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.
$15,750
In the Bazaar II, Oil on Wood, Signed, 19th Century, Framed, 7x5"
Located in New York, NY
In the Bazaar II, 1834-1855, by Theodore Frere (1814-1888) Oil on wood 7 x 5 inches unframed (17.78 x 12.7 cm) 10 ⅝ x 9 inches framed (26.9875 x 22.86 cm) Signed on lower right Desc...
Oil
Portrait (after Stubbs and Anon.)
By Shelley Reed
Located in Bozeman, MT
This Reed piece is of a horse painted on 6 separate sheets of oil paper. It is painted in the influence of the European artist Stubbs. This painting is oil on paper, and is monochrom...
Oil, Archival Paper
$7,218
Painting 19th century French School Genre Scene Interior Portrait
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French School 19th century Close to François Xavier FABRE (1766-1837) The Princess and The Chaperone Oil on canvas One can read on the reverse "Fabre Fecit" and the name and address of the canvas dealer shop...
Oil
Portrait of Napoléon II
Located in New Orleans, LA
The son of the legendary Napoléon Bonaparte, Napoléon François Charles Joseph, takes a spirited stance in this remarkable oil painting attributed to the Austrian portraitist Johann Peter Krafft. Believed to have been exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris, this work stands as a testament to both Austrian artistry and the legacy of one of the most powerful men in history. After Napoléon's exile to the island of Elba in 1814, his son was seen by many of his supporters as the last hope of France. The child was named the ruler of half of Europe, holding the titles of Napoléon II...
Canvas, Oil
$480Sale Price|20% Off
Still life pear and grape - Oil on canvas 25x30 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Oil on canvas with frame unsigned Total size with frame 31x39 cm
Oil
$420Sale Price|20% Off
“Hauling in the Fishing Boat”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original watercolor on archival paper of a fishing boat being hauled onto the beach by a team of animals and villagers. Done in an academic style. Signed by the artist and dated 197...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Portrait of an Elegant Lady 1897
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GENTY Emmanuel (1830-1904) Portrait of an Elegant Lady Oil on canvas signed low right and dated 1897 Old Frame regilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 100 x 81 cm Dim frame : 120 x 10...
Oil
View of Venice
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
AUGUSTE BOUVARD 1882-1956 Pseudo : Mard ALDINE View of Venice with characters Oil on canvas signed low right "Aldine" Framed by Gault (Paris Fbg St-Honoré) Dim canvas : 50 X 65 cm D...
Oil
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
“View of Porta San Paolo, Rome”
Located in Southampton, NY
Brown ink and wash drawing with touches of watercolor and gouache by the French artist, Francois-Marius Granet. Signed lower left. Condition: Good. Pr...
Paper, Watercolor, Ink, Gouache
The walk in Luxembourg Garden in Paris, also called "The Privileged"
By Antoine-Victor-Edmond-Madeleine Joinville
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
JOINVILLE Antoine Victor Edmond Madeleine (1801-1849) From Ludwig Knaus (1829-1910) The Walk in Luxembourg Garden" in Paris, also called "The Privileged" Preserved at The Louvres M...
Oil
$9,896
Rendezvous with Franz Marcs Horse: Figurative Oil Painting, 2022, 140x130cm
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This piece emerges from Alena’s interest in the work of the German Expressionist painter Franz Marc, particularly his way of constructing compositions through areas of color and frag...
Canvas, Oil
Young Lady and Cupid in The Park
By Hans Zatzka
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Hans Zatzka (8 March 1859 – 17 December 1945 Young Lady With Cupid in The Park Oil on canvas circa 1880 signed low with pseudonym C.BRIAND Old Frame gilded with leaves Size canvas : ...
Oil
Two Dogs Playing Scottish Terrier Woman Illustrator of the Golden Age Animalier
Located in Miami, FL
Animalier and female illustrator of the Golden Age, Gladys Emerson Cook, draws a tension-filled picture of two Scottish Terriers fighting over a stick. With a few lines, the artist ...
Paper, Ink, Pencil
Landscape of the Valley in French Normandy
By Eugène Jules Delahogue
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
DELAHOGUE Eugène Jules (1867-c1930) " Landscape of the Valley" Oil on canvas signed low right Frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 91 X 150 cm Dim frame : 110 X 172 cm DELAHOGUE Eu...
Oil
A Party To The Castle in 18th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Party To The Castle in the 18th Century Oil on canvas with a signature G.Weiss low left Old frame regilded Dim canvas : 46 X 38 cm Dim frame : 66 X 58 cm
Oil
Italian School of the 17th Century : Saint Jerome with a Lion - Oil Painting
Located in Paris, IDF
Italy : Venetian school of the 17th century Saint Jerome wit a Lion, circa 1620 Oil on panel Unsigned On wood board 49 x 30 cm Good condition, accidents/wear (see photos)
Oil
Two Landscapes in Pair
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Paul ARMANDI (19th Century) Wood Landscapes by the river Oils on canvas in pair signed low right New golden frames Canvas : 65 X 40 cm Frame : 83 X 58 cm Paul ARMANDI is one of ...
