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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
“Castle Combe”
“Castle Combe”

“Castle Combe”

By Cedric Dawe

Located in Southampton, NY

Cedric Dawe (1906-1996) British, original conte crayon drawing of the English village town of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, England. Signed lower left by the artist. Executed in 1977. ...

Category

1970s Academic Art

Materials

Conté, Crayon, Archival Paper

Mother and Child
Mother and Child

Mother and Child

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Beautiful original painting by French artist, Alexandre de Valentini (1787-1887). Pencil and gouache on paper, 14 x 18.5 inches; 19 x 23.5 inches matted. Signed and dated with Paris...

Category

Mid-19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Gouache, Pencil

La Carmencita by John Singer Sargent
La Carmencita by John Singer Sargent

La Carmencita by John Singer Sargent

By John Singer Sargent

Located in New Orleans, LA

John Singer Sargent 1856-1925 American Stamped by artist's estate (en verso) Oil on canvas John Singer Sargent, widely regarded as one of history's most distinguished portraitists...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Watering the Cattle”
“Watering the Cattle”

“Watering the Cattle”

By Edmund Darch Lewis

Located in Southampton, NY

Oil on canvas painting by the American artist, Edmund Darch Lewis. Signed lower right and dated, 1891. Several small punctures which will be professionaly restored. Old reline of ca...

Category

1890s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Danish Clipper in Twilight”
“Danish Clipper in Twilight”

“Danish Clipper in Twilight”

Located in Southampton, NY

Original oil on canvas painting of a Danish clipper ship in twilight by the painter, P. Toft. Signed “P. Toft” lower right and dated 1919. Condition is excellent. Professionally ga...

Category

1910s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

TORSO OF YOUNG BRONZE  MAN
TORSO OF YOUNG BRONZE  MAN

TORSO OF YOUNG BRONZE MAN

Located in Nice, FR

Bust of a young man with green bronze patina.

Category

1960s Academic Art

Materials

Bronze

“The Grand Canal, Venice”
“The Grand Canal, Venice”

“The Grand Canal, Venice”

Located in Southampton, NY

Venice, The Grand Canal, Illustrated London News: hand-colored wood engraving after drawings by Viscount Maidstone, published August 25, 1849 in The Illustrated London News, titled “...

Category

1840s Academic Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Engraving

Waves, Seascape, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

Waves, Seascape, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

By Karen Darbinyan

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: Waves Size: 12" x 17" x 0.8'' inch, ...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Flowering Feverfew Plants: A 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Flowering Feverfew Plants: A 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving

Flowering Feverfew Plants: A 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving

By Basilius Besler 1

Located in Alamo, CA

This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving entitled "Matricaria Flore Simplici, Matricaria Flore Pleno, depicting flowering Feverfew and Double-flowered Feverfew plants, 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. The feverfew plant is also known as featherfew, featherfoil, or bachelor’s buttons...

Category

1640s Academic Art

Materials

Engraving

Magnificent early 20th Century Oil Painting of Race horses - At the Gallops
Magnificent early 20th Century Oil Painting of Race horses - At the Gallops

Magnificent early 20th Century Oil Painting of Race horses - At the Gallops

By Julius von Blaas

Located in London, GB

Julius von Blaas (1845-1923) At The Gallops circa 1905 Oil on canvas Signed and dated “Julius von Blass / 1905” (lower left) 110 x 200 cm (140 x 230 cms framed ish) This enormous and grand depiction of horses exercising is an iconic image not only of the edwardien era but also of today’s racing elite. Julius von Blaas was taught by his father Carl von Blaas (1815-1994) and trained in Venice, Florence and Rome. He was also influenced by his celebrated brother Eugen von Blaas...

Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Hunting scene with Dogs and Deer

Hunting scene with Dogs and Deer

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

SCHOUTEN Henri (1864-1927) « Hunting scene with Dogs and Deer » - Oil on canvas signed low left - Dim canvas : 60 X 90 cm - Dim frame : 85 X 124 cm SCHOUTEN Henry (or SHOUTEN) P...

