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.
Tetbury Church - Signed Lithograph, Royal Art, king Charles, Architecture, spire
By His Majesty King Charles III
Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh
Tetbury Church by His Majesty King Charles III - Hand Signed Limited Edition Lithograph. Belgravia Gallery has been honoured to be associated with ...
Lithograph
$11,800
Young Beauty
Located in Mc Lean, VA
An Orientalist figurative or genre painting by Conrad Kiesel.
Oil, Wood Panel
"Self Portrait Conte Sketch" rare Ben Fenske work on paper - academic study
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A colorful self-portrait from Ben Fenske, staring at the viewer straight-on. Hues of red dominate. Unframed. Ben Fenske (b. 1978) although a native of Minnesota, and has been worki...
Paper, Conté
Lion and Lioness On The Hunt
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
RÖTIG Georges-frédéric (1873-1961) Lion and Lioness On The Hunt Oil on canvas signed and dated 1933 lower right. The canvas is mounted in a frame called "Berain style” inherited fro...
Oil
$115,000
The Crossing, 19th Century Oil Painting on Wood Panel, Signed, Framed
Located in New York, NY
The Crossing, 1855, by Theodore Frere (1814-1888) Oil on wood panel 9 x 14 inches unframed (22.86 x 35.56 cm) 17 ¾ x 22 ½ inches framed (45.085 x 57.15 cm...
Oil
"Faistenau" oil painting of snow covered landscape Salzkammergut steeple
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Plein-air landscape painting of Faistenau, in Austria. A snow covered foreground meets a structure filled horizon, a church tower reaches upward, dissecting the blue sky. Frame opt...
Oil, Panel
$8,000
Woman Reading by JOZEF ISRAËLS - Dutch painter, Hague School, portrait art
Located in London, GB
Woman Reading by JOZEF ISRAËLS (1824-1911) Oil on Panel 21 x 12.5 cm (8 1/4 x 4 15/16 inches) Signed lower right Executed circa 1870 Artist biography Du...
Oil, Wood Panel
Stony Brook Village
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Dalessio faithfully depicts a Long Island town, picturesque with a large white church in the background. Marc Dalessio was born in 1972 in Los Angeles, California. Even in his earlie...
Oil, Panel
The Love Letter
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1884' lower right
Canvas, Oil
20th Century British watercolour of Cowdrey ruins, West Sussex by Muncaster
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Claude Muncaster (British, 1903-1974) Cowdray ruins, West Sussex Pencil and watercolour 12.1/2 x 9 in. (31.7 x 22.8 cm.) Provenance: Garton & Cooke, New Bond Street, London Exhibitio...
Watercolor, Pencil
$12,500
The Fair Student
By Henry Wyatt
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed and dated '1835' center right
Canvas, Oil
"Self Portrait Sketch" Early conte crayon drawing, head of Ben Fenske, unframed
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An early work on paper, by American Impressionist painter, Ben Fenske. It's rare to see a drawing like this from Fenske, especially of a self portrait. Fenske uses classical draftin...
Paper, Conté
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Panel
Daniel Ricketson House Watercolor Painting, Landscape, 19th Century
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Daniel Ricketson House, New Bedford, 1903 Ink wash on paper, 7 x 5 inches (17.6 x 12.5 cm) Framed dimensions: 13 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches Signed and dated lower right: RSwain Gifford / 19...
Paper, Ink
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...
Watercolor
$7,147Sale Price|25% Off
Marble Sculpture of Roman Mythological subject Apollo
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo head .
Limestone
Greek Island, Fishing Boats - Signed Lithograph, Royal Art, Greece, Hills, sea
By His Majesty King Charles III
Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh
Greek Island, Fishing Boats by His Majesty King Charles III (created when he was HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales) - Hand Signed Limit...
Lithograph
Mountain Landscape with Animals and Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A student of Regnault and of Bertin, Jean-Charles Joseph Rémond exhibited at the Salon from 1814 to 1848. He was awarded his first grand prize in 1821 for "L'enlevement de Proserpin...
Canvas, Oil
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!...
Ink, Pen
20th Century drawing of William Docker Drysdale by Gilbert Spencer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Gilbert Spencer RA, RWS, NEAC (British, 1892-1959) Portrait of William Dockar Drysdale pencil Signed and dated `Gilbert Spencer/ 1949’ (lower right) 15...
Paper, Pencil
17th Century map of Cumberland, UK by Robert Morden
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Robert Morden (British, circa 1650 – 1703) A map of Cumberland with hand colouring An engraving 14.1/4 x 16.5/8 in. (36.5 x 42.5 cm.)
Engraving
Baby, 1900-1920 - terracotta, 37x38x20 cm
By Max Cantini
Located in Nice, FR
Sculpture in terracotta.
