Skip to main content

Academic Art

ACADEMIC STYLE

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. 

to
264
460
321
227
143
201
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
50
467
530
303
38
50
49
46
26
22
18
27
15
28
30
113,959
62,321
57,376
26,933
14,653
9,382
6,505
5,548
4,305
3,075
2,407
2,342
2,218
603
610
599
38
846
408
278
260
182
156
141
135
125
105
95
84
74
58
54
53
49
47
45
44
829
649
374
369
199
62
36
16
15
10
658
131
738
600
Style: Academic
British, early 20th Century oriental scene by female artist Katie Blackmore
British, early 20th Century oriental scene by female artist Katie Blackmore

British, early 20th Century oriental scene by female artist Katie Blackmore

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Katie Blackmore (British, 1890 – 1957) Oriental fantasy Ink and gouache on paper Signed ‘K Blackmore’ (lower right) 9 x 8.3/8in. (22.8 x 21.2 cm.) A Scottish figurative and decorative artist, Katie Blackmore was closely associated with both Jessie Marion King...

Category

20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

British 19th Century watercolour of haystacks near the Cuckmere vallery, Sussex
British 19th Century watercolour of haystacks near the Cuckmere vallery, Sussex

British 19th Century watercolour of haystacks near the Cuckmere vallery, Sussex

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

An exquisite and tranquil portrayal of haystacks amidst the idyllic 19th Century Sussex countryside in the southeastern region of England. This enchanting watercolour captures the es...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Watercolor

"Sons and Lovers" Drill Drawing, #2

"Sons and Lovers" Drill Drawing, #2

By Michael O'Keefe

Located in Dallas, TX

Signed by artist "M. O'KEEFE 2013" at lower left. Media is graphite on clay-coated panel. Overall dimensions including the frame are 18 x 15 inches.

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Clay, Panel, Graphite

Skull and Butterflies - Oil Painting Colors Red Black Brown Beige Grey White
Skull and Butterflies - Oil Painting Colors Red Black Brown Beige Grey White

Skull and Butterflies - Oil Painting Colors Red Black Brown Beige Grey White

By Lyubena Fox

Located in Sofia, BG

"Skull and butterflies " Oil on canvas (Painting with restored frame 19th century 83x66 cm.) Comes with symbolism plaque/label* Through philosophy the mind flourishes The human mind (portrayed by the skull) flourishes and thrives (depicted by the butterflies, used as a positive symbol and symbolize resurrection) through philosophy and understanding oneself (books represent knowledge). Just like the caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies, able to grasp more of the world, the mind has the ability to transform and gain a greater comprehension. Painted entirely from life The Painting’s Qualities Lyubena Fox...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Marines in Pair - Dutch Painting 19th Century
Marines in Pair - Dutch Painting 19th Century

Marines in Pair - Dutch Painting 19th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

VAN WYK Henri (1833-NC) Marines in pair Oil on wood panel signed low left Old frame re-gilded with gold leaves Dim wood : 23 X 41 cm Dim frame : 40 X 58 cm Certificate of authenticit...

Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

November, Oil Painting

November, Oil Painting

By Elizabeth Zanzinger

Located in Denver, CO

Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "November" is an oil painting that depicts trees in autumn with a rock foreground. Elizabeth Zanzinger is an award-winning painter with an enthusiastic international following. She developed her artistic voice through her studies at the Aristides Atelier and Gage Academy of Fine Art in Seattle. Elizabeth finished her education with a fellowship award (Grand Prize, 2nd Annual Utrecht Art Competition) at the Grand Central Academy, New York City, in 2012. Since then she has completed a number of commissioned portraits of accomplished individuals, including former Chief Justice...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Walhalla - Ratisbona 2003
Walhalla - Ratisbona 2003

Walhalla - Ratisbona 2003

By Massimo Listri

Located in New York, NY

Walhalla - Ratisbona 2003 C-print Signed, titled, dated and numbered edition of 5 on artist's label on verso. 39.5 x 47.5 inches edition of 5 47.5 x 59 inches edition of 5 71 x ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Art

Materials

C Print

Antoni Costa   Woman. original figurative academician drawing painting
Antoni Costa   Woman. original figurative academician drawing painting

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....

