Skip to main content

Realist Art

15,359 Results
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
1,540
5,719
3,425
2,802
2,031
1,861
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
328
1,164
6,779
7,592
117
74
121
138
177
787
1,377
1,521
925
368
196
119,517
64,210
57,683
29,653
14,507
9,834
6,938
6,526
4,297
3,236
2,517
2,234
2,008
585
6,320
3,122
2,315
1,940
1,887
1,361
1,339
1,218
1,122
1,007
900
862
802
746
724
686
654
637
610
548
10,449
4,165

Use search to find more

3,892
131
97
81

Use search to find more

Style: Realist
"Der Maler in der Landschaft" original etching

"Der Maler in der Landschaft" original etching

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original etching. Printed in 1919 and published in Berlin by Paul Cassirer. Plate size: 6 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches (168 x 113 mm). Sheet size: 9 x 6 3/4 inches (230 x 173 mm). Not ...

Category

1910s Realist Art

Materials

Etching

Passion
Passion

Fernando AlcarazPassion

$350Sale Price|81% Off

Passion

By Fernando Alcaraz

Located in Atlanta, GA

Item is in excellent condition and has only been displayed in a gallery setting. Item includes frame; Fernando Ibañez Alcaraz was born in Alcoy, Alicante (Spain) in 1969. Growing ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Metsälampi (Forest Pond), 1942
Metsälampi (Forest Pond), 1942

Metsälampi (Forest Pond), 1942

Located in Stockholm, SE

Metsälampi (Forest Pond) is a 1942 oil painting on panel by the Finnish artist Ragnar Ungern, depicting a forest pond with overhanging trees reflected in its still waters. Created in...

Category

1940s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Japan – A geisha playing the gekkin - Hand-colored Meiji Period photograph
Japan – A geisha playing the gekkin - Hand-colored Meiji Period photograph

Japan – A geisha playing the gekkin - Hand-colored Meiji Period photograph

Located in Middletown, NY

Yokohama, Japan: c 1880's. Hand-tinted albumen print, 10 1/8 x 8 inches (258 x 203 mm), unmounted; pencil inscription in Japanese on verso; light cockling [Nagasaki University Libra...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor, Photographic Paper

Serengeti Wildlife African Animals
Serengeti Wildlife African Animals

Serengeti Wildlife African Animals

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

John Higginbotham (b.1963). Serengeti, 1984. Pencil on paper, image measures 15 x 21 inches. Framed measurement: 23 x 29 inches. Signed and dated by artist lower right.

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Pencil

'Mac', a favourite terrier

'Mac', a favourite terrier

Located in London, GB

Signed and inscribed ‘Mac/WH Wheeler’ (lower right) This striking portrait by Walter Herbert Wheeler presents a dignified black terrier in crisp profile, its wiry coat and alert ears...

Category

Early 1900s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Young Woman with Shawl - British early 19thC portrait oil painting
Portrait of a Young Woman with Shawl - British early 19thC portrait oil painting

Portrait of a Young Woman with Shawl - British early 19thC portrait oil painting

By Thomas Lawrence (circle)

Located in Hagley, England

This lovely British early 19th century female portrait oil painting is attributed to the circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence. Painted circa 1800 it is a half length portrait of a beautiful...

Category

Early 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Peaceful Venetian Canal Scenes in a Pair of Mid 20th-C. Paintings
Peaceful Venetian Canal Scenes in a Pair of Mid 20th-C. Paintings

Peaceful Venetian Canal Scenes in a Pair of Mid 20th-C. Paintings

Located in San Francisco, CA

This pair of timeless scenes of Venice are both by Venetian painter, Luigi Zugolo, who, according to Italy’s Ministry of Culture, was working in the early 20th century. Would we call...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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

High Country Sanctuary, Oil Painting, Realist, Signed, Framed Art
High Country Sanctuary, Oil Painting, Realist, Signed, Framed Art

