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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.  

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Style: Academic
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

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

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

British 19th Century drawing of a nude by Edward Stott
British 19th Century drawing of a nude by Edward Stott

British 19th Century drawing of a nude by Edward Stott

By Edward Stott

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Edward Stott, ARA (British, 1859 - 1918) Reclining nude Pastel and black crayon 8.1/2 x 12.1/4 in. (21.7 x 31.2 cm.) Provenance: Abbott and Holder, London A few years after its foundation in 1886, a critic referred to the New English Art Club as that Steery, Starry, Stotty. Stotty referred to William Stott of Oldham and Edward William Stott. The four men had in common the love French plein air painting...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Crayon, Pastel

"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

Amaranthus tricolor: A 17th-18th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Amaranthus tricolor: A 17th-18th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving

Amaranthus tricolor: A 17th-18th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving

By Basilius Besler 1

Located in Alamo, CA

This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving entitled "Amaranthus Tricolor", depicting a flowering Amaranthus Tricolor plant 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. Amaranthus tricolor, known as edible amaranth, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Amaranthus. The plant is often cultivated for ornamental and culinary purposes. Cultivars have a striking yellow, red, and green foliage. It is known as Joseph's coat in some areas, after the biblical figure Joseph, who is said to have worn a coat of many colors. Amaranthus tricolor is one of several species of amaranth cultivated in warm regions across the world. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thin laid chain-linked paper with very wide margins. There is a short crease in the upper right corner, mild irregularity of the left, right and lower edges and some bleed-through of text from the verso. The print is otherwise in excellent condition with striking hand-coloring. The sheet measures 22.13" high and 17.13" wide. Basilius Besler (1561–1629) was an apothecary and botanist. He was curator of the Willibaldsburg Castle garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop...

Category

Early 18th Century Academic Art

Materials

Engraving

19th-century French school, studies of horses and a rider, two drawings
19th-century French school, studies of horses and a rider, two drawings

19th-century French school, studies of horses and a rider, two drawings

Located in Paris, FR

French School 19th Century, Studies of horses and a rider 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 f...

Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Pencil

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

The Water Tower
The Water Tower

The Water Tower

Located in Greenville, DE

Coastal landscape painting by Giovanni Casadei, "The Water Tower." Oil on panel. Framed dimensions 12.5 x 17.5 inches. Casadei’s approach to painting is to communicate to the viewer ...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

"The Informal Gathering" — 1913 Oil on Canvas Figurative Rural Landscape
"The Informal Gathering" — 1913 Oil on Canvas Figurative Rural Landscape

"The Informal Gathering" — 1913 Oil on Canvas Figurative Rural Landscape

By César Pattein

Located in Naples, Florida

"The Informal Gathering" by César Pattein (French, 1850–1931) is a signed and dated 1913 oil on canvas measuring 23 x 32 inches, depicting a charming rural scene of young girls gathe...

Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

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: 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

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 2
Untitled: Seated Rear Nude 2

Untitled: Seated Rear Nude 2

Located in New York, NY

Unknown/Unidentified Artist, "Untitled: Seated Rear Nude 2", Unsigned Figurative/ Nude Watercolor, Charcoal (Mixed Media) Painting on Paper, 18 x 14, Late 20th Century Colors: Brown...

Category

Late 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Charcoal, Mixed Media

Biblioteca di Michelozzo a S.Marco, Firenze

Biblioteca di Michelozzo a S.Marco, Firenze

By Massimo Listri

Located in New York, NY

Biblioteca di Michelozzo a S.Marco, Firenze, 2009 C-print Signed, titled, dated and numbered edition of 5 on artist's label on verso. The photographer is based in Florence, and is f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Art

Materials

C Print

Arrotino (Knife Sharpener) Fonderia Chiurazzi Life-size Bronze Bust Sculpture
Arrotino (Knife Sharpener) Fonderia Chiurazzi Life-size Bronze Bust Sculpture

Arrotino (Knife Sharpener) Fonderia Chiurazzi Life-size Bronze Bust Sculpture

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Grand Tour Bronze Bust of the Arrotino (Knife Sharpener) Chiurazzi Foundry, Naples, Italy Early 20th Century This exceptional Grand Tour bronze bust represents the celebrated Arrotin...

Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Bronze

Nineteenth-century Coachman - Ink drawing - 1916
Nineteenth-century Coachman - Ink drawing - 1916

Nineteenth-century Coachman - Ink drawing - 1916

By Georges Conrad

Located in Paris, IDF

Georges CONRAD (1874-1936) Nineteenth-century Coachman Original India ink and pencil drawing Signed with the stamp of atelier On paper 26.5 x 20 cm (c. 10,4 x 7.8 in) Very good co...

Category

1910s Academic Art

Materials

India Ink

“Le Crepuscule”
“Le Crepuscule”

“Le Crepuscule”

By Jean Louis Hamon

Located in Southampton, NY

Original photogravure of a young woman in the garden. Original painting was done by Jean Louis Harmon in 1857. Condition is very good. Le Crepuscule is the French word for twilig...

Category

1850s Academic Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Photogravure

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

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.