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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.

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Style: Realist
Still Life - Flowers in Urn with Bird's Nest
Still Life - Flowers in Urn with Bird's Nest

Still Life - Flowers in Urn with Bird's Nest

Located in San Francisco, CA

This large, colorful still life painting by Paul Longenecker (1920-2008) depicts a varied assortment of flowers in an urn. There is a bird’s net to the lower right of the urn as well...

Category

1960s Realist Art

Materials

Masonite, Oil

"Still Life"
"Still Life"

"Still Life"

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Johann Rudolf Feyerabend, called Lelong (1749-1814) – Still Life Medium: Reverse painting on glass Dimensions: 16 x 23 cm Signature: Lower right corner Provenance: Private collection...

Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Nude"
"Nude"

"Nude"

By Roman Dub

Located in Edinburgh, GB

The heroine does not look at the viewer. Her gaze is directed into the distance, past the grey walls, beyond the edge of the canvas. She is not merely looking — she sees what is hidd...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

In Tradition
In Tradition

In Tradition

By Mian Situ

Located in Pasadena, CA

Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist. Signed "Mian Situ" on lower right Description In this oil painting titled, In Tradition, Mian Situ pays tribute to the ...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

An auction at Drouot's in Paris.
An auction at Drouot's in Paris.

An auction at Drouot's in Paris.

By René Francois Xavier Prinet

Located in Paris, FR

An auction at Drouot's in Paris. Oil on canvas. Signed lower right. Around 1900-1910. René François Xavier Prinet (31 December 1861, Vitry-le-François – 26 January 1946, Bourbonne-les-Bains) was a French painter and illustrator who drew his subjects from middle-class society. He was born to Henri Prinet, an Imperial Prosecutor in Vitry-le-François. A promotion led to him being posted in Paris, where they lived in a home not far from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. His father painted as a hobby and was supportive of his desire to study art, having him seek the advice of Louis Charles Timbal [fr], a well-known church painter and friend of the family. Around 1880, he began his studies in earnest, in the studios of Jean-Léon Gérôme; remaining with him until 1885. That year, his painting "The Infant Jesus" was accepted for display at the Salon. This was followed by studies at the Académie Julian. At this time, he also became associated with a group of young artists known as the Bande Noire (Black Stripe), which included Lucien Simon, André Dauchez...

Category

Early 1900s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

"Giraffe"
"Giraffe"

"Giraffe"

By Madalena Zampassi

Located in Edinburgh, GB

This painting is a portrait of a giraffe. A native African animal, the giraffe is a graceful and beautiful creature that inspires and captivates with its beauty. The graphic techniqu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Chile Sandias, Oil Painting
Chile Sandias, Oil Painting

Chile Sandias, Oil Painting

By Duane Brown

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Red chiles are a great source of pride in New Mexico. In this still life, artist Duane Brown depicts the peppers as the Sandia Mountains, a range east of Albuqu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

New York City Oil Painting Michael Budden 5th Ave Elegence & Bergdorf Goodmans
New York City Oil Painting Michael Budden 5th Ave Elegence & Bergdorf Goodmans

New York City Oil Painting Michael Budden 5th Ave Elegence & Bergdorf Goodmans

By Michael Budden

Located in Chesterfield, NJ

Along 5th Avenue Elegance & Bergdorf Goodmans oil/panel 10 x 16 unframed, 15.38 x 21.38 framed An oil painting on canvas panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden. ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Still Life with Fruit and Vessels
Still Life with Fruit and Vessels

Still Life with Fruit and Vessels

Located in Stockholm, SE

Housed in an elaborate late nineteenth-century carved gilt frame lined with deep red velvet, the painting offers a harmonious composition of carefully arranged objects illuminated by...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

An apple every day
An apple every day

An apple every day

By Irina Trushkova

Located in Zofingen, AG

I love the way the objects are reflected on each other and the subtle warm and cool color throughout. The strong light vibrates on porcelain and glass. A dark background helps to rev...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blue Window, Original Painting
Blue Window, Original Painting

Blue Window, Original Painting

By Renee Noel

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Pastel pink, yellow, orange, and violet cumulus clouds drift across a blue sky above a golden field. Deeper blue mountains stretch along the horizon, while sc...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Brown Trout -Late 19th Century Scottish Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting
Brown Trout -Late 19th Century Scottish Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting

Brown Trout -Late 19th Century Scottish Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting

Located in Marco Island, FL

A finely executed late 19th-century still life by John Bucknell Russell (1823-1919) of two brown trout in the foreground, along with a beautiful landscape. Fine example of a period fish still life, popular in Scotland during this period. It is presented in a gilt frame. Unsigned canvas...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fishermen Sailors at Sea - Scottish Victorian art marine portrait oil painting
Fishermen Sailors at Sea - Scottish Victorian art marine portrait oil painting