Oil
$3,000
"Original set illustration from "Gone With The Wind" Tyrus Wong, Hollywood, Film
Located in New York, NY
Tyrus Wong Original set illustration from "Gone With The Wind", 1939 Signed lower right Oil on panel 6 x 8 3/4 inches Tyrus Wong’s life embodies a remarkable journey of perseverance, talent, and artistic achievement. Born in China, he immigrated to the United States at the age of nine after being separated from his mother, whom he would never see again. Reunited with his father in Sacramento, Wong later relocated to Los Angeles, where the two lived in modest circumstances within a boarding house in Chinatown. His father nurtured his artistic abilities by encouraging him to practice Chinese calligraphy and helping him secure small painting jobs in the neighborhood. Recognizing his exceptional talent, one of Wong’s teachers recommended him for a summer scholarship at the Otis Art Institute. He became the youngest recipient of the award and later earned a full scholarship, offsetting tuition costs through work performed on campus. After completing his studies in 1930, Wong supported himself through a variety of artistic jobs, including creating advertisements and working at the popular Dragon’s Den restaurant in Chinatown. During the Great Depression, he found employment through the Federal Art Project, producing paintings for government-sponsored programs. His career took a pivotal turn when he joined Walt Disney Studios. There, his atmospheric pastel studies for Bambi impressed Walt Disney and helped shape the film’s distinctive visual style. Wong’s contributions to the film’s backgrounds were instrumental to its success, earning him posthumous recognition as a Disney Legend in 2001. Following labor disputes at Disney, he left the studio before Bambi was released and continued his career at Warner Bros. and Republic Studios, creating concept art for films including Rebel Without a Cause, Around the World in 80 Days, Sands of Iwo Jima, and The Wild Bunch. He retired from the film industry in 1968. Alongside his Hollywood career, Wong remained deeply involved in Southern California’s art community. He exhibited regularly in galleries and museums and participated in artist-run initiatives such as Eleven Associated, a cooperative gallery active during the early 1950s. Best known for his watercolor paintings and ceramics, Wong developed a unique artistic language that blended traditional Chinese brush techniques with modern American aesthetics. Influenced by his teacher Stanton Macdonald-Wright, he combined expressive calligraphic brushwork with depictions of nature and movement. His artistic versatility extended beyond fine art into commercial design, where he created popular Christmas card imagery and dinnerware patterns for Winfield Pottery...
Oil, Panel
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 ...
Limestone
Table Settings With Orchids, Painting 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
DESCHIENS – ASTRUC (1861) Table settings with Orchids Oil on canvas signed down right Frame gilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 82 X 116 cm Dim Frame : 107 X 141 cm DESCHIENS – ASTRUC Pauline Hélène (1861-NC) French school 19th - 20th century Born the 25th of August 1861 in Angers Painter of flowers and marines. Pupil of Pierre Bourgogne...
Oil
$232Sale Price|42% Off
Gentle Evening - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, IDF
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936) Gentle evening Original pencil and color pencil drawing Signed with the stamp of atelier On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in) Very good condition, pa...
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
$9,896
Rendezvous with Franz Marc's Fox: Figurative Oil Painting, 160x130cm, 2021
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This piece emerges from Alena’s research into the work of the German Expressionist painter Franz Marc. Drawn to the way Marc structured his compositions through areas of colour and t...
Canvas, Oil
$5,000
"Chicago World's Fair" Florence McClung, Female Artist, Modernist Architecture
Located in New York, NY
Florence McClung Chicago World's Fair, 1933 Signed lower right Watercolor on paper 10 x 14 inches Florence McClung was a pioneering Texas painter, printmaker, and educator whose ca...
Paper, Watercolor
$232Sale Price|33% Off
Venice, View of the Grand Canal - Original etching and watercolor, 1831
Located in Paris, IDF
Dionisio MORETTI View of the Grand Canal, 1831 Original etching Finely enhanced by hand with watercolor On vellum 26 x 41 cm (c. 10.2 x 16 inch) ...
Watercolor, Etching
Portrait of an Elegant Woman Dressed in Eighteenth-Century
Located in Naples, Florida
Signed lower left Fernand Toussaint was a Belgian painter known for portraits, genre scenes, and refined representations of women. Trained in Brussels and la...
Canvas, Oil
Marble Sculpture of Roman Mythological subject Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo head .