Terracotta
Pair of Bird Still Lifes 1871 by Michelangelo Meucci, Oil on Cardboard
Located in Berlin, DE
A finely executed pair of 19th-century trompe-l’œil bird still lifes by Italian painter Michelangelo Meucci (1840–1890), each meticulously rendered in ...
Oil, Cardboard
$124,500
The Potter
Located in New Orleans, LA
Léon Olivié-Bon 1863-1901 French The Potter Oil on canvas Signed and dated "Olivie-Bon 1888" (lower right) This monumental masterpiece by French artist Léon Olivié-Bon is one of ...
Canvas, Oil
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.)
Paper, Gouache
Divertimento in the Music Salon
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GUIDI Giuseppe (1881-1931) Divertimento in the Music Salon Oil on canvas signed low right Old frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 70 X 100 cm Dim frame :...
Oil
$333Sale Price|20% Off
French school 19th Sketch costume canopy holder church pictorial decoration
Located in PARIS, FR
French school of the 19th century Watercolor Annotations "Porte Dais / Costume for for the church of Saint Denis" 24 x 16.5 cm
Watercolor
La Pêche by Duchoiselle
By Duchoiselle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Duchoiselle 1801-1900 French La Pêche (Allegory of Fishing) Bronze with a brown and parcel-gilt patina Signed “Duchoiselle” This remarkable bronze figure is distinguished by its ...
Bronze
Being Married to a Book Reviewer is Exciting - First Black Cartoonist
Located in Miami, FL
Elmer Simms Campbell was a brilliant illustrator and cartoon artist and was also the first African American cartoonist to be nationally syndicated in major newsstand magazines such a...
Paper, Ink, Pen
Louis I of France as a Roman Emperor, in profile to the right
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Louis I of France as a Roman Emperor, in profile to the right Chiaroscuro woodcut, 1631-1633 Unsigned (as usual) After a drawing by Hubert Goltzius (1526-1583)...
ABS, Woodcut
Provocative 19th Century Folk Art painting of a young boy holding thorny flowers
Located in Colfax, CA
A great 19th century folk art painting of a young boy posed, carefully holding thorny flowers between two fingers. His belt buckle has initials monogrammed, the last being an 'A' pos...
Oil
Courtship and The Shepherd's Family (a pair)
Located in Mc Lean, VA
19th Century Dutch
Oil
" At The Port" 19th Century Academic Realist Landscape Oil Painting on Panel
By Andreas Schelfhout
Located in Jacksonville, FL
"Sunrise on the Shore" by Andreas Schelfhout stands as a testament to the extraordinary talent of the Dutch artist, born in The Hague in 1787. A prominent figure of the Romantic move...
Oil, Board
Plate 11: Vienna, Palais Erzherzog Friedrich, Smoking Room
Located in New York, NY
This photogravure is the sixth plate presented in Josef Folnesics publication "Alte Innenräume österreichischer Schlösser, Paläste und Wohnhäuser" (Old interiors of Austrian Castles,...
Photogravure
Edouard Detaille (1848 1912), A Carnival character, original signed Drawing
By Jean Baptiste Édouard Detaille
Located in Paris, FR
Edouard Detaille (1848-1912) A Carnival character and a Zouave 19.5 x 12.5 cm Pen and ink on paper Signed lower left with the initials (faded) In a modern framing : 35 x 28 cm T...
Ink
The Letter By Georges Croegaert
Located in New Orleans, LA
Georges Croegaert 1848-1923 Belgian The Letter Signed "Georges Croegaert Paris" (lower right) Oil on panel A cardinal pauses while composing a letter in this oil on panel by Belg...
Oil, Panel
A Sideways Glance
Located in Mc Lean, VA
Signed with monogram lower right
Canvas, Oil
A.Bachman (1863-1956), painting view of Venice
By Alfred August Felix Bachman
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
BACHMANN Alfred Félix August (1863-1956) Lively view of Venice Oil on wood panel signed low left Old frame regilded with gold leaves Dim wood : 24 X 34 cm Dim frame : 38 X 48 cm BA...
Oil
Orientalist Scenes in Pair - Dutch Painting 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
VAN WYK Henri (1833-NC) signed HENRI Orientalist scenes in pair Oil on wood panel signed low left Old frame re-gilded with gold leaves Dim wood : 22 X 41 cm Dim frame : 33 X 55 cm V...
Oil
Hercules Italian Stone Sculpture of Classical Torso with Base
Located in Rome, IT
This reproduction of a classical Hellenistic sculpture of Hercules . A timeless piece for interior and a garden decoration. We can raise with a base on request .
Limestone
Across the River by Sir David Murray
Located in New Orleans, LA
Sir David Murray, R.A., H.R.S.A., R.S.W., R.I. 1849-1933 • Scottish Across the River Signed and dated D. Murray 1907 (lower left) Signed and inscribed “Across the River/by David M...
