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Academic Nude Sculptures

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. 

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Style: Academic
ANTINOUS Magnificent Italian Neoclassical Carrara Marble Sculpture
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding 19th century Italian finely carved Carrara "Statuario" marble sculpture of Antinoo , after the Antique The Capitoline 'Antinous'. Antinous, a young Bithinius favorite...
Category

19th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Standing ballerina
Located in Zofingen, AG
Sculpture from the Ballet series. The series is dedicated to classical ballet and includes over 30 sculptur...
Category

Early 2000s Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Magnificent Marble Sculpture of Roman Mythological Subject Minerva 1780'
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological roman subject of Minerva in Marble Travertino . Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measurements: Statue cm 180 . Minerva (Pallas Athena in Greek...
Category

Late 18th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Pietro Bazzanti, Italian 19th Carved Marble Figure Semi-Nude Young Bather Girl
Located in LA, CA
Pietro Bazzanti - Barzanti (Italian, 1825-1895) "After the Bath" - A very Fine and large carved white Carrara marble figure of a semi-nude young maiden standing by the sea-shore. The smiling and posing young beauty, with bare breasts and back, her right arm juxtaposed over her head, while holding a blanket over her waist with her left hand and standing barefoot by a rocky seawall and wavy shoreline. Signed 'P. Barzanti/Florence' (on reverse) and raised on a cylindrical swiveling carved verde antico solid marble pedestal. circa: Florence, 1880-1890. Pietro Bazzanti or Barzanti (Italian, 1825-1895) was a 19th Century Italian sculptor born in Florence. Together with his brother, Niccolò Bazzanti (Firenze, 1802-1869) who was also a sculptor, they both worked the sprawling Florentine studio 'Pietro Bazzanti e Figlio' a hugely successful sculpture studio, operated within the family at their gallery on Lungarno Corsini until the mid-twentieth century. The studio was a place where many talented professors and apprentice sculptors specialized in sculpting marble genre scenes and allegorical figures as well as copies of antique and Renaissance sculpture catered to a prominent international clientele which included European and Russian aristocracy, and the Industrial fortunes being made in England and Americas drove considerable export demand. In 1861 the studio was awarded the medal for 'Ercole con cinghiale sulla spalla' (Hercules with boar on shoulder), 'Due Cani' (Two dogs) and 'Cinghiale' (Boar) sculptures at the National Exposition in Florence. In 1874 he exhibits his works in London and in 1876 in Philadelphia. Bazzanti frequently returned to the subject of 'After the Bath' or 'The Bather' in his works, having carved examples of the bathing Venus after the Antique and in dynamic and dramatic compositions such as the present sculpture. The finely-detailed work relates closely to popular figures produced by Bazzanti’s contemporary, Cesar Lapini, whose La Sopresa depicts a young woman stepping back from approaching waves. The sculptor’s penchant for realism is on full display with the contrasting matte and highly-polished finishes of the gently lapping waves at the figure’s feet, to the jutting rocks and soft skin. Elegant handling of textures is further exemplified in the draped fringe of the cloth. This monumental and Fine work is illustrated in situ at Bazzanti’s studio circa 1900 among other fashionable works of the period. Notes: Pietro Bazzanti was also known as Pietro Barzanti. There are conflicting dates of Pietro Bazzanti/Barzanti's birth/death year. Some auction houses and art galleries have described 'Pietro Barzanti' as Italian, 1842–1881 and Pietro Bazzanti as Italian, 1825-1895. However, according to Alfonso Panzetta – Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell’ottocento e del Primo Novecento – 2003 Edition –Page 78, 'Pietro Barzanti' was in fact 'Pietro Bazzanti' one and the same, and it questions his year of his birth/death as "Firenze (?), ?, ?." thus we believe that the Italian, 1825-1895 description is the most plausible. Literature: Alfonso Panzetta – Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell’ottocento e del Primo Novecento – 2003 Edition –Page 78. Auctions: Another example of this sculpture, probably also Pietro Bazzanti but almost a foot shorter (Height 44¾ in. (113.5 cm), unsigned and without its pedestal, was sold at Christie's New York, 19th Century Furniture, Sculpture, Works of Art and Ceramics Sale...
Category

19th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Lifesize Italian 19th Century Orientalist Marble Sculpture of Assyrian Princess
Located in LA, CA
Eliseo Tuderte Fattorini (Italian, 1830-1887). A very fine and life-size Italian, 19th century marble Life-size Orientalist Marble Sculpture of an Assyrian Princess (Previously descr...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Apollo Marble Bust Sculpture of Grand Tour Mythological subject 1850'
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo bust .
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Outdoor Italian Stone Garden Sculptures of Roman Mythological subject of Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in Vicenza limestone of Apollo in Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Timeless decoration for your interior or garden. Measurements: St...
Category

2010s Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Apollo Marble Bust Sculpture of Grand Tour Mythological subject 1850'
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo bust .
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Life-size Plaster Statue of The Callipygian Venus or Aphrodite 1920'
Located in Rome, IT
Italian life-size plaster sculpture , figure of the Callipygian Venus, after the antique Roman marble statue. Aphrodite Kallipygos, or Callipygian Venus literally means “Venus of ...
Category

