Skip to main content

Realist Art

REALIST STYLE

Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world. 

Work that involves illusionistic techniques of realism dates back to the classical world, such as the deceptive trompe l’oeil used since ancient Greece. Art like this became especially popular in the 17th century when Dutch artists like Evert Collier painted objects that appeared real enough to touch. Realism as an artistic movement, however, usually refers to 19th-century French realist artists such as Honoré Daumier exploring social and political issues in biting lithographic prints, while the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painting people — particularly the working class — with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history. 

By the turn of the 20th century, European artists, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, were experimenting with nearly photographic realism in their work, as seen in the attention to every botanical attribute of the flowers surrounding the drowned Ophelia painted by English artist John Everett Millais.

Although abstraction was the guiding style of 20th-century art, the realism trend in American modern art endured in Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and other artists’ depictions of the complexities of the human experience. In the late 1960s, Photorealism emerged with artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes giving their paintings the precision of a frame of film.

Contemporary artists such as Jordan Casteel, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Aliza Nisenbaum are now using the unvarnished realist approach for honest representations of people and their worlds. Alongside traditional mediums, technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive installations are helping artists create new sensations of realism in art.

​​Find authentic realist paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.

to
1,588
4,890
2,834
2,550
1,885
1,747
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
340
1,147
5,485
6,960
118
72
123
138
170
556
1,061
1,087
721
287
203
115,142
63,533
57,563
26,912
14,735
9,368
6,501
5,656
4,172
3,055
2,500
2,385
2,244
649
6,943
4,715
1,589
5,559
2,792
2,094
1,739
1,725
1,254
1,222
1,089
926
917
849
825
679
668
664
626
586
552
525
485
7,855
5,578
2,897
2,747
2,627
2,643
121
98
88
69
4,029
3,744
9,091
3,907
Style: Realist
404. Exit Not Found
404. Exit Not Found

404. Exit Not Found

Located in Zofingen, AG

The world offers fewer exits. Fewer phone booths. Fewer places to disconnect from the noise. In this striking, hyperreal scene, a woman walks alone past a red booth glowing in the ni...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Night Burger; Genre painting of a fast food worker looking out to a quiet beach
Night Burger; Genre painting of a fast food worker looking out to a quiet beach

Night Burger; Genre painting of a fast food worker looking out to a quiet beach

By Tony Peters

Located in Pasadena, CA

Artist Statement: "Over a decade ago, before this Fatburger location in Sherman Oaks was renovated, I was admiring the evening neon light bouncing off of these chrome stools. I had even started to paint the entire parking lot full of cars across the street, but decided that the mood of the piece would be enhanced if I changed it to a seaside location, making this piece more of a fiction. Story often draws me into a painting, and I felt the exaggerated aloneness was more connected to the feelings of inspiration I found in this place." -- Tony Peters Artwork Description: Night Burger by Tony Peters is a breathtaking oil on canvas painting that captures a considered and tranquil atmosphere with striking detail. This oil on canvas piece depicts a solitary fast food worker, standing alone inside an illuminated burger stand and gazing out into the night sky towards a distant beach with crashing waves. The painting's warm and vibrant colors bring to life the peaceful and serene mood of the scene. The figure in the painting wears an orange uniform and grey cap, with no customers present, creating a sense of solitude and introspection. The neon lights that illuminate the burger stand enhance the painting's warm and calming ambiance, reflecting the worker's silent reflection. The harmony between the worker's outfit and the neon lights creates a subtle yet cohesive effect, adding to the painting's overall beauty. Night Burger by Tony Peters inspires rumination and contemplation. Its minimalist presentation adds a contemporary touch to the piece, making it a perfect addition to any modern or traditional setting. This painting captures the beauty of the mundane and celebrates the peace that can be found in solitude. Framed: 37.625" x 37.625" x 2"; Unframed: 36" x 36" Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist Signed "Peters" on lower left Exhibited California Art Club...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Great Tit, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind

Great Tit, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind

Located in Granada Hills, CA

155 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper, Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art, Title: Great Tit,, Size: 12 x ...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Igoshev, V. A. – Young Reindeer Herder, Peoples of the Russian North
Igoshev, V. A. – Young Reindeer Herder, Peoples of the Russian North

