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.
"My Forever Summer" Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, Signed
Located in Zofingen, AG
This artwork captures the spirit of freedom and reflection at the seashore. A solitary woman on a bicycle, her bright red skirt in motion, moves across a golden beach under a dramati...
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Hoopoe Bird Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
413 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Hoopoe Size: 12 x 16 inch, ...
Paper, Watercolor
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch Of A Cow's Body With White Features
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$2,800
"After Hours" by Lindsey Kustusch, Realist Modern Cityscape, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Lindsey Kustusch's "After Hours" is a compelling handmade original oil on wood panel artwork, measuring 16 x 16 inches. This 2025 piece is a primary market item, arriving for Kustusc...
Oil, Wood Panel
Magdalen Bridge, Oxford Magdalen College watercolour by Ken Messer
By Ken Messer
Located in London, GB
To see our other views of Oxford and Cambridge, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the ...
Watercolor
Hunting Dog speaking to a bunny "Be Quiet", lithograph signed by aris
Located in Chesterfield, MI
Hunting dog speaking to the rabbit: "Be Quiet". Humor in art is rare! Titled and pencil signed by the artist Paul Wood. Published in France by Paris Etching Society. "Made in Fra...
Lithograph
Portrait of a Lady Sewing - British 19th century art Newlyn School oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This beautiful late 19th century portrait oil painting is attributed to circle of Walter Langley. It has the hallmarks of the Newlyn School of artists such as the subject matter, com...
Oil
Calico Cat Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Calico Cat Size: 12 x 16 inch, ...
Paper, Watercolor
20th Century Still Life of fruits and insects on a ledge
Located in Woodbury, CT
This jewel-like still life by contemporary English artist Katalin Némethy shows her hallmark precision and luminous handling of fruit subjects. Against a rich, deep red background, t...
Oil, Wood Panel
A Young Woman With Her Dog by Victor Ravet
Located in Stockholm, SE
In this exquisite painting by Victor Ravet, we are transported to an elegant interior setting reminiscent of the grandeur of high-class homes. The focal point is a woman adorned in a shimmering pink gown, radiating grace and sophistication. Bathed in gentle light, her dress catches the glimmer, accentuating her beauty. She holds a treat for a dog in her hand, enticing the furry companion who stands on its hind legs in eager anticipation. The canine's eyes fixated on the delicious morsel, capturing a moment of playful interaction between the woman and her loyal companion. The scene takes on a narrative quality as the young woman's other hand delicately lifts a curtain, hinting at another room beyond. This subtle gesture adds depth to the composition, suggesting a world of hidden secrets and intriguing possibilities within the opulent surroundings. Victor Ravet took inspiration from the Dutch Golden Age painters of the 17th century, such as Vermeer, Jacob Ochtervelt, and Gerrit Dou. This homage to their style and subject matter pays tribute to the timeless allure of domestic scenes, capturing a slice of life in a bygone era. With meticulous attention to detail, Ravet masterfully recreates the textures and fabrics, immersing the viewer in the sumptuousness of the period. The soft play...
Oil, Panel
$4,500
Hyper-Realistic Painting of Safari Jungle Animals in Foliage for 1994 Zooball
Located in Houston, TX
Hyper-realistic painting of jungle animals by Houston based artist Andy Dearwater. The work features a menagerie of animals including a zebra, gori...
Paper, Gouache
European School Still Life with Fruit
Located in Astoria, NY
Continental School, Still Life Scene with Fruit and Vegetables, Oil on Canvas, late 19th century, illegibly signed "R. Pam...", giltwood frame. Image: 24" H x 32.5" W; frame: 29.5" ...
Canvas, Oil
$2,747
458. Hi There - original realism wildlife portrait oil painting-contemporary art
By Paul Jansen
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
$3,826
«The Scarlet Embrace of Dusk» – Hyperrealism Sunset Seascape Oil Painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
Created in March 2022, during the first weeks of the war in Ukraine, Light of Hope carries a deep emotional resonance. This hyperrealistic seascape unites the fiery energy of a sunse...
Canvas, Oil
$2,391
"404 Exit Not Found" Realist Acrylic Painting on Cotton Canvas, Signed
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...
