Skip to main content

Academic Portrait Prints

ACADEMIC STYLE

During the Renaissance, the first European fine art academies were established in Italy and would guide the style and standards of visual culture in the following centuries. Academic art became dominant across the continent in the 17th century, with artists coming together to offer instruction in this style of painting and sculpture

The academic art period represented a significant change from the previous era when painters, sculptors and other artists were part of guilds and seen more as artisans than purveyors of culture. While patronage from the elite and the church remained pivotal, young artists were able to support themselves for the first time through academic exhibitions and an independent marketplace. The leading academies included the French Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture founded in Paris in 1648 (which became the Académie des Beaux-Arts after the French Revolution) and the London Royal Academy of Arts formed in 1768 under the inaugural leadership of painter Joshua Reynolds

Academy students sketched drawings based on prints, sculptures and, finally, live models. Movements including neoclassicism and romanticism were particularly popular in these art schools and institutions where the influence of Raphael and Nicolas Poussin was prominent. Beaux Arts architecture and furniture design drew on these movements, too, and, as they also originated at the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the disciplines share common ground with academic painting and sculpture.

Although academic art was a major shift for artistic status when it began, by the middle of the 19th century it was viewed as stodgy and resistant to new ideas, with the subject matter of artists such as William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Jean-Léon Gérôme generally limited to allegorical or mythological themes. Impressionism, realism and the other movements that engaged with contemporary issues that followed were direct reactions to the academic tradition, although it continued to inform the avant-garde as artists like Gustav Klimt and Pablo Picasso started their practices as academic realists.  

Find a collection of academic paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs. 

to
3
4
5
2
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2,246
1,901
772
387
320
211
168
161
124
121
97
12
12
11
2
1
1
1
1
1
4
5
1
1
10
1
11
7
6
6
4
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
3
2
1
1
2
2
6
5
Style: Academic
Armand Guillaumin au Pendu - Original etching (Venturi #1159)
Located in Paris, IDF
Paul CEZANNE (1839-1906) Armand Guillaumin Hanged Original Etching Unsigned On laid paper, 32 x 25 cm (c. 13 x 10 in) REFERENCES: - Catalogue Raisonné Venturi #1159 - Catalogue Rai...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

The Opera Singer : Mademoiselle Fel - Etching
Located in Paris, IDF
Maurice Quentin DE LA TOUR (1704-1788) Portrait of Mademoiselle Fel Heliogravure after a pastel by the artist Engraved by J. Chauvet Printed signature in the plate On vellum, 50 x 3...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Portrait of a man by Hans Berger - Drawing 44x50 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper Ed: 1 /100
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Crayon, Engraving

"Rembrandt Self Portrait, 1636"
By Viktor de Jeney
Located in Southampton, NY
Here is a etching executed by master painter and copyist, Viktor de Jeney. Done circa 1965 using the same techniques employed by Rembrant when he executed his now most famous self portrait etching in 1642. Framed measurements are 15.5 by 12.5 inches in original white mat and one inch wood frame. Sheet size 8.25 by 8 inches. De Jeney was born in Budapest, Hungary and emigrated to the United States in 1962 and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. He was known for his paintings of Native American Indians...
Category

1960s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Portrait of woman by Gustave François - Engraving 44x54 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper without frame
Category

Mid-20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Engraving

19th century color lithograph portrait indigenous male subject feathers signed
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Wa-Em-Boesh-Kaa, A Chippeway Chief," is an original hand-colored lithograph by McKenney & Hall. It features a portrait of a notable Native American chief, with informational text below. 13 1/2" x 18 3/4" paper 25 5/8" x 20 1/2" frame American lithograph publishers. Most well-known for "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," a collection of 125 images that included biographical sketches and anecdotes of principal chiefs. Thomas Loraine McKenney (1785-1859) served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1824 to 1830. In that capacity he commissioned and collected portraits of Native Americans...
Category

1830s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

19th century color lithograph indigenous portrait figure feathers bison red
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Kish-Ke-Kosh, A Fox Brave (Sauk-Fox)" is an original hand-colored lithograph by McKenney & Hall. This piece features a Native American man. Reference: Page 200 of The North American Indian Portfolios in the Library of Congress. 13 1/4" x 9 3/4" art 27 1/4" x 22 3/8" frame American lithograph publishers. Most well-known for "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," a collection of 125 images that included biographical sketches and anecdotes of principal chiefs. Thomas Loraine McKenney (1785-1859) served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1824 to 1830. In that capacity he commissioned and collected portraits of Native Americans...
Category

1830s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Richard Wagner
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Richard Wagner Etching, c. 1880 Signed in the plate (see photo) Edition: c. 200 impressions Condition: mint Image/Plate size: 6 5/8 x 4 3/4 inches Sheet size: 14 3/8 x 10 7/8 inches ...
Category

1880s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Tender Innocence print on canvas
Located in Zofingen, AG
High quality print on canvas. Made from original oil painting "Tender Innence". Originally created by artist Maria Matveyeva in 2016 year.
Category

