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
1,698
4,583
2,821
2,477
1,880
1,765
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
335
1,018
5,123
7,077
117
73
124
156
176
563
873
997
625
290
198
116,272
65,178
53,631
26,981
14,662
8,678
6,031
5,811
4,156
3,013
2,537
2,267
2,232
728
6,649
4,541
1,627
5,466
2,761
2,171
1,820
1,735
1,267
1,234
1,143
933
925
818
789
689
673
651
639
609
553
532
520
7,872
5,559
2,731
2,434
2,387
2,255
101
99
68
60
4,029
3,182
8,886
3,797
Style: Realist
"Sailing at Dusk" Realist Oil Painting on Canvas Board of Sailboat in Open Sea
Located in New York, NY
George Nemethy finds his inspiration in moments of quiet and solitude. Where he finds himself one with the sea and the sky and the tranquil world which he freely escapes to. Trained from an early age by his father Albert Nemethy, a world-renowned painter known best for his large scale steamer boats, George found...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

Early German Realistic Military Portrait of a Man (Johann Ludwig-Mosley)
Located in Houston, TX
Realistic early German portrait painting of Johann Ludwig-Mosley wearing his various military awards. The back features further documentation about the man's life and service. Curren...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of Chlorinda with Letter - British art Victorian genre oil painting
By George Wells
Located in London, GB
This charming oil portrait painting is by noted British Victorian artist George Wells. Painted circa 1880 we know the elegant sitter is Chlorinda but her relationship to Wells is unk...
Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Still Life with Purple Echinops Globe Thistle Flowers in Rustic French Interior
Located in Preston, GB
Still Life with Purple Echinops Globe Thistle Flowers in a Pewter Tankard, set within a Rustic French Farmhouse Interior by 20th Century Artist, Robert Chailloux...
Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil

Catch Up By the Pool Estate Edition, Modernist Architecture, Palm Springs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Palm Springs, 1970: This coveted photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features midcentury socialites in front of the turquoise swimming pool of the iconic Kaufma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

Tall Vase
Located in Burlingame, CA
The charm of Still Life painting for the artist lies in the ability to manipulate ones subject matter and in the intimate, direct nature of the painting process. It is very much a st...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"A peony", Realism, figurative, flowers, pastel colors
Located in MADRID, ES
Realism, figurative, flowers, pastel colors
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Winter Snow Scene Landscape Oil Painting by Michael Budden Beautiful Light
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Afternoon Transitions oil/canvas 14 x 18 unframed, 19.5 x 23.5 framed Afternoon Transitions is an oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that show...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

'All over the shop'
Located in Paris, FR
Ray Richardson is a contemporary British artist known for his cinematic paintings. The artist employs icons of working-class London, including bull terriers, soccer pitches, and grit...
Category

Early 2000s Realist Art

Materials

Pencil

Doctor in Physic, University of Oxford 1813 engraving by John Agar
Located in London, GB
To see our other Oxford and Cambridge pictures, including an extensive collection of works by Ackermann, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from th...
Category

1810s Realist Art

Materials

Aquatint

"Boating on the Morin River"
Located in Saint Amans des cots, FR
Pen, ink, watercolor and wash on paper by André Dunoyer de Segonzac, France, 1922-1924. Boating on the Morin River. Measurements : with frame: 52.5x65x2 cm - 20.7x25.6x0.8 inches / w...
Category

1920s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Pen

Hubert Henrard - 19th Century Belgian Still Life of wildflowers
Located in London, GB
HUBERT HENRARD (Belgium 1816-1898) Still Life with Cornflower and Harebells Signed l.r.: Hubert Henrard Oil on canvas Framed 25 by 20.5 cm., 10 by 8 in. (frame size 41.5 by 36.5 c...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Portrait of Young Man
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Outstanding male portrait by 20th-century American artist, Vito Tomasello. Portrait of a young man, c.1950. Charcoal and pastel on paper, sheet measures an impressive 11 x14 inches...
Category

1940s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

Japan – Three dancing geisha apprentices – Hand-colored Meiji Period photograph
Located in Middletown, NY
Yokohama, Japan: c 1880. Hand-tinted albumen print, 8 1/8 x 10 1/2 inches (205 x 267 mm), numbered 1625 and captioned "Dancing" in negative at lower right; pencil inscription in Jap...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor, Photographic Paper