Category

Early 1900s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Russell Flint watercolour of skiing near St. Moritz, British, 20th Century
Russell Flint watercolour of skiing near St. Moritz, British, 20th Century

Russell Flint watercolour of skiing near St. Moritz, British, 20th Century

By Sir William Russell Flint RA ROI

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Sir William Russell Flint (British, 1880 – 1969) Winter sports in the Engadine, possibly St. Moritz watercolour on paper signed ‘W RUSSELL FLINT’ (lower right) 12.1/2 x 19.3/8 in. (3...

Category

20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Young Mother Contemplating Two Embracing Children by William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Young Mother Contemplating Two Embracing Children by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Young Mother Contemplating Two Embracing Children by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

By William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Located in New Orleans, LA

William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1825-1905 French Jeune mère contemplant deux enfants qui s'embrassent (Young Mother Contemplating Two Embracing Children) Signed “W-Bouguereau” (bottom ...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Summer”
“Summer”

“Summer”

By Charles Wilson Knapp

Located in Southampton, NY

Here for your consideration is a wonderful large panoramic original oil painting by the well known American artist, Charles Wilson Knapp. Signed lower right. Circa 1880. Condition...

Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cupid and Aphrodite: Late 19th Century Porcelain Painting
Cupid and Aphrodite: Late 19th Century Porcelain Painting

Cupid and Aphrodite: Late 19th Century Porcelain Painting

Located in Milwaukee, WI

This painting on porcelain depicts the Greek legends Aphrodite and Cupid in radiant light. In this playful scene, Aphrodite holds Cupid's bow just out of his reach. This painting is ...

Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Porcelain

Painting 19th Century Flowers
Painting 19th Century Flowers

Painting 19th Century Flowers

By Louis Adolphe Tessier

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

TESSIER Louis Adolphe (1858-1915)Flowers Oil on canvas signed low right and dated 1893 Old original frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 53 X 67 cm Dim frame : 78 X 91 cm Certificat...

Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Shooting Engraving After George Stubbs, Late 18th Century Style
Shooting Engraving After George Stubbs, Late 18th Century Style

Shooting Engraving After George Stubbs, Late 18th Century Style

Located in GB

William Woollett (1735–1785) William Woollett was one of the most accomplished British engravers of the 18th century, renowned for his technical precision and his ability to translate the subtleties of painting into the language of print. Born in Maidstone, Kent, Woollett trained under John Tinney in London and quickly established himself as a master of landscape and historical engraving. He became particularly celebrated for his engravings after works by artists such as Richard Wilson, Claude Lorrain, and Benjamin West — notably The Death of General Wolfe (after West), which became one of the most famous British prints of its age. Woollett’s exceptional skill in combining line engraving with etching allowed him to reproduce painterly effects of light, texture, and atmosphere with remarkable delicacy. Elected an Associate Engraver of the Royal Academy in 1775, Woollett elevated the status of printmaking to that of a fine art. His works, characterized by technical brilliance and tonal richness, remain benchmarks of 18th-century British engraving. George Stubbs (1724–1806) George Stubbs is regarded as one of Britain’s greatest animal painters, celebrated for his scientific observation, anatomical accuracy, and artistic sensitivity. Born in Liverpool, he studied anatomy independently, dissecting horses to understand their musculature and structure — research that culminated in his celebrated publication The Anatomy of the Horse (1766). Stubbs’s paintings...

Category

Late 18th Century Academic Art

Materials

Engraving

“Nasturtiums in Blue Vase”
“Nasturtiums in Blue Vase”

“Nasturtiums in Blue Vase”

Located in Southampton, NY

Original oil on canvas painting of nasturtiums in a blue vase. Signed lower left. Appears to be L.I.S. Wallace. Unknown artist. American school; circa 1890. Original pierced gold p...

