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
View of Mount Vernon Estate, the historic home of George and Martha Washington
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unknown
(American, nineteenth century)
Mount Vernon Estate
Oil on canvas, 12 x 17 inches
Framed: 20 x 25 inches (approx.)
Mount Vernon Estate, located in Virginia, is the historic p...
Category
Mid-19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Treetop Lookout-original realism wildlife-leopard oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Treetop Lookout" by Ashley Davies is a captivating original wildlife painting that transports viewers into the serene beauty of a lush forest canopy. Executed with meticulous detail...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
River Thames from Clivedon Woodland Garden London by 20th Century British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
River Thames from Clivedon Woodland Garden London by 20th Century British Artist, Victor Elford (1911 - 2003). This painting is a beautiful depiction of horses in elevated woodland o...
Category
20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Upper Pool of London. River Thames. Maritime Marine Oil Painting. Wyllie.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Charles William Wyllie.
English ( b.1853 - d.1923 ).
The Upper Pool of London, River Thames.
Oil on Canvas.
Signed lower left.
Image size 17.3 inches x 31.5 inches ( 44cm x 80cm ).
F...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Bird of Paradise Bouquet Flowers, Illustration Style, Green Leaves, Orange Petal
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Bird of Paradise II" is an abstract expressionist painting by Romina Milano where a landscape of black gestures unfolds across colorful brushstrokes infused with raw emotion.
Romi...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor
Painting of the Chrysler Building 42nd Street New York City by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of the Chrysler Building 42nd Street New York City by Contemporary British Artist, Angela Wakefield.
Art measures 24 x 36 inches
Frame measures 30 x 42 inches
Framed in a ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
The true Great ones, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
The true Great ones. I painted this painting in 2018 as a reaction to the megalomania of some politicians. Man is so small and insignificant compared to nature. Öl on Canvas lamin...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The new green style, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Eva Hoffmann
Located in Yardley, PA
A young girl got a new hair style, it is now green. She looks a little bit confused, but funny. I think she is happy with her new freedom. It is not an easy decision! :: Painting :: ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Antique Dog Painting: Cane Corso ("Bodyguard Dog") Jules Chardigny, circa 1870
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Antique Painting of a Hunting Dog
Jules Chardigny (1849-1892)
Circa 1870
Oil on wood panel
Housed within its beautiful and original ornate original gilt frame.
9 x 7 1/4 (15 1/4 x 1...
Category
1860s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
Green Bartlett & Black Grapes- Original realistic still-life painting-modern art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Green Bartlett & Black Grapes" by Blair Atherholt is a captivating original still life painting that celebrates the natural beauty of fruits in a simp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
NYC Landscape Oil Painting Michael Budden Macy's Parade Series Stars & Sonic
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Macy's Star & Sonic II
Part of a series of 11 paintings.
An oil painting on canvas panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases images from the Macy's Tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Windmill Wehe, Germany, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Today's Weher Windmill was the bishop's mill until 1650, then until 1732 it was owned by the Rahden church as a state royal mill. The mill was then sold to different owners. The last...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Cold day In Victoria, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Walking the streets of Victoria during the winter months is very inspiring for an artist. This time of year to see snow on the ground is very rare, however, when is snowing can be ve...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Fox Hunt
Located in Hillsborough, NC
Oil painting of horses and hounds set on a country road, this is a contemporary 20th century landscape painting in excellent condition. The color is c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Red and green apples in the summer garden" Original Painting by Lilya Volskaya
Located in Sempach, LU
The paintings are drawn with oil on the canvas.
The beautiful, inspiring summer landscape with apples sets you up for 100% positive and a burst of energy. This is a real vitamin boos...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Lacquer, 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
Wild Parseta, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Painted Plein air on the Parseta. I find this river very exciting because it is left to its self and looks different every year. Sometimes there are many fallen trees in the river...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Contemporary portrait "Together"
Located in Sempach, LU
The memory of the festive Coca-Cola commercial came to mind, where a truck adorned with holiday lights rushes along the night road.
There's no festive truck...
Only the night and the...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
New York City Oil Painting Michael Budden Summertime Central Park
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Summertime, Central Park
oil/panel
16 x 12 unframed, 22.38 x 18.5 framed
Summertime, Central Park is an oil painting on canvas panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budd...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Landscape. Oil on canvas, 54x73 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Landscape. Oil on canvas, 54x73 cm
Category
1920s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"THE SEAMSTRESS" NATIVE AMERICAN GIRL COWBOY ARTISTS OF AMERICA. INDIAN
Located in San Antonio, TX
Don Crowley
(1926-2019)
Arizona / California Western Artist
Image Size: 20 x 24
Frame Size: 33 x 37
Medium: Oil
"The Seamstress" Indian Weaver Native Ameri...