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
$896Sale Price|50% Off
Purple lace of white peonies" realistic still life by Liliya Volskaya
Located in Zofingen, AG
Purple lace of white peonies" realistic still life by Lilia Volskaya. Flowers are the ultimate delight in beauty, which is flawless. The slight curves of lines, tones and semitones, ...
Canvas, Lacquer, Oil
"Dust Storm" by Morgan Cameron, Oil painting Featuring Galloping Horse
Located in Denver, CO
Morgan Cameron’s (US based) “Dust Storm” is an oil painting on panel that depicts a red and white horse galloping with it's mane flowing. This painting is framed and ready to hang. ...
Oil, Panel
“Botany 3” Original botanical painting. Circular canvas. Gift. Home decor
Located in Oslo, NO
his artwork is a distinctive circular painting that presents a vibrant floral composition, emphasizing the fascinating beauty of nature. Central to the piece are lush, yellow blossom...
Canvas, Oil
$22,087Sale Price|20% Off
Portrait of a Lady in a Landscape - British 19thC art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This stunning British 19th century Pre-Raphaelite portrait oil painting is attributed to famous Manchester born artist and elected associate of the Royal Academy, Annie Louisa Swynne...
Canvas, Oil
$1,380Sale Price|42% Off
River Landscape with Highland Cows & Sheep in the Scottish Mountains
By Wendy Reeves
Located in Preston, GB
River Landscape with Highland Cows & Sheep in the Scottish Mountains by 20th Century British Artist, Wendy Reeves. Original, Oil on canvas, Signed Art measures 24 x 14 inches Frame measures 30 x 20 inches This painting depicts a serene landscape featuring a river flowing through a valley surrounded by majestic mountains. The scene is bathed in soft, natural light, with clouds partially covering the peaks, creating a misty atmosphere. In the foreground, three cows are grazing near the riverbank, adding a pastoral element to the tranquil setting. The lush greenery and rocky outcrops contribute to the overall idyllic and peaceful ambiance. The painting is framed in a vintage gold-colored frame, enhancing its classic and timeless appeal. Wendy Reeves garnered acclaim for her Scottish Highland and Lakeland paintings. Born in 1944 in Ewell, Surrey, she took to her father Gordon’s craft, deciding early on that she would be a painter. Prior to her famous paintings of the British Isles, artist Wendy Reeves painted scenes from a trip she made to Spain when she was 21. It was during this time that her dream of following in her father’s footsteps became a reality, and when she returned to England she cemented her name as an artist. Wendy Reeves' paintings showcase her talent with natural landscapes and the wildlife that inhabits them. Her work often features ochre and pink lights...
Canvas, Oil
Tufted Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
222 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2024 Style: Classic Art Title: Tufted Bird Size: 12 x 16 in...
Paper, Watercolor
Ferdinand Heilbuth Lady and her Dog
By Ferdinand Heilbuth
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ferdinand Heilbuth: 1826-1889. Well listed very important 19th century French painter. He was born in Germany but lived and painted mostly in France becoming a French citizen in 1876...
Oil
$3,500Sale Price|41% Off
Grace Jones for After Dark
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Victor Arimondi (1942-2001). Portrait of Grace Jones, 1975. Period print measures 8.5 x 11.25 inches; 10 x 13 inches framed. Artist studio stamp on ver...
Photographic Paper
'Delaware River Bridge' — Mid-Atlantic Regionalism
By Anton Schutz
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Anton Schutz, 'Delaware Bridge' (Delaware, New Jersey), etching, c. 1927. Signed in pencil. A superb, richly-inked impression, with skillfully wiped plate tone, on BFK Rives, cream wove paper, the full sheet with margins (1 1/2 to 2 1/8 inches), in excellent condition. Archivally matted to museum standards, unframed. Image size 11 7/8 x 8 7/8 inches (302 x 225 mm); sheet size 15 7/8 x 12 1/4 inches (403 x 311 mm). ABOUT THIS IMAGE The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, originally named the Delaware River...