Category

1890s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ludwig van Löfftz (1845-1910) The Artist at Work, oil on panel
Ludwig van Löfftz (1845-1910) The Artist at Work, oil on panel

Ludwig van Löfftz (1845-1910) The Artist at Work, oil on panel

Located in Les Acacias GE, GE

Ludwig van Löfftz (1845-1910)
 The Artist at Work
 Oil on panel
 Signed and located Munchen lower left 
21 x 16 cm
 Provenance: * Collections of Prof. Dr. Ludwig Borchardt and Emili...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Woman Selling Fruit Oil on Canvas, Costumbrist Realism, 1970s"
"Woman Selling Fruit Oil on Canvas, Costumbrist Realism, 1970s"

"Woman Selling Fruit Oil on Canvas, Costumbrist Realism, 1970s"

By Rosendo Gonzalez Carbonell

Located in Sitges, Barcelona

Title: Woman Selling Fruit Author: Rosendo González Carbonell Technique and Support: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 31.9 x 25.6 in (unframed) Period: 1970s Style: Costumbrist realism with impressionist influences Condition: Part of a private collection Description of the Artwork The painting portrays a woman holding a basket filled with fruit, notably apples and pears, focusing on warm and dark contrasts that add depth and realism to the composition. The artist creates an intimate atmosphere, skillfully manipulating light to highlight the woman's facial features and the textures of the fruit. The figure’s attire evokes a classical style, likely inspired by costumbrist themes. Rosendo González Carbonell, renowned for his focus on traditional scenes and female figures, employs in this piece loose yet precise brushstrokes, creating dynamism that enhances the composition. The warm hues of the fruit and the serene expression of the woman reflect the artist’s intention to capture a moment of everyday life with sensitivity and expressiveness. Author’s Biography Rosendo González Carbonell (Barcelona, 1910 - 1984) was a Spanish painter recognized for his focus on female figures, portraits, and landscapes. He studied at the Acadèmia de Belles Arts de Sabadell under the mentorship of Mayoral and Antoni Alsina i Amils and also attended the "Llotja" art academy in Barcelona. He was a disciple of Bonaventura Puig Perucho and maintained a close friendship with painter Alejandro Huerta Lucas. He participated in the National Fine Arts Exhibitions held in Barcelona in 1942 and 1944. His work reflects the tradition of Catalan painters such as Joaquim Mir and Santiago Rusiñol, as well as influences from impressionist masters like Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro. González Carbonell often depicted small villages, rural churches, and tranquil landscapes, balancing meticulous detail with impressionist brushstrokes that bring his compositions to life. Similar Artists González Carbonell shares artistic sensitivities with other renowned painters who captured the essence of landscapes and human figures through light and color: Joaquim Mir: Renowned for his luminous interpretations of the Catalan landscape. Santiago Rusiñol: Famous for his delicate depictions of rural scenes and local architecture. Josep Amat...

Category

1970s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Woman portrait by Ilse Voigt - Oil on canvas 96x76 cm
Woman portrait by Ilse Voigt - Oil on canvas 96x76 cm

Woman portrait by Ilse Voigt - Oil on canvas 96x76 cm

By Ilse Voigt

Located in Geneva, CH

Oil on canvas with wooden frame. Total size with frame is 88x109 cm Ilse VOIGT is an artist born in 1905 and died in 1997. His works have been sold at public auction 24 times, mostl...

