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.
$4,500
Antique Bronze Bust of a Provincial French Woman C. 1882 by Émile Guillemin
Located in New York, NY
By Émile-Coriolan-Hippolyte Guillemin (French, 1841-1907) A lively bust of a young french woman; dynamically sculpted with an adorable upturned smile and glimmering eyes, in a chemi...
Marble, Bronze
$6,610Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Bronze
Exceptional Italian Neoclassical Sphinx Carrara Marble Statue
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Italian Neoclassical Sphinx Carrara Marble sculpture designed as entrance guardian, this mythical lady sphinx statuary display the head and chest of a neoclassical woma...
Marble
Large 19th Century Antique Marble Bust of Apollo of Belvedere
Located in New York, NY
Pietro Bazzanti (1842-1881) specialized in allegorical and genre subjects as well as copies of Antique and Renaissance sculpture. Regarded as one of the most talented sculptors of h...
Marble
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.
Limestone
$3,336Sale Price|50% Off
Marlène Dietrich by Mario Napoli - Bronze 50x60x28 cm
By Mario Napoli
Located in Geneva, CH
Bronze sculpture by Mario Napoli, Swiss artist from XXth century. His works was sold 12 times in auctions since 2022. Work signed in the bronze. Edition ...
Bronze
$3,336Sale Price|50% Off
Arletty, Leonie Bathiat by Mario Napoli - Bronze 50x60x28 cm
By Mario Napoli
Located in Geneva, CH
Bronze sculpture by Mario Napoli, Swiss artist from XXth century. His works was sold 12 times in auctions since 2022. Work signed in the bronze. Edition ...
Bronze
Meissen, Louise Sleeping, after a drawing by Greuze, 19th Century figurine
By (Circle of) Jean Baptiste Greuze
Located in Norwich, GB
As all of you will know, every Meissen figure is painted individually by an artist. While all Meissen is of high quality, I feel that the present figure is particularly fine, with th...
Porcelain
Shell of the Gods: Italian Carrara Marble, Sculpture
By Bela Bacsi
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist. Description This sculpture by Bela Bacsi was inspired by a Hellenistic marble based on...
Marble
$3,336Sale Price|50% Off
James Dean by Mario Napoli - Bronze 60x50x28 cm
By Mario Napoli
Located in Geneva, CH
Bronze sculpture by Mario Napoli, Swiss artist from XXth century. His works was sold 12 times in auctions since 2022. Work signed in the bronze. Edition ...
Bronze
$3,600
Timing Belt Sculpture Clay Ceramic Handmade by Garo, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Figurative Sculpture Clay Ceramic Handmade Artist: (Garo) Karapet Balakeseryan Medium: Clay Ceramic, One of a Kind Year: 2025 Style: Impressionism, Surrealism Title: Time Belt S...
Ceramic, Clay
Anahit Goddess Fertility Sculpture Clay Ceramic Handmade by Garo, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: (Garo) Karapet Balakeseryan Medium: Clay Ceramic, One of a Kind Year: 2025 Style: Classic Academism Title: Anahit, Goddess of Fertility & Motherhood Size: 12''x16''x...
Clay, Ceramic
A Life-Size Italian 19th C. Marble Sculpture Children in a Crib by A. Tantardini
Located in LA, CA
Antonio Tantardini (Italian, 1829-1879) An extraordinary Italian 19th century life-size carved Carrara white marble sculpture of "A Young Child and a baby in a wicker crib" - A Risorgimento Allegory subject. The older child's medallion inscribed with an interlocked XV and Garibaldi, the crib monogrammed: AR. Signed and dated: A.nio Tantanrdini F.ce / 1863. Circa: Florence, 1863. This sculpture includes a recent custom-made veined black marble pedestal stand. (The 2 items description mean the sculpture and pedestal, which are sold as sold a set.) In a country famed for its skilled carvers and working in an age when virtuoso carving technique was highly prized, Antonio Tantardini was one of the very best exponents of master carvers in nineteenth century Italy. Vicario describes Tantardini's skill as 'un abilità tecnica stupefacente'. The present amazing quality marble group epitomizes Tantardini's exceptional talents as a carver. Lesser sculptors might have shied away from attempting to carve a life-size wicker crib in marble, but Tantardini has clearly relished the Challenge. The result is a stunning achievement of verismo Italian sculpture. This marble group, however, is more than a paradigm of Italian marble carving, it is also a prime example of the use of Risorgimento allegory in Italian sculpture of the 1860s. Famous sculptural Risorgimento allegories include Raffaelle Monti...
Marble
$3,336Sale Price|50% Off
Jean Cocteau by Mario Napoli - Bronze 60x50x28 cm
By Mario Napoli
Located in Geneva, CH
Bronze sculpture by Mario Napoli, Swiss artist from XXth century. His works was sold 12 times in auctions since 2022. Work signed in the bronze. Edition ...
Bronze
Ready.
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Classical ballet was my main source of inspiration. Grace and beauty of ballerinas combining with extremely hard work they do. This combination is shocking and inspiring in the same...
Bronze
$2,800Sale Price|26% Off
“Rosee”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original bronze sculpture of “Rosee” the female water carrier by the well known French sculptor Edouard Drouot. Signed on the base. Paris foundry stamp on base. Circa 1910. Conditio...