Category
Early 2000s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Winter Trees at Village in English Countryside by 20th Century British Artist
By Wendy Reeves
Located in Preston, GB
Winter Trees at Moonlight at a Village in the English Countryside by 20th Century British Artist, Wendy Reeves
Art measures 40 x 20 inches
Frame measures 46 x 26 inches (framed in a...
Category
Late 20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Serenity -original realism sunset seascape-ocean oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Serenity," a captivating seascape masterpiece by the talented artist Joanne Parent, captures the essence of tranquil beauty in nature. Painted with remarkable realism and infused wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Antique American School 19th Century Horse Landscape Portrait Framed Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century horse portrait in a fall landscape. Oil on board. Nicely framed.
Category
1870s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
diptych of Pocket Snowdrop 2 and Pocket White Anemone, Original painting
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Snowdrop 2 is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque still lif...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Balance-original realism sunset ocean-seascape oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
In Joanne Parent's captivating seascape masterpiece titled "Balance," the artist invites viewers into a serene realm where nature's harmonies converge. Crafted with meticulous detail...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Scottish Highlands with Children Playing in the Mountains by Contemporary Artist
Located in Preston, GB
The Scottish Highlands - A colourful and dramatic original acrylic on canvas depicting children walking in the Mountains of Scotland. Entitled "The Road to Glencoe" by British Contem...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Gesso, Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor
At the beach Henkenhagen - Sarbinowo Morskie., Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air in Poland, 2022. The first Plein air painting of a total of 12 paintings painted on my painting trip to Poland, West Pomerania. I discovered this beach accidentally and w...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Contemporary portrait "Cat Country"
Located in Sempach, LU
In this creation, I've endeavored to capture a moment that speaks both to the harmony of nature and the enigmatic kinship between humans and felines. The serene backdrop contrasts wi...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Cotton Canvas
New York City Street Scene Oil Painting Michael Budden Visual Variations
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Visual Variations A NYC Collage
oil/panel
Image is 10 x 8 unframed, 16.63 x 13.63 framed
An oil painting on canvas panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that show...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
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
Jeff Sabol, "Up River", 24x18 Misty Atmospheric Rowboat Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This piece "Up River" is a 24x18" oil painting on canvas by artist Jeffrey Sabol. Featured is a misty waterscape with muted light creating a green and calm atmospheric effect. A sing...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The way to Peace, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air, Poland, 2022. Plein air in the forest near Klopotowo. The whole thing exuded such a calmness, I felt at home and calmed down immediately. Perhaps warring factions should ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Garfish hunter/angler, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air, Poland, 2022. In the near where the Czerwona flows into the Baltic Sea is a very popular fishing spot. Anglers have been targeting garfish and from what I've seen they ha...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Painter in the forest, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air, Poland, 2022. On the second day, I was in the forest with my painter colleague, and we painted together. She painted the forest path and I painted her painting. A beautif...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Gorse eye-catcher, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air, Poland, 2022. On the way back to my accommodation in Klopotowo, I saw this eye-catcher flowering gorse in the Forest afar. Oil on linen laminated on HDF. :: Painting :: ...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Dune protection, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air, Poland, 2022. As I searched between the dunes for protection from the sun and wind, I found this wonderful sheltered spot and painted it right away. Oil on cotton lamina...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Lighthouse Bastorf, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air festival Baltic Sea Kuehlungsborn 2022. This picture was painted at the Plein air festival in Kuehlungsborn on a path below the Bastorf lighthouse. It was very hot and har...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Young Gentleman Portrait by American Samuel Morse inventor of Telegraph Code 19C
Located in Stockholm, SE
Signed at the back of canvas the painting "Samuel F. B. Morse", revealing the full name of the artist, Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791 - 1872). The portrait in question is a strikin...