Igoshev, V. A. – Young Reindeer Herder, Peoples of the Russian North

Located in Firenze, IT

Signed lower left V . Igoshev. Dated 1961 Old labels from soviet period gallery. Painted in 1961, this work belongs to Vladimir Igoshev’s celebrated cycle dedicated to the Indigenous...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Winter Moonlight Nocturne Snow Scene Landscape Oil Painting by Michael Budden
Winter Moonlight Nocturne Snow Scene Landscape Oil Painting by Michael Budden

Winter Moonlight Nocturne Snow Scene Landscape Oil Painting by Michael Budden

By Michael Budden

Located in Chesterfield, NJ

An oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a beautiful winter nocturne landscape. The long foreground shadows accent the effect of ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Garlic II - realistic painting
Garlic II - realistic painting

Garlic II - realistic painting

Located in New York, NY

This hyperrealistic painting by Roni Yoffe is from her latest body of works. It is oil on wood and comes not framed, but framing options are available. "My paintings in recent years ...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Wood, Oil

The Essence of East Tennessee - Framed Farmhouse Acrylic Painting
The Essence of East Tennessee - Framed Farmhouse Acrylic Painting

The Essence of East Tennessee - Framed Farmhouse Acrylic Painting

Located in Boston, MA

The Essence of East Tennessee 14.0 x 11.0 x 0.25, 10.0 lbs Acrylic on canvas Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: Capturing the serene beauty of East Tennessee, this paint...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

CRYSTAL SILENCE
CRYSTAL SILENCE

CRYSTAL SILENCE

Located in Zofingen, AG

shipped in roll A moment of pure stillness beneath the shimmering surface. This painting captures the meditative beauty of crystal-clear water, where light dances across smooth ston...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

New York City Painting Winter Snow Brooklyn Bridge by Michael Budden Ferry Boat
New York City Painting Winter Snow Brooklyn Bridge by Michael Budden Ferry Boat

New York City Painting Winter Snow Brooklyn Bridge by Michael Budden Ferry Boat

By Michael Budden

Located in Chesterfield, NJ

Brooklyn Bridge Winter oil/panel 12 x 16 image unframed, 18.5 x 22.75 framed signed LL Brooklyn Bridge Winter is an oil painting on canvas panel by award winning contemporary arti...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

View from the Bridge, Original Painting
View from the Bridge, Original Painting

View from the Bridge, Original Painting

By Candice Eisenfeld

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A quiet river winds through a grove of trees. The warm glow at the horizon in mid-October creates a dreamlike mist and softens the scene.Artist Candice Eisenfel...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Australian River Landscape Painting by 20th Century English Australian Artist
Australian River Landscape Painting by 20th Century English Australian Artist

Australian River Landscape Painting by 20th Century English Australian Artist

Located in Preston, GB

Australian River Landscape Painting by 20th Century English Australian Artist, Howard Barron (1900–1991) depicting a scene along the Murrumbidgee River in Australia’s New South Wales...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Linen, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Mickalene Thomas, Portrait de Priscilla Le Petit Chien official COA S/N, Framed
Mickalene Thomas, Portrait de Priscilla Le Petit Chien official COA S/N, Framed

Mickalene Thomas, Portrait de Priscilla Le Petit Chien official COA S/N, Framed

By Mickalene Thomas

Located in New York, NY

Mickalene Thomas Portrait de Priscilla Le Petit Chien, 2012 Pigment print on 100% cotton rag paper Edition 141/150 Frame included with official COA affixed to the back Hand numbered ...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Laid Paper, Permanent Marker, Digital Pigment

Red Fox
Red Fox

Red Fox

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Original pencil drawing signed by the Artist on the lower right corner.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Pencil

The Maiden - British Newlyn exhib art nude Laura Knight portrait oil painting
The Maiden - British Newlyn exhib art nude Laura Knight portrait oil painting

The Maiden - British Newlyn exhib art nude Laura Knight portrait oil painting

By Harold Knight

Located in Hagley, England

This stunning exhibited nude portrait oil painting is by noted British Newlyn School artist Harold Knight. `The Maiden` was painted at Dozmary. The Belgrave Gallery catalogue 1986 suggests the sitter is in fact his wife, Laura Knight the noted artist. The sensuous understanding of the flesh tones and anatomy reveals the qualities that established Knight's reputation as a leading portrait painter after the War. This picture may be dated to c.1916. A really lovely portrait by a much sought after artist. Signed lower left. Provenance. Fifty Years Ago Exhibition, RWS Galleries, June 1965, no. 200. Miles Lamdin Gallery, London. Belgrave Gallery February 1986 which suggests in their catalogue the sitter is Laura Knight. Shades of British Impressionism...

