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.
Twilight Crashing Surf”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original watercolor on archival paper by the well known American artist, George Howell Gay. Signed lower left by the artist. Circa 1910. Condition is excellent. Great vibrant colo...
Archival Paper, Watercolor
Untitled Portrait II (Modern, Academic Style Portrait Painting of a Young Man)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Modern, academic style portrait painting on canvas of a young athletic male oil on canvas, 26 x 17 inches in antique wood frame This vertical, contemporary portrait painting of sin...
Canvas, 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
$3,336Sale Price|50% Off
Orson Wells by Mario Napoli - Bronze 60x50x28 cm
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
$14,000
"Provence" Edmond Petitjean, Academic, Southern France, Garden in Bloom
Located in New York, NY
Edmond Petitjean Provence Signed lower right Oil on canvas 18 x 24 inches Provenance Vincent Mann Gallery, New Orleans Edmond Petitjean was born in 1844 in Neufchâteau, in the Vos...
Canvas, Oil
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 with square form bases cm 220. Time...
Limestone
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...
Oil, Panel
Pacific Highway, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Impressionism Title: Pacific Highway Size: 16.5" x 21.5" ...
Canvas, Oil
Two Marines in Pair
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
BURLING Gilbert (1843-1875) Two oil on wood panel signed low right Showing scenes of fishing by the sea Frames giglded with leaves Size wood panel : 22 X 41 cm (each) Size frame : 33...
Oil
French religious small paintings Jesus and Virgin Mary Portrait Academic 19th
Located in PARIS, FR
Jules Achille LECARON Paris, 1813 – ? Portrait of Jesus and his mother the Virgin Mary Oils on wood 15 x 12 cm (25 x 21 cm with frame) Signed on the back "Painted by Achille Lecaron ...
Oil
$332Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Equine Study of the Role of Tendons
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Equine Study of the Role of Tendons Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pen, Acrylic and Pencil on paper Size: 18.5 (Height) x 13.25 (W...
Pen, Acrylic, Pencil
Harbour with Characters
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Follower of Emile Jean Horace Vernet (French, 1789–1863) Marine Harbour With Characters Oil on canvas signed low left - Signature to read Old frame gilded with leaves Size canvas : 4...
Oil
Sunset, Seascape, Original oil Painting on Linen, 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: Sunset, Size: 17.5" x 23.5" x 0.8...
Oil, Canvas
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
“Sailboats off the Coast”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on academy board by the well known American marine artist, Franklin Dullen Briscoe. Signed lower right. (Under gold liner) Circa 1885. C...
Oil, Fiberboard
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
Dama con sombrero - Dibujo a pastel
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra va firmada por el artista en la parte inferior Se presenta muy bien enmarcada la obra Medidas obra: 100 cm. de altura x 80 cm. de ancho Medidas marco: 135 cm. de altura x ...
Pastel
Still Life composition
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jacques DELANOY (1820-1890) Still Life Fruits and vegetables Oil on canvas signed and dated 1890 low left Old frame regilded with leaves Dim canvas : 41 X 34 cm Dim frame : 53 X 44 ...
Oil
$1,500
Art Deco Thistles Still Life Watercolor Painting by Marie Benoit-Levy
Located in Atlanta, GA
Marie Benoit-Levy (France, 20th Century). This stunning watercolor on Arches Vellum paper painting features a still-life with thistles and a blue water pot, an academic design by Mar...
Watercolor
Lady in paris Street 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
LEBAS Léonie (19th-20th) "Lady in Paris Street 1900" Oil on wood panel signed low right Old Frame regilded with gold leaves Dim panel : 16 X 22 cm Dim frame : 50 X 41 cm LEBAS Léoni...
Oil
Break at the Inn for the Rural Policeman 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
DE LAUNEY Fernand (19th Century) Break at the Inn for the Rural Policeman Oil on Wood Panel signed Low Left Old frame gilded with Leaves Dim wood : 33 X 41 cm Dim frame : 48 X 56 cm...
Oil
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
Study of female nude and a couple - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, IDF
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936) Study of female nude and a couple Original pencil drawing Signed with the stamp of atelier On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in) Good condition, paper...
Pencil
$10,792Sale Price|25% Off
Josep Cusachs – Luminous Portrait of Young Man with Straw Hat, 1884
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Painted in 1884, this refined portrait by Josep Cusachs belongs to the early mature phase of the artist’s career, shortly after his departure from military service and full dedicatio...
