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.
Portrait of Bertold Brecht
By Josef Breitenbach
Located in New York, NY
Silver print Stamped in black ink, verso This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Josef Breitenbach (1896-1984) was a German photographer and member of the Su...
Black and White
William Russell Flint mixed media, 'Ray mounted on Pegasus', British
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
William Russell Flint (British, 1880 – 1969) Ray mounted on Pegasus Mixed media Signed ‘W Russell Flint’ (lower right), further signed and titled on the reverse 10.1/2 x 14.1/2 in. (...
Mixed Media
'Hart Laubs Duck' by British ornithologist Sir Peter Markham Scott
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Sir Peter Markham Scott CH CBE DSC FRS FZS Hart Laubs Duck Watercolour on paper 4.3/8 x 6.1/2 in. (11.2 x 16.5 cm.) Provenance: Painted by Scott as a visual record for a bird spotte...
Paper, Watercolor
Alice Liddell and sisters, inspiration for Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
By Lewis Carroll
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
This is a beautiful drawing, brimming with the unique personalities of Alice Liddell and her beloved sisters, Lorina and Edith. Dating back to the late 19th Century, this captivatin...
Paper, Pencil
Bust of Diana
Located in New York, NY
Among Falguière’s greatest works, his figure of the huntress Diana emerged as a masterpiece, the bust of which stands out as one of the most successful and recognizable idealized hea...
Bronze
Mission at Rancho, New Mexico by Joseph Imhof
Located in Colfax, CA
Rare print by Joseph A. Imhof, with only two proofs of this print printed on gray paper. Joseph Imhof 's first exposure to art was at the age of six, when his godfather gave him a bo...
Lithograph
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
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...
Lithograph
Summer Day, 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: Summer Day, Size: 9" x 13.5" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Oil
At the Window, Still Life, 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: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: At the Window Size: 30" x 24" x 0.8'' inch, (76x51x2cm), 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
Flower Sellers, Figurative, 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: 2019 Style: Impressionism Title: Flower Sellers 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
Still Life in Blue and Yellow, 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: Still Life with Blue and Yellow Size...
Canvas, Oil
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
Symphony of Flowers, 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: Symphony of Flowers Size: 24" x ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Autumn in the Yard, 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: Autumn in the Yard Size: 18" x 14" x...
Canvas, Oil
Farm, Original oil Painting, Impressionism, 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: Farm Size: 16" x 20" x 0.8'' inch, ...
Canvas, Oil
Waves, 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: Waves Size: 20" x 27.5" x 0.8'' inch...
Canvas, Oil
$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
On the Rocks, 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: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: On the Rocks Size: 24" x 25" x 0.8''...
Canvas, Oil
Red Boat, 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: 2017 Style: Impressionism Title: Red Boat Size: 9" x 12" x 0.8'' inch...
Canvas, Oil
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
Young People on the Rocks, Figurative, 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: 2016 Style: Impressionism Subject: Young People on the Rocks Size...
Canvas, Acrylic
Chinese Monastery, 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: Chinese Monastery Size: 16" x 20...
Canvas, Acrylic
City Park, 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: City Park Size: 16" x 20" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Acrylic
Winter Landscape 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: 2018 Style: Impressionism Subject: Winter Size: 20" x 28" x 0.8'' inc...
Canvas, Oil
Under the Blossomed Tree, 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 Subject: Under the Blossomed Tree, Size: 1...
Canvas, Oil
Young Woman Dressing Before Going to Prom - Original lithograph
Located in Paris, IDF
Maurice DENIS (1870 - 1943) Young Woman Dressing Before Going to Prom, 1918 Original lithograph enhanced in pastel Unsigned On light cream tinted vellum 49 x 31,5 cm (c. 19,2 x 12,4...
Lithograph
Nu feminin, 1937 - watercolor, 24x41, framed
By Odilon Roche
Located in Nice, FR
Aquarelle sur papier, signée et datée 1937. Dimensions avec le cadre: 51x68 cm. Odilon Roche est né le 3 octobre 1868 à Châteauneuf-sur-Loire. Mort le 27 août 1947 à Six-Fours (Var...
Watercolor
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Luxe, Calme & Volupté
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 wor...
Canvas, Oil
$546Sale 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
$546Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Pelvic Girdle
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Pelvic Girdle Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on Paper Size: 19.75 (Height) x 12.75 (Width) Signed: No Cond...
Pencil
$546Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of Horse’s Head and Neck
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of Horse’s Head and Neck Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on Paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.75 (Width) Signed: No ...
Pencil
$546Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of Horse’s Limb
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Pencil Study of Horse’s Limb Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on Paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13 (Width) Signed: No Condition: G...
Pencil
British mid century watercolour and pen drawing of black and tan terrier dogs
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Mona Alizon Edmonds (British, circa 1944) Black and tan terriers Watercolour on paper Signed, inscribed and dated ‘Black and tan terriers (minature) Dogs and Bitch. AM Edmonds. 19...
Watercolor, Pencil
$546Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Hoof
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of Horse's Hoof Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Watercolor on card Size: 19.75 (Height) x 12.5 (Width) Signed: No Condition: ...
Pencil, Watercolor
$546Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Shoulder
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Shoulder Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.5 ...
Pencil
$464Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Limb
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Anatomical Study of a Horse's Limb Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Pencil on paper Size: 20 (Height) x 13.75 (Width) Signed: No Condition: Lig...