Fishermen Sailors at Sea - Scottish Victorian art marine portrait oil painting

By Patrick William Orr

Located in Hagley, England

This charming Scottish Victorian oil painting is by noted Scottish artist Patrick William Orr. Painted circa 1880, this marine portrait is of two fishermen sailors at sea, sorting th...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Emerging Earth, Original Painting
Emerging Earth, Original Painting

Emerging Earth, Original Painting

By Vic Roschkov

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This painting explores the meditative stillness of a foggy morning. Artist Vic Roschkov uses a muted palette to blur the lines between sky and earth, creating a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Rediscovered Mastery: A Portrait by Nina Bergstedt
Rediscovered Mastery: A Portrait by Nina Bergstedt

Rediscovered Mastery: A Portrait by Nina Bergstedt

Located in Stockholm, SE

This poignant portrait by Swedish artist Nina Bergstedt captures a quiet intensity that lingers in the viewer’s mind. The sitter, an unknown woman, is portrayed with deep emotional p...

Category

1890s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Basket with tangerines
Basket with tangerines

Basket with tangerines

By Irina Trushkova

Located in Zofingen, AG

“Basket with tangerines” is a work that pays homage to the natural beauty and timeless elegance of this luscious fruit. Painted with great precision and a keen eye for detail, this m...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Pair of 19 century oil on porcelain portraits
Pair of 19 century oil on porcelain portraits

Pair of 19 century oil on porcelain portraits

Located in San Francisco, CA

Pair of fabulous 19 century oil on porcelain portraits. These finally detailed paintings are most likely, a husband and wife. The male portrait could possibly be Napoleon the second....

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Portrait of a Rabbi, Judaica Oil Painting, Purim

Portrait of a Rabbi, Judaica Oil Painting, Purim

Located in Surfside, FL

In this painting the artist depicts a Rabbi in a formal manner, from a 3/4th view angle, and the portrait has been rendered using controlled brushstrokes, and in a realistic way. The...

Category

20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"The Pincio Fountain in Rome"
"The Pincio Fountain in Rome"

"The Pincio Fountain in Rome"

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Jozefina Kirchner (1890–1931) "The Pincio Fountain in Rome" (1923)** This atmospheric oil painting on canvas by Jozefina Kirchner, completed in 1923, captures a captivating view of t...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Kazuya Ushioda "The Sound Of Prayer" - Oil On Panel Figurative Painting 2021
Kazuya Ushioda "The Sound Of Prayer" - Oil On Panel Figurative Painting 2021

Kazuya Ushioda "The Sound Of Prayer" - Oil On Panel Figurative Painting 2021

By Kazuya Ushioda

Located in Denver, CO

Kazuya Ushioda’s The Sound of Prayer (2021) is a striking figurative oil on panel that captures a moment of quiet reflection. Measuring 44.12 x 11.87 x 0.70 inches, this tall and slender composition features a single figure clothed in a white kimono adorned with delicate blue floral motifs and cinched by a vivid red sash. The woman’s eyes are closed, and her hands are gently positioned near her head, suggesting an intimate state of concentration or contemplation. Painted in oil on a carefully prepared panel, this original, handmade work showcases Ushioda’s meticulous technique, evident in the rendering of subtle skin tones and nuanced folds of fabric. The vertical format accentuates the graceful poise of the figure, drawing the viewer’s gaze downward from her serene expression to the richly detailed kimono patterns. The neutral background highlights the subject’s form, creating a harmonious interplay of color and space. Executed in 2021, The Sound of Prayer stands...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Challenging Conversation Oil Painting, Realist, 21st Century, Unframed
Challenging Conversation Oil Painting, Realist, 21st Century, Unframed

