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.
Ceramic Wall Sculpture of Crow #16
By Karla Walter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Cv upon request Karla Walter is an American artist who explores similarities between the social interactions among crows and that of individuals in our society. Karla Walter went to ...
Ceramic, Glaze
Barnyard Game - Chess
By Dan Chen
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Edition #6/32 - Original bronze sculpture by Dan Chen. Signed on bronze sculpture.
Bronze
Rattlesnake - Reproduction
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Reproduction Bronze Sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature.
Bronze
Mid Day Sun
By Greg Kelsey
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze Sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 23/25
Bronze
$175,000
"Caduceus", James Muir, Monumental Bronze Fountain Sculpture Allegory, Medical
Located in Dallas, TX
"Caduceus", recognized as a universal medical symbol, in this bronze representation by James N. Muir has become an Angel of Healing bringing love and peace to the earth and all of it...
Bronze
Temptation
Located in Edinburgh, GB
"Temptation" The sculptural composition Temptation is an image of the inner conflict between desire and self-control, between conscious choice and the force of attraction. A nude f...
Bronze
Cardinal Carols
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by artist James Moore. Functional bell. Edition 10/30.
Bronze
Life Size Sculpture of Female Head in Terracotta Clay "Klaudia"
Located in New York, NY
Terracotta life-size female head. Rushton sculpts all of his busts using live models over the course of multiple sittings. While realistic and classical in character, his sculpture...
Clay, Terracotta
0ctopus Bronze by Sophie Martin 3/8
Located in Pasadena, CA
Animal sculptor Sophie MARTIN creates from inert clay a whole living animal kingdom. She freely observes the animal and captures and interprets a movement; and places it in nature an...
Bronze
$1,500
"Boa (9/21)" (2014) By Tony Hochstetler, Original Bronze Still Life Sculpture
Located in Denver, CO
Tony Hochstetler's "Boa" (2014) is an original handmade bronze sculpture that perfectly captures the detail of a boa constrictor snake.
Bronze
$68,000
Dream Big
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze sculpture inscribed by the Artist with their signature and edition number. 3/7
Bronze
Mountain Man - Reproduction
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Reproduction Bronze Sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature.
Bronze
Quail Lamp (with 7 chicks)
By Bryce Pettit
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture with an inscribed signature and edition number by the Artist on the bronze base of the piece. 24/30
Bronze
Life Size Sculpture of Male Head in Patina Bronze "Giorgi"
Located in New York, NY
Bronze life-size male head with a dark brown patina. Rushton sculpts all of his busts using live models over the course of multiple sittings. While realistic and classical in charac...
Bronze
Indigo Bunting
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Artist has inscribed their signature and edition number into the bronze base of the piece. 14/35
Bronze
Nina Simone-Feeling Good
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Nina Simone- Feeling Good Bronze If you are a fan of Nina Simone, you know how beautifully the piece is executed. "Feeling Good" - Birds flying high, Fish ...
Bronze
Five Hummingbirds
By James Moore
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze functional bell sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 6/30
Bronze
$2,575Sale Price|26% Off
19th century Italian carved wood heraldic eagle reading lectern - Eclectic
Located in Varmo, IT
Carved wooden lectern - Eagle. Italy, 19th century. 88 x 55 x h 153 cm. Made entirely of carved wood in the shape of an eagle. • This item is sold with attribution and age docume...
Wood
Osage Destiny
By Sandy Scott
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Signed/inscribed by Artist on bronze base of piece with edition number. 1/18
Bronze
$66,500Sale Price|30% Off
"The Source", Frederick Hart, Bronze Sculpture & Fountain, Half Life Size, 1995
Located in Dallas, TX
"The Source" by Frederick Hart is a figurative bronze with a glass orb and a working water fountain with edition 94/175. This edition has been Sold out from the creation date of 1995...
Bronze
Herondippity
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by artist Stefan Savides. Edition 13/35.
Bronze
Louis Alfred Joseph CUVELIER, Bronze + Stationary racehorse
Located in Gent, VOV
Stationary racehorse. This exceptional bronze sculpture by Louis Alfred Joseph Cuvelier depicts a racehorse in mid-stride, captured in a moment of intense energy and motion. Cast by...
Bronze
$11,471
"Marguerite" Bronze Sculpture, Realist Style, Late 19th Century, Signed
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze patinated bronze, H 69 cm Signed on the bronze base In fine art and antique bronzes, the subject "Marguerite" primarily refers to several iconic 19th-century French sculptu...
Bronze
Life Size Sculpture of Male Head in Patina Bronze "Diadji"
Located in New York, NY
Bronze life-size male head with a dark brown patina. Sculpted in Florence Italy and casted in bronze just outside of the city. This is an earlier piece that holds a distinctly differ...
Bronze
States of Matter
By Bryce Pettit
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture with an inscribed signature by the Artist on the bronze base of the piece.
Bronze
Rabbit Run
By Walter Matia
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze relief wall hanging sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 4/10
Bronze
$3,600
High Point
By Dan Chen
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Edition #12/27 - Original bronze sculpture by Dan Chen. Signed on bronze sculpture.
Bronze
Fly Away
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture engraved with the Artist's signature and edition number. 45/75
Bronze
$6,000
Rain
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Rain The sculpture “Rain” depicts a human figure immersed in a state of inner silence and contemplation. The female form is defined by smooth, elongated lines, gentle transitions, a...
Bronze
Ball Elephant Bronze by Sophie Martin
Located in Pasadena, CA
Animal sculptor Sophie MARTIN creates from inert clay a whole living animal kingdom. She freely observes the animal and captures and interprets a movement; and places it in nature an...