Category

1910s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Ice Mill, Original Painting
Ice Mill, Original Painting

Ice Mill, Original Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Vic Roschkov presents a compelling architectural study of rural utility. The soaring vertical planes of the weathered mill create a rhythmic, geometric d...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Dark Timber, Original Painting
Dark Timber, Original Painting

Dark Timber, Original Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
In this striking watercolor painting, artist Vic Roschkov explores the raw beauty of the winter woods. The jagged, dark silhouette of a fallen tree commands the...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Pathway to the Past, Original Painting
Pathway to the Past, Original Painting

Pathway to the Past, Original Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A rustic blue cottage, weathered by time, nestles among vibrant wildflowers. It was once the home of a widow who lost her loving h...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Landscape Seascape Impressionistic Oil Painting by Michael Budden Sunrise
Landscape Seascape Impressionistic Oil Painting by Michael Budden Sunrise

Landscape Seascape Impressionistic Oil Painting by Michael Budden Sunrise

By Michael Budden

Located in Chesterfield, NJ

Sweet Sunrise oil/panel 10 x 8 unframed, 14.25 x 16.25 framed Sweet Sunrise is an oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases a breath t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Cheval Libre (Free Horse)
Cheval Libre (Free Horse)

Cheval Libre (Free Horse)

By Pierre Jules Mêne

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist: After Pierre Jules Mene (French, 1810-1879) Title: Cheval Libre (Free Horse) Year: 1868 Medium: Cast bronze sculpture with dark brown patina Edition: Unknown Size: Inclu...

Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Bronze

"Between Worlds",  Oil Painting of Nude Female Figure
"Between Worlds",  Oil Painting of Nude Female Figure

"Between Worlds", Oil Painting of Nude Female Figure

By Matt Talbert

Located in Denver, CO

Matt Talbert ( US based) "Between Worlds" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude female brunette model with gestural marks around her form. The artists signature impasto marks are evident throughout the painting. This painting is framed in a black float frame and ready to hang. Artist bio/statement: Matt Talbert is a contemporary oil painter living in Southern California. Both a graduate from the Orange County School of the Arts and the Laguna College of Art and Design, he is now named one of the "Top 100 Figurative Artist Working Now" by Poets Artists Magazine. Matt's primary focus is expressive paintings of the human figure exhibited in galleries such as Arcadia Contemporary...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Harriet At Mougins, Estate Edition
Harriet At Mougins, Estate Edition

Harriet At Mougins, Estate Edition

By Slim Aarons

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Viscountess Harriet de Rosiere at Mougins, near Cannes in France, 1957. Over the course of a career lasting half a century, Slim Aarons (1916-2006) portrayed high society, aristocra...

Category

1950s Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

Oysters and lemon
Oysters and lemon

Oysters and lemon

Located in Zofingen, AG

The bird’s eye view, strong light on the mother-of-pearl of oysters and folds create this image. The medium used is oil on canvas, which allows to capture the vibrant color, delicate texture, and the play of light on the subject matter. The iridescent oysters contrast on a black plate focusing the viewer's eye towards the center of the composition. Color palette in “Oysters and lemon...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Far Away, " Oil Painting

"Far Away, " Oil Painting

By Joseph McGurl

Located in Denver, CO

Joseph McGurl's "Far Away" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a vast landscape of valleys and mountains in the distance under the orange and yellow glow of sunrise or...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

A Gentle Breath, Contemporary Original Art, Skyscape Painting, Meditation Art
A Gentle Breath, Contemporary Original Art, Skyscape Painting, Meditation Art

A Gentle Breath, Contemporary Original Art, Skyscape Painting, Meditation Art

By Charlotte Elizabeth

Located in Deddington, GB

A Gentle Breath is an orignal skyscape painting by Charlotte Elizabeth. Charlotte Elizabeth is available online and in our gallery at Wychwood Art. Charlotte has been working with paint professionally for over fifteen years. A prestigious training in theatre design preceded a busy career as a Theatrical Scenic Artist in London’s West End...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Nob Hill; San Francisco
Nob Hill; San Francisco

