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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
Bee from the side. Paper, mixed media, 21x30 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Bee from the side Paper, mixed media, 21x30 cm Juris Utāns (1959-2022) was a Latvian painter. Worked in the field of critical realism, socially active and political art. Juris Uta...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Paper

Marble Sundae
Located in New Orleans, LA
A charming little realist painting of marbles in a sundae glass. Turned up in our inventory, new and never owned. Custom framed and ready to hang. Measu...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Neoclassical Interior Scene by Russian Theater Artist Early 20th century Mixed
Located in Stockholm, SE
Signed lower right with monogram "MD" - in Cyrillic, leads to the Russian - Lithuanian artist Mstislav Valerianovich Dobuzhinsky (Mstislavas Dobužinskis; 1875 - 1957). Fascinating d...
Category

Early 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Grasshopper. Paper, mixed media, 21x30 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Grasshopper Paper, mixed media, 21x30 cm Juris Utāns (1959-2022) was a Latvian painter. Worked in the field of critical realism, socially active and political art. Juris Utans' wo...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

New York City Flags Winter Cityscape Urban Oil Painting by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Flags Above the Avenue The image measures 12 x 9 unframed, 18.5 x 15.5 framed An oil painting on canvas panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Quadtych of Pocket Upstar Tulip, Veronique Tulip, Snowdrop 2, Bluebells 2024 art
Located in Deddington, GB
This quadtych includes 4 pocket paintings from Dani Humberstone's spring collection: Pocket Upstar Tulip, Pocket Veronique Tulip, Spring Collection: Pocket Bluebells and Pocket Snowd...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Green and Gold-original impressionism surreal British landscape oil painting-Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Green and Gold" by Harry Brioche is a stunning original realist aerial landscape painting that invites viewers into a world of serene beauty and atmospheric charm. Executed with pre...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Spring Thaw Landscape Oil Painting 1901 Swedish Artist by Ankarcrona
Located in Stockholm, SE
Signature bottom left - Edvard Alexander (Alexis) Ankarcrona (1825 - 1901), was a Swedish painter and military (this is one of the last works of the artist!). This artwork perfectly ...
Category

Early 1900s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Breath of the Sea, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
The artwork captures the serenity of the ocean. Painted with oil paint and cold wax, the waves carry a slightly raised texture, adding to the realistic quality ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Enchanting Iconlike Painting of Alert Horses in a Charming Pastoral Scene
Located in Charleston, US
Valarie Wolf's horse painting, "Did You Hear That?", captures the essence of a gold-leaf-framed icon featuring two attentive horses set against a charming pastoral landscape. This en...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Magic Realism Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Badseed" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 10” x 11.5” x 1” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Vellum by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchas...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Vellum

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "Prologue" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 17” x 17” x .5" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. This piece is Acrylic Paint on Mixed Media Paper. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic

Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "The Kiss" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 32” x 8” x 1" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. This piece is a Mixed-media inkjet print on Canvas. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Inkjet, Mixed Media

Verdant Marsh, a tranquil landscape view of the wetlands and grassy terrain
Located in Edgartown, MA
Art and design in varied forms have always been a driving interest in my life. Living in Madison, Connecticut, I began my career as a muralist and trompe l’oeil painter doing signif...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Contemporary portrait "Guardians"
Located in Sempach, LU
I wake up in the morning, open Facebook, read the news... and when the hell will I finally wake up from this nightmare...In creating this piece, I sought to bridge the classic with t...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Niagara Falls, Ontario. View Across to New York State. Buffalo NY in Distance.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Alexandre Le Bihan. French ( b.1839 - d.1924 ). Niagara Falls. Oil on Canvas. Signed. Image size 23.2 inches x 49.2 inches ( 59cm x 125cm ). Frame size 28.9 inches x 55.1 inches ( 7...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

City park at winter. 2023., canvas, oil, 60x74.5 cm
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

DOUBLE DAMBLE..Colin Fraser contemporary Scottish artist
Located in Pollenca, Illes Baleares
There is no greater pleasure than seeing artwork from the gallery come to life in a collector’s home. A great painting activates the four walls of a space and can complete a room. Th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Egg Tempera

