed with revelers and sun wors...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Girls and vine. 2021. Oil on canvas, 82x79 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Girls and vine. 2021. Oil on canvas, 82x79 cm
Normunds Braslinsh (1962)
Born 1962 in Riga, Latvia
1980–1986 Latvian Academy of Art, Painting Department
1973–1980 Janis Rozentāls Riga Secondary School of Art
Has participated in photo exhibitions since 2002
A professional photographer for art editions since 1989
Has participated in exhibitions since 1980
Pedagogical Experience
Since 2004 Professor at the Latvian Academy of Art
1998 Associate Professor at the Latvian Academy of Art
Since 1997 a teacher at the Master Studio of Figurative Painting, Latvian Academy of Art
Since 1988 a teacher at the Drawing Department, Latvian Academy of Art
Solo exhibitions
2008 Normunds Brasliņš...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Unknown (woman at easel)
Located in Columbia, MO
Unknown
Oil on canvas
35.5 x 23.5 inches
Framed: 40.75 x 28.75 inches
Category
20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Edifice" Oil Painting
By Judith Peck
Located in Denver, CO
Judith Peck's (US based) "Edifice" is an oil painting that depicts a feminine figure resting her face on her closed fist while her eyes look away.
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Hungarian Rabbi Judaica Oil Painting Hasidic Rabbi with Shtreimel
Located in Surfside, FL
20th century Jewish Chassidic Rabbi with fur hat portrait, Judaica Oil Painting
Category
20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Young Woman
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jose Mitjans Pico (1904-1991).
Portrait of a Young Woman
Oil on canvas 20 x 16 in, 27 x 23 in (framed).
Signed right margin.
Category
Mid-20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"The Turk" oil painting, realist portrait of a bearded man with pipe and red fez
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"The Turk" is an oil on linen painting. A portrait of a Turkish man, wearing a red "fez" hat with tassel, and holding an old fashioned wooden smoking-pipe. Well-dressed with a white ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Still Life with a Candle -Glass Vase of Pink & White Flowers with Burning Candle
By Helen Oh
Located in Chicago, IL
Helen Oh's painting simply titled "Still Life with Candle" is done in the style made famous by the Dutch Artists of the 17th Century. The simpl...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Bee from the top. Paper, mixed media, 30x21 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Bee from the top
Paper, mixed media, 30x21 cm
Juris Utāns (1959-2022)
was a Latvian painter. Worked in the field of critical realism, socially active and political art. Juris Utan...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Mixed Media
Mountain landscape with a village. 1980. Cardboard, oil. 49, 5x70cm
Located in Riga, LV
Mountain landscape with a village. 1980. Cardboard, oil. 49,5x70cm
In this work artist paid attention to infinite landscape depiction of mountains in summertime. Mountains are thought to contain divine inspiration in many forms, and are the focus of pilgrimages of transcendence and spiritual elevation. Mountains surpass ordinary humanity and extend towards the heavens. They symbolize constancy and permanence and at their peak signify the state of absolute consciousness. The visual components of color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value in this painting works together as one story of peaceful moment next to nature.
The village at the foot of the mountains is depicted in light brush strokes.
Information about artist:
Janis Lauva...
Category
1980s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cardboard
The Essence of East Tennessee - Framed Farmhouse Acrylic Painting
Located in Boston, MA
The Essence of East Tennessee
14.0 x 11.0 x 0.25, 10.0 lbs
Acrylic on canvas
Hand signed by artist
Artist's Commentary:
Capturing the serene beauty of East Tennessee, this paint...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Deer in a sunny landscape in the old master realist style 30 x 24 by Hans Guerin
By Hans Guerin
Located in Charleston, US
"Leery Deeries" an oil landscape of deer is painted by Hans Guerin, a descendent of the founder of the respected Schuler School of Fine Arts which trains s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Clarissa - British exhibited art 20's oil painting portrait actress Olive Groves
By Sir Gerald Festus Kelly
Located in London, GB
A large, original portrait of Clarissa. It depicts Olive Groves as Clarissa in Lionel and Clarissa at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith in 1926. Given to Olive Groves in 1966 by Sir G...
Category
1920s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
In the Evening, 2023
Located in Greenwich, CT
In the Evening is an oil on panel painting, 23.5 x 25.5" canvas size, signed ‘HOFMANN’ lower right, and framed in a custom, black and gold-leaf, closed-corner frame.
Douglas Hofmann...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil
Sunset. Ocean., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Sunset. Ocean. The deep, mysterious ocean beckons you to unravel its secrets. Warm water, waves, serene views, shine of the ocean, evening glare of the sun on the water create an atm...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Portrait of an English Bagger in a Landscape.
By M.Naplee
Located in Woodbury, CT
Portrait of an English Bagger in an extensive landscape.
Very Pretty English Otter, in an extensive landscape, painted circa 1970.
The painting is an amazing display of an artist, ...
Category
1970s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Antique American Fluffy Pomeranian Dog Portrait Wide Gold Frame Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Incredible signed early American dog portrait painting. Oil on board. Signed. Housed in a period gold giltwood frame.
Category
1870s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Andalusian Heartland" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Daud Akhriev's (EUR and US based) "Andalusion Heartland" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts rolling hills spreading over the landscape with an orchard in the foregrou...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
One Tree Hill (Honor Oak Park), Realist Baroque Style London Cityscape Painting
By Alex Rennie
Located in Deddington, GB
Alex Rennie,
One Tree Hill (Honor Oak Park)
Original Oil Painting on Linen depicting a the London Skyline glinting at sunset though the trees of Honor Oak Park.
