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.
Hercules Italian Stone Sculpture of Classical Torso with Base
Located in Rome, IT
This reproduction of a classical Hellenistic sculpture of Hercules . A timeless piece for interior and a garden decoration. We can raise with a base on request .
Limestone
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
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
$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
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
Patinated Bronze Statuette of William Shakespeare
By Frederick William MacMonnies
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...
Bronze
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
“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
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
Study of an actor, ca 1880 dramatic oil young man staring into fire 19th Century
Located in Norwich, GB
A dramatic, one of a kind oil study. Certainly not your run of the mill 19th Century portait! Depicted is a young man, whose face is brightly lit from what is likely is an open fire....
Canvas, Oil
" 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
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
"Et in Arcadia Ego Academic Drawing, Pencil on Paper, Signed J. Miró"
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Et in Arcadia ego Artist: Signed “J. Miró” Technique: Pencil and charcoal on paper Paper size: 49 × 39 cm (19.3 × 15.4 in) Framed size: 64 × 53 cm (25.2 × 20.9 in) Date: Decem...
Pencil
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...
Oil
Marble Sculpture of Roman Mythological subject Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo head .
Limestone
Landscape from French Provence, Painting 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
PONSON Etienne Aimé (1850-1924) French Provence Mediterenean Landscape Oils on canvas in Pair signed low Old frames gilded with leaves Dim canvas (each...
Oil
Dante & Virgilus - Etching, (Ed. Goupil, 1897)
Located in Paris, IDF
ARTISTE: after Auguste RODIN TITLE : Dante & Virgilus MEDIUM : Etching/photogravure after the original drawing SIGNATURE : Unsigned YEAR : 1897 PAPER : Vellum SIZE : 13 x 10" INFOR...
Etching
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
$5,000
"Entrance to the Enchanted Island (Chicago World's Fair)" Florence McClung
Located in New York, NY
Florence McClung Entrance to the Enchanted Island (Chicago World's Fair), 1933 Signed lower right Watercolor on paper 10 1/2 x 14 inches Florence McClung was a pioneering Texas pai...
Paper, Watercolor
Winter Evening, City, 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: 2017 Style: Impressionism Subject: Winter Evening Size: 16" x 20" x 0...
Canvas, 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
$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
Seascape, 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: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Seascape Size: 23.5" x 35.5" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Oil
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
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
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
$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...
Oil, Canvas
Untitled: Standing Nude
Located in New York, NY
Unknown/ Unidentified Artist, "Standing Nude", Figurative/ Nude Charcoal Drawing on Brown Charcoal Paper, 24 x 20, Late 20th Century, 1968 Colors: White, Blue, Black, Red, Black "S...
Charcoal
Tigers of Bengal
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ferdinand SCHEBEK (1875 - 1949) Oil on canvas signed low left - Tigers of Bengal - Old coppery frame - Dim canvas : 60 X 81 cm - Dim Frame : 95 X ...
Oil
$3,375
Flowering Hyacinth & Calla Plants: A Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving depicting flowering "Hyacinthus Comosus Spurius" (Hyacinth), "Hyacinthus Anglicus" (Blue Hyacinth), "Palma ...
Engraving
$1,040Sale Price|20% Off
Still Life in Blue, flowers, 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 Title: Still Life in Blue Size: 23.5" x 27.5" x 0.8'' inch, (60x70x2cm), 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, Oil
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
Portrait of Dorothy Thompson (The Wild Rose) - Female Artist
Located in Miami, FL
A charming portrait of a beautiful blue-eyed girl in a pink dress holding flowers in her hand. It's based on Renaissance portraits where the subject is pushed to the foreground and i...
Oil, Canvas
Rustic Apples and Bread Food Still Life French Salon Academic Antique Painting
Located in Norwich, GB
A remarkable work by Charles Nicolas Etienne Mayre, an academic painter born in Choisy le Roi near Paris in 1819. He studied with the masters Michel-Martin Drolling and Leon Cogniet...
Canvas, Oil
$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
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
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
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
$1,100
Color-full Winter, Landscape Impressionism, Original Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ara H. Hakobyan Work: Original Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Year: 2022 Style: Impressionism Title: Color-full Winter Size: 19.5" x 27.5...
Oil, Acrylic
The New Pet by Edmund Adler Austrian Genre Painting Children in Courtyard
By Edmund Adler
Located in Naples, Florida
An oil on canvas by Austrian painter Edmund Adler (1876–1965), titled "The New Pet". The composition depicts four children gathered in a courtyard, absorbed in a moment of shared cur...
