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.
Fisherman
Located in Roma, RM
Francesco Messina (Linguaglossa 1900 – Milan 1995), Fisherman (1930) Bronze sculpture measuring 131 x 52 x 65 cm, signed and dated 1930 on the base. Francesco Messina’s Fisherman w...
Bronze
Barn Buddies
By Lisa Gordon
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed by the Artist with a signature and edition number. 2/25
Bronze
Wilderness Spirit
By Kent Ullberg
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Signed/inscribed by Artist on bronze base of the piece with an edition number. 59/300
Bronze
Prospector's Partner
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and an edition number. 6/30
Bronze
Else FÜRST (1873-1943), Fasane Foundry stamp of the Berlin foundry Kraas
Located in Berlin, DE
Else Fürst was a German sculptor and medalist who was murdered by the Nazis. Biographical data: Bronze signed Foundry stamp of the Berlin foundry Kraas. 25 x 73 cm Born: June 25,...
Bronze
Shade Tree
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Artist has inscribed their signature and edition number on the bronze base of this sculpture. 46/100
Bronze
By The River
By Kent Ullberg
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Signed/inscribed by Artist on bronze base of the piece with an edition number. 3/9
Bronze
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Head of a Woman, green patina cement head by Erzia
Located in New York, NY
Head of a Woman, ca. 1939. Stepan Dmitrievich Erzia, born Stepan Nefyodov on October 27, 1876, in Bayevo, Simbirsk Governorate, Russia, was a distinguished sculptor of Erzya Mordvin descent. He adopted "Erzia" as his artistic pseudonym to honor his ethnic heritage. Erzia's artistic journey began with apprenticeships in icon-painting studios in Alatyr and Kazan between 1892 and 1897. During this period, he decorated churches throughout the Volga region and attended the Kazan Art...
Concrete
Muy Cansado Lena
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by artist Jan Mapes. Edition 1/15.
Bronze
$46,200Sale Price|40% Off
"Metamorphosis", Frederick Hart, Figurative Bronze Sculpture, 37x29x7
Located in Dallas, TX
"Metamorphosis" by Frederick Hart is figurative bronze bust of a woman numbered 17/29. “Metamorphosis” was a journey of transformation for Hart. The work haunted and yet thrilled hi...
Bronze
FLORAL OUD VIII
Located in Winterswijk, NL
FLORAL OUD VIII is a ceramic memorial urn by Dutch artist Nicolaas Maathuis. Its tall, slender form is almost completely surrounded by individually crafted ceramic flowers in the upp...
Ceramic
FLORAL OUD VII
Located in Winterswijk, NL
FLORAL OUD VII is a ceramic memorial urn by Dutch artist Nicolaas Maathuis. The rounded vessel is decorated with a narrow arrangement of ceramic flowers around the upper edge and a f...
Ceramic
FLORAL OUD V
Located in Winterswijk, NL
FLORAL OUD V is a ceramic memorial urn by Dutch artist Nicolaas Maathuis, characterised by its elongated form and distinctive floral decoration. Ceramic flowers are arranged around t...
Ceramic
FLORAL OUD IV
Located in Winterswijk, NL
FLORAL OUD IV is a rounded ceramic memorial urn by Dutch artist Nicolaas Maathuis. The vessel features a band of individually crafted ceramic flowers around the upper section, with a...
Ceramic
FLORAL OUD III
Located in Winterswijk, NL
FLORAL OUD III is a tall, elongated ceramic memorial urn by Dutch artist Nicolaas Maathuis. The vertical form is finished with a subtle arrangement of ceramic flowers around the uppe...
Ceramic
Design made in Italy duckboard bar cabinet in marple wood, fine details
Located in Milan, IT
The sideboard made by experienced contemporary Italian cabinetmakers is made of solid maple. Every finish is taken care of down to the smallest detail, from the duckboard on the four...
Wood
Family Vacation
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. 24/40
Bronze
A Week of Coffee
Located in Columbia, MO
Thomas Pfannerstill has worked as a full-time studio artist since 1986, following his education at Western Kentucky University (BFA 1975). He currently resides and works in Louisvill...
Wood, Acrylic
$3,000Sale Price|43% Off
Bronze Yawning Hippopotame
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
Bronze Draught Horses Sculpture By Hager Albert (1857-1940)
By Albert Hager
Located in Gent, VOV
Two draught horses, 1925 A fine bronze sculpture with dark brown patina with a reddish undertone., representing two draught horses one grazing, one looking forward. Documented in En...
Bronze
Secret Omen
By Sandy Scott
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and an edition number. 1/35
Bronze
Squirrel on Corn
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and an edition number. 7/75
Bronze
Bear Claw Urn
By James Moore
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze Urn sculpture inscribed with Artist's signature and edition number. 5/200
Bronze
$1,872Sale Price|20% Off
Girafe in Terracotta
By Nicole Doray Soulard
Located in Pasadena, CA
Nicole DORAY SOULARD. Animal ceramic sculptures, works centered on the forward. Nature and the study of bodies are sources of inspiration for her. She produces animals from all over...
Terracotta
Wild Running Horse Three-Dimensional Painting on Wood 40H X 30" W
By Irena Orlov
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wild Running Horse Three-Dimensional Painting on Wood 40H X 30" W 2019 in Los Angeles Collaborative Artwork - Irena Orlov-Zeev Orlov SPECIFICATIONS: Combines Painting and Sculptur...
