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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
Foggy Morning Pines Cyanotype Photograph, Hand-Printed, 12 x 16 Inches, 5/10
Foggy Morning Pines Cyanotype Photograph, Hand-Printed, 12 x 16 Inches, 5/10

Foggy Morning Pines Cyanotype Photograph, Hand-Printed, 12 x 16 Inches, 5/10

Located in Oakland, CA

Actor Timothée Chalamet owns one edition of this same photo. Purhcased at The Other Art Fair in Santa Monica in the spring of 2023. Hand-printed original cyanotype photograph on wate...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Rag Paper, Photogram

El Tavern (Vacancy IV)
El Tavern (Vacancy IV)

El Tavern (Vacancy IV)

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'El Tavern (Vacancy IV)', oil on canvas, unframed and 40 x 60 inches. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in a photorealistic style various "Pop" cultur...

Category

Early 2000s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Graffiti Break
Graffiti Break

Griselda FerrandezGraffiti Break

$950Sale Price|83% Off

Graffiti Break

Located in Atlanta, GA

This item is in excellent condition, only shown in a gallery. Griselda Ferrandez was born in the city of Barcelona, a cosmopolitan and open city. From her balcony she could contempla...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Coffee Break

Coffee Break

Located in Fairfield, CT

Direct observation excites me. It allows for close, quiet, and constant discovery. The subtle shifts that occur in natural changing light create living color harmonies and moments of...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Panel, Oil

Untitled
Untitled

Bo BartlettUntitled, 1991

$2,000Sale Price|42% Off

Untitled

By Bo Bartlett

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Bo Bartlett (b.1955). Untitlrd, 1991. Charcoal and pencil on paper, 18 x 18.5 inches, 28.5 x 28.5 inches framed. Non-reflective museum glass. Signed and dated lower right. Artist seal in red ink lower left. Excellent condition. While Bo Bartlett’s paintings pay homage to an art historical tradition that has long been rooted in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York, his work highlights the American South—a place he refers to as both the “center of the art world” and the “center of the real world.” After graduating from high school in Columbus, Georgia, Bartlett traveled to Florence, Italy, to pursue an artistic career. There, he studied under North Carolina painter Ben Long...

Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Charcoal, Pencil

Sakura
Sakura

Sakura

Located in Zofingen, AG

A cherry branch is placed in a smooth, neutral space. The various shades of pink color of flowers with its thin delicate petals inspire me to create this work. My intention was to ke...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Pathway to the Past, Original Painting
Pathway to the Past, Original Painting

Pathway to the Past, Original Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A rustic blue cottage, weathered by time, nestles among vibrant wildflowers. It was once the home of a widow who lost her loving h...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Original Still Life oil painting on canvas, Fruits, Framed
Original Still Life oil painting on canvas, Fruits, Framed

Original Still Life oil painting on canvas, Fruits, Framed

Located in Palm Coast, FL

Up for sale is an original oil painting on canvas depicting a Still Life composition. Unsigned. Nicely framed. Good condition. Please see the photos, they are part of the descript...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Slim Aarons, Roca Llisa

Slim Aarons, Roca Llisa

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

Slim Aarons Roca Llisa, 1978 (printed later) C print estate edition of 150 Fosca, Vera, and Fiona Bertran holidaying in Roca Llisa, on the island of Ibiza, Spain, 1978. Estate stamp...

Category

1960s Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

Robert Kenneth White "Velvet Wrinkles" Signed 2019 Oil of Two Shar Pei Puppies
Robert Kenneth White "Velvet Wrinkles" Signed 2019 Oil of Two Shar Pei Puppies