Challenging Conversation Oil Painting, Realist, 21st Century, Unframed

By Abdulateef Salaudeen

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

"Challenging Conversation" by the talented artist Abdullateef Salaudeen is a compelling exploration of vulnerability, self-discovery, and the complexities of communication. The artwork features a young man in the act of pulling off his shirt, an action that transcends the physical realm and serves as a metaphor for the emotional layers being unveiled. Salaudeen's keen attention to detail is evident in the nuanced expression on the young man's face. The furrowed brow and intense gaze suggest a struggle, not only with the fabric of his shirt but also with internal conflicts and emotions. The artist masterfully captures the raw, unfiltered moments of personal challenge, inviting viewers to empathize with the subject's journey. The choice of title, "Challenging Conversation," adds depth to the narrative, suggesting that the act of removing the shirt symbolizes a dialogue within oneself—a confrontation with inner thoughts, doubts, or perhaps an attempt to shed societal expectations. The artist prompts viewers to contemplate the unseen narratives and untold stories that lie beneath the surface. Salaudeen's use of color and composition further enhances the emotional impact of the artwork. Subtle tones and careful shades of grey create a realistic yet painterly atmosphere, adding a layer of intimacy to the scene. The dynamic composition captures the transient nature of the moment, freezing the young man's struggle in time and inviting viewers to engage with the narrative at their own pace. "Challenging Conversation" resonates as a poignant exploration of the universal human experience, where moments of self-reflection and personal growth are often accompanied by internal dialogues that require courage and resilience. Abdullateef Salaudeen's work serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty found in vulnerability and the strength that emerges from confronting one's challenges. Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, this is not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. (Issues by the Gallery) About Artist Abdulateef Salaudeen...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Just Keep the Connection
Just Keep the Connection

Just Keep the Connection

By Nataliya Bagatskaya

Located in Zofingen, AG

This artwork elegantly blends classic and contemporary elements, depicting a young woman in a stylish black outfit holding a phone to her ear. She stands against an endless blue sky...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Impressionistic Sunrise Seascape Oil Painting Michael Budden Sunrise Sensation
Impressionistic Sunrise Seascape Oil Painting Michael Budden Sunrise Sensation

Impressionistic Sunrise Seascape Oil Painting Michael Budden Sunrise Sensation

By Michael Budden

Located in Chesterfield, NJ

Sunrise Sensation oil/canvas 9 x 12 image unframed, 16.88 x 19.88 framed signed LL Sunrise Sensation is an oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Robert Kenneth White "Peaceful Reflection II" Signed 2017 Oil of Villa Garden
Robert Kenneth White "Peaceful Reflection II" Signed 2017 Oil of Villa Garden

Robert Kenneth White "Peaceful Reflection II" Signed 2017 Oil of Villa Garden

By Robert Kenneth White

Located in Miami, FL

ROBERT KENNETH WHITE – "PEACEFUL REFLECTION II" ⚜ Oil on canvas ⚜ Hand signed lower right ⚜ Frameless display CLASSICAL GARDEN INTERIOR WITH MEDITERRANEAN LIGHT In Peaceful Reflecti...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

coastal landscape, bohuskusten, c. 1920s
coastal landscape, bohuskusten, c. 1920s

coastal landscape, bohuskusten, c. 1920s

By Axel Hilleström

Located in Stockholm, SE

Watercolor on paper signed Axel Hilleström unframed 39.5 x 72 cm (15.6 x 28.3 in) framed 50 x 83 cm (19.7 x 32.7 in) This expansive watercolor depicts a sandy shoreline along the Sw...

Category

1920s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

OIL PAINTING By MAJOR John E . Bale 19th Century BRITISH SCHOOL
OIL PAINTING By MAJOR John E . Bale 19th Century BRITISH SCHOOL

OIL PAINTING By MAJOR John E . Bale 19th Century BRITISH SCHOOL

By John Edward Bale

Located in Ferndown, GB

OIL PAINTING SIGNED 19th Century BRITISH SCHOOL Fine Original Antique 19th Century British OIL PAINTING GOLD GILT FRAME By Major John Edward Bale Excellent Condition Panel, Professional Cleaned & re-varnished Ready to hang. frame is in wonderful condition . John Edward Bale, was born at Low Farm House, Pattesley-cum-Oxwick, South Creake, Norfolk on 27 July and baptised at South Creake on 1 August 1834, eldest child of John Edward Bale (1803-27 April 1862), a farmer of 620 acres, and his wife Mary née Branford, who married at Horningtoft, Norfolk on 27 November 1833. In 1841, a 6 year old, living at Low Farm with his parents, 35 year old John and 28 year old Mary, and his two sisters, Mary 3 and Esther 1. In 1861, a 26 year old 'artist architecture' boarding at 11 Bulstrode Street, Marylebone, London but in October 1863, he was an Ensign by purchase in the 1st West Indian Regiment. As a lieutenant, whilst on a tour of duty in West Africa, Surgeon Major Augustus Frederick Elliott (born 1834), kept a diary (now at Duke University Library) which is embellished with calligraphy and watercolour titles by Bale. During this tour, Bale was promoted to Captain and retired from the army in 1881 with the rank of major. Bale married at Christ Church, Ealing on 10 November 1868, Charlotte Gordon Lee née Johnson (c1847-1910). A painter in oil and watercolour and a member of the Ipswich Fine Art Club 1886-1890 and as Major Bale exhibited from 9 Creffield Terrace, Colchester, Essex in 1888, 'View from Museum...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

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.