Category

1950s Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Graphite

Alice Liddell and sisters, inspiration for Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice Liddell and sisters, inspiration for Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

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...

Category

20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Pencil

19th Century Italian gouache painting of Mount Vesuvius and Naples, summertime
19th Century Italian gouache painting of Mount Vesuvius and Naples, summertime

19th Century Italian gouache painting of Mount Vesuvius and Naples, summertime

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

A beautiful and naive painting of Naples from the sea in summertime from the 19th Century. The beautiful light blue tones of the sea highlight the architecture of Naples and Vesuvius beyond. Circle of Gioacchino La Pira...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

19th century color lithograph portraits patriotic American stars flags
19th century color lithograph portraits patriotic American stars flags

19th century color lithograph portraits patriotic American stars flags

By Nathaniel Currier

Located in Milwaukee, WI

"The Presidents of the U.S." is an original hand-colored lithograph by Nathaniel Currier. It features the first eleven presidents of the United States. 14" x 10" art 23" x 19 1/8" frame Nathaniel Currier was born March 27, 1813 to Nathaniel and Hannah Currier in Roxbury, Massachusetts. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to William S. and John Pendleton of Boston who had set up the first lithographic establishment in America. His apprenticeship served him well as he went on to be the largest publisher of lithographs. Mr. Maurer described Nat Currier as being very gentlemanly and liberal. As is evident to the success of the firm of Currier & Ives he was very devoted to his business. Nat Currier had many friends including Horace Greely and P.T. Barnum. He was well known for his sense of humor and Harry T. Peters tells one story about P. T. Barnum. "Currier had heard that one day his friend, the great showman, had rushed into the barber shop of the old Park Hotel, at Beekman and Nassau Streets, to get a shave. Barnum had hurried up to Tom Higginson, the barber, and said, 'Tom, I'm in a hurry.' 'Sorry for it,' said Tom, 'but it's that gentleman's turn next.' 'That gentleman' was an unshaven irshman waiting for a ten-cent shave. Barnum turned to him and said, 'My friend, if you will let me have your turn, I'll pay for what you have done.' The gentleman consented, and, as Barnum found out later, had a full job done - absolutely everything the house had. The check was for a dollar and sixty cents. When Currier heard this story he found the very Irishman and had him pose. The result was the famous cartoon, "The Man that Gave Barnum 'His Turn.'" Nathaniel was married twice; his first wife was Miss Eliza West of Boston. He had one son with Eliza, Edward West Currier. In 1847 he married Miss Laura Ormsbee of Vermont. Laura and Nathaniel are memorialized in the famous N. Currier lithograph The Road Winter...

Category

1840s Academic Art

Materials

Lithograph

Greek / Roman Naturalistic Allegory Painting
Greek / Roman Naturalistic Allegory Painting

Greek / Roman Naturalistic Allegory Painting

Located in Houston, TX

Stormy landscape scene in which a Cupid-like figure seen in the clouds appearing to have shot a number of wounded and dying men in the foreground. The men have a number of women and ...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Go Bang
French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Go Bang

French Contemporary Art by Franck Bailleul - Go Bang

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...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Panel

19th Century gouache of a visit to Pompei on the Grand Tour
19th Century gouache of a visit to Pompei on the Grand Tour

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...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Untitled Man With Closed Eyes
Untitled Man With Closed Eyes

Untitled Man With Closed Eyes

Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL

Untitled 1989 Man With Closed Eyes Bronze on wooden base WILLIAM LUDWIG (1935-2011) Education: University of Connecticut, 1957-1961 Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, 1961-...

