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Academic Art

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
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 Art

Materials

Bronze

“Cows at a Stream Sunset”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on canvas painting of cattle watering at sunset by the well known American artist, George A. Hayes. Signed by the artist lower left “G.A. Hays”. Circa 1885. Condition ...
Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Chickens in the Farmyard in pair
By Claude Guilleminet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GUILLEMINET Claude (1821-1860) Chickens in the Farmyard Oils on wood panels in pair signed low New golden frames Dim wood panel (each) : 27 X 20 cm Dim frame (each) : 47 X 40 cm GU...
Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

"Cathedral Rocks, Yosemite Valley" George Henry Smillie, West, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
George Henry Smillie Cathedral Rocks, Yosemite Valley, 1871 Signed and inscribed board verso "Cathedral Rocks-Morning-Yo-semite Valley Aug. 71 Geo. H. Smillie", also inscribed "Yo-se...
Category

1870s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

American Bronze Sculpture of Male Nude Athlete during Shot Put.
Located in New York, NY
Clemente Spampinato, born in 1912 in Calabria, Italy, was a versatile artist and sports enthusiast. He created Bronze Trophies and Medallions for the Olympics and Italian sporting events in the 1930s and '40s. After becoming a U.S. citizen in 1947, he moved to New York, where he channeled his artistic passion into capturing the essence of the American West, specializing in sports and Western-themed sculptures. His work, celebrated for its realism and dynamic portrayal of athletic movements, is exhibited in museums, galleries, and private collections across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Selected sculptures can be seen in various locations, including Washington DC, Cooperstown, NY, Canton, OH, New Orleans, LA, and the complete collection is on display in Sea Cliff, New York. Large Bronze Nude Of Male Athlete During A Shot Put...
Category

1950s Academic Art

Materials

Bronze

Portrait of an Elegant Young Woman in Warm Grays and Soft Ochers
Located in Miami, FL
Leon Kroll was above all an academician. To him "abstract art was merely the beginning of a picture. Structurally, "Portrait of a Young Woman recalls some of the portraits from the ...
Category

1930s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Across the River by Sir David Murray
Located in New Orleans, LA
Sir David Murray, R.A., H.R.S.A., R.S.W., R.I. 1849-1933 • Scottish Across the River Signed and dated D. Murray 1907 (lower left) Signed and inscribed “Across the River/by David M...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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...
Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Marble

Paintings 19th Century Flowers Still life
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GODCHAUX Emile (1860) Big Compositions of Flowers in Pair Oil on canvas signed low right Frames gilded with gold leaves Dim canvas (each) : 90 X 129 cm Dim frame (each) : 118 x 159 cm Certificate of authenticity GODCHAUX Emile (1860 - nc) French School - XIXth century Born in 1860 Painter of genre scenes, landscapes, waterscapes, marines, flowers, still lives. He sold his paintings on the public place, and sometimes in Lotteries. He is related to Alfred Godchaux...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Still Life Flowers and Butterfly - Painting 19th century
By Elisa-Antoinette Georget
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Elisa- Antoinette GEORGET (1842-1914) Flowers and Butterfly Oil on canvas signed low left Golden wooden frame stick (new) Dim canvas : 43 X 72 cm Dim Frame : 65 X 94 cm Elisa- Antoi...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Brothel, Groovy Harem with Courtesan, Concubine, Paramour, Playboy Magazine
Located in Miami, FL
George Hirsch - He gets his inspiration from the prototype of neo-classic painting for this groovy 1970s brothel. This is a complex figural work with m...
Category

1970s Academic Art

Materials

Gouache

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Bronze

Study of a Praying Woman - Lithograph Signed
Located in Paris, IDF
Maurice DENIS (1870 - 1943) Study of a Praying Woman, 1918 Lithograph enhanced with pastel Printed signature in the plate On vellum 48.5 x 26.5 cm (c. 19,1 x 10,4 inch) INFORMATION...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Pastel, Lithograph

A Fine French 19th Century Oil on Board "A Standing Beauty with Spring Roses"
Located in LA, CA
A very fine French 19th century oil on board titled "A Standing Beauty with Spring Roses" by Charles Baptiste Schreiber (French, 1845-1903)...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Wood, Oil

Timeless and Classic Nude Girl at Pool - Academic Artist
Located in Miami, FL
This painting of a classic nude at a pool, "Hilda at the Pool," is both a portrait and a landscape. Leon Kroll rejected Modernism to triumph in the beauty of Classicism. During his l...
Category

1930s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

19th century color lithograph hares animal nature print wildlife
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Townsend's Rocky Mountain Hare" is an original color lithograph by John James Audubon. This artwork features two gray hares in a muted, cool-colored landscape. 5 1/2" x 8 1/4" art...
Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Lithograph

Young Lady and Cupid in The Park
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 : ...
Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame. Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705) The dramat...
Category

