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.
$1,530
Contemporary Portrait 'Inhabitants', Realist Acrylic on Canvas, 80x50 cm
Located in Zofingen, AG
Once I lived in a private house. We had four cats, and then we accidentally found the fifth. Where he came from and how long he lived with us is unknown). For texture on the primed c...
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Dog Portrait of a Hunting Dog by Jules Chardigny (1849-1892)
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Antique Dog Painting of a Hunting Dog Jules Chardigny (1849-1892) Circa 1870 Oil on paper. 8 x 6 (18 1/2 x 15 1/4 frame) inches In Jules Chardigny's signature style, a beloved compa...
Oil, Laid Paper
$3,437
Camellia - original realism still life oil painting modern floral study artwork
By Martha Nairn
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Smoke Filled Sunset
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Oil Painting signed by the Artist in the lower left corner.
Oil
19th Century European Romantic Moonlit River Landscape Oil Canvas Signed
Located in Stockholm, SE
This enchanting night landscape in oil on canvas was painted by an Unidentified, presumably German, master "P. JHNEN" or "P. IHNEN", in the late 19th century, and is imbued with a ro...
Canvas, Wood, Oil
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
English 20th century portrait of an English Frigate in full sail at sea in oils.
Located in Woodbury, CT
English 20th century portrait of an English Frigate in full sail at sea in oils. A very well painted oil on canvas with great detail of a ship cutting through the sea at I'm sure great speed. The piece is an oil on canvas with I think gouache added to the waves to make them a brighter white. The piece is signed Mason and with some investigation, we are attributing this painting to the talented English painter Barry Mason...
Canvas, Oil
FINE ORIGINAL ANTIQUE 18th CENTURY BRITISH OIL PAINTING MAN O WAR
Located in Ferndown, GB
FINE ORIGINAL ANTIQUE 18th CENTURY BRITISH OIL PAINTING MAN O WAR IN HARBOUR Description Good Condition canvas but very old with some browning in places (see picture). Cleaned ,re-...
Oil
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape Impressionistic Oil Painting Springtime by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Springtime In Chesterfield oil/canvas 18 x 14 unframed, 23.5 x 19.5 framed Signed LR Springtime In Chesterfield is an oil painting on canvas that showcases the beautiful light of a S...
Oil
19th Century Neapolitan Boat Ride Painting, Oil on Canvas, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent work by Pietro Gabrini, very striking due to its size and luminosity. Signed and dates P. Gabrini 78. Very good condition. All of our works are covered by our own guaran...
Canvas, Oil
$3,300
Swimmer in Green, Underwater Figurative Oil Painting, Contemporary Swimming Art
Located in Dallas, TX
A luminous and atmospheric figurative oil painting, Swimmer in Green by contemporary British artist Patsy McArthur captures the quiet poetry of a solitary figure suspended beneath th...
Canvas, Oil
Antique Victorian Countryside Oil Landscape Sunset on River Scene 1890s Signed
Located in Stockholm, SE
This charming British oil painting on canvas captures a serene countryside landscape bathed in the gentle glow of sunset. The composition leads the eye along a meandering stream bord...
Canvas, Wood, Oil
$11,772
Dolls Without Faces. Amish. Traditions, children's portrait, impressionism
Located in Oslo, NO
In this 80x80 cm oil on canvas painting, Anna Shesterikova depicts a girl from the American Amish sect, a community that lives its own unique way of life: without electricity, using ...
Canvas, Oil
$108Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketches of Different Posed Cows
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
"Loch Side, " Oil painting
By Judd Mercer
Located in Denver, CO
Judd Mercer's (US based) "Loch Side," is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a wide expanse of water meeting the grassy shore of land as cumulus clouds swirl in the sky. About the Artist: Judd Mercer is a watercolor painter based in Denver, Colorado. After attending art school for industrial design, Judd pursued a career in digital design and user experience and is co-owner of Elevated Third, a Denver-based digital agency. After committing to writing and illustrating a full-length fantasy novel in his spare time, Judd began watercolor painting around 2014, studying with teachers such as Alvaro Castagnet, Joseph Zbukvic...