Category
Early 19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Oil
Pocket Conker and Shell 2 c, Original Baroque Still Life Painting, Small
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Conker and Shell 2 c is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Khalid, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series “Sistine moodâ€
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Still Life. Wood, oil, 25.5x22 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Still Life. Wood, oil, 25.5x22 cm
Realistic still life with glasses, books, on black background. Artwork is framed, size without frame
Category
1970s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood
Margaret Crutchley, Cedar of Lebanon at Sunset, Tree Art, Sunset Painting
Located in Deddington, GB
Cedar of Lebanon at Sunset By Margaret Crutchley [2021]
original
Acrylic on a deep canvas
Image size: H:50 cm x W:50 cm
Complete Size of Unframed Wor...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"AFTER GLOW" NATIVE AMERICAN GIRL W/DOLL (1926-2019) Arizona / California
Located in San Antonio, TX
Don Crowley
(1926-2019)
Arizona / California Western Artist
Image Size: 11 x 13
Frame Size: 18 x 20
Medium: Gouache Study
"After Glow" Indian Girl with her...
Category
Early 1900s Realist Paintings
Materials
Gouache
'Lovina Sleeping' by Roni Taharlev - Portrait of a Young Woman - Oil Pastel
Located in Carmel, CA
"Lovina Sleeping" by Roni Taharlev is an intimate and tender portrayal that encapsulates the quietude of its subject. This 15.5" x 18" oil pastel on paper piece is crafted with soft,...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil Pastel
Original Painting of Sweden Norway Fjord Landscape by Danish Landscape Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Original Painting of Sweden Norway Fjord Landscape by Danish Landscape Artist.
Art measures 27 x 23 inches
Frame measures 33 x 29 inches
An oil painting of an idyllic Scandinavian...
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Oil
New York City Painting Michael Budden Evening On Broadway St James & Sardis
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Evening On Broadway, St. James & Sardi's
Image is 10 x 8 unframed, 15.5 x 13.5 framed.
An acrylic painting on canvas panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Exhale-ORIGINAL REALISM SEASCAPE Ocean oil painting-contemporary artwork
Located in London, Chelsea
"Exhale," an original seascape painting by Eva Volf, captures the dynamic energy of the ocean in a breathtaking display of realism. Executed in oil on canvas, this artwork invites vi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Large Oil Painting Depicting Sheep Grazing by a River Bank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Carl Philipp Weber
(American, 1849-1921)
Sheep Grazing by a River Bank
Oil on canvas, 22 x 36 inches
Framed: 31 x 45 inches (approx.)
Signed at lower right: "C Ph. Weber:
Carl Phil...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Lemons in a Glass-Original realism still life oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
In Tobias Harrison's "Lemons in the Glass," the viewer is invited into a scene brimming with freshness and vitality. At the forefront of the composition sits a glass bowl, filled to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Pennants, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series “Flagâ€
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
"The Sumatran Tiger" - Original Oil Painting of an Endangered Big Cat
Located in Denver, CO
Lindsey Kustusch's "The Sumatran Tiger" is a stunning handmade original oil on wood panel artwork, with dimensions of 30 x 30 x 1.50 inches. Created in 2023, this piece stands as a p...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel, Oil
'Sleep' by Roni Taharlev - Portrait of a Young Woman Sleeping - Oil Pastel
Located in Carmel, CA
For a piece that offers a serene repose, "Sleep" by Roni Taharlev is an aptly titled oil pastel on paper that captures the quietude of rest. The artwork, sized 15.5" x 18", showcases...
Category
2010s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil Pastel
Changing Chapters-original seascape sunset oil painting-artwork-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Changing Chapters" by Eva Volf is a captivating seascape masterpiece rendered in oil on canvas, skillfully employing the realism style to evoke a profound sense of tranquility and t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Same Old Story (Brooklyn Dodgers & St. Louis Cardinals Illustration)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Bill Crawford (1913-1982). Original illustration artwork depicting teams as they advance to the World Series. Depicted are representations of the St. Louis Cardinals and The Brooklyn...
Category
1940s Realist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Gouache, Pencil
Prelude-original realism seascape ocean-sunset oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
In "Prelude," a breathtaking seascape painted by the skilled artist Joanne Parent, viewers are invited to witness the serene beauty of nature at twilight. This original oil painting ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Original Still Life oil painting on canvas, Strawberries, Signed, Framed, Dated
Located in Framingham, MA
Up for sale is a beautiful oil painting on canvas depicting two blue ceramic cups and strawberries.
Painting signed in the middle Rason'02. Ni...
Category
Early 2000s Realist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Engagement
Located in Malmo, SE
Free shipment worldwide.
Painted on the sides.No frame needed.
Signature: signed and dated in the right corner and titled at the verso.
Reproduced in the book: ”Unwrapping Yrjö Ede...
Category
Early 2000s 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.
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