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Realist Art

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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
Pink Sunset in Winter Birch Forest Giant Landscape early 20 Сentury Oil Painting
Pink Sunset in Winter Birch Forest Giant Landscape early 20 Сentury Oil Painting

Pink Sunset in Winter Birch Forest Giant Landscape early 20 Сentury Oil Painting

Located in Stockholm, SE

An impressive painting in size and execution, a frosty winter day in a birch grove with a small pond. The orange-yellow sunset reflected on the surface of the pond creates the illusion of bizarre reflections. The frosty haze that has enveloped the forest intertwines with the approaching twilight, enhancing the sense of depth and atmosphere. On the right we see a traveler returning from the forest with an armful of brushwood on his back. In the distance a small flock of birds flies in, alarmed by something, bringing a sense of movement to this scene. The contrast of bright and cold shades creates an atmosphere of calm and silence...

Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Oil

Bluebonnets, Oak, and Yucca
Bluebonnets, Oak, and Yucca

Bluebonnets, Oak, and Yucca

Located in Houston, TX

Willian A. Slaughter (1923-2003) William A. Slaughter was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1923 and died in Dallas, Texas December 2003. His first call was to the ministry and after ser...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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

The Ali Children, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
The Ali Children, Slim Aarons Estate Edition

The Ali Children, Slim Aarons Estate Edition

By Slim Aarons

Located in Los Angeles, CA

August 1980: In Spanish style riding clothes from l to r; TRH Princess Rajwa Ali, Princess Basma Ali and Prince Bin Ali. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images) Slim Aarons Estate Editi...

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

'Tom' - a Brussels Griffon; dog painting; Griffon Bruxellois

'Tom' - a Brussels Griffon; dog painting; Griffon Bruxellois

By Charles Boland

Located in London, GB

Charles H. Boland de Spa (Belgium, 19th Century) 'Tom’ - a Brussels Griffon terrier signed 'Ch. Boland' (lower left) oil on panel 13 x 8 ⅝  in. (33 x 21.9 cm.) frame 18 ½  x 14 in. (...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Blooming in the Mountains, Impressionist Landscape Painting, Oil on Canvas
Blooming in the Mountains, Impressionist Landscape Painting, Oil on Canvas

Blooming in the Mountains, Impressionist Landscape Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Oleksandr Khrapachov

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Catalog 2018 “Khrapachov O._ Painting.: an album of works.” / – Kyiv. BX[studio], 2018. _ 48 pp. Blooming in the mountains Oleksandr Khrapachov, 2018 Oil on canvas. 80 × 100 cm Th...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

CAY RUNNER Signed Lithograph, Realistic Runner Boat on Calm Water, Marine Art
CAY RUNNER Signed Lithograph, Realistic Runner Boat on Calm Water, Marine Art

CAY RUNNER Signed Lithograph, Realistic Runner Boat on Calm Water, Marine Art

By John Lutes

Located in Union City, NJ

Artist - John Lutes (1926-2001) Title - Cay Runner Medium - Lithograph Year Published - 1980 Print Size - 29 x 22 in. Printer - J K Fine Art Editions Co., NY Cay Runner is an original hand drawn, limited edition lithograph, (not a photographically reproduced or digital print) by the American artist John D. Lutes created using traditional hand lithography techniques, proofed and printed in multiple colors on archival Arches paper 100% acid free. Cay Runner depicts a very detailed realistic rendition of a runner boat in still water, a solid light khaki grey sky serving as the backdrop for this quiet marine boat portrait. This is a rare limited edition lithograph by Mr. Lutes not often seen on the marketplace. Cay Runner is in excellent condition, unframed, pencil signed by John Lutes. Print size - 30 x 22 inches, unframed, excellent condition, hand signed in pencil by John Lutes Edition size - 300, plus proofs Year published - 1980 Printer - J K Fine Art Editions Co. NY John D. Lutes, born 1926 in Chicago, died 2001...

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Daffodils.Floral, Abstract realism, rectangular, Yellow, Green, Gray, Medium.
Daffodils.Floral, Abstract realism, rectangular, Yellow, Green, Gray, Medium.

Daffodils.Floral, Abstract realism, rectangular, Yellow, Green, Gray, Medium.

Located in Oslo, NO

There we can see a bunch of beautiful yellow and white Daffodil flowers in a glass vase, presented on the light background. The palette based on analogous colors of vivid yellow an...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Italian Big Scale Hand Carved Table Top Wood Lion Sculpture
Italian Big Scale Hand Carved Table Top Wood Lion Sculpture

Italian Big Scale Hand Carved Table Top Wood Lion Sculpture

Located in Firenze, IT

This 19th century big scale Italian animalier sculpure features a lion striding forward on a root-wood base, snarling with open mouth and expressive eyes enlivening its rippling mane with an extremely realistic sense of motion. The wooden statue, wonderful as a table top, is entirely hand carved in the round in a single block of solid olive wood, sign of high quality and sculptural artisanal mastery. An original whimsical and impressive centerpiece clearly sculpted by a true artist who carved the block of wood creating this figure of the proudest feline boasting a detailed study of the lion's anatomy.The features on the face, mane, muscles, tail and the paws are still distinctive and full of character as well as the beautifully carved stand. This sculpture boasts smooth surface and a warm patina developed over centuries and exudes wonderful quality and timelessness of the ancient world. The rich original patina brings further intrigue to its intricately carved details. This hand carved wooden lion statue is a great looking antique centrepiece...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Wood

The Picnic
The Picnic

The Picnic

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "The Picnic" c.1990, is an oil painting on canvas board by Irish artist Val McGann, 1928-2016. It is signed at the lower left corner by...