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
Impressionistic Moonlight Seascape OilPainting Michael Budden Mystical Monlight
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Mystical Moonlight oil/panel 8 x 10 unframed 13.25 x 15.25 framed. signed LR An oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a beautifu...
Oil
Golden Glow, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Jose Luis Bermudez presents a tranquil lake bathed in a radiant golden light. "The atmosphere envelops this setting, providing a sense of stability and connection to the earth," says Jose Luis. The water reflects a magical and captivating effect as the sun sits low in the sky, just above the trees. Plants reach for the last rays, vibrant and full of life, while the atmosphere glows with deep yellow hues. Jose Luis invites the viewer to contemplate nature's fleeting beauty and appreciate the magic that can exist in a single moment. The painting arrives with a thin white floating frame.
About the Artist
Artist Jose Luis Bermudez brings to life natural sceneries with breathtaking detail. His realistic oil paintings invite the viewer into a captivating, serene world of golden sunsets and peaceful wetlands. “I offer a fragment of my existence, where you can escape from daily life, visit beautiful scenes and moments, or simply recall a fond memory,†says Jose Luis. Graduating in 2008 with a BA from the San Alejandro School of Fine Arts in Havana, Cuba, he later shared his expertise as a painting teacher at his alma mater. In 2014, he took the leap and moved to Miami, Florida, seeking better opportunities. The decision did not come easy for Jose Luis to leave his home country. Yet, he encountered career obstacles that made him feel artists lacked the resources and opportunities for broader impact, access to more information, and improved working conditions. These challenges became the catalyst for his bold decision to make the move. Today, he paints in a spacious, well-lit studio, which he keeps clean and organized, always accompanied by piano or instrumental music. When he is not painting, he loves connecting with nature. He travels outside the city to places removed from everyday life, breathing fresh air and listening to self-improvement audio books to charge him with energy and continue.
Words that describe this painting: nature, lake, sunset, sun, water, realism, oilpaint, reflection, large, warm, grass, foliage, woods, evening, nature, realism, oil painting, yellow
Golden Glow...
Oil
An Old 19th Century Genre Interior Depicting An Afternoon Nap, 1877
Located in Stockholm, SE
Jakob Kulle (1838–1898) Sweden An Afternoon Nap, 1877 signed and dated oil on canvas unframed 61 × 48 cm (24 × 18.9 in) framed 79 × 67 cm (31.1 × 26.4 in) Provenance: Purchased di...
Canvas, Oil
$1,203Sale Price|30% Off
The Coriolanus Clipper Sailing Ship at Sea - Vintage 20th Century Oil Painting
By J Bishop
Located in Preston, GB
The Coriolanus Clipper Sailing Ship at Sea - Vintage 20th Century Oil Painting by J Bishop. Art measures 32.5 x 26.5 inches Frame measures 36.5 x 30.5 inches This impressive oil p...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
Shepherd with Flock of Sheep, Realist Oil on Canvas, Signed, 1910-1919
Located in Naples, Florida
A signed and dated oil on canvas by British artist Robert Watson (1865–1916), depicting a shepherd tending his flock along a mountain path in the Scottish Highlands. The composition ...
Canvas, Oil
$529
«Botany 4» Original floral painting. Circular small canvas . Gift . Home decor
Located in Oslo, NO
This artwork, a circular painting, deftly captures a vibrant botanical ensemble on a textured backdrop. Set against a muted, earthy background, the piece features an array of intrica...
Canvas, Oil
"Down the Road, " Oil painting
By Judd Mercer
Located in Denver, CO
Judd Mercer's (US based) "Down the Road," is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a dirt country road leading down a grassy hill into a farm house and barn. About the Artist: Judd Mercer is a watercolor painter based in Denver, Colorado. After attending art school for industrial design, Judd pursued a career in digital design and user experience and is co-owner of Elevated Third, a Denver-based digital agency. After committing to writing and illustrating a full-length fantasy novel in his spare time, Judd began watercolor painting around 2014, studying with teachers such as Alvaro Castagnet, Joseph Zbukvic...
