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.
Magnolia Grandiflora, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Magnolia Grandiflora" is an oil painting that depicts a nude figure in the foreground with a bright red backgroun...
Oil, Panel
$2,832Sale Price|41% Off
“View of Switzerland”
By John William Casilear
Located in Southampton, NY
Beautiful oil on fiberboard painting of a view of Switzerland done by the American artist, John William Casilear. Signed with monogram lower left. Condition is excellent. Circa 1857/1858. The painting is housed in a contemporary frame. Overall framed measurements are 6 5/8 by 8 5/8 inches. lProvenance: Long Island, New York collector. Biography John William Casilear was born in New York City on June 25, 1811. Like his fellow Hudson River School landscapists Asher B. Durand and John F. Kensett, he worked as an engraver before turning to painting. In 1826 Casilear was apprenticed to the engraver Peter Maverick (1780-1831), and at first he primarily executed bank notes. Durand encouraged him to attempt other subjects, however, and during the 1830s he madeengravings after some of the most prominent paintings of the day, including Daniel Huntington's The Sybil (New-York Historical Society). In 1832 he began submitting engravings to the National Academy of Design exhibition and he first showed paintings there in 1836. In 1833 Casilear was elected an Associate of the Academy; he was elevated to full Academician status in 1851. In 1840 Casilear accompanied Durand, Kensett, and another painter, Thomas P. Rossiter (1818-1871), on a trip to Europe. There the artists studied and copied paintings...
Oil, Fiberboard
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
Sunset, Seascape, 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: Sunset Size: 18" x 23.5" x 0.8'' inc...
Canvas, Oil
$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
Academic Drawings, Nicholas-Auguste Hesse, Woman, 1825-1835, Shepherd Gallery
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Nicolas-Auguste Hesse (Paris, 1795–1869) Portrait of a Woman, probably 1825–35 Black chalk on white wove paper; oval format 9⅜ × 7¹³⁄₁₆ in. (23.8 × 19.8 cm) Provenance: An old labe...
Chalk
Vintage Large Albumen Photo Jerusalem Photograph American Colony Old City Market
Located in Surfside, FL
The mat measures 21 X 16 the images are around 12 X 9 inches. They bear the blindstamp of the American Colony Jerusalem. I am not sure if these are hand colored but they are from th...
Photographic Paper
A set of Biblical prints after the Dutch painter and engraver Gerard Hoet
By Gerard Hoet
Located in London, GB
The present collection is a set of 131 prints after Gerard Hoet, the Dutch golden age painter and engraver, depicting various biblical scenes. Hoet was a leading artist in the Classicizing Dutch Academic style, and his work is defined by history paintings, with a particular interest in mythological, classical, historical, and biblical scene, in particular Old testament scenes...
Paper, Ink, Black and White, Engraving
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Horse sketch by Otto Vautier - Drawing on paper 31x37 cm
By Otto Vautier
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on cardboard Otto Vautier is a renowned Swiss painter, born in 1863 in Düsseldorf. He was influenced by a family of artists and developed his style ...
Chalk, Color Pencil
Traveling animals - Original etching enhanced with watercolor
Located in Paris, IDF
George EDWARDS Traveling animals Original engraving enhanced with watercolor Signed in the plate and dated, 1746 28.6 x 23.5 cm From Volume II of the Natural History of Birds, plat...
Engraving
Tomás Moragas y Torras – Historical Scene – Oil on Panel
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Tomás Moragas y Torras – Historical Scene – Oil on Panel – 30 × 20 cm Oil on panel. Signed lower left. Artwork: 30 × 20 cm (11.8 × 7.9 in.). Framed: 42 × 32 cm (16.5 × 12.6 in.). Hi...
Oil
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Woman portrait by Ilse Voigt - Oil on canvas 96x76 cm
By Ilse Voigt
Located in Geneva, CH
Oil on canvas with wooden frame. Total size with frame is 88x109 cm Ilse VOIGT is an artist born in 1905 and died in 1997. His works have been sold at public auction 24 times, mostl...