Category

1980s Academic Art

Materials

Bronze

Nu feminin, 1937 - watercolor, 24x41, framed
Nu feminin, 1937 - watercolor, 24x41, framed

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...

Category

1930s Academic Art

Materials

Watercolor

A. Costa  Woman  original Figurative academician drawing painting
A. Costa  Woman  original Figurative academician drawing painting

A. Costa Woman original Figurative academician drawing painting

By A. Costa

Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL

Woman. original figurative academician drawing painting Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD. He was f...

Category

1960s Academic Art

Materials

Carbon Pencil

Antoni Costa   Woman. original figurative Academician drawing painting
Antoni Costa   Woman. original figurative Academician drawing painting

Antoni Costa Woman. original figurative Academician drawing painting

By A. Costa

Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL

woman. original figurative academician drawing painting Barcelona, 1904 - Barcelona, 1965 It was formed in Buenos Aires, in the Circle of San Lucas of Barcelona and the FAD. He was ...

Category

1960s Academic Art

Materials

Carbon Pencil

French School 19th Century, Studies of horses, two drawings
French School 19th Century, Studies of horses, two drawings

French School 19th Century, Studies of horses, two drawings

Located in Paris, FR

French School 19th Century, Studies of horses, two drawings in the same frame 7 x 11 cm (oval) and 7 x 9.8 cm pencil on paper Condition : The oval one on the left with foxings (see...

Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Pencil

Pair of 20th Century illustrations from 'A frog who would a-wooing go'
Pair of 20th Century illustrations from 'A frog who would a-wooing go'

Pair of 20th Century illustrations from 'A frog who would a-wooing go'

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Frank Adams (British,1871-1944) “Pray, Mistress Mouse, / will you give us some beer?”/Heigho! Says Rowley, / “For Froggy and I are/fond of good cheer”. / With a rowley powley/Heigho!...

Category

20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Ink, Pen

Figures at a mill
Figures at a mill

Figures at a mill

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

English school, 18th Century Figures at a mill Gouache on paper 4.5/8 x 7.1/2 in. (11.8 x 19 cm.)

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Massimo Listri 'Walhalla - Ratisbona'
Massimo Listri 'Walhalla - Ratisbona'

Massimo Listri 'Walhalla - Ratisbona'

By Massimo Listri

Located in New York, NY

Walhalla - Ratisbona 2003 C-print Signed, titled, dated and numbered edition of 5 on artist's label on verso. 39.5 x 47.5 inches edition of 5 47.5 x 59 inches edition of 5 71 x ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Art

Materials

C Print

"Robert Rauschenberg" Christopher Felver, Portrait of Famous Artist
"Robert Rauschenberg" Christopher Felver, Portrait of Famous Artist

"Robert Rauschenberg" Christopher Felver, Portrait of Famous Artist

By Christopher Felver

Located in New York, NY

Christopher Felver Rauschenberg Photo, 2003 Signed, dated and titled on verso Photography 13 3/4 x 10 3/4 inches Provenance Estate of Carolyn Brown, New York 2025. Mary Caroline (...

Category

Early 2000s Academic Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 6
French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 6

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 6

Located in Paris, IDF

Rapidography & acrylic on paper + white frame Pascal Plazanet is a French artist born in 1963 who lives and works in Paris, France. For more 30 years, he constantly uses rapidograph pens in his artworks on paper or onto canvas. The rapidograph is a special pen with a capillary tubular tip in which flows a black pigment, an ancient drawing tool...

Category

1990s Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

All day breakfast cafe
All day breakfast cafe

All day breakfast cafe

Located in Roma, IT

John Madu Contemporary Figurative Work - A Dialogue with Modern Art History This work by John Madu belongs to the series developed through a direct engagement with Vincent van ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Art

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Untitled: Still Life with Cauliflower, Orange and Pepper
Untitled: Still Life with Cauliflower, Orange and Pepper

Untitled: Still Life with Cauliflower, Orange and Pepper

Located in New York, NY

Unidentified/ Unknown Artist, "Untitled: Still Life with Cauliflower, Orange and Pepper", Monogrammed Still Life Watercolor on Paper, 16 x 20, Late 20th Century Colors: Brown, Blue...