Canvas, Oil
Morning Sun at Shark Harbor - Signed Oil Painting on Panel, 2010+
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist Signed " J. PAQUET" on lower right corner. UNFRAMED: 18" x 24" FRAMED: 23" x 29" x 2.25" Artist Statement "This unique...
Oil, Panel
$108Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketches of Two Sheep Standing and Lying on the Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
"Lemons" still life oil painting, contemporary realism, signed and framed
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Lemons" is a contemporary realist painting; a still life of fresh cut lemons from the Italian countryside. Lemon's from a lemon tree, still have their leaves, and are hanging on a b...
Oil, Panel, Wood Panel
"The Adoration of the Magi"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
18th Century Italian or Spanish School "The Adoration of the Magi" Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions (Framed): 109 x 197 cm Dimensions (Canvas): 90 x 170 cm No signatured Provenance: ...
Canvas, Oil
"Love Being Hitched" (2019) By Lindsey Bittner Graham, Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Love Being Hitched" (2019) by Lindsey Bittner Graham is an original handmade oil painting that depicts a horse drawn carriage in a snowy landscape. This Painting measures at 30.5 x ...
Oil, Board
STILL LIFE OF FLOWERS AND FRUIT - Italian School - Oil on Canvas Italy Painting
Located in Napoli, IT
Still life of Flowers and Fruit - Maximilian Ciccone Italia 2002 - Oil on canvas cm.60x90. This oil on canvas painting is an incredible example of the artist's ability to capture bre...
Canvas, Oil
La hilandera - Óleo sobre tela - Firmado y enmarcado - 116x101cm.
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra va firmada por el artista en la parte inferior Se presenta enmarcada la pintura (el marco presenta algunas leves faltas) El estado de la obra es bueno Medidas obra: 116 cm...
Oil
Untitled (Smoke Tree; Palm Springs Desert), c. 1940s
Located in Pasadena, CA
Consigned to American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California; Private Collection, Pasadena, California; Mutual Savings, Pasadena, California — acquired presumably from the artist via an art consultant; Displayed at Mutual Savings headquarters, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California, c. 1965–1993 A 1955 photo showing Bickerstaff paintings on display at the same Mutual Savings and Loan office in Pasadena can be seen through the online resource at Pasadena Digital History Label on Verso Mutual Savings No. 3107 Description This luminous desert landscape, painted in rich yet delicately modulated tones, depicts California’s Palm Springs Desert with a scattering of smoke trees...
Canvas, Oil
Table top bottles still life painting
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful Italian Still Life painting by unknown artist in the style of Giorgio Morandi. Oil on panel, measuring 16 1/8 x 22 inches. ca. 1960s Artist board and fixtures are Italian.
Oil, Wood Panel
$1,900
"Calm in the Chaos" - Realist Female Portrait and Flora, Oil Painting on Wood
By Terra Novak
Located in Denver, CO
About the Artist: Terra Novak is a contemporary realist painter and art educator based in Colorado whose work explores the beauty, strength, and emotional depth found in both people ...
Wood, Oil
"Dust Storm" by Morgan Cameron, Oil painting Featuring Galloping Horse
Located in Denver, CO
Morgan Cameron’s (US based) “Dust Storm” is an oil painting on panel that depicts a red and white horse galloping with it's mane flowing. This painting is framed and ready to hang. ...
Oil, Panel
$169Sale Price|20% Off
Sea 1989. Paper, watercolor, 15x20 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Sea 1989. Paper, watercolor, 15x20 cm Landscape with sea and clouds The watercolor painting depicts a serene seascape, showcasing the artist's interpretation of the sea and clouds. The artist skillfully uses watercolor...
Paper, Watercolor
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Beach Path & Ocean Impressionistic Seascape Oil Painting by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beach Path II oil/panel 11 x 14 image unframed, 17.38 x 20.38 framed Signed LL Beach Path II is an oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that sho...
Oil
Prince Edward County, Canadian Landscape, Oxen, Farming, Rainbow
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Lorne Kidd Smith (Canadian, 1880-1966) Signed: Lorne. K. Smith (Lower, Right) " Prince Edward County ", circa 1930 (Titled on Verso) Oil on Board 16" x 20" Housed in a 3" Frame ...
