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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.  

Find a collection of academic paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs. 

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Style: Academic
Four Season Extraordinary Set of  Italian Stone Term Figure Sculptures
Four Season Extraordinary Set of  Italian Stone Term Figure Sculptures

Four Season Extraordinary Set of Italian Stone Term Figure Sculptures

Located in Rome, IT

Four Term Figure sculptures with classically draped figures and their distinguishing symbols in carved Vicenza stone. Autumn, winter, spring and summer. Measures: Height with squar...

Category

20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Limestone

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

Marine with Characters
Marine with Characters

Marine with Characters

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Maurice BAUDIN (19th Century) Marine "L'Escaut near Anvers" (Belgium) Oil on canvas signed and dated 1893 low left Old frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 38 X 70 cm - Dim frame : ...

Category

1890s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

“Double Portrait”
“Double Portrait”

“Double Portrait”

Located in Southampton, NY

Beautiful original oil on canvas double portrait painting of a young boy and girl with cat (moist likely brother and sister) attributed to the hand of American artist, John Carlin. ...

Category

1860s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Óleo sobre tela - Retrato de caballero con sombrero
Óleo sobre tela - Retrato de caballero con sombrero

Óleo sobre tela - Retrato de caballero con sombrero

Located in Sant Celoni, ES

Firmado en la parte inferior (desconozco el artista) Se presenta sin enmarcar la pintura El estado de la pintura es aceptable Medidas obra: 58 x 48 cm.

Category

Early 1900s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

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

Flowering Peppermint 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 "Pulegium Cervinum, Pseudo Pulegium Struthium, Pulegium Regium", depicting flowering Peppermint, Weld and Pennyroyal plants respectively 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. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thin laid chain-linked paper. There are subtle creases in the right upper corner, very common with Besler's relating to the drying of the paper during its production. The right margin is thinner than the others. The print is otherwise in excellent condition with striking hand-coloring. 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

1640s Academic Art

Materials

Engraving

Painted Cast-Metal Tiger circa  1900
Painted Cast-Metal Tiger circa  1900

Painted Cast-Metal Tiger circa 1900

Located in SANTA FE, NM

Painted Cast-Metal Tiger Continental School, circa 1900 8.75 x 19.5 inches Ex. Collection Interior Designer Joseph Cicio Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Joseph Cicio followe...

Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Metal

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

“Tipos”
“Tipos”

“Tipos”

Located in Southampton, NY

Oil paint on heavy illustration board by the Spanish artist, Cecilio Pla. Signed lower right. Titled and signed verso. “Tipos” means types; different type...

Category

Early 1900s Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Illustration Board

Anatomy Drawing of a Horse - Original French Artwork Equestrian Anatomy Study
Anatomy Drawing of a Horse - Original French Artwork Equestrian Anatomy Study

Anatomy Drawing of a Horse - Original French Artwork Equestrian Anatomy Study

By Robert Ladou

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

The Anatomy of a Horse by Robert Ladou (French 1929-2014) original drawing stuck on card in blue folder/ thick paper, unframed drawing: 12 x 19 inch...

Category

20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Charcoal, Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil, Color Pencil

An 18th-19th Century Oil on Canvas "The Triumph of Venice" After Paolo Veronese
An 18th-19th Century Oil on Canvas "The Triumph of Venice" After Paolo Veronese

An 18th-19th Century Oil on Canvas "The Triumph of Venice" After Paolo Veronese

By Paolo Veronese

Located in LA, CA

A very fine and Large Italian 18th-19th century oval-shaped oil on canvas titled "The Triumph of Venice" After the original work by Paolo Veronese (Venice, 1528-1588). The original of this painting hangs in the Palazzo Ducale, Venice. The 'Ricci' coloration suggests a late 17th-early 18th century date. In 1715 Charles de la Fosse advised Ricci to paint only "Veroneses and no more Riccis", Venice, circa 1800. Measures: Height: 45 1/4 inches (115 cm). Width: 29 inches (73.7 cm). Frame height: 58 1/4 inches (147.9 cm). Frame width: 43 1/4 inches (109.9 cm). Frame depth: 5 1/4 (13.3 cm). Provenance: Royal Academy of Scotland. Paolo Veronese (Born 1528, Verona, Republic of Venice - died April 9, 1588, Venice) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance in Venice, famous for paintings such as The Wedding at...

Category

19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Untitled (Mother Holding Baby)
Untitled (Mother Holding Baby)

Untitled (Mother Holding Baby)

By John Gilroy

Located in New York, NY

John Thomas Young Gilroy (English, 1898-1985), "Untitled: Mother Holding Baby", Figurative/Academic Drawing signed on Paper, 14 x 8, Early 20th Century Colors: White, Black "Untitled: Mother Holding Baby" is a Figurative/ Academic Drawing signed on Paper. Among our Gilroy collection of drawings, this particular work is unique due to its original grid markings included here within. As one can view among our details, the drawing has visible age markings and 3/4 of the perimeter rear of the work has tape. Nevertheless, as with all his figurative graphite works, a wonderfully drawn piece of a Mother cradling her infant child. John Thomas Young Gilroy (30 May 1898 – 11 April 1985) was an English artist and illustrator, best known for his advertising posters for Guinness, the Irish stout. He signed many of his works, simply, "Gilroy". Born in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England, Gilroy attended Durham University until his studies were interrupted by World War I, during which he served with the Royal Field Artillery. He resumed studying at the Royal College of Art in London, where he remained as a teacher. He taught at Camberwell College of Arts. In 1925, he gained employment at S.H. Benson's advertising agency, where he created the iconic advertisement art for Guinness featuring the Zoo Keeper and animals enjoying Guinness.He worked with Dorothy L. Sayers. He was also an accomplished portrait painter, numbering Royalty, Politicians, Actors and many others amongst his sitters. He worked in his large studio at 10 Holland Park, London, the former home and studio of Sir Bernard Partridge. He was a long-standing and much loved member of the Garrick Club...