Oil
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
$480
Classical Male portrait, monochromatic drawing in charcoal on archival paper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Audrey Frank Anastasi is a prolific artist, working in painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, and printmaking. She is also a curator, gallerist, educator and arts advocate. Ms....
Charcoal, Archival Paper
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
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...
Oil
“Figures on Camelback along the Nile”
Located in Southampton, NY
Wonderful original orientalist gouache by the well known French artist, Paul B. Pascal. Signed lower right. Circa 1885. Condition is excellent. The scene depicts figures on camelback along the Nile with pyramids in the background. Newly professionally matted and framed in antique style frame. Under glass. Overall framed measurements are 11 by 13 inches. Provenance: A Sarasota, Florida estate. Paul B. Pascal (1839–1905) was a French landscape painter. He did landscape paintings of the Middle East and the Mediterranean coast with gouache. After he emigrated to the United States in 1893, he did paintings of the American wilderness...
Gouache, Archival Paper
Pair Italian Limestone Garden Sculptures with Cornucopia
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in limestone with Cornucopia associated with the harvest, prosperity, or spiritual abundance. Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measur...
Limestone
VOLTO DI DONNA - Stampa riproduzione Emilio Greco, anni 70
By Emilio Greco
Located in Napoli, IT
Stampa riprodizione del disegno " Volto di Ragazza" realizzato dal disegnatore Emilio Greco.Firmato in basso a destra. Scultore italiano (Catania 1913 - Roma 1995). Trasferitosi a Ro...
Color
GRISAILLE 19th Century - Cherubs asleep
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GRISAILLE 19th Century (anonymous) Cherubs asleep Part of "Rococo Style" made famous by François Boucher (1703 - 1770) Oil on canvas Circa 1850 Old frame re-gilded Dim canvas : 33 X ...
Oil
“Market Scene Strasbourg, France”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on canvas painting of a bustling marketplace in Strasbourg, France. Signed by the artist lower left “P. Denarie”. Circa 1875. Condition is very good. The painting is ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
“Warwick Castle”
Located in Southampton, NY
Exquisite original watercolor of Warwick Castle by the famous British artist, Edmund John Niermann. Signed lower right. Circa 1850. Condition is very ...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
DY Cameron 19th c. European Village Etching
Located in New York, NY
D.Y. (David Young) Cameron (Scottish, 1865-1945) The Border Tower, c. 1893 Etching Sight: 9 x 13 1/4 in. Framed: 15 1/4 x 19 1/2 x 1/2 in. Signed in pencil lower right Cameron trained at the Glasgow and Edinburgh Schools of Art in the early 1880s and was at first associated with the Glasgow Boys. He became a leader in the Scottish etching...
Etching
“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
GRISAILLE 19th Century - Cherubs Are Playing Music
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GRISAILLE 19th Century (anonymous) Cherubs asleep Part of "Rococo Style" made famous by François Boucher (1703 - 1770) Oil on canvas Circa 1850 Frame re-gilded Dim canvas : 50 X 70 c...
Oil
$184Sale Price|44% Off
Portrait of a man by Hans Berger - Drawing 44x50 cm
By Hans Berger
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper Ed: 1 /100
Crayon, Engraving
$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
$3,336Sale Price|50% Off
Marlène Dietrich by Mario Napoli - Bronze 50x60x28 cm
By Mario Napoli
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
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
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
Rialto Bridge, Venise - Original Handsigned Etching
Located in Paris, IDF
Jean Michel Mathieux-Marie Rialto Bridge, Venise Original drypoint etching Handsigned in pencil On vellum, 28,5 x 38 cm (c. 11,2 x 14,9 inch) Numbered /100 copies Excellent condition
Etching
Bashi-Bazouk Pastel Drawing, Academic Style, Late 20th Century
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Firmado en la parte inferior por el artista Se presenta sin enmarcar la obra Medidas obra: 61 cm. de altura x 50 cm. de ancho Buen estado de conservación el de la obra ::::::::::...