Late 17th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Vue du château de Versailles depuis la place d’Armes
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
Henry Tenré received a solid training in Gustave Boulanger and Jules Lefebvre’s studio at the Julian Academy from 1875 to 1885. Then he studied under the multi-medallist landscape pa...
Category

Early 1900s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Lucrèce Borgia
Located in Paris, FR
Antoine Georges Rochegrosse 1859-1938 Lucrèce Borgia, circa 1880 Oil on canvas Signed lower right Canvas: 36 5/8" high x 29 1/8" wide Frame: 50 3/8" high x 40 1/8" wide Georges...
Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Four Season Extraordinary Set of Italian Stone Term Figure Sculptures
Located in Rome, IT
Four Term Figure sculptures with classically draped figures and their distinguishing symbols in carved Vicenza stone. Autumn, winter, spring and summer. Measures: Height with squar...
Category

20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Limestone

Nude Sketch No. 3
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An academic drawing of a female nude figure sitting atop a flat surface. He highlights the body with white chalk. She leans on one arm and the other rests behind her torso. Artist B...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

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''x7'' ...
Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Clay, Ceramic

Children playing in the park, oil on canvas signed Joseph Dierickx dated 1903
By Joseph Dierickx
Located in Paris, FR
A "genre" painting representing a mother supervising her two small daughters at the Park. Oil on canvas signed bottom right Joseph Dierickx and dated 1903. Dierickx Joseph (1865-19...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas

Beautiful Woman, The Coy Look - like Bouguereau French painter
Located in Miami, FL
If Vogue magazine existed in the late 19th century, this sitter could be on the cover. The depth of her feminine beauty and sweetness is mesmerizing. She looks at you. You look ...
Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Painting 19th Century Fox Hunting Scene With Characters Horses and Dogs
By Joseph August Knip
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
KNIP August (1819 - 1859) Starting Fox Hunting day in Baden-Baden Oil on canvas signed low right dated 1837 Old original frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 81 X 118 cm Dim frame :...
Category

1830s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

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 Art

Materials

Limestone

"Horse Sketch 1" study of an Alfred Munnings painting, brown and earth tones
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Horse Sketch 1" is Amy Florence's study of an Alfred Munnings painting, one of her favorite artists. Artist Bio Amy Florence is a London born artist working out of her studio in F...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Panel, Wood Panel, Board

Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame. Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705) The dramatic subje...
Category

Late 17th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Young Lady With Parasol in The garden
By Eugène Charles Picou
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
PICOU Eugène Charles (1831–1914) - "Young Girl with parasol" - Oil on canvas signed lower left - Old frame gilded with leaf - Canvas size: 61 X 50 cm...
Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

The Musician
Located in New Orleans, LA
Alfred Weber 1859-1922 I Swiss The Musician Signed “Alfred Weber” (lower left) Oil on panel This work by Swiss ecclesiastical genre painter Alfred Weber, best known for his humorous and meticulously detailed paintings, features a cardinal enjoying his leisure time. Weber's talent for rendering opulent interiors and his keen sense of comic narrative are evident in this painting. The cardinal, looking blissfully content, sits in his lavish living space playing the violin, accompanied by a flutist. Alfred Charles Weber...
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Patinated Bronze Statuette of William Shakespeare
Located in New Orleans, LA
Frederick William MacMonnies 1863–1937 American William Shakespeare Signed "F. MacMonnies" and foundry-marked "E. Gruet Jeune, Fondeur, Paris" Bronze Frederick William MacMonnies...
Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Bronze

Set of 4 watercolours, mid 20th Century British by Harold Dearden, farm helpers
By Harold Dearden
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Harold Dearden (British, 1888 – 1962) Farm helpers sorting a farm crop Set of four watercolours 16.3/4 x 17.1/8in.
Category

20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"A Pompeiian Love Song" 19th Century Realism Antique Oil on Canvas
Located in Jacksonville, FL
Provenance: Sold: Jackson's Auctioneers & Appraisers, Cedar Falls, Iowa, December 8, 2009, Lot 4 A Pompeiian Love Song" by Antonio Rivas (Spanish, 1845-1911) transports viewers back ...
Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

A. Costa Woman original Figurative academician drawing painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Woman. original figurative academician drawing painting Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD. He was f...
Category

1960s Academic Art

Materials

Carbon Pencil

Antoni Costa Woman. original figurative Academician drawing painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
woman. original figurative academician drawing painting Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD. He was ...
Category

1960s Academic Art

Materials

Carbon Pencil

" 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...
Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Peonies in a Blue Vase
Located in Mc Lean, VA
One of three still-life paintings by the French flower painter Germain-Theodore Ribot.
Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Stipple Drawing in Black and White of the First Lady of Haiti - African American
Located in Miami, FL
1942 Calendar illustration featuring the First Lady of Haiti (Madame Elie Lescot]) rendered in a precise stipple effect and celebrating African-American women which was titled "Twelve American Women." It was executed during the hight of World War II. Lois Mailou Jones...
Category