Category

1920s Academic Art

Materials

Carbon Pencil

“Cows at a Stream Sunset”
“Cows at a Stream Sunset”

“Cows at a Stream Sunset”

Located in Southampton, NY

Original oil on canvas painting of cattle watering at sunset by the well known American artist, George A. Hayes. Signed by the artist lower left “G.A. Hays”. Circa 1885. Condition ...

Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Knight of the Field”
“Knight of the Field”

“Knight of the Field”

Located in San Francisco, CA

On offer is “Knight of the Field” aka “A Man in Armour,” a painting by Edgar Allan Ward (1862–1947). The portrait is of an unknown gentleman in full plate armor, complete with a swor...

Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

At the Beach, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind
At the Beach, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, One of a Kind

At 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: 2024 Style: Impressionism Title: At the Beach Size: 31.5" x 39.5" x ...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

“Cape Neddick Light”
“Cape Neddick Light”

“Cape Neddick Light”

By John Cuthbert Hare

Located in Southampton, NY

Original watercolor on archival paper of the Cape Neddick Lighthouse in York, Maine. Signed lower right. Circa 1950. Condition is very good. Several tiny spots of foxing. The wa...

Category

1950s Academic Art

Materials

Watercolor, Archival Paper

Untitled: Left Side Seated Nude
Untitled: Left Side Seated Nude

Untitled: Left Side Seated Nude

Located in New York, NY

Unknown/Unidentified Artist, "Untitled: Left Side Seated Nude", Unsigned Figurative/ Nude Watercolor, Charcoal (Mixed Media) Painting on Paper, 18 x 14, Late...

Category

Late 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Charcoal, Mixed Media

Young Man on His Camel, Oil on Cardboard, Early-20th Century
Young Man on His Camel, Oil on Cardboard, Early-20th Century

Young Man on His Camel, Oil on Cardboard, Early-20th Century

Located in Genève, GE

Monogrammed "A.B." in the lower right corner. Dimension with frame : 44.5 x 39.5 x 5 cm. This oil on board depicts an Orientalist scene featuring a figure in traditional dress ridin...

Category

Early 20th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

HERMMANN LEON - Painting 19th Century - Portrait of a Dog in Interior
HERMMANN LEON - Painting 19th Century - Portrait of a Dog in Interior

HERMMANN LEON - Painting 19th Century - Portrait of a Dog in Interior

By Charles Herrmann-Léon 1

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

HERRMANN LEON Charles (1838-1908) Portrait of a Dog in interior Oil on canvas signed low left Old frame re-gilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 56 X 46 cm Dim frame : 69 X 59 cm HERRMANN LEON Charles (1838-1908) French painter 19th century Born 22 july 1838 in Le Havre. Died 1...

Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Flowers Still-Life
Flowers Still-Life

Flowers Still-Life

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

BIVA Paul (1851 – 1900) Flowers Still-Life Oil on canvas signed low right Old frame gilded with leaves Dim canvas : 90 X 117 cm - Dim frame : 117 X 145 cm BIVA Paul (1851 – 1900) Fr...

Category

1880s Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Lively Conversation at a Balustrade, 19th Century Oil on Canvas
Lively Conversation at a Balustrade, 19th Century Oil on Canvas

Lively Conversation at a Balustrade, 19th Century Oil on Canvas

Located in Genève, GE

Work on canvas Dimensions with frame : 83 x 101.5 x 3.5 cm This 19th-century painting depicts a genre scene, typical of the academic and romantic art of the period. It shows three fi...

Category

Late 19th Century Academic Art

Materials

Oil

Cake Mountain Still Life Painting, Oil on Linen, Framed, 2010-
Cake Mountain Still Life Painting, Oil on Linen, Framed, 2010-

Cake Mountain Still Life Painting, Oil on Linen, Framed, 2010-

Located in Greenville, DE

Still life painting by Tina Ingraham, "Cake Mountain." Oil on linen, 27 x 27 inches framed. Ingraham traveled Europe studying Old Master works, mosaics, and contemporary painters tha...

Category

2010s Academic Art

Materials

Oil, Linen

Bur Reed & Water Hemlock: A 17th-18th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Bur Reed & Water Hemlock: A 17th-18th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving

Bur Reed & Water Hemlock: 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 "Orobanche, Cicuta Maxima, Sparganium (Bur Reed, Water Hemlock, Broomrape) ", depicting a flowering Bur Reed, Water Hemlock, Broomrape 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. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thin laid chain-linked paper with wide margins. There us spotting and some discoloration, most prominently in the upper and lower margins. There is irregularity and some loss along the right paper edge. The print is otherwise in excellent condition with striking hand-coloring. The sheet measures 21.5" high and 17.25" 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

“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

Sneezewort, Poppy, Strawflower: 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Sneezewort, Poppy, Strawflower: 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving

Sneezewort, Poppy, Strawflower: 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving

By Basilius Besler 1

Located in Alamo, CA

This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving entitled "Ptarmica Vulgaris (Sneezewort), Papaver Spinosum (Mexican Poppy), Chrysocame Peregrina (Seaside Strawflower)", depicting flowering Sneezewort, Mexican Poppy and Seaside Strawberry plants respectively 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. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thin laid chain-linked paper. The left margin is thinner than the others and the left edge is somewhat irregular where the engraving was previously bound in the original publication. The print is otherwise in excellent condition with striking hand-coloring. The sheet measures 20" high and 16.38" 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

1640s Academic Art

Materials

Engraving

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

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.