2010s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Canvas

19th century color lithograph portraits patriotic American stars flags
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Presidents of the U.S." is an original hand-colored lithograph by Nathaniel Currier. It features the first eleven presidents of the United States. 14" x 10" art 23" x 19 1/8" frame Nathaniel Currier was born March 27, 1813 to Nathaniel and Hannah Currier in Roxbury, Massachusetts. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to William S. and John Pendleton of Boston who had set up the first lithographic establishment in America. His apprenticeship served him well as he went on to be the largest publisher of lithographs. Mr. Maurer described Nat Currier as being very gentlemanly and liberal. As is evident to the success of the firm of Currier & Ives he was very devoted to his business. Nat Currier had many friends including Horace Greely and P.T. Barnum. He was well known for his sense of humor and Harry T. Peters tells one story about P. T. Barnum. "Currier had heard that one day his friend, the great showman, had rushed into the barber shop of the old Park Hotel, at Beekman and Nassau Streets, to get a shave. Barnum had hurried up to Tom Higginson, the barber, and said, 'Tom, I'm in a hurry.' 'Sorry for it,' said Tom, 'but it's that gentleman's turn next.' 'That gentleman' was an unshaven irshman waiting for a ten-cent shave. Barnum turned to him and said, 'My friend, if you will let me have your turn, I'll pay for what you have done.' The gentleman consented, and, as Barnum found out later, had a full job done - absolutely everything the house had. The check was for a dollar and sixty cents. When Currier heard this story he found the very Irishman and had him pose. The result was the famous cartoon, "The Man that Gave Barnum 'His Turn.'" Nathaniel was married twice; his first wife was Miss Eliza West of Boston. He had one son with Eliza, Edward West Currier. In 1847 he married Miss Laura Ormsbee of Vermont. Laura and Nathaniel are memorialized in the famous N. Currier lithograph The Road Winter...
Category

1840s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Louis I of France as a Roman Emperor, in profile to the right
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Louis I of France as a Roman Emperor, in profile to the right Chiaroscuro woodcut, 1631-1633 Unsigned (as usual) After a drawing by Hubert Goltzius (1526-1583)...
Category

17th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

ABS, Woodcut

Related Items
Downhill Racer
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Offered at an exceptional price, this piece is in excellent condition and will ship rolled. Edition Artist Proof. There are 200 pieces in the edition, plus 35 Artist Proofs all sign...
Category

1970s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

19th century color lithograph indigenous portrait figure feathers bison red
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Kish-Ke-Kosh, A Fox Brave (Sauk-Fox)" is an original hand-colored lithograph by McKenney & Hall. This piece features a Native American man. Reference: Page 200 of The North American Indian Portfolios in the Library of Congress. 13 1/4" x 9 3/4" art 27 1/4" x 22 3/8" frame American lithograph publishers. Most well-known for "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," a collection of 125 images that included biographical sketches and anecdotes of principal chiefs. Thomas Loraine McKenney (1785-1859) served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1824 to 1830. In that capacity he commissioned and collected portraits of Native Americans...
Category

1830s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Apollo, plate 11 from the series of The Gods in Niches
Located in Middletown, NY
by Jacopo Caraglio (after Rosso Fiorentino) Rome: Carlo Losi, 1526. Engraving on cream laid paper, 8 1/2 x 4 3/8 inches, 215 x 110 mm), thread margins. In very good condition with a...
Category

17th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Laid Paper, Handmade Paper, Engraving

Venise, Nina
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Venise, Nina Etching and drypoint, 1923 Signed lower left (see photo) Titled lower right (see photo) Edition 100 Edition: 100 Printed on light green chine collee paper Condition: Exc...
Category

1920s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Drypoint

Venise, Nina
Venise, Nina
$1,250
H 12.5 in W 8.57 in
Crucifixion: 18th Century Etching by Conrad Metz after Daniele da Volterra
Located in Alamo, CA
"Crucifixion" is an etching and aquatint, printed in brown ink by Conrad M. Metz after a painting by Daniele da Volterra. It was published in London in 1789 in 'Imitations Of Ancient...
Category

Late 18th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Mick Jagger X - Andy Warhol, Announcement card, Rolling Stones, Musician, Pop
Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh
Mick Jagger X - After Andy Warhol. This black and white colour scheme lithographic print features - Mick Jagger - an iconic rock legend who was the frontman and one of the founders ...
Category

1970s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

"Playing in Parts": A 19th Century James Gillray Hand-colored Musical Caricature
Located in Alamo, CA
This hand-colored etching and aquatint caricature entitled "Playing in Parts" by James Gillray was published in London by Hanna Humphrey, 27 St. James Street on May 15th 1801. The print is signed in the plate in the lower right. This is a rare musical caricature. It depicts five amateur musicians, a woman and four men, performing their music in a drawing room. A young overweight woman dressed in white is seated in the center, playing a piano...
Category

Early 19th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Feuille d'etudes Techniques: Neuf Tetes
Located in New York, NY
Etching and drypoint on laid paper, 1934. With Picasso's ink stamped signature lower right, and numbered 29/50 in pencil lower left. Image 12.25 x 8.75 inches, full sheet 19.5 x 13...
Category