Alabaster
Sea Turtle Serenade
By James Moore
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze Sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 9/30
Bronze
Cheetah Chase
By Sandy Scott
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and an edition number. 1/25
Bronze
$1,900
Longing
By Dan Chen
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Edition #17/75 - Original bronze sculpture by Dan Chen. Signed on bronze sculpture.
Bronze
Bachelor Pad
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Edition #10/45 - Original bronze sculpture by Gerald Balciar. Signed on bronze sculpture.
Bronze
Sweet Sipper
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and an edition number. AP 2/35
Bronze
Fields of Gold
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and an edition number. 7/35
Bronze
Elegance
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 70/75
Bronze
Drifting Down The River
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 17/75
Bronze
To Catch a Scent
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 33/45
Bronze
Cotton Tails
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 91/100
Bronze
Liana Axinte "SUCCES SALUTE" Nude
Located in Winterswijk, NL
SUCCES SALUTE by Liana Axinte A person is successful. He stands naked on a stage in the world and greets the audience outside with the spotlight with flowers in his right hand. The ...
Ceramic, Glaze
Coat of Armor
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Inscribed by Artist on Bronze base of the piece with signature and edition number. 64/75
Bronze
$17,150Sale Price|30% Off
"Mother & Child", Frederick Hart, Acrylic Sculpture, 24x18x10 in., 43x150, white
Located in Dallas, TX
"Mother and Child" by Frederick Hart is an acrylic figurative sculpture of a woman and her baby numbered 43/150. Inspired by the birth of his own child, Frederick Hart masterfully ce...
Resin, Acrylic Polymer
The Sentinel
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. 29/30
Bronze
Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in New York, NY
Nothing is more delightful than depictions of people from the turn of the century that convey a distinguished sort of elegance, composure and dignity. Gone today is the concept of "...
Bronze
Life Size Sculpture of Female Head in White Terracotta Clay "Yasmina"
Located in New York, NY
Gypsum-based white terracotta life-size female head. Sculpted and kiln fired in Florence Italy, this work is now kept in Rushton's studio in central Manhattan. Rushton sculpts all ...
Terracotta
Foothold
By Kent Ullberg
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Signed/inscribed by Artist on bronze base of the piece with an edition number. 4/50
Bronze
The Seeker
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Artist has inscribed their signature and edition number in the bronze base of the piece. 3/30
Bronze
Bronze Walking Elephant By Rembrandt Bugatti (1884 - 1916)
Located in Gent, VOV
Elephant walking Bronze statue of a "large Indian elephant walking" after Rembrandt Bugatti (Italian, 1884-1916). This bronze was cast using the...
Bronze
Turquoise Dream
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze Sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 13/30
Bronze
Bawlin' Broncs and Clatterin' Horns
By Curt Mattson
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze Sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. 7/9
Bronze
Buttercup
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original bronze sculpture by Melissa Cooper. Edition #19/35. Signed on base.
Bronze
Hollyhocks & Hummers
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Inscribed by Artist on Bronze base of the piece with signature and edition number. 35/45
Bronze
Globe Trotter
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze piece signed/etched by Artist on bronze base of sculpture with edition number. 10/35
Bronze
Canyon Princess
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Edition #24/45 - Original bronze sculpture by Gerald Balciar. Signed on bronze sculpture.
Bronze
Treehouse
By Tim Cherry
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Etched signature by the Artist on the bronze base of the piece with an edition number. AP/18
Bronze
$10,800
Abundance
By James Moore
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze signed/etched into base by Artist. 7/20
Bronze
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Medium Sail Boat
Located in Fairfield, CT
Pedro's sculpture's are whimsical and sophisticated. The sailboat series is affordable for the work involved in creating them. His use of mixed media gives the sculptures a unique ...
Steel
Life Size Sculpture of Male Head in Terracotta Clay "Andrea"
Located in New York, NY
Terracotta life-size male head. Rushton sculpts all of his busts using live models over the course of multiple sittings. While realistic and classical in character, his sculptures ...
Clay, Terracotta
The Coup Robe
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number on the bronze base of the piece. 20/30
Bronze
$2,660Sale Price|30% Off
Horticulture, Garden Prize relief wall hanging
Located in New York, NY
A unique wall piece that is a great gift for any avid gardener or lover of horticulture. Sit Hamo Thornycroft would become one of the youngest members of the Royal Academy, achieve the Medal of Honour at the Paris Exhibition in 1900, and be knighted in 1917. Working in a transitional style between that of the neo-classicists of his parent’s generation and the Modernist style of the 20th century, Thornycroft carved out a niche as a figurative sculptor and noted modeler of public monuments in and around London. Toogoods and Sons, Ltd, established in the early nineteenth century, had, by the turn of the century, grown to become the largest seed company...
Bronze
Mountain Den
By Tim Cherry
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze sculpture inscribed with the Artist's name and edition number. 8/18
Bronze
The Hand
By Greg Kelsey
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Bronze inscribed with the Artist's signature and edition number. AP/15
Bronze
Flyover
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Edition #26/45 - Original bronze sculpture by Gerald Balciar. Signed on bronze sculpture.
Bronze
Squirrel II, Bronze Sculpture by T. Galbreath
By T. Galbreath
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: T. Galbreath Title: Squirrel I Year: 1997 Medium: Bronze Sculpture, Signature and number inscribed Edition: 71/100 Size: 7 in. x 3 in. x 3 in. (17.78 cm x 7.62 cm x 7.62 cm)
Bronze