Antique Cat Painting "Cat with Butterfly in a Meadow" Arthur Heyer 1872-1931
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Antique Cat Painting "Cat with Butterfly in a Meadow" Arthur Heyer 1872-1931 Oil on canvas Signed lower right "Heyer A." 25 1/2 x 21 (29 1/4 x 3...
Category

Early 1900s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Untitled" - Oil Painting of Nude Reclining Female Figure
Located in Denver, CO
Rebecca Venn's (US based) "Untitled" is an original, handmade oil painting on canvas paper that depicts a nude female model laying on her back. This is ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

A Frightened Bay Horse Which Needs to be Treated with Special Care
Located in Charleston, US
Valarie Wolf's "Approach with Caution" portrays a bay horse, possibly startled or cautious, a horse painting which sparks a conversation or contemplation. For horse lovers, this pa...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

A Sacred Haloed Greyhound Reminding Us that All Dogs are Angels
Located in Charleston, US
In Valarie Wolf's captivating dog painting of a greyhound, "All Dogs Are Angels ", the sighthound's devoted gaze draws the viewer in, evoking its' angelic presence. While gracing you...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

REFLECTIVE MOMENTS . Vicente Romero Redon Spanish contemporary artist
Located in Pollenca, Illes Baleares
Vicente Romero Redondo was born in Madrid as the eldest of four sons. Due to the work of his father, he grew up in many different towns all over Spain. The family moved back to Madri...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Botanical Studies, Watercolours on Silk on Handmade Paper, Set of Three Tulips.
Located in Cotignac, FR
A set of three fine hand painted botanical watercolour studies on silk of tulips by La Roche Laffitte. The works are signed bottom right. Some are titled and numbered (see photos) Th...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Silk, Watercolor, Handmade Paper, Gouache

Mid Century Big Sur Coast at Sunset Seascape
Located in Soquel, CA
Gorgeous mid century seascape of Big Sur at sunset by California artist Arlene Manley (American, 20th Century), 1962. Signed and dated lower right corner...
Category

1960s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas, Cardboard

"Madrid Retiro", Intricate ink and brush on canvas, monochrome city scape
Located in Dallas, TX
Her meticulously constructed paintings play with the duality between the simple and the complex, between the observer and the observed.
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Ink, Canvas, Acrylic

Original English Realist Flower Oil Painting Still Life Roses Oil - A Pair
By James Noble
Located in Cirencester, GB
Artist: James Noble (1919-1989) British Title: "Specimen Roses" (a pair) Medium: oil on board with provenance from E Stacey Marks Gallery Price: £420 (THE PAIR) Comment: James Noble was born in Middlesex in 1919. He went to work in the family’s painting and decorating business but soon found that he had an aptitude for drawing and was encouraged to attend evening classes. Noble studied at both the Grosvenor School of Modern Art and the Regent Street Polytechnic. He had as his master the well-known Scottish landscape painter and engraver Iain MacNab (1890-1970) who himself had been a pupil of the fashionable Glasgow School of Art and Heatherleys, the oldest independent art school in London (founded in 1845, which focused on figurative painting) and eventually became its Principle. Noble soon found himself drawn to the flower paintings of the great 17th Century Dutch romantic artists such as Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Roelandt Savery...
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait Of A Young Girl In A Lilac Dress With A Black Bow. Circa 1860. SIgned.
Located in Firenze, IT
Portrait of a young girl in a lilac dress with a black bow. Circa 1860. Signature below right, partially visible. Size with frame 59cm x 49cm Size without frame 33cm x 24cm The portr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Chalk, Crayon, Carbon Pencil

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

PAPAVER Colin Fraser Scottish contemporary artist
Located in Pollenca, Illes Baleares
Colin Fraser is a contemporary Scottish painter, who is recognized for his intricate still lifes, interiors, and landscapes. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1957 and received tra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Egg Tempera