Bronze
Golf Bug
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by Andrea Wilkinson. Edition #6/30. Signed on bronze sculpture
Bronze
Secret Omen
By Sandy Scott
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Signed/etched by Artist on bronze base of sculpture with edition number. 1/35
Bronze
$68,720Sale Price|20% Off
"The Muses Suit" Bronze Collection of Dance, Music, Poetry, and Theater, 42/65
Located in Dallas, TX
Step into the world of artistic elegance with our exclusive offer on the Muses suite by master sculptor Frederick Hart. Each bronze head, representing Dance, Music, Poetry, and Theat...
Bronze
The Treasure Hunter - with Stone
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by artist George Walbye. Edition 2/60.
Bronze
$12,173Sale Price|20% Off
Cat forged crafted in black wrough iron. Unique. In and outdoor fine sculpture
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
An exquisite and highly tasteful sculpture, The Cat is one of the most recent artworks by the Italian master blacksmith Ivan Zanoni who has recently been put on display at MART, Museum of Modern Art in Rovereto (the most prominent in Italy), which has dedicated a significant exhibition to him. Ivan Zanoni has learned this rare activity from his father, Luciano, who, among other artworks, has sculpted a four-meter olive tree for Melinda and Bill Gates...
Iron
Tanager
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by Melissa Cooper. Edition #15/35. Signed on base.
Bronze
Little Red Riding Hood Inkwell
Located in Missouri, MO
Antoine Bofill "Little Red Riding Hood" Bronze Inkwell 6H x 10W x 6D Signed Inscribed: 25 Septembre 1920 Antoine Bofill was born in Barcelona i...
Bronze
$1,500
Snap
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Signed/engraved by Artist on bronze base of sculpture with an edition number. Open Edition #4
Bronze
Ceramic Wall Sculpture of Crow #15
By Karla Walter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Cv upon request Karla Walter is an American artist who explores similarities between the social interactions among crows and that of individuals in our society. Karla Walter went to ...
Ceramic, Glaze
Another Drink
By Greg Kelsey
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Edition 15/25. Original bronze sculpture by artist Greg Kelsey. Inscribed by artist at base.
Bronze
Attitude is Everything
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by artist Stefan Savides. Edition 7/19.
Bronze
$500Sale Price|50% Off
'Sitting Ballerina' Cast Bronze Figure on Granite Base
Located in Toronto, ON
Bronze sculpture of a ballerina taking a rest. Her leotard is patinated to a lovely green shade to contrast with the bronze colour of the rest of her figure. Ballet slippers are visi...
Granite, Bronze
Hutschenreuther Porcelain Figurine "The Challenge" (Blue Heron)
Located in Detroit, MI
The Challenge (Blue Heron) by Gunther Granget Ltd Edition #42/200 for Hutschenreuther Porcelain in Germany. Hand painted in fired. Hutschenreuther is a historic German porcelain man...
Porcelain
Kingfisher Fugue
By James Moore
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze Sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and an edition number. 9/50
Bronze
$32,650
"Liberty & Sacrifice", Frederick Hart, Bronze Figurative Sculpture, 36x28x22 in.
Located in Dallas, TX
"Liberty and Sacrifice" by Frederick Hart is a figurative female figure bronze sculpture with the edition number 14/50. "The figures of Liberty and Sacrifice are used in an allego...
Bronze
Morning Melody
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by Melissa Cooper. Edition #7/35. Signed on base.
Bronze
Ebb and Flow
By Dan Chen
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze Sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 8/26
Bronze
Sittin' Duck
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture engraved with the Artist's signature and edition number. Open Edition
Bronze
Broken Words, Broken Peace
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number on the bronze base of the piece. 12/30
Bronze
$18,000
"Jules Bastien LePage" Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Bas Relief of French Painter
By Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Located in New York, NY
Augustus Saint-Gaudens Jules Bastien LePage Bronze 14 1/4 x 10 1/8 inches Augustus Saint-Gaudens was born in 1848 in Dublin, Ireland. His father, Bern...
Bronze
$9,364
The march of the crabs, series of wrought-iron sculptures by Italian blacksmith
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
Ivan Zanoni's expert craftsmanship shows us this composition of 5 handmade and unique sculptures that provide the effect of watching crabs emerge from the sea. The measure written a...
Iron
$4,387Sale Price|25% Off
"Reclining Figure", Frederick Hart, Bronze Figurative Sculpture, 7x14x7 in.
Located in Dallas, TX
"Reclining Figure" by Frederick Hart is a figurative female and male figure bronze sculpture with the edition number 54/65. Frederick Hart was an American sculptor. His is best known for his Three Soldiers statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Ex Nihilo (1983) depicting Creation scenes above the doors of the Washington National Cathedral...
Bronze
The Treasure Hunter - with Bracelet
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's name and edition number. 1/60
Bronze
The Allegory of Spring
Located in New York, NY
Mathurin Moreau (1822-1912) A Belle Epoque bronze statue depicting an Allegory of Spring with a seated maiden looking over to view two birds as a putto gathers a bundle of flowers...
Bronze
King of the Coop
By Sandy Scott
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Signed/inscribed by Artist on bronze base of piece with edition number. 14/65
Bronze
$2,715Sale Price|32% Off
Mother and child
Located in Täby, SE
Teuvo Kotilainen was born in 1925 in Rääkylä and died 2010 in Tampere. He was a finnish sculptor inspired by Jussi Mäntynen and his lynxs and he performed se...
Bronze
Nuthatch Glissando
By James Moore
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Inscribed by the Artist with a signature and edition number on bronze base. 12/100
Bronze
Alpine Pikas
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture engraved with the Artist's signature and edition number. 28/45
Bronze
Kestrel
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Artist has inscribed their signature and edition number into the bronze base of the piece. 4/35
Bronze
Raven Song Bell
By James Moore
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze signed/etched into base by Artist. 7/20
Bronze