Pastel
Landscape of Mountains
By MOSNY Henry
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
MOSNY Henry (19th Century) Landscape of Mountains Oil on canvas signed below and dated 1882 Black and Golden wood Frame Dim canvas : 73 X 92 cm Dim Frame : 92 X 112 cm MOSNY Henry (...
Oil
“Venice”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil painting on wooden panel of a bustling Venice square by the American artist, Albert Munghard. Signed by the artist lower right. Circa 1975. Condition is excellent. Th...
Oil, Wood Panel
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
Studies of female figures and angels, preparatory work for a fresco
Located in Firenze, IT
ARTIST - Atelier of Enrico Reffo (Turin 1831–1917) // PERIOD - Late 19th century // ORIGIN - Italy, Turin // MEDIUM - Pencil on paper // STYLE - Italian Academicism, late 19th-centur...
Paper, Pencil, Carbon Pencil
$1,200Sale Price|27% Off
“Red Poppies and Grapes”
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is a circa 1920’s still life of red poppies and purple grapes. Oil on artist canvas board . Signed lower right but artis...
Canvas, Oil
Muse, Women Portrait, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
By Ashot Yan
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ashot Yan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2016 Style: Portrait Surrealism, Title: Muse, Size: 19.5" x 19.5" x 0.8'' ...
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Crayon Drawing of Young Woman on Sofa, Framed
Located in Genève, GE
Stamp of the workshop lower right Work on paper Golden wood frame with glass pane 35.5 x 41 x 3.5 cm
Crayon
$543Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Head
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Head Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pen Size: 19.75 (Height) x 12.75 (Width) Signed: No Condition: Good, minor di...
Pen
Carl Otto Fey–Decorative ceiling project with allegorical scene, 42.5 × 60 cm
Located in Firenze, IT
JCarl Otto Fey – Decorative ceiling project with allegorical scene, watercolor on paper. Technique: Watercolor on paper Dimensions: Sheet: 42.5 × 60 cm With mounting board: 64 × 48 ...
Paper, Watercolor
Original 1925 Zeppelin "Bayerische Zeppelin Eckene-Spende" vintage air travel
Located in Spokane, WA
Original German poster: Bayerische Zeppelin-Eckener Spende. 1925. (Bavarian Zeppelin-Eckener donation). Printer: M. Grunst, München. Condition: Grade A. Archival linen-back...
Lithograph
19th Century Tonalist Sheep Herder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Charming little 19th century oil on board. I am not sure if it’s European or American. The painting measures 12 inches wide by 6 inches high. The frame is 3/4 of an inch around. Pain...
Oil
1980 Fauno e Ninfa Faun and Nymph Pencil on Paper Figurative Drawing
Located in Brescia, IT
This delicate drawing of the dance between a Faun and the Nimph, looks following the Jean Cocteau clean line drawings. We can see in this scene, the grace and simplicity of the Neoc...
Paper
$1,500
Dodo, Abstract Signed Screenprint with Gold Leaf by Lebadang (aka Hoi)
By Hoi Lebadang
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Lebadang, Vietnamese (1922 - 2015) Title: Untitled - Dodo Medium: Silkscreen, signed in pencil Edition: EA Size: 31 x 31 in. (78.74 x 78.74 cm)
Screen
Naked woman facing a little devil - Pencil drawing - circa 1914
Located in Paris, IDF
Georges CONRAD (1874-1936) Naked woman facing a little devil 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
“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
In the Beach, figurative art 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: 2021 Style: Impressionism Title: In the Beach Size: 19.5" x 27.5" x 0...
Canvas, Oil
$2,600Sale Price|24% Off
“Orientalist Markeplace”
By George Washington Nicholson
Located in Southampton, NY
Circa 1865 marketplace painting by the American artist, George Washington Nicholson. Signed lower left. Oil paint on wooden panel. Condit...
Oil, Board
"Lady Portrait" by Gilbert Pauli - Pastel on Paper - 48x32 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Born in the canton of Friborg, Gilbert Pauli (1944 - 2020) lived in Geneva, where he devoted himself to painting and sculpture, a passion he developed since childhood. His favorite t...