Nob Hill; San Francisco

By Michael Obermeyer

Located in Pasadena, CA

Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist Signed "Obermeyer" on lower left Artist Statement "During a recent stay in San Francisco, I had this gorgeous view of this beautiful city from my room. Mason Street glows as it heads up to Nob Hill...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Unique iron wrought Magnolia tree - big size monumental outdoor indoor sculpture
Unique iron wrought Magnolia tree - big size monumental outdoor indoor sculpture

Unique iron wrought Magnolia tree - big size monumental outdoor indoor sculpture

By Ivan Zanoni

Located in Milan, IT

Majestic Wrought Iron Magnolia Tree Sculpture by Zanoni - Unique Handcrafted Masterpiece Description: A breathtaking fusion of art, symbolism, and masterful Italian craftsmanship, this one-of-a-kind monumental magnolia tree sculpture is a tribute to nature's enduring grace. Created by the celebrated Italian artist Zanoni, known for his exceptional work in wrought iron, this piece stands as a singular work of art, both sculptural and soulful. Forged entirely by hand, each petal and leaf of the magnolia is shaped with remarkable detail, imbuing the iron with an organic softness that belies its strength. Towering in presence yet delicate in expression, this magnolia tree becomes not just a decorative element but a powerful symbol in any space. In the language of flowers, the magnolia represents candour, fidelity, purity, perseverance, and dignity-qualities beautifully embodied in this sculpture. Its timeless message, coupled with its commanding form, makes it ideal for grand interiors, gardens, cultural spaces, or luxury hospitality environments seeking a poetic and bold statement. Details: Artist: Zanoni Origin: Italy Material: Hand-forged wrought iron Dimensions: Monumental scale (exact measurements upon request) Unique Piece: One-of-a-kind, signed by the artist Symbolism: Magnolia - candour, fidelity, purity, perseverance, and dignity Finish: Weather-resistant patina for outdoor placement (optional custom finishes available) Placement: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings Style: Sculptural, botanical, timeless elegance Despite its size, the work is easily transportable thanks to an ingenious system developed over decades by the artists. The branches can be dismantled and reassembled very easily (please see the video). This piece is more than a sculpture-it's a living legacy in iron, carrying both the strength of the material and the poetry of nature. For collectors and admirers of extraordinary craftsmanship, the Zanoni Magnolia is a rare and meaningful acquisition. Flowers and turtles are not included in the price. Zanoni's biography Based in Caldes (Trentino, Italy), Zanoni is heir to a family tradition of blacksmithing passed down from his father, Luciano Zanoni, who famously forged a monumental four-meter olive tree sculpture...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Iron

Berries in a golden bowl
Berries in a golden bowl

Berries in a golden bowl

Located in Zofingen, AG

The scene is set with a quiet reverence—a simple golden bowl, brimming with the last treasures of the season. These are not just fruits; they are memories of sunlight, gathered and p...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Changing Chapters-original modern seascape sunset oil painting-contemporary art
Changing Chapters-original modern seascape sunset oil painting-contemporary art

Changing Chapters-original modern seascape sunset oil painting-contemporary art

Located in London, Chelsea

This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. "Changing Chapters" by Eva Volf is a captivating seascape maste...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hydrangea Flowers Bouquet
Hydrangea Flowers Bouquet

Hydrangea Flowers Bouquet

Located in Zofingen, AG

Hydrangea Flowers - Floral Harmony – Original Oil Painting on Canvas by Olga Nikitina Hydrangea Painting is an original oil painting by Olga Nikitina, created with a palette knife i...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Feeling of spring. Paper, pastel 21x23 cm
Feeling of spring. Paper, pastel 21x23 cm

Feeling of spring. Paper, pastel 21x23 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Feeling of spring. Paper, pastel 21x23 cm Victor Karnauh (1950, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, Ukrainian SSR – 2012, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine) – a painte...

Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Realist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Realist 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 blue, purple, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Slim Aarons, Michael Budden, Daniel Pollera, and Su Yu. 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 Realist art, so small editions measuring 0.1 inches across are also available.