Etching
Roca Llisa, Ibiza, Estate Edition, Landscape Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late 1970s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Fosca, Vera, and Fiona Bertran holidaying in Roca Llisa, on the island of Ibiza, Spain. This is an...
Lambda
Portrait of a Baby
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Violet Oakley (1896-1961). Portrait of a Baby, ca. 1930. Conte crayon and pencil on laid paper, sheet measuring 11 x 14 inches. Framed measurement: 13.5 x 16.5 inches. Signed low...
Conté, Laid Paper
View from Strandvägen towards Djurgården, Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ferdinand Boberg (1860–1946) View from Strandvägen towards Djurgården, Stockholm Watercolor on paper signed BOBERG - STOCKHOLM - c. 16 x 22 cm (6 ¼ x 8 ¾ in) framed 33 x 38 cm (13 ...
Watercolor, Pencil
$478
BMW 502 (1954)- XXI Century, Contemporary Acrylic Painting, Vehicle, Car
Located in Warsaw, PL
Mariusz Szalajdewicz (b. 1974) Studied at the Faculty of Architecture at Warsaw University of Technology, where he mastered the drawing skill. Architect and urbanist, illustrator.
Canvas, Acrylic
David De Noter Still Life with Curious Cat
By David Emile Joseph de Noter
Located in San Francisco, CA
David De Noter: 1818-1892. Well listed Belgian painter with auction results as high as $142,000. Most famous for his still lifes. This fantastic little gem of a curious cat skipping...
Oil
$574Sale Price|30% Off
"Cymbidium Orchids" Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Narelle Zeller's "Cymbidium Orchids" is an oil painting that depicts four blush colored orchid flowers blossoming in contrast with the vivid orange back...
Oil, Panel
Three Pears
By Thomas Prentiss
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting an outstanding original oil painting by American artist Thomas Prentiss b.1920. Three Pears, is painted in the hyper realistic trompe l'oeil style, viewing this painting ...
Oil
A Surprising Center, Original Painting
By Dwight Smith
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A squash and a chocolate-covered maraschino cherry rest on a green table. Split open, they reveal rich colors and textures in their cores. In this still life, a...
Watercolor
$1,207Sale Price|30% Off
Sheep by an Idyllic Tree Lined River Landscape in Ireland by Modern Irish Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Sheep by an Idyllic Tree Lined River Landscape in Ireland by Modern 20th Century Irish Artist, Frank Fitzsimons Art measures 18 x 14 inches Frame measure 21.5 x 17.5 inches Frank Fitzsimons was born in Antrim but grew up in Bangor, Co Down in the 1930’s. Fitzsimons joined the Belfast Art Club where he painted with Maurice Canning Wilks...
Canvas, Oil
Fruit Bowl and Candle - original realism still life acrylic painting art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. Laura Critchlow’s "Fruit Bowl and Candle" is a poetic still life that marries clas...
Acrylic, Board
$16,565Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Oil
$2,797
Until the final bloom - 21st Century Realistic Still-life Painting with a bird
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Jeanine Donkers Until the final bloom 40 x 40 cm ( framed included in price) Measurement with included frame: 44 x 44 cm Oil on wood panel Jeanine Donkers' paintings offer a world ...
Oil, Wood Panel
Violinist (Portrait of Young Man with Violin)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Outstanding male portrait by 20th-century American artist, Vito Tomasello. Portrait of a Violinist, 1950. Charcoal on paper, sheet measures 13 x 19 inches. Signed lower left. A ...
Paper, Charcoal
"Allegorical Mythological Winter"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Allegorical Mythological Scene Unidentified Artist 17th–18th Century Oil on canvas Framed: 152 x 196 cm Canvas: 131 x 178 cm No signatured Description This masterfully executed B...
Canvas, Oil
$2,484Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Canvas, Oil
$6,902Sale Price|20% Off
Still Life with Flowers & Fruit in a French Farmhouse Interior by French Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Still Life with Flowers & Fruit in a French Farmhouse Interior by 20th Century French Artist, Robert Chailloux (1913-2006). Art measures 18 x 21 ...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Fall, Johnson County
By Jack Barnett
Located in Dallas, TX
The overall dimensions, including the artist-made frame, are 25 x 37 inches.