Paper, Pastel
$3,336Sale Price|50% Off
Arletty, Leonie Bathiat by Mario Napoli - Bronze 50x60x28 cm
By Mario Napoli
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
A Mother's Tenderness - Etching, (Ed. Goupil, 1897)
Located in Paris, IDF
Auguste RODIN (1840–1917) (after) A Mother's Tenderness, 1897 Heliogravure retouched with drypoint (Goupil Studio) Unsigned Limited edition of 125 unnumbered copies On vellum, 42.5 ...
Etching
Man in Black - Etching, (Ed. Goupil, 1897)
Located in Paris, IDF
Auguste RODIN (1840–1917) (after) Man in Black, 1897 Heliogravure retouched with drypoint (Goupil Studio) Unsigned Limited edition of 125 unnumbered copies On vellum, 42.5 x 31 cm (...
Etching
Paul and Françoise of Rimini - Etching, (Ed. Goupil, 1897)
Located in Paris, IDF
Auguste RODIN (1840–1917) (after) Françoise and Rimini, 1897 Heliogravure retouched with drypoint (Goupil Studio) Unsigned Limited edition of 125 unnumbered copies On vellum, 42.5 x...
Etching
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
“Dutch Harbor”
By Anthony Andreas de Meijier
Located in Southampton, NY
Watercolor on paper by the Dutch artist, Anthony Andreas Meijiers. Signed lower right. Condition: Excellent. Unframed. Anthony Andreas de Meijiers or Meyer was a Dutch active in...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
$1,500Sale Price|25% Off
Autumn Valley, Landscape Art, 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: Autumn Valley Size: 15.5" x 22" x 0....
Canvas, Oil
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
$452Sale Price|20% Off
Play on the 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: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Play on the Beach Size: 11" x 14" x ...
Canvas, Oil
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Dancer by Henri Fehr - Drawing 50x35 cm
$3,800Sale Price|26% Off
“A Corner of Lowes Water”
Located in Southampton, NY
Beautifully executed oil on canvas landscape with figures in a boat by the well known British artist, David Bates. Signed and dated lower left 1900. Titled, signed and dated verso. Condition is very good. Two small old patches verso. Framed in a period elaborate gold leaf frame with minor old restorations. Frame condition is very good. Overall framed measurements are 29.75 by 40 inches. Signed and dated lower left, 1900 Framed 29.75by 40.25 inches. Titled, signed and dated verso. Loweswater is one of the smaller lakes in the English Lake District in Cambria. The village of Loweswater is situated to the east of the lake. About: David Bates British, (1840-1921) David Bates was born in March, Cambridge in 1840 to Benjamin Bates a shoe maker and Sarah Bates. By 1851, the family had moved to Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire and from 1855 Bates became an apprentice at the Royal Worcester Porcelain Works in Worcester. There he developed his artistic talent, painting flower decorations onto vases and plates. At some point after 1861, he became a full time artist and made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1863, continuing to exhibit there until 1893. He also exhibited at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Suffolk Street and the Grosvenor Gallery. He married Elizabeth Higgs from Worcester in 1867 and they lived at Cherry Orchard, Bath Road in Worcester where their children were later born. Their second child John Bates Noel (1870-1927) became a landscape artist and their younger son David Samuel...
Canvas, Oil
$3,175
Buttercup Flowers: A Besler 18th Century Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving depicting Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup) flowers from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden at Eichstatt), first published in 1613 in Eichstatt, Germany near Nuremberg and later in 1640 and 1713. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thick laid chain-linked paper. There is latin text on the verso. There are central horizontal creases and two small holes on the right and another in the left lower corner. It is otherwise in excellent condition. Basilius Besler (1561–1629) was an apothecary and botanist. He was curator of the Willibaldsburg Castle garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop...
Engraving
“Nasturtiums in Blue Vase”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on canvas painting of nasturtiums in a blue vase. Signed lower left. Appears to be L.I.S. Wallace. Unknown artist. American school; circa 1890. Original pierced gold p...
Canvas, Oil