Madrid Centro - contemporary detailed ink and brush on canvas, black and white
Located in Dallas, TX
Her meticulously constructed paintings play with the duality between the simple and the complex, between the observer and the observed.
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Ink, Acrylic

"Fall Beauty" by T.Futvoye
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Autumn detail depicted in this original charcoal drawing by Terry Futvoye. It is signed twice on the front by the artist. It is in fair condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Charcoal

Lemons with bowl & lime, classic still life oil painting by Tim Snowdon
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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Linen

Sea. Sunset., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Sea. Sunset. Summer landscape: sunset, warm water, ocean, sea, small waves, sun reflection, sky, beach, create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Made in the style of realism....
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Lingering Spring 1-original impressionism landscape painting- contemporary ART
Located in London, Chelsea
"Lingering Spring" by Harry Brioche is a captivating original realist aerial landscape painting that captures the essence of a season in transition. Executed with mastery using oil o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Fall Beauty - Charcoal drawing by Terry Futvoye
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Charcoal drawings add warmth to an artwork and this is a nice one by Terry Futvoye. It has a few minor imperfections but still looks nice in the frame. Reframing is an option if t...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Charcoal

Lost Horizon-original realism landscape oil painting-contemporary Modern Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Distant Blue" stands as a captivating masterpiece in realist aerial landscape art, skillfully crafted by the talented artist, Harry Brioche. This exceptional piece, expertly rendere...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

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

Pocket Full Moon 2 and Pocket Solar Eclipse April 2024, Diptych, Space, Night
Located in Deddington, GB
A diptych, including 2 original framed oil paintings by Dani Humberstone. _____ Pocket Full Moon 2 is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting ser...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

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

Magic Realism Acrylic Portrait, "Stenographer" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 16” x 22” x 3” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Wood Panel with Custom Framing and Found Objects by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity w...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Found Objects, Acrylic, Wood Panel

Waxwing flew in. 2021., canvas, oil, 60x70 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Waxwing flew in. 2021., canvas, oil, 60x70 cm
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Japanese cup with limes, still life painting by Tim Snowdon
Located in BUNGENDORE, AU
Original artwork on linen by established Australian painter Tim Snowdon. Japanese cup with limes is one of three original paintings featuring the same Japa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Linen

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

My Way 2
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Some...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Marlon Brando Oil on Canvas by Christina Major
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Quotes within painting: "All I want to be is normally insane. Never surrender to the momentum of mediocrity. Only the one who walks his own way can’t be over taken. I watched a snail...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Magic Realism Acrylic Portraiture Painting, "Brother" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 15” x 19” x 1” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Wood Panel with Custom Framing by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel

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

Winter in the city. Oil on canvas, 73.5x85 cm
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

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

Rocks. 2023, canvas, oil, 75x90 cm
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

Pastoral Country Landscape Travelers on a Forest Road 19th century Oil Painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brass plate leads to Russian artist Pavel Pavlovich Dzhogin (1834 - 1885). This 19th century oil painting beautifully captures a serene rural scene with travelers on a cart traveling...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil, Wood Panel

Oberwesel on Rhein Scenic Landscape 19th century British Master Oil Painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
Painting is signed “H. Gritten” in the lower center. Spectacular depiction of one of most picturesque town on the middle Rhein was painted in the mid-19th century by British artist H...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Magic Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting, "Comet" by Christopher Polentz
Located in San Diego, CA
A 18” x 9.5” x 3” Magical Realism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Vellum by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Vellum

Cabane 13 Lake in the Pyrenees Landscape . figurative. lake.mountains. blue
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
cabane. lake in the Pyrenees Landscape . figurative. lake.mountains. blue Original watercolor by the Spanish artist Joaquin Cabane. 1922/1993 Painter and watercolorist, Joaquim Caba...
Category

1990s Realist Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

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

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

Original Magic Realism Acrylic Animal Painting, Christopher Polentz, "Eagle"
Located in San Diego, CA
A 4.5” x 10” x .5” Surrealism Acrylic Portrait Painting executed on Vellum by artist Christopher Polentz. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piece upon its purchase or ...
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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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