Canvas, Oil
Let Go I - Male Nude Torso, Original oil painting - Zack Zdrale
Located in Chicago, IL
A solitary figure strains forward, arms fully extended, as if reaching beyond the frame itself. Rendered in warm, earthen tones, the oil painting captures the tension between strengt...
Oil, Panel
Aggstein Castle on the Danube
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Aggstein Castle on the Danube" 1915 is a color etching on wove paper by noted Austrian artist Luigi Kasimir, 1881-1962. It is hand signed in pencil by the artis...
Etching
"Allegorical Mythological Summer"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Unidentified Artist, 17th-18th Century – Allegorical Scene Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 131 x 108 cm (unframed), 147 x 124 cm (framed) Provenance: Private collection Century &...
Canvas, Oil
Poolside Pairs, Palm Springs, Estate Edition, Midcentury Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features former fashion model Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur (in white lace) and Nelda Linsk (in yellow), wife of art deale...
Lambda
$5,521
Seahorse -original figurative bronze marine sculpture-artwork-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Bronze
Almazan Realistic Still-Life Acrylic Painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Almazan Realistic Still Life Acrylic Painting. framed of the Spanish artist ALMAZAN MIQUEL.
Wood, Oil
"Intoxicants" (2021) Original Realist Figurative Oil Painting on Panel
Located in Denver, CO
Dana Hawk (NY, US based) "Girl in Green II" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a female model in a swirl of autumn leaves. Artist Statement I grew up in a small tow...
Oil, Panel
Sleeping Man (portrait)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Douglas Martenson (b.1960). Sleeping Man, 1982. Pencil on paper. Sheet measuring 11 x 15 inches. Framed measurement: 12 x 16 inches. Mahogany custom frame. Signed with artist i...
Paper, Pencil
$3,375Sale Price|25% Off
Impressionistic Marine Oil Painting Allen D Cochran Salmagundi Club Gloucester
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Allen Dean Cochran (American 1859-1938) "Quiet Cove - Gloucester"; c. 1950; Oil on Board; 8 x 10 image, 14.25 x 16 framed, Signed Lower Left Bio: Allen Dean Cochran Born: 1888 -...
Oil
$420
Sandy Shore with Foam, Nautical Cyanotype Print on Watercolor Paper, Beach Coast
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype of a Sandy Shore with Foam. Details: + Title: Sandy Shore with Foam + Edition Size: 100 + Stamped and Certificate of Aut...
Marble
$850Sale Price|29% Off
Honeybrook, PA Lancaster County
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful landscape by American artist, David Shevlino (b.1962). Oil on wood panel measures 14 x 15.5 inches. Signed and dated lower right. Signed, titled and dated en verso.
Oil, Wood Panel
The Venice embankment at dawn. Horizontal landscape painting, Venezia, realism
Located in Oslo, NO
The painting was painted from life early in the morning in Venice. It depicts a view from the Zattere embankment of the Giudecca Canal and the island of the same name. In the distanc...
Canvas, Oil
"Pink Dreams" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Claudia Griesbach- Martucci's "Pink Dreams" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a mallard duck with a blue bow as beautiful sunset col...
Oil, Panel
$1,840Sale Price|20% Off
No Limits - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Hyperealism, Africa
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Fal...
Canvas, Oil
$33,500
Yin Yong Chun, "Porcelain Jar with Roses", 32x43 Floral Still Life Oil Painting
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This piece, “Porcelain Jar with Roses”, is a 32x43 oil painting on canvas by artist Yin Yong Chun. Featured is an abundant bouquet of creamy white roses spilling outward from a delic...
Canvas, Oil
Language of the Sky, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Ocean waves crash onto the shore beneath a dramatic, stormy sky, with colors dancing throughout the scene. This seascape evokes the idea of finding light in d...
Oil
$7,454
American City Diner-original retro realism cityscape painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Linen, Oil
Madison Square Sunset, Oil Painting
By Nick Savides
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Viewed across Madison Square Park at sunset, the Metropolitan Life Tower glows orange against a dramatic sky, with Eleven Madison echoing its warm light. Clouds...
Oil
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...
Watercolor