Mona Lisa, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
One-of-a-kind Realism Original Oil Painting on canvas by Gardani available for you. Hand signed by the Artist front and back, comes with official Gardani Certificate of Authenticity ...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Rolex Daytona - Hyperrealist painting
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Acrylic and oil on canvas 35" X 35" ABOUT THE ARTWORK: This hyper-realistic art piece captures the essence of a Rolex Daytona watch with extraor...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Antique American School Signed 19th Century Nautical Seascape Framed Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American nautical ship oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed.
Category

1870s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

What the rose tell me
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Roses" is a painting that pays homage to the natural beauty and timeless elegance of this luxurious flower. Painted with great precision and a keen eye for detail, this work exudes ...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Imagerie de Wissembourg - Christmas Santa Claus - Lithograph and stencil - 1906
Located in Paris, IDF
Imagerie de Wissembourg Christmas Santa Claus, c. 1906 Lithograph, woodcut and stencil Drawing by C. Burckardt On paper 43 x 32.5 cm (c. 17 x ...
Category

Early 1900s Realist Art

Materials

Lithograph, Stencil

Jenness Cortez, "Secretariat as a Stallion, Claiborne Farm", Equine Oil Painting
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This rare original equine painting by renown artist, Jenness Cortez, features a stately portrait of legendary racehorse Secretariat standing in the lush verdant grass at Claiborne Farm. Bathing in the warmth of an afternoon sun, Secretariat's copper-colored beauty is captured perfectly. Titled, “Secretariat as a Stallion Claiborne Farm”, this beautiful oil painting measures 18.5 x 24.5 and is framed in an ornate gold frame, finished with a commemorative plaque. Secretariat is widely considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time and the most recognizable name in thoroughbred racing. Big Red, as he is most often affectionately referred, became America’s Horse after his historic Triple Crown win in 1973, winning the Belmont Stakes by an unimaginable 31 lengths (in world record time) in what stands today as the single greatest horseracing performance ever. About Jenness Cortez: Jenness Cortez is a distinguished figure in the contemporary revival of classical realist painting. She was born in Indiana and exhibited a very early talent for art. As a teenager, she took private lessons with Antonius Raemaekers...
Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Study of a Butterfly, Watercolour on Silk Applied to Handmade Paper.
Located in Cotignac, FR
One from a set of four watercolours of butterflies on silk, applied to handmade paper, with hand cut edges, by French artist La Roche Laffitte. (The other 3 items are available separately) A beautifully observed and detailed study of a butterfly painted...
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Silk, Watercolor, Handmade Paper, Carbon Pencil, Gouache

A Peach, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A ripe white peach with dried leaves rests on a wooden surface. Its pinkish-red and yellow skin contrasts with the dark background. Artist Art Tatin used Flem...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

View Of The City
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Early 20th Century European School, view of the city, with buildings in the background, gouache on paper unsigned in a beautiful custom made Haydenryk frame under glass.
Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Gouache, Board

View Of The City
View Of The City
$938 Sale Price
24% Off
'Cardinal in His Though' by Georges Croegaert ( Antwerp 1848 - 1923 Paris )
Located in Knokke, BE
Georges Croegaert Antwerp 1848 – 1923 Paris Belgian – French Painter 'Cardinal in His Thoughts' Signature: signed lower right and placed ‘Georges Croegaert Paris’ Medium: oil on pa...
Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Wood Panel, Oil

Early 20th Century French Military Portrait, The Brave Soldier
Located in Cotignac, FR
Early 20th Century French pastel portrait of a military officer by Marie Laforge. The painting is signed dated and dedicated bottom right. The subject's name is written but as yet un...
Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pastel

"Folding Linen III" - Limited Edition Lithograph, 20/75
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful figurative limited edition lithograph by Robert Baxter (American, b. 1933). Signed and numbered "R. Baxter 20/75" lower left. Displayed with wh...
Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Study of a Butterfly, Watercolour Silk applied Handmade Paper. La Roche Laffitte
Located in Cotignac, FR
One from a set of four watercolours of butterflies on silk, applied to handmade paper, with hand cut edges, by French artist La Roche Laffitte. Signed bottom left. (The other 3 items are available separately) A beautifully observed and detailed study of a butterfly painted...
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Gouache, Carbon Pencil, Handmade Paper, Watercolor, Silk