Category

Late 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Untitled: Solo Seated Nude Twist
Untitled: Solo Seated Nude Twist

Untitled: Solo Seated Nude Twist

Located in New York, NY

Unknown/Unidentified Artist, "Untitled: Solo Seated Nude Twist", Signed Figurative/ Nude Watercolor Painting on Paper, 18 x 14, Late 20th Century Colors: Black, Brown, Orange, Yellow, Turquoise, Green, Purple, Red *Unidentified/ Unknown Artist signature...

Category

Late 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Untitled: Solo Seated Nude
Untitled: Solo Seated Nude

Untitled: Solo Seated Nude

Located in New York, NY

Unknown/Unidentified Artist, "Untitled: Solo Seated Nude", Signed Figurative/ Nude Watercolor, Charcoal (Mixed Media) Painting on Paper, 17 x 14, Late 20th Century Colors: Black, Brown, Orange, Yellow, Turquoise, Green, Purple *Unidentified/ Unknown Artist signature...

Category

Late 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Charcoal, Mixed Media

Untitled: Seated Rear Nude
Untitled: Seated Rear Nude

Untitled: Seated Rear Nude

Located in New York, NY

Unknown/Unidentified Artist, "Untitled: Seated Rear Nude", Unsigned Figurative/ Nude Watercolor, Charcoal (Mixed Media) Painting on Paper, 18 x 13, Late 20th Century Colors: Black, ...

Category

Late 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Charcoal, Mixed Media

Madonna del Dito - Heavenly beauty down to the fingertip -
Madonna del Dito - Heavenly beauty down to the fingertip -

Madonna del Dito - Heavenly beauty down to the fingertip -

Located in Berlin, DE

KPM, Madonna del Dito, oval, slightly curved porcelain picture plate by KPM Berlin in fine polychrome onglaze painting, 27 x 22 cm (plate size), 33 x 28.5 cm (frame), unsigned, press...

Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Porcelain, Oil

France early 20th century View of the Grosbois castle and head study, watercolor
France early 20th century View of the Grosbois castle and head study, watercolor

France early 20th century View of the Grosbois castle and head study, watercolor

Located in Paris, FR

French school early 20th century  View of the Grosbois castle and a portrait study. Black ink, black ink wash and watercolor on paper Signed lower right (indistinct, see photo) 27 x ...

Category

1910s Academic Art

Materials

Watercolor, Ink, Carbon Pencil

Untitled: 1930s Drawing Of  A Seated Woman
Untitled: 1930s Drawing Of  A Seated Woman

Untitled: 1930s Drawing Of A Seated Woman

Located in New York, NY

Unidentified Artist, "Untitled: 1930s Drawing of a Seated Woman", Signed Figurative Pencil Drawing on Paper, 21 x 13.88, Early 20th Century, 1936 Colors: Black and White *Unknown Artist signature...

Category

1930s Academic Art

Materials

Pencil

Untitled (Ship at Sea)
Untitled (Ship at Sea)

Untitled (Ship at Sea)

Located in New York, NY

Unknown/Unidentified Artist Signature, "Untitled: Ships at Sea", Landscape/Seascape Pencil Drawing on Paper, 4.50 x 8 (10 x 13.50 Framed), Mid to Late 20th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Carbon Pencil

Academic art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Academic art available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of purple, blue, orange, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Karen Darbinyan, Owen Jones, Paul Jones b.1921, and Mark Beard. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Academic art, so small editions measuring 1.5 inches across are also available. Prices for art made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $11 and tops out at $700,000, while the average work sells for $1,444.