Canvas, Oil
Stipple Drawing in Black and White of the First Lady of Haiti - African American
Located in Miami, FL
1942 Calendar illustration featuring the First Lady of Haiti (Madame Elie Lescot]) rendered in a precise stipple effect and celebrating African-American women which was titled "Twelve American Women." It was executed during the hight of World War II. Lois Mailou Jones...
Ink, Pencil
The Connoisseur By Georges Croegaert
Located in New Orleans, LA
Georges Croegaert 1848-1923 Belgian The Connoisseur Signed "Georges Croegaert Paris" (lower right) Oil on panel A Cardinal peers through a magnifying glass at gilded treasures in...
Oil, Panel
Fournier Hippolyte (1853-1926)+ Promenade de Dimanche (The Walk on Sunday)
By Hippolyte Fournier
Located in Gent, VOV
This exquisite oil on canvas painting, "The Walk on Sunday," by Hippolyte Fournier is a captivating depiction of 19th-century leisure. The artist's meticulous brushstrokes bring to l...
Oil
An Amusing Thought by Georges Croegaert
Located in New Orleans, LA
Georges Croegaert 1848-1923 Belgian An Amusing Thought Signed "Georges Croegaert Paris" (lower left) Oil on panel This oil on panel by Belgian artist Georges Croegaert is a rich ...
Oil, Panel
Apollo Marble Bust Sculpture of Grand Tour Mythological subject 1850'
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological subject in white Carrara marble of Apollo bust .
Marble
Consolation, Collier's magazine illustration
Located in Miami, FL
Signed upper left
Gouache, Paper, Pencil
Praying in the Desert by Rudolf Ernst, 19th Century Oil on Panel
By Rudolf Ernst
Located in Jacksonville, FL
Rudolph Ernst’s Praying in the Desert is a masterful example of Orientalist art, showcasing the artist's profound ability to blend intricate detail with an atmosphere of serene spiri...
Oil, Panel
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
Biblioteca di Michelozzo a S.Marco, Firenze
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...
C Print
Ballochbuie, Balmoral, April - Signed Lithograph, Royal Art, Scotland, forest
By His Majesty King Charles III
Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh
Ballochbuie, Balmoral, April by HM King Charles III - Hand Signed Limited Edition Lithograph. Belgravia Gallery has been honoured to be associated with the artworks of HIs Majesty...
Lithograph
Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Diana Goddess of the Hunt Signed B. Boschetti.
Located in Rome, IT
Grand Tour Fine Group of Sculpture in Bronze after a Louvre Diana of Versailles or Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt. Diana is represented at the hunt, hastening forward, as if in pursui...
Bronze
The Carpet Seller 19th Century Orientalist Antique Watercolor Painting on Paper
Located in Jacksonville, FL
Provenance John Welles Hollenback, New York The Painting is Signed FBartolini Lower Right Federico Bartolini (Italian, 1861 - 1908) Description: Federico Bartolini was a renowned ...
Paper, Watercolor
$450
Plate 25: "Vienna, Palais Erzherzog Friedrich, Anteroom at the main staircase"
Located in New York, NY
This photogravure is twenty fifth plate presented in Josef Folnesics publication "Alte Innenräume österreichischer Schlösser, Paläste und Wohnhäuser" (Old interiors of Austrian Castl...
Photogravure
Two Arches, Prospect Park Brooklyn, sunlight architectural urban landscape
Plate 15: Vienna, Palais Erzherzog Friedrich, Dinning Room
Located in New York, NY
This photogravure is the sixth plate presented in Josef Folnesics publication "Alte Innenräume österreichischer Schlösser, Paläste und Wohnhäuser" (Old interiors of Austrian Castles,...
Photogravure
$3,335
Charcoal portrait of a young girl - Heinrich Axenfeld (1824 -1895)
Located in Gent, VOV
Discover this magnificent charcoal drawing by Heinrich Axenfeld , a 19th-century artist (1824-1895) renowned for his talent in both realistic and poetic portraiture. This delicate...
Charcoal
A. LEONARD - Flower Girl and her Dog
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A. LEONARD (19th-20th) Flower Girl and Her Dog Oil on canvas signed low left Old Frame regilded with Leaves Dim canvas : 46 X 38 cm Dim Frame : 55 X 46 cm
Oil
Plate 6: Vienna, Palais Erzherzog Friedrich, Second View
Located in New York, NY
This photogravure is the sixth plate presented in Josef Folnesics publication "Alte Innenräume österreichischer Schlösser, Paläste und Wohnhäuser" (Old interiors of Austrian Castles,...
Photogravure
Plate 22:"Vienna, Palais Erzherzog Friedrich, detail of ceiling in Gobelin Hall"
Located in New York, NY
This photogravure is the twenty second plate presented in Josef Folnesics publication "Alte Innenräume österreichischer Schlösser, Paläste und Wohnhäuser" (Old interiors of Austrian ...
Photogravure