High Country Sanctuary, Oil Painting, Realist, Signed, Framed Art

By Tammy Medlin

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

High Country Sanctuary is an oil on canvas painting by representational artist Tammy Medlin (b. 1969). Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and now based in Mount Pleasant, South Car...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

My Love, Oil Painting
My Love, Oil Painting

My Love, Oil Painting

By Eric Vanasse

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A brightly colored parrot perches on a snow-covered rock before a tranquil lake, with snowy mountains rising in the background. Tropical foliage frames the bird...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

“Samsone & Dalila”
“Samsone & Dalila”

“Samsone & Dalila”

By Antonio Balestra

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Antonio Balestra (1666–1740) – "Samson & Delilah" Artist: Antonio Balestra (1666–1740) Title: "Samson & Delilah" Medium: Oil on canvas Framed Dimensions: 147 x 165 cm Can...

Category

17th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Seated Man – An Intimate Glimpse into Daily Life
The Seated Man – An Intimate Glimpse into Daily Life

The Seated Man – An Intimate Glimpse into Daily Life

Located in Stockholm, SE

This masterfully executed painting by Emerik Stenberg (1873–1927) captures an intimate and atmospheric moment. The composition features a seated man, engrossed in his daily chores, b...

Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cup of coffee and tangerine
Cup of coffee and tangerine

Cup of coffee and tangerine

By Irina Trushkova

Located in Zofingen, AG

"Cup of coffee and tangerine” is a celebration of the beauty that can be found in the simplest of things. The style of the painting is inspired by the Holland masters of the 17th cen...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Study"
"Study"

"Study"

Located in Edinburgh, GB

A ballerina before a performance, shown in the moment of warming up, backlit against the light.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Gates - New York Central Park

The Gates - New York Central Park

By Christo

Located in Winterswijk, NL

The artwork "The Gates - New York Central Park" by the artist Christo is extraordinary and an eye-catcher for every room Color offset on heavy paper B...

Category

20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Color, Offset

'River Landscape' by Ludwig Knaus; Framed 22" x 20.5" Oil on Board, 19th Century
'River Landscape' by Ludwig Knaus; Framed 22" x 20.5" Oil on Board, 19th Century

'River Landscape' by Ludwig Knaus; Framed 22" x 20.5" Oil on Board, 19th Century

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

This framed 20.5" x 22" river landscape by German artist Ludwig Knaus features a mature tree stretching out over a calm body of water on a clear day. Knaus portrays sunlight and shad...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake

Mark MorrisonRattlesnake, ca. 1950

$3,000Sale Price|70% Off

Rattlesnake

By Mark Morrison

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Mark Morrison (1895-1964) Rattlesnake , ca. 1950 Carved pink Texas granite 13.5" wide, 13" deep, height is 7" Repair and conservation to uppermost part of snake's body. Provena...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Granite

Portrait of an Edwardian Lady - British 1900 art female portrait oil painting
Portrait of an Edwardian Lady - British 1900 art female portrait oil painting

Portrait of an Edwardian Lady - British 1900 art female portrait oil painting

By Ralph Peacock

Located in Hagley, England

This stunning British Edwardian portrairt oil painting is by noted 19th century born portrait painter Ralph Peacock .Painted circa 1900 it is a seated portrait of a lady in a black dress with shiffon sleeves and beautiful pink flowers in her lap. She is wearing considerable jewellery suggesting her wealth; an ornate ring, fleur de lys broach, a long string of pearls...