Limestone
Ocean, Seascape Impressionism Original oil Painting, Framed
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2021 Style: Impressionism Subject: Ocean, Size: 16.5" x 21.5" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Oil
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
“Pietra Dura Lakeside Villa with Figure”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original, elaborately executed pietra dura mosaic plaque of a lakeside Italian villa with boat and figure. Consisting of various marble and exotic stone. Circa 1950. Condition is e...
Stone
Reception at the Salon
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
STEVENS Agapit (1848 – 1924) Reception at the Salon Oil on wood signed low left New Golden Frame Dim wood panel : 24 X 39 cm Dim Frame : 49 X 63 cm STEVENS Agapit (1848 – 1924) Be...
Oil
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Original 1917 Railroad Map of Washington State railway map
Located in Spokane, WA
This is an Original Lithograph Vintage Railroad Map of Washington State; it is not a reproduction. “Railroad Map of Washington, 1917, The Public Servi...
Lithograph
The Flower Girl - Genre Scene 18th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
LEVIGNE Théodore (1848-1912) The Flower Girl and The Puppy Oil on canvas signed and dated 1883 low left Old Frame regilded with leaves Dimensions canvas : 120 X 70 cm Dimensions frame : 137 X 88 cm LEVIGNE Théodore (1848-1912) French Painter 19th-20th century Lyon School Born 1848 in Noirétable (Loire) - Died 11...
Oil
The Flight of Sodom and Gomorrah - Entourage of Monsu-Desiderio
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Italian School 17th Century Close to Monsu Desiderio The Flight of Sodom and Gomorrah Oil on canvas Framed with Black wood and golden ornementation Di...
Oil
Paris view with Characters circa 1900
By Georges Stein
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
STEIN Georges (1864-1917) Paris street Views - Porte St Denis Oil on canvas signed low right Old frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 70 X 92 cm - Dim ...
Oil
“Fancy Ball Dress #6”
Located in Southampton, NY
“Fancy Ball Dress. No.6. Alps.” Andre Leon Larue (Mansion) French (1785-1834) Published by W. Spooner 259 Regent St.t. Deposé à Paris. Printed by C. Hullmandel. (Circa 1831) Hand-col...
Lithograph
“The Drunk ” 17th Century Dutch Oil Painting On Panel
Located in Jacksonville, FL
The Drunk" is an oil on panel painting created by Dutch school student. This artwork provides viewers with a captivating glimpse into the past, offering a detailed and vivid portraya...
Oil, Panel
Prospector firing Rifle ( Happiness is a Warm Gun ) Gay Art
By Robert Riggs
Located in Miami, FL
Tempera mixed with gum arabic and alcohol on Renaissance Panel ( composite wood panel ) Robert Riggs was a gay man. Being gay in American during the 1940's time was something not to flaunt in public. Rigg's had to communicate his underlying feelings in more symbolic ways. Throughout Riggs' oeuvre, one sees continuous references to strong hunked out manly men and vulnerable boys. It is a core element of is iconography and is described in a powerful graphic style. In “Prospector firing Rifle,” there is a Dick Pic. Riggs is clearly making a sexual statement about the moment of climax. The long, straight rifle explodes and is captured at the moment of its peak climax. Meanwhile, the two bags of gold clearly resemble the other part of the male anatomy. Riggs was a thoughtful and meticulous visual thinker, and nothing in any of Riggs’s compositions was haphazardly placed. In tribute to the artist’s suppressed feelings, I have given this work a second title “Happiness is a Warm Gun...
Tempera
Portrait Painting Woman Argentinian painter Della VALLE 19th
Located in PARIS, FR
Angel Della VALLE Buenos Aires, 1853 - Buenos Aires, 1903 Portrait of a woman Oil on canvas 46 x 38 cm (58 x 51 cm with frame) Signed lower right "Angel Valle" Two numbers on the v...
Oil
Flowering Jasmine and Laurel Plants: A Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper-plate engraving entitled "Gelsiminum Catalonicum, Mairana Latifollia, Euphasiaramosa Pratensis Flore Albo, Euphasia Minus Ramosa Flore Excereruleo Purpurascente", depicting flowering Jasmine, Mountain Laurel...
Engraving
$1,560
Four 19th Century Hand Colored Engravings Depicting English Royal Residences
By Charles Wild
Located in Alamo, CA
Four hand colored etchings and aquatints depicting interiors within English royal residences, including "The Blue Velvet Room at Carlton House", "The Queen's Library at Frogmore", "T...
Engraving
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
“Pietra Dura Old Mill with Figure”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original pietra dura mosaic plaque of an old mill with figure. Composed of marble and other exotic stone. Condition is excellent. Circa 1950. Unsigned. G. Ugolini paper label verso....