1940s Academic Art

Materials

Ink, Pencil

Alone in the world, Oil on panel by Duwez Henri-Joseph (1810-1884)
Located in Gent, VOV
Alone in the world Signature on the left Presented in a period frame Provenance: Sold in Paris on February 6, 1895, at Drouot, for 140 Gold Francs (Bénézit) Biography Henri-Joseph ...
Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Acrylic

Miss Carolyn Edmunson
Located in Miami, FL
The art world today does not value traditional academic skills in portrait painting. If it did, this portrait would replace the childlike student-level art that is now achieving two...
Category

1930s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Summer
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Exhibited: Royal Academy, London, 1880, no. 355 (as Summer)
Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Flower Seller, Notre Dame”
Located in Southampton, NY
Very nice original hand colored copper plate etching (aquatint) by the Hungarian born artist, Marianne L. Almasy. Depicts a Parisian flower girl selling her bouquets with the iconic cathedral of Notre Dame. Handwritten bottom left in pencil, original etching 136/295. Handwritten in pencil by the artist lower right, L. Marianne. Condition: excellent. Provenance: Sarasota, Florida estate. Professionally matted with a one inch solid oak frame in a medium walnut stain. Overall 24 by 19 inches. Marianne Almasy...
Category

1980s Academic Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Etching

Pretending (The Great Performance)
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1890' lower right
Category

1890s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

"Horse Sketch 2" study of an Alfred Munnings painting, brown and earth tones
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Horse Sketch 2" is an oil painting by Amy Florence, a study of an Alfred Munnings painting, an artist she takes inspiration from. A horse is standing against a pale green ground, c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Panel, Wood Panel, Board

The Fair Student
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1835' center right
Category

1830s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Joli Moi de Mai
Located in Paris, IDF
Franck Bailleul is a French painter born in 1964 who lives & works in Abbeville, Normandy, France. He has exhibited nationally as well as in the United States and China. His works e...
Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

At the Stream
By Philip Hermogenes Calderon R.A.
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1864' lower left
Category

1860s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Large & Impressive French 19th Century Oil on Canvas "The Water Carrier Lady"
By Jules Salles-Wagner
Located in LA, CA
Jules Salles-Wagner (French, 1814-1898) A Large and Impressive French, 19th century oil on canvas "The Water Carrier Lady" depicting a standing and posing young peasant girl holding ...
Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Bunch of Roses with Chinese Vase
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
MONNOT Maurice Louis (1869-1937) Bunch of Roses with Chinese Vase Oil on canvas signed low right Frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 61 X 50 cm Dim Frame : 90 X 80 cm MONNOT Maurice Louis (1869-1937) French painter 19th – 20th century Born the 22th of October 1869 in Paris. Dead in 1937 Painter of interior and still lives. He was the pupil of Joseph Bail...
Category

Early 1900s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Gentry People in The Park in 18th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
LEVIGNE Théodore (1848-1912) "Genre scene in 18th century" Oil on canvas signed low right Old original frame Dim canvas : 72 X 100 cm Dim frame : 103 X 127 cm LEVIGNE Théodore (1848...
Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

A Very Fine and Large Oil on Canvas "Ashura Rituals in Tangier, Morocco"
Located in LA, CA
Gordon B. Coutts (Scottish/American, 1868-1937) A very fine and large orientalist oil on canvas titled "Ashura Rituals, Tangier" (Arabic: عاشوراء‎ ʻĀshūrā’ - Urdu: عاشورا‎ - Persian:...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Pretending (Lunch from the Café)
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1910' lower right
Category

1910s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sitting Pretty (Pomeranian Pups)
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1901' lower left
Category

Early 1900s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

A Fine Orientalist Pencil and Watercolor Reclining Middle Eastern Beauty
By Francesco Ballesio 2
Located in LA, CA
Francesco Ballesio (Italian, 1860-1923). A fine orientalist pencil and watercolor heightened with gum Arabic on paper figure of "A Middle-Eastern Beauty at Rest" depicting a young ma...
Category

Early 1900s Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Pencil

French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - It's a Good Weather ?
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork located in Los Angeles, USA. Franck Bailleul is a French painter born in 1964 who lives & works in Abbeville, Normandy, France. He has exhibited nationally as well as in th...
Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“The Old Homestead”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on canvas laid down to old fiberboard by the well known American artist, Edward Burrill Jr. The painting shows two figures standing in front of an old double chimney ho...
Category

1870s Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

19th century landscape color lithograph seascape buildings cityscape houses
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Chicago in Early Days" is an original color lithograph by Kurz & Allison. This piece features multiple views of the city of Chicago. 16 3/4" x 23 1/4" art 28 1/8" x 33 7/8" frame ...
Category

1890s Academic Art

Materials

Lithograph

Academic art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Academic art available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of purple, blue, orange, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Karen Darbinyan, Owen Jones, Paul Jones b.1921, and Mark Beard. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint 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 art, so small editions measuring 1.5 inches across are also available. Prices for art 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 $11 and tops out at $700,000, while the average work sells for $1,444.

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