Autumn Forest , 1970's Earth-tone Vertical Landscape Watercolor with Trees
Located in Soquel, CA
Autumn Forest , 1970's Earth-tone Vertical Landscape Watercolor with Trees Serene vertical landscape by Kay Swanson (American, 20th Century). This vintage 1970s watercolor depicts a lovely autumn forest full of tall trees depicted in a range of subtle earth-tones and fine detail. Signed "Kay Swanson" in the lower right corner. Presented in a double mat of cream and charcoal with a modern gold frame and glass. Tag on verso with artist information. Image size: 22.5"H x 15"W Kay Swanson (American, 20th Century) is a watercolor artist from Park Ridge...
Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Realist 19 Century painting of a french woman lighting a cigarette
Located in New York, NY
Woman lighting a cigarette by Victor Gabriel Gilbert. Excellent condition and original frame. Signed low left.
Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Signed Italian Oil Painting Realist Flowers in Pewter Vase, Peonies
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Italian School, signed lower left, 20th century Title: Flowers in a Pewter Vase Medium: oil painting on board , framed Size: framed: 15.5 x 13.5 inches painting: ...
Category

20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Palm Springs Party, Estate Edition. From the Poolside Series
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A poolside party at a desert house, designed by Richard Neutra for Edgar J. Kaufmann, in Palm Springs, January 1970. Featured in the group are: industrial designer Raymond Loewy (189...
Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

CONTEMPORARY Fine Art Landscape Artwork Spanish Artist Carol Moreno
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
At Escat Gallery we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust and professionalism for our collectors. Every artwork in our collection comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing its originality and provenance. We offer secure worldwide delivery to any address you specify, ensuring that your purchase arrives in pristine condition. If you require additional shipping options or a bespoke quote from our trusted network of carriers, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to help you find the best solutions for a smooth and secure delivery experience. Carol Moreno Lara, artistic self-taught painter. Born in Barcelona. Proposal; Embellishes unique and personal spaces through artistic painting. A feisty woman who honors his personal development, she is noble, brave and delivered. He loves to paint and discover his passion for painting from very small. In 2005 he created his own studio Carol Moreno. And since then, he has worked for various corporations: Revlon Group (The Colomer Group), Moet Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, ColaCao and luxury hotel chains. Also contacts interior design studies, design, architecture … that has allowed closer ties with prestigious brands like Lazarus Violán Rosa, Jaime Beriestain...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Crusader with shield and mace / - Ready to strike -
Located in Berlin, DE
Josef Moest (1873 Cologne - 1914 Rath), Crusader with shield and mace, around 1910. Bronze on a black marble pedestal (19 cm high). 57.5 cm (total height) x 21 cm (width) x 12 cm (de...
Category

1910s Realist Art

Materials

Bronze

Large acrylic still life "fruit plate"
Located in Oslo, NO
"When working on a still life, I start with preparing a complex textured canvas." said Anait Vardanyan about this artwork. "In this case, the objects of the still life are inscribed ...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Robert Kenneth White "Red Door" 2018 Oil Painting of Classical Façade and Shadow
Located in Miami, FL
ROBERT KENNETH WHITE – "RED DOOR" ⚜ Oil on canvas ⚜ Signed lower right ⚜ Frameless Display ARCHITECTURAL REALISM BY ROBERT KENNETH WHITE In "Red Door," Robert Kenneth White masterfu...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Thawing Time, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A tranquil winter scene unfolds in this watercolor, where a partially frozen river winds through a quiet, snow-covered forest. Tall trees frame the foreground, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

"Revelation II" (2023) By Allen Williams, Original Oil Painting, Nude Portrait
Located in Denver, CO
Allen Williams' "Revelation II" is an original oil painting on board, created in 2023. This contemporary figurative work features a nude female form eme...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

"The Family Hearth" - Turn of the Century Cozy Interior Figurative Scene
By Charles Everett Johnson
Located in Soquel, CA
Charming turn-of-20th Century interior painting that takes the viewer back to simpler times with grandmother, grandfather, mother sewing and a young girl playing with her greyhound a...
Category

Early 1900s Realist Art

Materials

Linen, Oil

Summer Drink - original still life hyper realism oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is framed, signed & available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. A composition brimming with timeless elegance, Summer Drink for All T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Contemporary portrait "Coffee with the President"
Located in Zofingen, AG
I didn't paint because I ran out of canvas. I was in a state of "I should have hung myself back during COVID." Got a new canvas, started painting, and suddenly felt happier. So, pain...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Mountain Lake in Spring Oil Painting of the Scottish Highlands by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Mountain Lake in Spring Oil Painting of the Scottish Highlands by British Artist by British Artist, Andrew Grant Kurtis M.A.(Lon) B.Des.(Hons) L.S.I.A.D. Art measures 30 x 20 inche...
Category