Stone
$544Sale Price|20% Off
Anatomy Drawings of a Horse - Original French Artwork Equestrian Anatomy Study
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Anatomy of a Horse by Robert Ladou (French 1929-2014) original drawing stuck on card in blue folder/ thick paper, unframed top drawing: 7.25 x 9...
Charcoal, Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil, Color Pencil
Horse Carriage in the Bourgeoise Yard
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
James Thomas Wheeler (1849 - 1888) Horse Carriage in the Yard Oil on canvas signed low right Old original frame gilded with leaves Canvas size : 55 X 65 cm Frame size : 85 X 95 cm
Oil
Seated Woman
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Seated Woman, 1884 Oil on board 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm) Framed dimensions: 15 1/2 x 13 1/4 inches Signed lower right: Thos. P Anshutz. Dated lower left: 1884– Provenance Priv...
Oil, Board
$960Sale Price|61% Off
Mother and Child
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful original painting by French artist, Alexandre de Valentini (1787-1887). Pencil and gouache on paper, 14 x 18.5 inches; 19 x 23.5 inches matted. Signed and dated with Paris...
Gouache, Pencil
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
Italian Woman in Cloak Costume Study Pencil Drawing 19th Century Figure
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title:Italian Woman in Cloak Costume Study Pencil Drawing 19th Century Figure Medium: original graphite pencil drawing on artists paper image size: 13.25 x 10.25 inches (height x wid...
Pencil, Graphite
The Buttonhole By Charles Spencelayh
By Charles Spencelayh
Located in New Orleans, LA
Charles Spencelayh 1865-1958 British The Buttonhole Signed “C.SPENCELAYH” (lower left) and inscribed “This Drawing was accepted into the Royal Academy but crowded out for want of ...
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
Basket of pansies Flowers - painting 19th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
BIVA Paul (1851 - 1900) Basket of Pansies Oil on canvas signed low left Framed by Gault (Paris) Dim canvas : 60 X 80 cm Dim frame : 80 X 100 cm BIVA Paul (1851 - 1900) French Pain...
Oil
$10,000
Old Time Football in the 1920s - Football 1920s - Classic Football
Located in Miami, FL
You Got to be a Football Hero to Get Along with a Beautiful Girl. Masterfully composed and dynamic illustration that show a player getting punched in the jaw. During this period, there were no face...
Canvas, Oil
A.POURFILET - Original Painting Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A.POURFILET (19th-20th Century) Still life with Peaches and Grapes Oil on card signed low left Old frame gilded with leaves Dim card : 33 X 41 cm Dim frame : 50 X 58 cm
Oil
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
Original "Your Country's Call, Enlist Now" 1915 vintage British poster
Located in Spokane, WA
Your Country's Call. Isn't this Worth Fighting For? Enlist Now. Original WW1 poster, archival linen-backed vintage military poster. Linen-backed and ...
Lithograph
" At The Port" 19th Century Academic Realist Landscape Oil Painting on Panel
By Andreas Schelfhout
Located in Jacksonville, FL
"Sunrise on the Shore" by Andreas Schelfhout stands as a testament to the extraordinary talent of the Dutch artist, born in The Hague in 1787. A prominent figure of the Romantic move...
Oil, Board
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
Stony Beach, Impressionism, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Stony Beach Size: 24" x 30" x 0.8'' ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Biblioteca di Michelozzo a S.Marco, Firenze
Located in New York, NY
Biblioteca di Michelozzo a S.Marco, Firenze, 2009 C-print Signed, titled, dated and numbered edition of 5 on artist's label on verso. The photographer is based in Florence, and is f...
C Print
Jules TOULOT (1863-nc) Painting 19th century soldier uniform interior
By Toulot Jules
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Toulot Jules (1863-nc) Pianist officer in the Second Empire period Oil on canvas signed low right Old frame regilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 65 X 43 cm Dim frame : 90 X 67 cm TOULOT Jules (1863-nc) French painter 19th century Born 11th November 1863 in Champeinx (Puy de Dôme...
Oil
Portrait of a Japanese Woman wearing Traditional Kimono
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Portrait of a Japanese Woman wearing Traditional Kimono Oil on wood panel signed upper right with a japanese ideogram Signature unread Other portrai...
Oil
Jungle by the River - Original Old painting
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
VON PLESSEN Willy (1868-1937) Jungle by the River - Probably from old german colonies in Africa Oil on wood signed low left Frame gilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 62 X 50 cm Dim ...
Oil
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
“Misty Morning Gloucester”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original watercolor of a misty morning on the Gloucester docks by the well known American artist, John Cuthbert Hare. Signed by the artist lower right. Circa 1940. Condition is ex...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Samantha Haring "Fire" 2025 chalk pastel on paper 15 x 15 in.
Located in New York, NY
Samantha Haring Fire, 2025 chalk pastel on paper 15 x 15 in. (hari027)
Paper, Pastel