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.
$10,113
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...
Oil, Canvas
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
$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
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
Ernest Howard Shepard, illustration of Punch magazine, signed, inkpen
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Ernest Howard Shepard (British, 1879–1976) Laying Breaks on a London Street, an Illustration for Punch Magazine Inkpen and body colour Signed ‘Ernest H. Shepard’ (lower left) 8 1/8 x...
Paper, Ink
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
$333Sale 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
$10,113
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...
Oil, Canvas
19th Century Painting Puppet theatre
By Paul Louis Martin des Amoignes
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
MARTIN DES AMOIGNES, Paul Louis (1850-1925) Puppet theatre on the village square Oil on canvas signed low right Dated 14th of July 1884 Old original f...
Oil
$3,375
Flowering Pomegranate & Rock Rose: A 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper-plate engraving entitled "Cistusflore Albo, Balaustium Flore Minori Romanum, Cotinus", depicting flowering Pomegranate, Rock Rose...
Engraving
$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
$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
$1,700
Evening Breeze, Coastal 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: 2010 Style: Impressionism Title: Evening Breeze Size: 23.5" x 31.5" x...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled (Sideview of a Gentleman)
By John Gilroy
Located in New York, NY
John Thomas Young Gilroy (English, 1898-1985), "Untitled: Sideview of a Gentleman", Charcoal/Pencil on Paper signed and matted to original card stock, 20.75 x 12.75 (22 x 14), Early 20th Century, 1920 Colors: White, Black John Thomas Young Gilroy (30 May 1898 – 11 April 1985) was an English artist and illustrator, best known for his advertising posters for Guinness, the Irish stout. He signed many of his works, simply, "Gilroy". Born in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England, Gilroy attended Durham University until his studies were interrupted by World War I, during which he served with the Royal Field Artillery. He resumed studying at the Royal College of Art in London, where he remained as a teacher. He taught at Camberwell College of Arts.[1] In 1925, he gained employment at S.H. Benson's advertising agency, where he created the iconic advertisement art for Guinness featuring the Zoo Keeper and animals enjoying Guinness.[2] He worked with Dorothy L. Sayers.[3] He was also an accomplished portrait painter, numbering Royalty, Politicians, Actors and many others amongst his sitters. He worked in his large studio at 10 Holland Park, London, the former home and studio of Sir Bernard Partridge. He was a long-standing and much loved member of the Garrick Club...
Charcoal, Carbon Pencil
$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
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
Dancing Ariane - Original lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Maurice DENIS (1870 - 1943) Dancing Ariane, Study for Ariane's Figure Original lithograph enhanced in pastel Printed signature in the plate On light cream tinted vellum 48 x 31 cm (...
Lithograph
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
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
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Car in a Village by Benjamin II Vautier - Graphite on Paper - 26x17 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Benjamin II Vautier (1895–1974) was a Swiss-born artist, known for his contributions to both painting and graphic art. He was born into a family with artistic roots, as the son of Ot...
Paper, 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
$1,459Sale Price|25% Off
1974 oil painting still life of squashes and glass by British George Weissbort
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
George Weissbort (Belgian / British, 1928 – 2013) SQUASHES AND A GLASS OF WATER Oil on canvasboard 18.1/4 x 21.3/8 in. (46.3 x 55.4 cm.) George Weissbort was born in Brussels in ...
Oil, Board
Alonso PEREZ - Painting Genre Scene in Paris
By Alonso Perez
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
ALONSO PEREZ (1881 - 1914) Lady and Napoleon Soldier in the Street Oil on canvas signed and dated 1906 low right Dedication : Au sympathique maître et...
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
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Skeletal Structure
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Skeletal Structure Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil and Coloured Pen on Paper Size: 19.75 (Height) x 12.75 (...
Pencil, Pen, Color Pencil
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
The Farm to the Donkey
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GARAT Francis (1870 - NC) The Farm of The Donkey Oil on canvas signed and dated 1883 low right Frame guilded Size canvas : 50 X 76 cm - Size frame : 60 X 76 cm GARAT Francis (1870 -...
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
$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
Samantha Haring "Water" 2025 chalk pastel on paper
Located in New York, NY
Samantha Haring Water, 2025 chalk pastel on paper 15 x 15 in. (hari028)
Paper, Pastel
$3,175
Flowering Lily Plants: A 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving entitled "Cataputia Vulgaris, Parietaria Sylvestris, Nummularia", depicting flowering Spanish Nut, Yellow Turk's-cap Lily, Yellow Turk's...
Engraving
$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.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
“Orientalist Tropical Sunset”
By Paul Pascal
Located in Southampton, NY
Original watercolor and gouache of a colorful tropical sunset by the well known French artist, Paul Pascal. Pascal is known for his watercolor/gouache orientalist paintings. Signe...
Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper
$9,453
Large landscape oil painting of the Deer Park at Vaynol country estate, Wales
By George Earl
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
George Earl (British, 1824 -1908) Rivals at Dawn, Vaynol The Deer Park at Vaynol is a country estate in Gwynedd, Wales Oil on canvas Signed and dated ‘George Earl. Pinxt 1882’ (lower...
Canvas, 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
$240Sale Price|20% Off
Carriage to the Church by Benjamin II Vautier - Graphite on paper - 20x15 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Benjamin II Vautier (1895–1974) was a Swiss-born artist, known for his contributions to both painting and graphic art. He was born into a family with artistic roots, as the son of Ot...
Paper, Graphite
$240Sale Price|20% Off
Young woman Drawing on paper 23x32 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper Monogram L.T.C.
Charcoal, Pastel
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
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
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
"The Working Man"
By R.V. Rowe
Located in Southampton, NY
34 x 28 overall Canvas laid down on artist board Signed lower right Overall in gold leaf frame 30x24 inches R.W. Rowe Circa 1970’s
Canvas, Oil
$640Sale Price|20% Off
“Pietra Dura Female Dancer”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original pietra dura handmade mosaic plaque composed of marble and other exotic stone of a traditionally clad dancing female figure holding an horn. Circa 1950. Condition is excellen...
Stone
$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
French 19th Century Romantic Period 1830s Paris Society Beauty Portrait
Located in Norwich, GB
A astounding portrait of a society beauty by Adele Grasset (active ca 1830-1850). With an open face and and lightly smiling lips, she is wearing a gown typical of the romantic period. Drawn in graphite and heightened with white, the drawing is dated 1836 As often with woman artists of the 18th and 19th century, there is little biographical information available on Adèle Grasset. We do know however, that she had studied with the highly prominent artist François Gérard (1770-1837) , known also as the Baron Gérard...
Paper, Charcoal, Gouache
“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
Landscape with a Sailboat and Fishermen - Original etching
Located in Paris, IDF
PERELLE Family (17th Century) Landscape with a Sailboat and Fishermen Original Engraving Signed in the plate On laid paper, 15.5 x 28 cm INFORMATION: This family of artists, led by...
Etching
$704Sale Price|20% Off
Farm, landscape 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: Farm Size: 12" x 17" x 0.8'' inch, (...
Oil, Canvas
Sunny Day, 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: 2018 Style: Impressionism Title: Sunny Day Size: 16" x 20" x 0.8'' in...
Canvas, Oil
Carlo Grubacs 19th Century oil painting of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice
By Carlo Grubacs
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carlo Grubacs (Italian, 1810 – 1870) Santa Maria della Salute, Venice Oil on panel Signed ‘C Grubacs’ (lower right) 9.3/4 x 5.3/8 in. (24.8 x 13.8 cm.)
Oil, Wood Panel
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
“Enlevement des Sabines”
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is a beautiful highly detailed bronze done in the forth quarter of the nineteen century after the work of Jean Boulogne, known as Giambologna. Boulogne’s sculpture was done in marble and was completed between 1579 and 1583. The sculptor of this bronze is Antonin Mercie, a well known French sculptor born in 1845. The bronze represents the Rape of the Sabine Women (Latin: Sabinae raptae), also known as the Abduction of the Sabine Women or the Kidnapping of the Sabine Women, was an incident in Roman mythology in which the men of Rome committed a mass abduction of young women from the other cities in the region. It has been a frequent subject of artists and sculptors, particularly during the Renaissance and post-Renaissance eras. Signed on base “Mercie” for Antonin Mercie.. In very good condition wirh original brown patina. The base which depicts rocks is bronze and has been painted a matt black. Provenance:: A Sarasota estate. Mercié, (Marius Jean Antonin Mercie...
Bronze
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
$556Sale 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
$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
$534Sale Price|20% Off
Anatomical Study of Horse Legs
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Anatomical Study of Horse Legs Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Coloured Pencil and pen on paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.75 (Width) Signed: No Condition: Good ...
Gel Pen, Color Pencil
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...
Pastel, Lithograph
$300Sale Price|20% Off
“Chinese Female Figures in Interior”
Located in Southampton, NY
Chinese print in colors of female figures in interior. Unknown artist. Signed lower right. Circa 1930. Condition is very good. Under glass. Possibly a portion of a larger scroll. ...
Color
$534Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Abstract Artwork of a Horse in a Forest Setting
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Abstract Artwork of a Horse in a Forest Setting Artist: Robert Ladou (French 1929-2014) Medium: Acrylic on paper drawing: 11.5 x 9.5 inches condition: Good pro...
Acrylic
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
Classical Naturalistic Style Italian Allegory Study
Located in Houston, TX
Classical style allegorical painting with puti and monarchy type figures floating within the clouds. The canvas is framed in a decorative gold frame. Dimensions Without Frame: H 43.5...
Oil
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