Robert Kenneth White "Velvet Wrinkles" Signed 2019 Oil of Two Shar Pei Puppies

Located in Miami, FL

ROBERT KENNETH WHITE – "VELVET WRINKLES" ⚜ Oil on canvas ⚜ Signed lower right ⚜ Frameless display ADORABLE SHAR PEI PORTRAIT BY ROBERT KENNETH WHITE In Velvet Wrinkles, Robert Kenneth White masterfully captures the irresistible charm of two Shar Pei puppies, their soft folds rendered with lifelike precision. The artist’s signature realism and attention to texture bring warmth, character, and humor to this endearing composition. Known for blending technical expertise with playful subject matter, White’s works are highly sought after by collectors of contemporary animal portraits. The puppies’ expressive gaze and meticulously painted wrinkles highlight the artist’s ability to elevate everyday subjects into captivating fine art. WHY COLLECT THIS WORK? ✓ Original oil by Robert Kenneth White, renowned for his lifelike portraits and charming animal studies ✓ Depicts two Shar Pei puppies with exceptional attention to texture, expression, and detail ✓ Ideal for collectors of dog art, photorealism, or contemporary figurative works ✓ Ready to hang or frame — perfect for home, office, or gallery display ARTWORK DETAILS: ▸ Title: "Velvet Wrinkles" ▸ Artist: Robert Kenneth White ▸ Medium: Oil on Canvas ▸ Year of Creation: 2019 ▸ Signature: Signed lower right ▸ Country of Origin: United States ▸ Dimensions: — ◼︎ Canvas Size: 20.125 x 24 inches ▸ Condition: Excellent ▸ Framing: Frameless Display – Ready to hang or frame INCLUDED DOCUMENTATION ✓ Certificate of Authenticity ✓ Artist Biography Document THE ARTIST: Robert Kenneth White is an acclaimed American painter celebrated for his detailed landscapes, atmospheric seascapes, and photorealistic animal portraits. Working primarily in oil, White combines technical precision with a painter’s sensitivity to mood and subject, often blending realism with gentle humor. Drawing inspiration from California’s coastal vistas, rural Americana, and domestic life, White’s works resonate with collectors seeking both aesthetic beauty and emotional connection. His signature style has earned comparisons to 20th-century realist painters such as Andrew Wyeth and John Register...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nearing Dusk, Original Painting
Nearing Dusk, Original Painting

Nearing Dusk, Original Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Dark silhouettes of bare trees create a quiet, moody landscape at dusk in the countryside. The glowing sunset illuminates the horizon. Deep tones fill a marsh b...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Romany Gypsy Caravan At The Round House Wilford Nottingham Watercolor Painting
Romany Gypsy Caravan At The Round House Wilford Nottingham Watercolor Painting

Romany Gypsy Caravan At The Round House Wilford Nottingham Watercolor Painting

Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset

Edgar Woollatt. English ( b.1871 - d.1931 ). Romany Gypsy Caravan At The Round House, Clifton Lane, Wilford, Nottingham. Watercolor. Signed Lower Left. Image size 10.8 inches x 20....

Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Afternoon. 1959. Cardboard/oil, 19x27.5 cm
Afternoon. 1959. Cardboard/oil, 19x27.5 cm

Afternoon. 1959. Cardboard/oil, 19x27.5 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Alfejs Bromults (1913.3.IV – 1991.11.I) Alfej Bromults received his first professional education at Tautas University under R. Suta, J. Bīne and G. Šķilters. From 1938 he studied in...

Category

1960s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Three Pheasants in a Corn Field
Three Pheasants in a Corn Field

Three Pheasants in a Corn Field

Located in Columbia, MO

G. Martin Three Pheasants in Corn Field 2000 Oil on canvas 32 x 42 inches Signed lower right recto

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Great Tits, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind

Great Tits, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind

Located in Granada Hills, CA

61 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper, Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art, Subject: Great Tits, Size: 12 x...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Pulling in the Creel Nets - British Victorian art river landscape oil painting
Pulling in the Creel Nets - British Victorian art river landscape oil painting

Pulling in the Creel Nets - British Victorian art river landscape oil painting

By Frederick Waters Watts

Located in Hagley, England

This lovely British 19th century oil painting is attributed to noted landscape painter Frederick Waters Watts. The composition is painted in great detail with superb use of colour to...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Smile
Smile

Eyitayo Alagbe Smile, 2023

$1,600Sale Price|20% Off

Smile

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

"Smile" by Eyitayo Alagbe is a heartwarming artwork that beautifully captures the essence of joy and innocence embodied in a young boy. The title, "Smile," serves as a thematic ancho...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Ink, Acrylic

Golden Glow, Oil Painting
Golden Glow, Oil Painting

Golden Glow, Oil Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Jose Luis Bermudez presents a tranquil lake bathed in a radiant golden light. "The atmosphere envelops this setting, providing a sense of stability and connection to the earth," says Jose Luis. The water reflects a magical and captivating effect as the sun sits low in the sky, just above the trees. Plants reach for the last rays, vibrant and full of life, while the atmosphere glows with deep yellow hues. Jose Luis invites the viewer to contemplate nature's fleeting beauty and appreciate the magic that can exist in a single moment. The painting arrives with a thin white floating frame.