Oil, Board
$1,224Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian Tranquility Oil Painting on Canvas, Framed, Early 20th Century
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Firmado por el artista en la parte inferior y fechado del año 1946 En la parte trasera, va nuevamente firmado Medidas obra: 81 x 65 cm. Medidas obra: 95 x 80 cm. Se presenta enma...
Oil
$807Sale Price|30% Off
Landscape. 2002, oil on cardboard, 60x70 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Landscape. 2002, oil on cardboard, 60x70 cm
Oil, Cardboard
LARGE OIL PAINTING JOHN WILSON CARICHAEL 1799 -1868
By John Wilson Carmichael
Located in Ferndown, GB
OIL PAINTING ATTR to JOHN WILSON CARICHAEL 1799 to 1868 FINE 19th CENTURY BRITISH Original Antique Large Early 19th Century British OIL PAINTING Romantic Sea Scene GOLD GILT FRAME ...
Oil
19th Century Italian Romantic Alpine Lake Village Landscape Oil Canvas Signed
Located in Stockholm, SE
This expressive landscape, painted in oil on canvas in the second half of the 19th century by an unidentified European artist, is a classic example of academic Romanticism. The paint...
Canvas, Wood, Oil
$6,049Sale Price|20% Off
The Port of Newcastle Upon Tyne - British 1914 marine art oil painting
By Joseph Henry Kirsop
Located in Hagley, England
This lovely historically interesting British marine oil painting is by Newcastle artist Joseph Henry Kirsop. Painted in 1914, the location of the painting is the port of Newcastle up...
Oil
Antique American Super Realist Trompe L'Oeil Framed Signed Still Life Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early American super realist trompe l'oeil still life oil painting. Framed. Oil on canvas, lain to board. Signed. Image size, 14H by 10L.
Canvas, Oil
Large Scale Winter Twilight Landscape Painting by Artist Mauritz Lindström
Located in Stockholm, SE
This stunning winter landscape by Mauritz Lindström captures the serene yet striking beauty of a snow-laden scene illuminated by the warm glow of twilight. The interplay between the soft, colorful hues of the evening sky and the intricate, frost-covered branches creates an almost three-dimensional effect, drawing the viewer into the composition. The detailed rendering of the snow and the trees evokes a profound sense of coldness, making the atmosphere almost palpable. Measuring an impressive 101 x 152 cm (39 3/4 x 59 7/8 in) with the frame, this large-scale work is a testament to Lindström's mastery of light and texture. Arvid Mauritz Lindström...
Canvas, Oil
$687
Pedn Vounder-original seascape impressionism coast painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Pedn Founder" by Lenny Cornforth is a captivating original seascape painting that transports viewers to the serene shores of Cornwall. Crafted with oil on canvas in the style of con...
Canvas, Oil
Jacob Binder Signed 1937 Signed American Realist Handsome Male Portrait Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American realist portrait oil painting by Jacob Binder (1887 - 1984). Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 47 by 41 inches overall, and 42 by...
Oil
The Essence of East Tennessee - Framed Farmhouse Acrylic Painting
By Clayt Lennox
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...
Acrylic
"House Finch" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood
By Terra Novak
Located in Denver, CO
About the Artist: Terra Novak is a contemporary realist painter and art educator based in Colorado whose work explores the beauty, strength, and emotional depth found in both people ...
Wood, Oil
"Figures and horses by a country tavern"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Unidentified Dutch Artist (17th Century) "Figures and Horses by a Country Tavern" (1618) Oil on canvas Framed: 69 x 82 cm Canvas: 52 x 64 cm No signatured This exquisite 17th-century Dutch painting masterfully depicts a bustling village scene with figures and horses gathered outside a country tavern. The composition is rich in detail, featuring travelers, merchants, and townspeople engaging in lively interactions, while a Dutch flag waves above the rustic inn, reinforcing the national identity of the scene. Executed in oil on canvas, the painting showcases warm earthy tones and delicate use of light and shadow, capturing the golden glow of a late afternoon or early evening setting. The finely rendered architecture, expressive figures, and atmospheric depth are reminiscent of the works of Isaac van Ostade, Jan Steen, or Adriaen van de Velde...