Oil
"Rockaway" Robert M. Decker, American Landscape, New York, East Coast, Dunes
Located in New York, NY
Robert M. Decker Rockaway Signed lower left Oil on canvas 9 x 18 inches Robert M. Decker (1847–1928) was an American landscape painter best known for his realistic depictions of th...
Canvas, Oil
Bust of veiled woman
Located in Roma, RM
Giulio Tadolini ( Rome 1849 - 1918 ) ( attr. to ), Bust of veiled woman Bronze 61 x 37 x 22 cm.
Bronze
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
Greek Island, Fishing Boats - Signed Lithograph, Royal Art, Greece, Hills, sea
By His Majesty King Charles III
Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh
Greek Island, Fishing Boats by His Majesty King Charles III (created when he was HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales) - Hand Signed Limit...
Lithograph
$2,043Sale Price|20% Off
Young Peasants at Rest, Oil on Board, Academic Style, Signed, 1890s
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Young Peasants at Rest Artist: Adrián de Unzueta (Mexico, 1865 – first half of the 20th century) Medium: Oil on panel Dimensions: 35 x 26 cm (13.8 x 10.2 in) Framed dimens...
Oil, Board
$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
$3,400Sale Price|29% Off
“Continental Landscape”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on wooden oak panel of a traditional figural landscape of an incoming storm with figures fishing in the foreground. No visible signature. Condition is excellent. Wonder...
Oil, Board
Antique British Oil Painting of the Alhambra by Thompson
Located in London, GB
Antique British oil painting of the Alhambra by Thompson British, 1876 Canvas: Height 45cm, width 35.5cm Frame: Height 69cm, width 61cm, depth 6cm This serene Orientalist oil painti...
Canvas, Oil
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
Horse in a Stable, Oil on Canvas, Academic Style, 19th Century, Framed
Located in GB
This painting presents a quietly dignified portrait of a horse, rendered with a restraint and sensitivity that places it firmly within the tradition of British sporting and animal pa...
Canvas, Oil
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Zeus and Ganymede - Paula Craioveanu oil canvas Neo Mythology
Located in Forest Hills, NY
"Zeus and Ganymede", oil and silver leaf on canvas, 39x39in / 100x100cm Inspired by the legend of Zeus and Ganymede. Part of my NeoMythology project. Shipped as it is, stretched. "Z...
Oil, Canvas
$15,750
In the Bazaar I, Oil on Wood, Academic Style, 19th Century, Signed
Located in New York, NY
In the Bazaar I, 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 Descr...
Oil
$210Sale Price|30% Off
Academic Study for the Head of an Apostle or Saint
Located in Firenze, IT
Study for the Head of an Apostle or Saint Artist: Enrico Reffo (1831-1917) Medium: Charcoal and white chalk on colored paper Dimensions: [To be specified] Date: Late 19th - Early 20...
Paper, Charcoal, Carbon Pencil
Landscape By The Mountain Stream
By MOSNY Henry
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
MOSNY Henry (19th Century) Landscape by the mountain Stream Oil on canvas signed below and dated 1882 Black and Golden wood Frame Dim canvas : 73 X 92 cm Dim Frame : 94 X 113 cm MOS...
Oil
$352Sale Price|20% Off
The Swiss by Otto Vautier - Drawing 31x24 cm
By Otto Vautier
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on canvas Otto Vautier is a renowned Swiss painter, born in 1863 in Düsseldorf. He was influenced by a family of artists and developed his style dur...
Crayon, Watercolor
Watercolor Painting - Flowers with China Porcelain vase
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
ROSENSTOCK Isidor (1880-1956) Still Life of Flowers with China Porcelain Vase Watercolor on card signed low right Old original frame gilded with leaves and Glass Dim card : 38 X 58 c...
Watercolor
The Swing - Romantic Scene in the Garden
By Antonio Cerveto
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
CERVETO RIBA Antonio (1876-1938) "The swing" Oil on canvas signed low right Gault frame (Paris) Dim canvas : 60 X 80 cm Dim frame : 81 X 102 cm CERVETO RIB...
Oil
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
Antoni Costa Woman. original figurative academician drawing painting
By A. Costa
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
woman. original figurative academician drawing painting.. frame Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD....
Paper, Graphite