1930s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching, Drypoint

Hand-Colored Houbraken Portrait of "Henry, Prince of Wales, Son of James"
Located in Alamo, CA
A hand-colored portrait of Henry Prince of Wales, Son of James, engraved and etched by the Dutch master of portraits Jacobus Houbraken (1698-1780...
Category

Mid-18th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Engraving, Etching

The Fish Market
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching with drypoint and aquatint on laid Japon paper, 9 x 11 1/4 inches (228 x 280 mm); sheet 11 7/8 x 13 5/8 (302 x 346 mm), full margins. Signed, titled and inscribed "To my dear...
Category

Mid-20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Aquatint, Drypoint

The Fish Market
The Fish Market
$350
H 8.98 in W 11.03 in
Gerald Brockhurst (1890-1978) "Fabian" Pencil Signed Etching c.1921
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gerald Brockhurst (1890-1978) Pencil Signed Etching "Fabian" c.1921 Fine etching by noted artist Gerald Brockhurst. Titled "Fabian" from an edition of 76. This etching is in excel...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Salvador Dali - La Fontaine Portrait - Handsigned Engraving
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Salvador Dali - La Fontaine Portrait - Handsigned Engraving 1974 Hand signed by Dali Edition: /250 The dimensions of the image are 22.8 x 15.7 inches on 31 x 23.2 inch paper Referenc...
Category

1970s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Drypoint, Aquatint

Previously Available Items
George Kellaway After Thomas Stewardson, Lady In Costume Playing The Mandolin
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This early 19th-century stipple engraving by George Kellaway (fl. 1821-1828) is after a painting by Thomas Stewardson (1781-1859). She turns and looks towards the heavens with hair ...
Category

1820s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper, Engraving

Gerald Leslie Brockhurst, Nadia, Etching
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This early 20th-century etching by eminent British artist Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (1890-1978) depicts his wife Anäis Folin. It’s a typically alluring piece, which captures an enigma...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching

Gerald Leslie Brockhurst, Elizabeth (Anaïs), Etching
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This early 20th-century etching by eminent British artist Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (1890-1978) depicts his wife Anäis Folin. It’s a typically alluring piece, which captures an enigmatic expression. It’s also referred to as ‘The London Caster Girl’. Imagine you’re Brockhurst, just four years after World War I. Society has altered and you’re seeking to express something greater than simply a likeness alone. You aim to convey strength, emotion, and character - a sense that times have changed immeasurably yet within each of us there’s permanency. You seek inspiration from another time of great artistic renewal, the Italian Renaissance, and depict your dear wife, Anäis, as a modern ‘old master...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching

Emil Rosenstand, Young Women With Mirror, Etching
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This sensuous early 20th-century etching by Danish artist Emil Rosenstand (1859–1932) depicts a young lady in her boudoir gazing into a hand mirror. With...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching

Stig Asberg, Portrait Of Lisa Åsberg, The Artist’s Wife, Etching
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This remarkable etching by Swedish illustrator, Stig Asberg (1909-1968), depicts the artist’s wife Lisa Asberg (1913-2013). She’s wearing a large throw and fur hat, undoubtedly cosy...
Category

1930s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching

Engraving Portrait Print of "Boy with a Sword" by Edouard Manet 1861
By Henry Wolf
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th century engraving of Edouard Manet's "Boy with Sword" by notable artist Henry Wolf. Manet's stepson, Léon Koëlla-Leenhoff, posed for the original work in 1861. Manet dressed him in a seventeenth-century costume, adding a period sword as a prop—a tribute to the great Spanish painters he admired, notably Velázquez. Signed and dated by Wolf in the front lower right corner. Currently hung in a gold frame with a cream matting. Dimensions Without Frame: H 10.25 in. x W 7.5 in. Artist Biography: Henry Wolf was born on August 3, 1852 in Eckwersheim, France. He lived in Strasbourg and studied under Jacques Levy and exhibited in Paris. Henry Wolf moved to New York City in 1871, where he created wood engravings of works by Gilbert Stuart, Enric Serra Auqué, Frank Weston Benson, Howard Pyle, Henry Salem Hubbell, John Singer Sargent, A. B. Frost, Jan Vermeer...
Category

Early 1900s Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Engraving

Dr. Samuel Johnson.
By William Doughty
Located in Storrs, CT
William Doughty(1757-1792) after Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A. (1723-1792). Dr. Samuel Johnson. Mezzotint. Chaloner Smith 2. A previously undescribed sta...
Category

Academic Portrait Prints

Materials

Mezzotint

Academic portrait prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Academic portrait prints 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. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including McKenney & Hall, Gerald Leslie Brockhurst, Nathaniel Currier, and Gustave Francois (Barraud). Frequently made by artists working with Engraving, and Lithograph and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Academic portrait prints, so small editions measuring 4 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait prints made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $165 and tops out at $6,800, while the average work sells for $380.

Recently Viewed

View All