Canvas, Oil
$1,000
"Inflatable Flamingo I" (2024) Contemporary Realist Still-Life, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Inflatable Flamingo," is an oil on canvas painting by Andreas Claussen. The composition features a close-up view of a pink inflatable flamingos neck and head set against a solid blu...
Canvas, Oil
$2,236
The Old Stone Stairway By Düsseldorf Artist Ferdinand Fagerlin
Located in Stockholm, SE
This oil painting called The Old Stone Stairway by Ferdinand Fagerlin offers an intimate glimpse into a quiet interior space, where the stillness of...
Oil, Board
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Beach & Ocean Impressionistic Seascape Oil Painting with Dunes by Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Dunes & Beach Path 11 x 14 unframed and 16.5 x 19.5 framed signed LL Dunes & Beach Path is an oil painting on panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases...
Oil
Antique Oil Painting Signed Holly European Tavern Interior Genre Scene, Framed
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Original antique oil on canvas signed “Holly” depicting a lively Old World tavern interior with three gentlemen gathered around a table in animated conversation. Executed in the trad...
Oil
French BELLE EPOQUE Fancy Gold Frame PLAYFUL KITTENS Oil painting
By Jules Leroy
Located in New York, NY
Jules Gustave Leroy Jr Playful Kittens 1856-1921 Circa 1890 15x30 inches Image size 25x40 inches with frame Housed in the Original Fancy Gilded Fra...
Oil
$9,800Sale Price|21% Off
Emergence, Woman in Floral Robe, Oil on Panel with Gold and Silver Leaf
Located in Denver, CO
“Emergence” is a contemporary figurative oil painting from 2019, created on panel with white gold and silver leaf. The composition depicts a woman viewed from behind, her arms extended and her face turned upward. Her black floral...
Silver, Gold Leaf
$6,379Sale Price|20% Off
A Stream in the Forest - British Victorian 1859 art landscape oil painting
By George Cole
Located in Hagley, England
A fine and very detailed large Victorian British landscape painting. Painted in oil on canvas it is by listed and exhibited Victorian artist George Cole, dated 1859. A wonderful larg...
Oil
$588
SUMMER TIME BLISS Plainair oil painting Nature landscape countryside Sunny day
Located in Zofingen, AG
This art piece was creating in wonderfull summer day on plain air. Will be sent with decorative frame. The artwork are treated with a lightly glossy top coat that seals and prote...
Canvas, Oil
«Botany 7» Original floral painting. Small oval size. Gift. Home decor
Located in Oslo, NO
This artwork showcases a lush arrangement of vibrant wildflowers, meticulously painted onto an oval canvas. The composition captures a harmonious mix of purple and red blooms, each w...
Canvas, Oil
Bluebonnets, Oak, and Yucca
Located in Houston, TX
Willian A. Slaughter (1923-2003) William A. Slaughter was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1923 and died in Dallas, Texas December 2003. His first call was to the ministry and after ser...
Canvas, Oil
Basket Of Red Cherries Still-Life Oil Painting With Gilt Frame
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
This still life painting depicts a woven basket brimming with ripe cherries, delicately arranged on a tabletop against a subdued background. The cherries are rendered with a sheen, t...
Canvas, Oil
$5,467Sale Price|41% Off
Blue lilies Azure Resonance Abstract Floral Oil Painting on Canvas, Signed, XXXL
Located in London, London
Abstract contemporary floral decor Blue flowers still-life. Original floral abstract expressionism oil painting on canvas. XXXL Extra-large original artwork. Artist: Katarina Joy...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$1,059Sale Price|25% Off
F.W. Kirtley (British) - 19th century Scottish Highland landscape painting
Located in Varmo, IT
F.W. Kirtley (British, 19th century) - Mountain Landscape with Sheep. 36 x 56 cm (unframed) - 55.5 x 75.5 cm (framed). Oil on canvas, in a gilded wooden frame. Signed lower right:...
Oil, Canvas
A hyperrealist canvas by Heinz Schönhammer transforms a café classic into an unforgettable still life.
With a solo show at the Denver Art Museum and a commission from the Met, the Cree Canadian painter has become an international sensation.