Category

Late 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Mujer fumando
Mujer fumando

Mujer fumando

By Fernando Botero

Located in BARCELONA, ES

Fernando Botero ''Mujer fumando" 1985 lithograph, signed in lower right corner Numbered in Roman numerals in lower left corner num. XLVI/L, 40 x 33 cm.

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Reflection
Reflection

Reflection

By Irina Trushkova

Located in Zofingen, AG

I love the way the silver and porcelain objects are reflected and the subtle warm and cool color throughout. The medium used is oil on canvas, which allows to capture the vibrant col...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

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

Distant Echoes, Original Painting
Distant Echoes, Original Painting

Distant Echoes, Original Painting

By Vic Roschkov

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Bathed in quiet light, a weathered farmhouse radiates a sense of history and solitude. The faded clapboard siding, rusted tin roof, and simple lines stand resil...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

"Just the Two of Us, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 30" x 40"
"Just the Two of Us, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 30" x 40"

"Just the Two of Us, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 30" x 40"

By Daniel Pollera

Located in Westport, CT

This coastal seascape limited edition print captures a scene from the porch of a beachfront property along the coast. A setting sun casts sharp light and cool blue-grey shadows across the porch, where two sets of shoes and two boat paddles...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Digital, Giclée

Shortcut, Original Oil Painting

Shortcut, Original Oil Painting

By Mark Harrison

Located in Denver, CO

Mark Harrison's (UK based) "Shortcut" is an oil painting that depicts an urban street with a towering city skyline at night. Sometimes they are silent epic landscapes of the Desert...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Antique American Signed Coastal Landscape Hudson River School Framed Seascape
Antique American Signed Coastal Landscape Hudson River School Framed Seascape

Antique American Signed Coastal Landscape Hudson River School Framed Seascape

Located in Buffalo, NY

Antique American coastal seascape oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Dated Framed. Measuring: 21 by 25 inches overall, and 12 by 16 painting alone. Excellent condition, ready to ...

Category

1890s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Guerra's Peonies" Oil Painting
"Guerra's Peonies" Oil Painting

"Guerra's Peonies" Oil Painting

By Robin Cole

Located in Denver, CO

Robin Cole's (Us based) "Guerra's Peonies" is a plein air oil painting that depicts colorful pink peonies. Nature and those that inhabit it—our human selves included—possess a magi...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

19th Century Oil Painting Sussex Coast Fishermen Returning Maritime Scene
19th Century Oil Painting Sussex Coast Fishermen Returning Maritime Scene

19th Century Oil Painting Sussex Coast Fishermen Returning Maritime Scene

Located in Stockholm, SE

This captivating mid 19th century oil on canvas depicts a touching maritime scene along England's Sussex coast, renowned for its dramatic white chalk cliffs and centuries-old fishing...

Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Oil

Philippine Landscape Painting, Oil on Canvas, Early 20th Century
Philippine Landscape Painting, Oil on Canvas, Early 20th Century

Philippine Landscape Painting, Oil on Canvas, Early 20th Century

Located in Sant Celoni, ES

Firmado por el artista en la parte inferior Se presenta sin enmarcar la pintura Buen estado de conservación Medidas obra: 77 cm. de altura x 101 cm. de ancho

Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Warrior-defender. Limited Edition 3/4 - Bronze Sculpture
Warrior-defender. Limited Edition 3/4 - Bronze Sculpture

Warrior-defender. Limited Edition 3/4 - Bronze Sculpture

Located in Riga, LV

Dimensions: 28 W x 64 H x 28 D cm Weight: 9,8 kg Material: Bronze, patina, metal Edition: 3/4 + 1 AP, signed on base Condition: Excellent, certificate Free worldwide shipping in a b...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Still life with various dishes . Horizontal format, warm tone, oil painting
Still life with various dishes . Horizontal format, warm tone, oil painting

Still life with various dishes . Horizontal format, warm tone, oil painting

By Julia Chaduneli Prodiashvili

Located in Oslo, NO

Objects gathered quietly on the table, shrouded in the soft evening light — a ceramic jug with a matte, warm surface, a transparent glass glass in which the reflection of the window trembles, and an antique copper teapot...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Beginning of Spring"
"Beginning of Spring"

"Beginning of Spring"

Located in Edinburgh, GB

“Beginning of Spring” (3rd quarter of the 20th century) Oil on canvas 100 × 150 cm Signed lower right Born in Golitsyno in 1916 into the family of Russian painter Konstantin Kirillo...

Category

20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Visitation, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Visitation, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper

Visitation, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper

By Nanci Erskine

Located in Yardley, PA

While teaching a summer course in Italy, I loved tramping around and drawing all the beautiful architecture. The medium is compressed charcoal which yields rich darks and delicate l...

Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Charcoal

Edge of Night, Original Painting
Edge of Night, Original Painting

Edge of Night, Original Painting

By Vic Roschkov

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Golden and orange light cuts through dark clouds, capturing the fleeting brilliance of sunset. The contrast between the fiery horizon and the brooding sky evoke...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

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.