Bronze
Bust of Diana
Located in New York, NY
Among Falguière’s greatest works, his figure of the huntress Diana emerged as a masterpiece, the bust of which stands out as one of the most successful and recognizable idealized hea...
Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Diana Goddess of the Hunt Signed B. Boschetti.
Located in Rome, IT
Grand Tour Fine Group of Sculpture in Bronze after a Louvre Diana of Versailles or Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt. Diana is represented at the hunt, hastening forward, as if in pursui...
Bronze
$19,600Sale Price|20% Off
Charioteer of Delphi Life-Size Plaster Cast, c. 470 BCE
By Brussels Atelier de Moulages
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Life-Size Charioteer of Delphi — Museum-Quality Plaster Cast with Custom Bronze Patination After the Ancient Greek Original, c. 470 BCE This life-size plaster cast of the Charioteer ...
Plaster
David Slaying Goliath Large Figural Bronze Statue by Antonin Mercie
Located in New York, NY
The base marked "A. Mercie" and "506 F. Barbenienne, Fondeur, Paris" ad "A. Collas" "Reduction Mecanique." The dazzling David, a prolific subject amongst sculpture artists beginning...
Bronze
"Echo" Oscar Lenz, Lyrical Early American Allegorical Female Nude Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Oscar Lenz Echo, 1904 Signed and dated on base: Oscar L Lenz 1904 Bronze 70 1/4 x 25 x 25 1/4 inches Oscar Lenz was an American sculptor born at Providence, Rhode Island. He receiv...
Bronze
$50,000
Rare Antokolsky “Mephistopheles” Bronze. Barbedienne, Dark Gilt Patina, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Signed in the base, Antocolsky, bronze stamped with foundry mark F. Barbedienne. Fondeur. Paris. Gilt patinated bronze mounted on polished stone. 85 cm tall (including base). A scar...
Stone, Bronze
$7,875Sale Price|25% Off
Sculpture of "A Rearing Bull" by animalier Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in New York, NY
Antoine-Louis Barye was acclaimed as the finest sculptor of the French Animaliers School. As a 19th century sculptor he was an advocate for both naturalism and romanticism. This rear...
Bronze
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
Arrotino (Knife Sharpener) Fonderia Chiurazzi Life-size Bronze Bust Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour Bronze Bust of the Arrotino (Knife Sharpener) Chiurazzi Foundry, Naples, Italy Early 20th Century This exceptional Grand Tour bronze bust represents the celebrated Arrotin...
Bronze
Four Season Extraordinary Set of Italian Stone Caryatids Sculptures
Located in Rome, IT
Four Caryatids sculptures with classically draped figures and their distinguishing symbols. Autumn, winter, spring and summer. Measures: Height wi...
Limestone
Pair of Miner Bookends
By Max Kalish
Located in New York, NY
Max Kalish was an important and highly collected American sculptor desired for his depictions of the working man. Here we see a miner taking a break. Kalish was adept at conveying ...
Bronze
Old John
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary that a few women prevailed in the difficult world of casting in bronze in America but Lillie was one of them. There is scant information on her but this marvelous head...
Bronze
$11,332Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Neoclassical Terracotta Bust of Emperor Caracalla and Cicero
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of 19' century Italian Marble imitation painted Terracotta . Bust of Emperor Caracalla and Cicero . Measurements : cm 71 H x 60 Available also a pair marble imitation colum...
Terracotta
$6,138Sale Price|35% Off
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 .
Marble
$7,082Sale Price|25% Off
Marble Sculpture of Roman Mythological subject Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo head .
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...
Bronze
La Pêche by Duchoiselle
By Duchoiselle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Duchoiselle 1801-1900 French La Pêche (Allegory of Fishing) Bronze with a brown and parcel-gilt patina Signed “Duchoiselle” This remarkable bronze figure is distinguished by its ...
Bronze
Baby, 1900-1920 - terracotta, 37x38x20 cm
By Max Cantini
Located in Nice, FR
Sculpture in terracotta.
Terracotta
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 .
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...
Limestone
Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Diana Goddess of the Hunt Signed B. Boschetti.
Located in Rome, IT
Grand Tour Fine Group of Sculpture in Bronze after a Louvre Diana of Versailles or Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt. Diana is represented at the hunt, hastening forward, as if in pursui...
Bronze
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 .
Marble
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...
Limestone
Maiden with hat
Located in Roma, RM
Luigi Preatoni (Novara 1845 - ?), Maiden with hat Marble bust 66 x 43 x 36 cm signed (L Preatoni) on edge of dress.
Marble
Mounted Jockeys Taking a Jump
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
Bronze (After) Henri (Comte) Geoffroy De Ruille, Mounted Jockeys (French 1842-1922) "Mounted Jockeys Taking a Jump" 40"long x 26" high x 20 ½" wide 20th Century Medium: Patinaed B...
Bronze
"Your Breath Behind Me " Fabulous Bronze Sculpture by Mauro Andrea 2001
Located in Rome, IT
"Your Breath Behind Me " amazing Bronze Sculpture by Mauro Andrea 2001 A double-faced bronze sculpture depicting the fragmented heads of Apollo and Aphrodite, topped with a central ...
Bronze
Young St. John the Baptist by Domenico Menconi
Located in New Orleans, LA
Masterfully carved with remarkable detail, a youthful Saint John the Baptist folds his hands in prayer in this stunning marble by the important Italian sculptor Domenico Menconi. The...
Marble