20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lions
By Geza Vastagh
Located in Houston, TX
Vastagh, Geza (1866-1919) Well listed Hungarian artist. Unsigned 22 x 28. Oil on canvas, depicting a lion and lioness, one of his favourite subjects. Expert's report on hand, circa ...
Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Lions
Lions
$7,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Window
Located in Zofingen, AG
The window opens to a pastel-hued view of city at sunset. The vibrant flowers on the windowsill contrast beautifully with the soft pastel tones of the background. The blending of col...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Yin Yong Chun, "White Roses", 24x30 Floral Still Life Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This floral still life, "White Roses", by artist Yin Yong Chun is a 24x30 oil painting on canvas featuring a bouquet of white roses in a glass vase with fallen white petals on the t...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

SOLSTICE
Located in Pollenca, Illes Baleares
Colin Fraser's remarkable tempera still-life and landscapes have a luminosity that seems to irradiate from them. It’s an effect that conjures a remembering of the timeless moment or ...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Egg Tempera

Contemporary portrait "White Lincoln"
Located in Zofingen, AG
This artwork captures a tranquil desert scene centered on a vintage white convertible parked on expansive sands. The car’s sleek design and chrome accents evoke nostalgia and freedom...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Pair of Terriers, Gianni Reggio (Italian, 1898-1961)
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Pair of Terriers Gianni Reggio (Italian, 1898-1961) Circa 1930s Gouache on paper 15 x 14 inches (frame) Signed on the back. Gianni Reggio was an Italian painter and illustrator wh...
Category

1930s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

"Pansies and Berries II", Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Daniel Key's (US based) "Pansies and Berries II" features colorful blooming pansies. About the artist: Daniel J. Keys was born on Oct. 7th 1985, in Fresno CA. Upon noticing a glimps...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

"Colorado Sunset" by Michael Magrin, Oil Painting, CO Landscape
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Magrin's ( US based) "Colorado Sunset" is an original, handmade oil painting of a moody sunset. This piece is framed in a natural float frame an...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Linen, Oil, Wood Panel

Pair of Labrador Retrievers, Gianni Reggio (Italian, 1898-1961)
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Pair of Labrador Retrievers Gianni Reggio (Italian, 1898-1961) Circa 1930s Gouache on paper 14 1/4 x 13 1/2 inches (frame) Signed on the back. Gianni Reggio was an Italian painte...
Category

1930s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Cars passing under the windows early in the morning
Located in Oslo, NO
The title of the painting refers to the author's early childhood impressions. When he woke up early in the morning in complete darkness, he would hear the sound of cars passing under...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Pastoral Landscape with Shepherd and Sheep"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Unidentified Artist (19th Century) "Pastoral Landscape with Shepherd and Sheep" (1860) This idyllic 19th-century oil painting on canvas beautifully...
Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sailboat
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist Exhibited Fleeting Moments 2nd Biennale: Works en Plein Air, American Legacy Fine Arts, November 22 – December 15, 2019 ...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sunrise Venezia, 35x53 original Hudson River School Italian marine landscape
Located in Spring Lake, NJ
Sunrise Venezia, a 35x53 original Hudson River School realist interpretation of Venice, Italy, invites you into the heart of one of Europe's most romantic, most famous, most beautifu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Oil on canvas - Maternity
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra va firmada en la parte inferior Se presenta enmarcada la obra con un bello marco de la época de la obra en madera dorara (el marco presenta alguna leve falta) El estado de ...
Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Desnudo de Frida Kahlo, Signed Lithograph by Diego Rivera
Located in Long Island City, NY
This portrait depicts Rivera's second wife, the artist Frida Kahlo (1907-54), sitting on a bed wearing stockings and shoes and fastening rows of beads around her neck. An accident wh...
Category

1930s Realist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Eagle, Bird, Watercolor on Paper, Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
332 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2024 Style: Classic Art Title: Eagle Size: 12 x 16 inch, (...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Early 20th Century Likeness of Jack London
Located in Soquel, CA
Early 20th Century Likeness of Jack London Wonderful portrait of a gentleman with a striking likeness to Jack London by Robert Alexander Graham (American, ...
Category

Early 1900s Realist Art

Materials

Linen, Oil

Pocket Bluer Blackbird's Egg #3 (c), Original Painting, Egg Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Bluer Blackbird Egg #3 c is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to bar...
Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Seascape Painting of the Devon Coastline at Sunrise on South Coast of England
Located in Preston, GB
Seascape Painting of the Devon Coastline at Sunrise on the South Coast of England, by 20th Century British Artist, Bob Tucker. Art measures 30 x 16 inches Frame measures 34 x 20 i...
Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil

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.

Recently Viewed

View All