Alex Rennie has artworks available online and in our gallery with Wychwood Art. Alex was born in London in 1977. He has exhibited widely, both internationally and domestically, including a solo Cork Street show with Waterhouse & Dodd. Rennie’s work has been selected for several competitions including the John Moores...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil, Canvas
Portrait of an English Brown and White Otter, on the banks of a River Landscape
By M.Naplee
Located in Woodbury, CT
Portrait of an English Brown and White Otter, on the banks of a River Landscape.
Very Pretty English Otter, in an extensive landscape, painted circa 1970.
The painting is an amazin...
Category
1970s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Solace VIII, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Abi Whitlock
Located in Yardley, PA
The swimmer slides through the cool depths, the water's surface breaking into a thousand rivulets of rainbow light behind her. This work is painted on a gallery wrapped canvas. Th...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Vintage french art by Louis Cabat - cottage in Normandy - oil on canvas, signed.
Located in PARIS, FR
A certificate of authenticity from Mr. Michel Rodrigue accompanies the work.
Conditions : Good overall Conditions. Older restauration in the upper part under UV light. Canvas relined...
Category
Early 19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
“Still life with Cantaloupe”
Located in Southampton, NY
Beautiful still life painting of a slice of cantaloupe melon by an unknown artist. Signed lower right, d’0lajos. Circa 1980. Oil on board. Condition good. Overall in art nouveau st...
Category
1980s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
The Guardian Angel
Located in Missouri, MO
"Guardian Angel" late 19th c.
Original hand-painted KPM Porcelain
In Jewel Encrusted Frame
approx. 6 3/8 x 5 inches
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Porcelain, Oil
Russian Traveler Genre Portrait 19th Century Oil Painting Signed Framed
Located in Stockholm, SE
The short signature lower left a monogram of joined Cyrillic letters "V" and "P" with date 77, leads to the Russian painter Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov (1844 - 1927). Here we have pl...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
Oval Oil Painting on Gilt Wood Frame, Still Life of Flowers in a Vase with Grape
Located in Jacksonville, FL
A lush bouquet of pastel-hued flowers bursts from its vase, cascading gracefully over the edges in a stunning display of natural beauty. Delicate petals in soft pinks, blues, and cre...
Category
20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Sea at winter. 2020. Watercolor, paper, 60, 5 x 85 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Sea at winter. 2020. Watercolor, paper, 60,5 x 85 cm
Sea with ice at the shore
Zigmunds Šņore was born in 1942 in Latvia. His works has been exhibited since 1969 and are held in pr...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Sea View from Menton, Côte d'Azur, France. By Johan Peter von Wildenradt
Located in Stockholm, SE
Born in Helsingør, Denmark, in 1861, Johan Peter von Wildenradt studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen under the renowned Laurits Tuxen. In the late 1880s, he...
Category
1890s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
Marie Channer, "Moonlit", 40x60 Equine Horse Silhouette Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This piece, "Moonlit", is a 40x60 equine oil painting on canvas by artist Marie Channer. Featured is a horse caught mid run, silhouetted by the moonlight above. This minimalist appro...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Tempest, Oil, ARC Salon Finalist, Portrait Society of America, Florence, Italy
Located in Houston, TX
Tempest was painted over several days in the artist studio in Florence, Italy. The painting measures 25 x 21 with a handmade frame from Italy. This is oil on a linen panel which mo...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Justin Head Study
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Oil on canvas
Signed in red, u.r.
9 x 8 inches, canvas size
9.5 x 8.5 inches in distressed black painted wood frame
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Justin Head Study](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-justin-head-study-for-sale/a_9323/a_28828111527264028195/Beard_Sargeant_Justin_Head_Study_980_master.jpg?width=240 "kenmure sargeant address")
Quirky Dogsled Scene featuring Downtown Detroit in 1853
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Frederick E. Cohen
(American, born England, c. 1818-1858)
Boy in a Dog Sled, 1853
Oil on canvas, 25 x 30 inches
Framed: 35 x 40 inches (approx.)
Signed and inscribed: (on side of sle...
Category
1850s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Shade Adjacent
Located in Fairfield, CT
Rooted in the concept of memory born from photographs, Lisa Golightly’s paintings are reconstructions of found film photography as seen through the artist’s eye.
Photography remains...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
Chinese Contemporary Art by Su Yu - Father's Little Painter
By Su Yu
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas
Su Yu is a Chinese artist born in 1987 who lives & works in Beijing in China. He was an old student of prestigious art teachers as Shi Liang & Chen Danqing at Oil Pain...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Adrian Rigby, "Hard Times" 16x20 Red Winter Fox Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas
By Adrian Rigby
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This piece, "Hard Times" is a 16x20" oil painting on canvas by artist Adrian Rigby. Featured is the edge of a snow covered field where a red fox trails curiously through the deep snow, on the hunt. A shady tree line lays bare, casting cool shadows.
About the artist:
Adrian Rigby was born in Chorley, England in 1962. He demonstrated considerable artistic talent from an early age. Rigby is an internationally recognized, award winning artist. He studied at Blackpool Art...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, 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.