Canvas, 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...
Oil, Canvas
$9,600
American Impressionist Still Life with Fruits, Chicago School, Autumnal Original
Located in Marco Island, FL
A richly composed and masterfully executed oil on canvas, Still Life with Fruits and Statuette showcases Carl Rudolph Krafft at his most decorative and assured. At center stands a lu...
Canvas, Oil
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
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...
Oil
“Fancy Ball Dress”
Located in Southampton, NY
“Fancy Ball Dress” 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-colored lithogra...
Lithograph
$888Sale Price|20% Off
"On the Vaudoise cost, Switzerland" by René Zwahlen - Watercolor 44x57 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Watercolor on Arches paper 640g Sold with a silver frame without glass Total size with the passe-partout and the frame 65x78 cm René Zwahlen was a Swiss watercolor artist and pai...
Watercolor
$396Sale Price|20% Off
“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...
Archival Paper, Etching
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Potted daffodils - Still life oil on canvas
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on canvas Gilded wooden frame 70,5 x 48 x 4,5 cm Unsigned
Oil
Paris, Boulevard Porte Saint Denis
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
FOURNIER Victor Alfred (1872-1924) "Paris, Porte Saint Denis" Oil on canvas signed lower right and dated 1924 Old frame gilded with leaf (fine gold) Canvas size: 40 X 30 cm Frame size: 58 X 48 cm FOURNIER Victor Alfred (1872-1924) French 20th century Born in Paris in 1872. Died in Paris in 1924 Painter of landscapes, seascapes, beach scenes, urban landscapes. Victor Fournier...
Oil
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
Waiting, Figurative Art, 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: 2012 Style: Impressionism Subject: Waiting, Size: 18" x 14" x 0.8'' ...
Canvas, Oil
$950Sale Price|36% Off
“Innocent Captivation Amusement Pastorale”
By Anthony Cardon
Located in Southampton, NY
Original stipple engraving on a verge type of hand laid paper. The overall size of the engraving is 15.75 inches by 12.75 inches The image size of the engraving is 14 inches by 12 i...
Engraving, Laid Paper
$3,575
Cactus & Rose of Jericho Plants: A Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
A hand-colored copper plate engraving depicting flowering "Melocactos" (Turk's Cap Cactus or Mother-in-law's Cushion), "Rosa Hiericontea aperta" (Rose of Jericho Unfolded), "Rosa Hie...
Engraving
$8,993
Painting 19th Century - Horses and Carriage - Charles de Luna (1812-1866)
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
LUNA, Charles de (1812-1866) Horses and carriage hunting Oil on canvas signed low left and dated 1841 Old original frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 39 X 75 cm Dim frame : 89 X 52 cm Certificate of authenticity LUNA, Charles de (1812-1866) French Painter 19th century Born in 1812 in Châlon sur Saone Genre scenes, military subjects, Orientalism Pupil of Léon Cogniet...
Oil
Cathédrale Saint Pierre Genève by Pierre Duc - Watercolor
By Pierre Duc
Located in Geneva, CH
Watercolor paper Brown wooden frame with plexiglass 85,5 x 65,7 x 2 cm
Watercolor, Pencil
Landscape, Impressionism, Original 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: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Landscape Size: 24" x 30" x 0.8'' inch, (61x76x2cm), Unframed, Stretched on wooden bar, Ready to Hang, Artist Bio Ara H. Hakobyan is an Armenian artist and art critic, Doctor of Sciences (arts, 2017), professor (2018) and a member of Artist Union of the Republic of Armenia (1999). Ara H. Hakobyan was born in 1973 in Yerevan in the family of art historian Hravard Hakobyan. In 1997 Mr. Hakobyan graduated from the Yerevan State Academy of Arts, Department of Painting. During 1997-2000 Ara Hakobyan...
Canvas, Acrylic
$960Sale Price|20% Off
“Quan Yin”
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is a vintage bronze statuette from the mid-20th century depicting Quan Yin. Created during the midcentury period, this bronze statuette features the Quan ...
Bronze
$640Sale Price|20% Off
“Pietra Dura Male Dancer”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original pietra dura handmade mosaic plaque composed of marble and other exotic stone of a traditionally clad dancing male figure holding an horn. Circa 1950. Condition is excellent....