Category

Early 1900s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

"Doorway" Ken Davies, Realist House Porch Architecture
"Doorway" Ken Davies, Realist House Porch Architecture

"Doorway" Ken Davies, Realist House Porch Architecture

Located in New York, NY

Ken Davies Doorway, circa 1970 Signed lower left Oil on board 11 x 15 inches Provenance: The Heritage Gallery Inc., Columbus, Ohio, 1975 Private Collection, Columbus Acquired from the estate of the above Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Kenneth Davies...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Mountain Lake in Spring Oil Painting of the Scottish Highlands by British Artist
Mountain Lake in Spring Oil Painting of the Scottish Highlands by British Artist

Mountain Lake in Spring Oil Painting of the Scottish Highlands by British Artist

By Andrew Grant Kurtis

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

Emergence, Woman in Floral Robe, Oil on Panel with Gold and Silver Leaf
Emergence, Woman in Floral Robe, Oil on Panel with Gold and Silver Leaf

Emergence, Woman in Floral Robe, Oil on Panel with Gold and Silver Leaf

By Brian O'Neill

Located in Denver, CO

“Emergence” is a contemporary figurative oil painting from 2019, created on panel with white gold and silver leaf. The composition depicts a woman viewed from behind, her arms extended and her face turned upward. Her black floral...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Silver, Gold Leaf

Landscape  1965. Paper, watercolor, 38x53 cm
Landscape  1965. Paper, watercolor, 38x53 cm

Landscape 1965. Paper, watercolor, 38x53 cm

By Janis Brekte

Located in Riga, LV

Landscape 1965. Paper, watercolor, 38x53 cm Through the use of watercolors on paper, the artist has created a picturesque and emotive portrayal of the landscape, inviting viewers t...

Category

1960s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Spring Aspen, " Oil Painting
"Spring Aspen, " Oil Painting

"Spring Aspen, " Oil Painting

By Stephen Day

Located in Denver, CO

Stephen Day's (US based) "Spring Aspen" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a forest of Pine and Aspen trees coming to life with new green buds of leaves and the thicket of the forest floor beginning to grow. Stephen Day was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, and, while growing up he lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Aspen Colorado, and Durango, Colorado. He always felt the wonderfully unique beauty of the west but until he became an artist he really didn't know how to fully respond to that beauty. Day is now a full-time artist living in Taos, New Mexico. Working mainly in oil he paints various subjects from life but the landscape is his first love. He says of his working philosophy, "I paint almost exclusively from life trying to capture the feeling and the mood of the subject before me. This work philosophy forces me to paint quickly to get a spontaneous and fresh response, because everything around us (including ourselves) is in a constant state of change." Day frequently paints on location and uses these smaller paintings to create larger studio paintings. Artist's Background: 1976 - Bachelor of Arts Degree, McMurry College, Abilene, Texas 1980 - Master's Degree, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas Studied at the Art Students League of Denver with Bruce Cody...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

"Yosemite" - Black & White Landscape Photograph AP
"Yosemite" - Black & White Landscape Photograph AP

"Yosemite" - Black & White Landscape Photograph AP

By Jeff Nixon

Located in Soquel, CA

Beautiful black and white landscape photograph titled "Yosemite," by Jeff Nixon (American, 20th Century). A mountain range stands high against a cloudless sky and above a forest reflected in a pond below. Signed "Jeff Nixon AP, Yosemite '87," on verso. Presented in a new white mat, 16"H x 20"W. Jeff Nixon began photographing in the late 1960's, and by the end of the millennium had acquired an impressive list of credentials; many years as a year round resident of Yosemite Valley, noted instructor in the techniques of black and white photography which he gleaned from his years of working with Ansel Adams, and learning the Zone System from the master himself. Jeff has been an instructor for two California Junior Colleges, Modesto and Columbia, has led extension courses for UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley, and taught and lectured in numerous seminars and classes. He has taught workshops and has had many showings nationwide, working with Morley Baer, Chris Rainier, Rod Dresser, and John Sexton as either field or darkroom assistant. He was also the production and research assistant for the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust, Carmel Highlands...

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Silver Gelatin

Overhead, Framed
Overhead, Framed

Overhead, Framed

By Karen Woods

Located in Fairfield, CT

Represented by George Billis Gallery, NYC & LA --“I do think the big problem in a way…is how you deal with ordinary life—that is not extraordinary, that does not involve heroism,...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Linen, 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.