1920s Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

TORSO OF YOUNG BRONZE MAN
Located in Nice, FR
Bust of a young man with green bronze patina.
Category

1960s Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Magnificent Italian Fountain Sculpture of Goddess with Delphines
Located in Rome, IT
Monumental finely carved limestone fountain sculpture of Goddess with a putto figure and three magnificent dolphins . Proveniente from an important Villa Veneta. Including a round ...
Category

1930s Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Italian 19th Century Carrara Marble Sculpture " Young Beauty Going for a Swim"
Located in LA, CA
A very fine Italian 19th century Carrara marble sculpture depicting a young beauty going for a Swim standing on the steps of a dock, raised on its original carved green marble pedest...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Victory - Athletic Young Man in Classical Pose, ( Female Sculptor )
By Evelyn Beatrice Longman
Located in Miami, FL
Evelyn Beatrice Longman was a trailblazing female artist getting major commissions at the very begining of the 20th century. Having lived in New York City, I used to walk by the life size version of this in Philip Johnson's ATT Building and it left me breathless every time. This classical bronze statue of a victorious and handsome young man is called "Victory...
Category

Early 1900s Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Hercules Italian Stone Sculpture of Classical Torso with Base
Located in Rome, IT
This reproduction of a classical Hellenistic sculpture of Hercules . A timeless piece for interior and a garden decoration. We can raise with a base on request .
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Fabulous Italian Neoclassical Marble Sculpture of Hermes
Located in Rome, IT
19th century French finely chiseled bronze figure of Hermes . Signed Pigalle G . Cuspinera Hermes , the messenger of the gods, is sitting on a rock, ready to leap up. He is att...
Category

19th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Italian Stone Garden Sculpture of Roman Mythological subject Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in Vicenza limestone of Apollo and Minerva Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measurements: Statues cm 150, base cm 85.
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

A French 19th Century Carved Marble Whimsical Figural Urn Fountain with Children
Located in LA, CA
A very fine large, rare and charming, French, 19th century. Belle Époque carved white marble whimsical figural urn fountain depicting children climbing on an urn with flowers and gar...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Italian Limestone Garden Sculptures of Aria a Roman Goddness
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in Lecce limestone of Aria a Roman Goddness . Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measurements: Statue cm 160, base cm 85.
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Neoclassical Cupid Holding Fish Patinaed Bronze Fountain Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Bronze fountain sculpture of Cupid hold a fish. This beautiful bronze sculpture features intricate details and has a nice natural patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pan and Siringa
Located in Roma, RM
Jafet Torelli (active in Florence in the second half of the 19th century), Pan and Siringa Terracotta sculpture 54 x 22 x 22 cm signed Torelli Firenze on the base.
Category

19th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Sculpture Terracotta Female Nude From Marcel Bouraine (1886-1948)
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture Terracotta From Marcel Bouraine (1886-1948)" Original terra cotta sculpture of Marcel Bouraine Naïade of the 1930's Signed Bouraine On the ...
Category

1930s Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Pair Italian Limestone Garden Sculptures with Cornucopia
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in limestone with Cornucopia associated with the harvest, prosperity, or spiritual abundance. Excellent condition. Measurements: Statue cm 160, ba...
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Pair Italian Limestone Garden Sculptures with Cornucopia
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in limestone with Cornucopia associated with the harvest, prosperity, or spiritual abundance. Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measur...
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Hercules Italian Stone Sculpture of Classical Torso with Base
Located in Rome, IT
This reproduction of a classical Hellenistic sculpture of Hercules . A timeless piece for interior and a garden decoration. We can raise with a base on request .
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Marble Sculpture of Roman Mythological subject Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo head .
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

"Wife of Lot"
By Robert Bodem
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Robert Christian Bodem is a sculptor of figurative work, primarily showing in bronze. He received both his Bachelors and Masters in Fine Arts in Sculpture at Boston University. Durin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair Italian Limestone Garden Sculptures with Cornucopia
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in limestone with Cornucopia associated with the harvest, prosperity, or spiritual abundance. Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measur...
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Italian Stone Garden Sculptures of Roman Mythological subject of Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in Vicenza limestone of Apollo in Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Timeless decoration for your interior or garden. Measurements: St...
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Marble Sculpture of Roman Mythological subject Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo head . Measurements: Statues cm 150, base cm 85.
Category

20th Century Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

James Pradier, Phryne
Located in Tricase, IT
Phryne by James Pradier 1790-1852 Beautiful bronze representing "Phryne" a very pretty courtesan of ancient Greece covered with his peplo. Susse frères stamp, signed on the terrace...
Category

1820s Academic Nude Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Academic nude sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Academic nude sculptures available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 20th Century, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. Frequently made by artists working with Limestone, and Stone 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 nude sculptures, so small editions measuring 3.55 inches across are also available. Prices for nude sculptures 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 $1,781 and tops out at $65,992, while the average work sells for $12,079.

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