Category

1940s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

A Pompeian Lady
A Pompeian Lady

A Pompeian Lady

By John William Godward

Located in New Orleans, LA

John William Godward 1861-1922 British A Pompeian Lady Signed and dated "J.W. Godward 1904" (lower right, partially covered by frame) Oil on canvas One of the last and greatest Victorian neoclassical painters, John William Godward is celebrated for his flawlessly executed images of graceful women posed in idealized ancient settings. In this work, entitled A Pompeian Lady, a classical beauty is caught idling in a moment of quiet, solitary reflection. Godward's elegant subjects are depicted with a degree of technical mastery that remains unsurpassed, and the work's dramatic palette, luxurious fabrics and classical vision are all characteristics of his unique take on the neoclassical style. Godward was unmatched in terms of his technical skill and attention to detail. A master of contrasting textures, he paints a diaphanous gown draping against the model’s smooth, milky white skin, which sits against the painstakingly rendered individual hairs of a tiger’s pel. Scintillating color permeates the canvas as well, energizing the otherwise static scene. Each element is given careful attention, and the overall effect is one of both immaculate technique and sensual tactility. Along with his contemporary and mentor, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Godward set the tone for the Victorian neoclassicist movement. He built his career upon creating images of idealized feminine beauty infused with a Greco-Roman-inspired style. Though greatly influenced by Alma-Tadema, Godward distinguished himself through his predilection for the solitary female figure. His fame rose dramatically in the first few years of the 20th century, when the present work was completed, due to the burgeoning strength of the British Empire and the Victorian society’s preoccupation with ancient Rome. To many of the newly affluent, Roman society was, as Iain Gale writes, “a flawless mirror of their own immaculate world.” The sensuality and mystery of Godward’s maidens, combined with his impressive antique backdrops...

Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Study for Ruth Gathering Wheat 19th Century Large Antique Oil Painting on Canvas
Study for Ruth Gathering Wheat 19th Century Large Antique Oil Painting on Canvas

Study for Ruth Gathering Wheat 19th Century Large Antique Oil Painting on Canvas

Located in Jacksonville, FL

Study for Ruth Gathering Wheat The Painting is monogrammed bottom left side Provenance: Notes: This is the full scale version of Ruth in Pharoah's Fields exhibited at the Royal Academy (now lost). Exhibited at the Bristol Art Museum, Birmingham UK Private Collection, Detroit, MI Description: Sir Edwin Long (1829-1891) was a renowned British painter known for his historical and Orientalist artworks. Born in Bath, England, Long displayed exceptional artistic talent from an early age. He received formal training at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, where he honed his skills and developed his distinctive style. One of Long’s oil paintings...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Winter Day in Old Yard, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind
Winter Day in Old Yard, Original Oil Painting, One of a Kind

Winter Day in Old Yard, 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: Winter Day in Old Yard Size: 18" x 21" x 0.8'' inch, (45x53x2cm), 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...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Study for Roses Du Matin
Study for Roses Du Matin

Study for Roses Du Matin

By Adrian Gottlieb

Located in Pasadena, CA

Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist. Signed "AG" on lower left corner Dimensions Framed: 13.5" x 15.5" x 2.5"; Unframed: 7.875" x 10" Exhibited Artist's Ch...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Gondolier on a Venetian backwater, oil on canvas, by Antoine Bouvard senior
Gondolier on a Venetian backwater, oil on canvas, by Antoine Bouvard senior

Gondolier on a Venetian backwater, oil on canvas, by Antoine Bouvard senior

By Antoine Bouvard (Marc Aldine)

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Antoine Bouvard (French, 1882–1956) Gondolier on a Venetian Backwater Oil on canvas Signed ‘Bouvard’ (lower left) 21.25 x 32 in. (54 x 81.5 cm) In this tranquil Venetian scene, Anto...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cats in interior
Cats in interior

Cats in interior

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

LE ROY Jules Gustave (1853 - 1922 ) Cats in Interior Oil on canvas signed low right Old frame gilded with leaves Size canvs : 41 X 33 cm Size frame : 51 x 63 cm LE ROY Jules Gustave (1853 - 1922 ) 19th-20th century - French painter Jules Le Roy or Jules Leroy was born the 22th of December 1853. Dead in 1922 according to the Roubaix Museum Wildlife artist. He mainly painted cats...

Category

1890s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

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.