Pencil, Color Pencil
$546Sale Price|20% Off
Original French Study of Children Watching Horses Cross a Bridge
By Robert Ladou
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Original French Study of Children Watching Horses Cross a Bridge Artist: Robert Ladou (French, 1929-2014) Medium: Ink on card Size: 6.5 (Height) x 14.75 (Width) Signed: No Co...
Ink
$1,913
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
Istambul View with characters
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Alfredo CALDINI (1917 - NC) View of Istambul with Characters Oil on canvas signed low left Old frame regilded with gold leaves Size canvas : 46 X 65 cm...
Oil
$965Sale Price|20% Off
Flowering Branch Watercolor on Paper, Academic Style, Circa 1900
Located in Genève, GE
Work on paper signed This work illustrates a vibrant branch of flowers, showcasing shades of bright red and soft green. The artist has precisely captured the delicacy of the undulat...
Watercolor, Paper
Landscape with a Bridge and Fishermen - Original etching
Located in Paris, IDF
PERELLE Family (17th Century) Landscape with a Bridge and Fishermen Original Engraving Signed in the plate On laid paper, 15.5 x 28 cm INFORMATION: This family of artists, led by G...
Etching
Landscape with Fishermen - Original etching
Located in Paris, IDF
PERELLE Family (17th Century) Landscape with Fishermen Original Engraving Signed in the plate On laid paper, 15.5 x 28 cm INFORMATION: This family of artists, led by Gabriel, the f...
Etching
Building a Ship - Original etching
Located in Paris, IDF
PERELLE Family (17th Century) Building a Ship Original Engraving Signed in the plate On laid paper, 15.5 x 28 cm INFORMATION: This family of artists, led by Gabriel, the father, an...
Etching
Teaching him a New Trick
Located in Mc Lean, VA
19th Century Dutch
Canvas, Oil
"View on Long Island" James Henry Cafferty, Hudson River School Summer Landscape
Located in New York, NY
James Henry Cafferty Landscape and Figures (New Jersey or Long Island), 1845 Signed lower right Oil on canvas 21 x 17 1/4 inches Provenance The artist John L. Schoolcraft, Albany, N...
Canvas, Oil
Antique SUNSET VIEW OF SAN LAZZARO, VENICE
Located in New York, NY
Up for sale is a wonderful Italian Venetian Sunset painting by Bernhard Stange (1807-1880). Painting for sale depicts SUNSET VIEW OF SAN LAZZARO, VENICE It is absolutely colorful a...
Oil
$1,025
Scottish early 20th Century watercolour painting of a sitting girl by Lamont
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
John Charles Lamont ARSA (Scottish, 1894-1948) “The sitting girl” Pencil, watercolour, body colour and pastel Signed ‘LAMONT’ (lower-right) 23. 3/4. X 14. 3/4 in (60.5 x 37.5 cm)
Pastel, Watercolor, Pencil
$937Sale Price|20% Off
Buds Watercolor and Crayon Drawing, Early 20th Century, Unframed
Located in Genève, GE
Work on paper no signed
Crayon, Watercolor
1974 oil painting still life of strawberries by British artist George Weissbort
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
George Weissbort (Belgian / British, 1928 – 2013) Strawberries Oil on canvasboard Signed and dated ‘G Weissbort 1974’ (lower right) 18.1/4 x 20.1/8 in. (46.3 x 51 cm.) George We...
Oil, Board
The gift of flowers / - The depth of allegory -
Located in Berlin, DE
Conrad Kiesel (1846-1921), The gift of flowers. Oil on wood, 43 x 35 cm, 69 x 61 cm (frame), signed at lower left "Conrad Kiesel pxt [pinxit]", about 1900. In a magnificent gilt stuc...
Oil
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Untitled (Cafe Interior), Shimshon Holzman
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Shimshon Holzman (1907-1986) Title: Untitled (Cafe Interior) Year: 1962 Medium: Watercolor and graphite on wove paper Size: 27.75 x 19.75 inches ...
Watercolor, Graphite
A Sideways Glance
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed with monogram lower right
Canvas, Oil
Samantha Haring, "Enough" Oil on paper on panel
Located in New York, NY
Samantha Haring "Enough," 2024 Oil on paper on panel 20 x 20 in. (hari024)
Paper, Oil, Panel
19th Century gouache of a visit to Pompei on the Grand Tour
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Neapolitan school (early 19th Century) A visit to Pompei on the the Grand Tour Gouache on paper Inscribed ‘Porzione del quartiere a Pompei’ and ‘In Nap...
Paper, Gouache
Samantha Haring "Sic Transit" Oil on paper on panel
Located in New York, NY
Samantha Haring "Sic Transit," 2023 Oil on paper on panel 16 x16 in. (hari020)
Paper, Oil, Panel
Seated Woman
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Seated Woman, 1884 Oil on board 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm) Framed dimensions: 15 1/2 x 13 1/4 inches Signed lower right: Thos. P Anshutz. Dated lower left: 1884– Provenance Priv...
Oil, Board
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - 7eme Symphonie
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 wor...
Canvas, Oil
Balmoral Winter Scene - Signed Lithograph, Royal Art, Scotland, king charles III
Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh
Balmoral Winter Scene by His Majesty King Charles III (created when he was HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales) - Hand Signed Limited...
Lithograph
$1,025
British, 19th Century oil painting of harvest time in the English countryside
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
David Hamilton (British, circa 1888) Harvest time Oil on canvas Signed and dated `David Hamilton 1888’ (lower right) 20.1/8 x 16 in. (51.2 x 40.8 cm.)
Canvas, Oil