Stone
$124,500
The Potter
Located in New Orleans, LA
Léon Olivié-Bon 1863-1901 French The Potter Oil on canvas Signed and dated "Olivie-Bon 1888" (lower right) This monumental masterpiece by French artist Léon Olivié-Bon is one of ...
Canvas, Oil
$500
Cold Winter, Impressionism, Landscape, 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: 2016 Style: Impressionism Title: Cold Winter Size: 14" x 18" x 0.8'' ...
Canvas, Oil
Coastal, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2023 Style: Impressionism Title: Coastal Size: 16.5" x 21.5" x 0.8'' ...
Canvas, Oil
$239Sale Price|33% Off
Fishing Party - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, IDF
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936) Fishing Party 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, pap...
Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
$3,336Sale Price|50% Off
Jean Cocteau by Mario Napoli - Bronze 60x50x28 cm
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
The Yellow Canary
By Edmund Adler
Located in Naples, Florida
Signed lower left Provenance: Continental Galleries of Fine Art, Montreal; Private collection, Oregon. This gentle genre scene centers on a yellow canary, rendered with sof...
Canvas, Oil
The Connoisseur By Georges Croegaert
Located in New Orleans, LA
Georges Croegaert 1848-1923 Belgian The Connoisseur Signed "Georges Croegaert Paris" (lower right) Oil on panel A Cardinal peers through a magnifying glass at gilded treasures in...
Oil, Panel
$899Sale Price|37% Off
Odalisque with Tray Oil on Canvas Painting, Figurative, Signed, 1970s
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title of the Artwork: Odalisque with Tray Artist: Rosendo González Carbonell Technique: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 24 x 20 inches Frame: Unfr...
Canvas, Oil
$1,800Sale Price|25% Off
“Sailing Ships off the Coast”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on canvas painting of sailing ships off the Danish coast by the marine artist, Johan Jens Neumann. Signed lower left and dated 1921. Slightly covered by frame. Conditi...
Canvas, Oil
Landscape, Original 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: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Landscape Size: 16" x 20" x 0.8'' inch, (41x51x2cm), Unframed, Stretched on wooden bar, Ready to Hang, Artist Bio Ara H. Hakobyan is an Armenian artist and art critic, Doctor of Sciences (arts, 2017), professor (2018) and a member of Artist Union of the Republic of Armenia (1999). Ara H. Hakobyan was born in 1973 in Yerevan in the family of art historian Hravard Hakobyan. In 1997 Mr. Hakobyan graduated from the Yerevan State Academy of Arts, Department of Painting. During 1997-2000 Ara Hakobyan...
Canvas, Acrylic
$475Sale Price|26% Off
“On the Seine, Paris”
By Hans Figura
Located in Southampton, NY
Original aquatint etching of working river barges on the Seine in Paris, France. A horse drawn cart is seen loading or unloading product. Circa 1900. Si...
Archival Paper, Aquatint
Untitled: Three Nude Females
Located in New York, NY
Unknown/Unidentified Artist, "Untitled: Three Nude Females", Figurative/ Nude Charcoal signed Drawing on Paper, 24 x 18, Late 20th Century Colors: Black a...
Charcoal, Paper
After Storm, Impressionism Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2024 Style: Impressionism Title: After Storm Size: 29" x 39" x 0.8''...
Canvas, 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
Armand Guillaumin au Pendu - Original etching (Venturi #1159)
By Paul Cézanne
Located in Paris, IDF
Paul CEZANNE (1839-1906) Armand Guillaumin Hanged Original Etching Unsigned On laid paper, 32 x 25 cm (c. 13 x 10 in) REFERENCES: - Catalogue Raisonné Venturi #1159 - Catalogue Rai...
Etching
$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
Music : Violinist Player - Lithograph, 1918
Located in Paris, IDF
Maurice DENIS (1870 - 1943) Violonist, 1918 Lithograph enhanced with pastel On vellum 47.5 x 31 cm (c. 18.7 x 12.2 inch) INFORMATION : Edited by Louis Rouart in Paris, former colle...
Pastel, Lithograph
Bergère et son troupeau crépuscule, plaine de Barbizon
Located in Atlanta, GA
Jean-Ferdinand Chaigneau was born in the shipping center of Bordeaux on March 6th, 1830. There he studied drawing under the academic painter Jean-Paul Alaux (1788-1858). In 1847...
Oil, Panel
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...
Oil