About the Artist
Artist Jose Luis Bermudez brings to life natural sceneries with breathtaking detail. His realistic oil paintings invite the viewer into a captivating, serene world of golden sunsets and peaceful wetlands. “I offer a fragment of my existence, where you can escape from daily life, visit beautiful scenes and moments, or simply recall a fond memory,” says Jose Luis. Graduating in 2008 with a BA from the San Alejandro School of Fine Arts in Havana, Cuba, he later shared his expertise as a painting teacher at his alma mater. In 2014, he took the leap and moved to Miami, Florida, seeking better opportunities. The decision did not come easy for Jose Luis to leave his home country. Yet, he encountered career obstacles that made him feel artists lacked the resources and opportunities for broader impact, access to more information, and improved working conditions. These challenges became the catalyst for his bold decision to make the move. Today, he paints in a spacious, well-lit studio, which he keeps clean and organized, always accompanied by piano or instrumental music. When he is not painting, he loves connecting with nature. He travels outside the city to places removed from everyday life, breathing fresh air and listening to self-improvement audio books to charge him with energy and continue.


Words that describe this painting: nature, lake, sunset, sun, water, realism, oilpaint, reflection, large, warm, grass, foliage, woods, evening, nature, realism, oil painting, yellow


Golden Glow...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Landscape  1964, watercolor on paper, 20.5x26.5 cm

Landscape 1964, watercolor on paper, 20.5x26.5 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Landscape 1964, watercolor on paper, 20.5x26.5 cm Herberts Mangolds (1901-1978) Graphic, army officer. In 1920 he graduated from the Artillery Cadet School of Latvian and many mili...

Category

1960s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Glory to Ukraine!"
"Glory to Ukraine!"

"Glory to Ukraine!"

Located in Edinburgh, GB

The painting is written in honor and memory of the hero of Ukraine, Oleksandr Mitsievsky. He was shot by soldiers of the Russian army after they took him prisoner. His last words wer...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Cream puff with strawberries" Dutch Fine Realist Painting of Still-Life Pastry
"Cream puff with strawberries" Dutch Fine Realist Painting of Still-Life Pastry

"Cream puff with strawberries" Dutch Fine Realist Painting of Still-Life Pastry

By René Smoorenburg

Located in Utrecht, NL

During his successful career as a goldsmith the desire to paint grew on Dutch artist René Smoorenburg (1954). The attention to detail, which was of great importance in his work as a goldsmith, proved of great value in painting his one of a kind still life’s. Step into a world where indulgence meets precision, and where everyday objects are elevated to timeless beauty. In “Cream Puff with Wild Strawberries”, Dutch fine painter René Smoorenburg captures a fleeting moment of sweetness with astonishing realism and elegance. At first glance, the painting is almost photographic: the gleaming swirl of fresh cream, the delicate texture of the puff pastry, and the deep, ruby-red glow of wild strawberries seem almost tangible—so vivid you can taste them. But this is more than just visual seduction. Look closer, and you'll find a perfect balance of composition, texture, and light that reflects the artist’s masterful control of his craft. His work stands in the long tradition of Dutch still life painting, originated in the seventeenth century, with its highly refined and meticulously executed depiction of reality. His work is in the spirit of many of those great works but retains its own distinctive style. Although René Smoorenburg works at a few paintings at the same time, the time it takes him to finish one individual painting amounts six months. Because of his very detailed style of painting, this time span is necessary to complete the work with a lot of patience and endurance. In contrast to the masters of the Golden Age, he chooses to emphasize the vulnerability, fragility and imperfection of everyday objects in his still life’s. According to René Smoorenburg, beauty is not perfection, but in the trace of the past and the evidence of enduring ravages of time. René Smoorenburg finds his sources of inspiration at antique fairs and markets: worn shoes...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Northwest of Heaven, Original Painting
Northwest of Heaven, Original Painting

Northwest of Heaven, Original Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Time stands still at a derelict farm nestled in a sweeping valley. A meandering stream adds movement and direction to the scene. Towering mountains rise in th...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

"Awakening" allegorical oil painting, Garden of Eden-esque nude in nature framed
"Awakening" allegorical oil painting, Garden of Eden-esque nude in nature framed

"Awakening" allegorical oil painting, Garden of Eden-esque nude in nature framed

By Anthony Ackrill

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

An oil painting of an Eve-like figure in the classical reclining pose with one toe dipped in a lily pond. Her arm is intertwined with an auburn snake as they make eye-contact with ea...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

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.