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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
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

Woman eating / - Interior Pictures -
Woman eating / - Interior Pictures -

Woman eating / - Interior Pictures -

By Ruth Schloss

Located in Berlin, DE

Ruth Schloss (1922 Nuremberg - 2013 Kfar Shmaryahu), Woman eating, around 1990. Mixed media on watercolor paper, 22.2 cm x 26.5 cm, signed “Schloss” lower left and signed again in He...

Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Paper

Pink Sunset on River Winter Village Landscape early 20th century Oil Painting
Pink Sunset on River Winter Village Landscape early 20th century Oil Painting

Pink Sunset on River Winter Village Landscape early 20th century Oil Painting

Located in Stockholm, SE

Signed lower right "J. Purvit", presumably by Latvian artist Vilhelms Purvitis (1872 - 1945), but we do not claim. The tranquil, unfrozen river flowing on the outskirts of the village, situated on a hill in a picturesque location, whimsically reflects the houses and trees along the shore, adding an extra charm to the scene. The autumn leaves, not yet completely fallen, show bright colors peeking out from under a light blanket of snow covering the trees. In the distance, the mountain ranges add depth and dimension to the scene, while the green trees against the changing backdrop highlight the smooth transition of seasons. The winter sky with its cold hues and the fiery sunset casting beautiful pink shades across the all scene set the mood and create a captivating atmosphere. This painting once again reminds us of the beauty of nature that surrounds us... if only we find the time to pause and appreciate it. Antique oil painting on canvas, signed, unframed. Size app.: 50 x 69.5 cm (roughly 19.7 x 27.4 in). Overall in very good ready to hang condition with just minimal wear. Please study good resolution images for cosmetic condition. In person actual painting may appear darker or brighter than in our pictures, strictly depending on sufficient light in your environment. Weight of app. 2 kg is going to measure 4 kg packed for shipment. Vilhelms Purvitis, landscape painter and educator who founded the Latvian Academy of Art and was its rector from 1919 to 1934. In 1890 Purvītis started studies at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, Russia from 1890 to 1897, primarily under Arkhip Kuindzhi...

Category

1930s Realist Art

Materials

Wood, Oil

Party In Bermuda, Estate Edition (1970 on the Yacht Ondine in yellow and red)
Party In Bermuda, Estate Edition (1970 on the Yacht Ondine in yellow and red)

Party In Bermuda, Estate Edition (1970 on the Yacht Ondine in yellow and red)

By Slim Aarons

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Slim Aarons's iconic photograph of 70's vintage seagoing glamour, captured onboard the wood-trimmed deck of the yacht 'Ondine' in Bermuda, June 1970. Figures in the foreground are offset by cheery yellow and red. A United States yacht ensign flag flies the foreground, alongside the flag of Scania, the flag of the Swedish-speaking Finns (an unofficial red flag with a yellow cross used in the Swedish-speaking parts of Finland to represent the Finland-Swedes., which may be flown in addition to the Finnish blue and white flag). Guests wear coral, navy, pastels, and whites, including classic vintage Pucci. The ship's name and home marina of New York are stenciled in gold on the white hull. Slim Aarons Party in Bermuda...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

Church Interior
Church Interior

Church Interior

By Ray Quigley

Located in Buffalo, NY

A modern illustration by American artist Ray Quigley depicting two men inside of a church.

Category

1950s Realist Art

Materials

Gouache, Illustration Board, Ink

Passage 38
Passage 38

Passage 38

Located in New York, NY

Earth, air, water, and fire are the center subjects of my art. I live in New York City-it is close to the ocean, and I’ve developed a deep affinity for the sea, which has also evoked...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Linen, Oil

Portofino Villa, Estate Edition
Portofino Villa, Estate Edition

Portofino Villa, Estate Edition

By Slim Aarons

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Guests by the pool at Klaus Pudel's villa, the Casa Montefino, overlooking Portofino harbour, Portofino, Italy, August 1977. Portofino Villa Slim Aarons Estate Edition Chromogenic L...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

''Salvador Dalí''
''Salvador Dalí''

''Salvador Dalí''

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Swamp, heat of life. Primitive people lived near swamps. All living things rush to swamps. The first cities were built near swamps! Swamps weigh down artists, 50 shades of gray green...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Arrangement XVII, Realist Oil Painting
Arrangement XVII, Realist Oil Painting

Arrangement XVII, Realist Oil Painting

By Zane York

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Zane York deftly walks the line between playfulness and profundity. Drawing inspiration from the inherent strangeness of the natural world, York imbues quotidian scenes with subtle e...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Batumi. 1987, paper, watercolor, 18x30.5 cm
Batumi. 1987, paper, watercolor, 18x30.5 cm

Batumi. 1987, paper, watercolor, 18x30.5 cm

By Nikolai Uvarov

Located in Riga, LV

Batumi. 1987, paper, watercolor, 18x30.5 cm The watercolor painting portrays a landscape scene of Batumi, a city in Georgia. The artist skillfully uses watercolor techniques to depi...

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Christ Church Oxford College, William Nicholson lithograph 1905 Stafford Gallery

Christ Church Oxford College, William Nicholson lithograph 1905 Stafford Gallery

By William Nicholson

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 view you want. William Nicholson Canterbury Gate, Christ Church, Oxford College Published by Stafford Gallery...

Category

Early 1900s Realist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Thrum of the Forge" Oil Painting

"Thrum of the Forge" Oil Painting

By David Cheifetz

Located in Denver, CO

David Cheifetz's "Thrum of the Forge" is an oil painting depicting a city avenue lined with buildings and cars as a surreal red evening colors the sky overhead. Bio/artist statement...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Mountain landscape with a village. 1980. Cardboard, oil. 49, 5x70cm
Mountain landscape with a village. 1980. Cardboard, oil. 49, 5x70cm

Mountain landscape with a village. 1980. Cardboard, oil. 49, 5x70cm

Located in Riga, LV

Mountain landscape with a village. 1980. Cardboard, oil. 49,5x70cm In this work artist paid attention to infinite landscape depiction of mountains in summertime. Mountains are thought to contain divine inspiration in many forms, and are the focus of pilgrimages of transcendence and spiritual elevation. Mountains surpass ordinary humanity and extend towards the heavens. They symbolize constancy and permanence and at their peak signify the state of absolute consciousness. The visual components of color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value in this painting works together as one story of peaceful moment next to nature. The village at the foot of the mountains is depicted in light brush strokes. Information about artist: Janis Lauva...

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Private Courtyard

Private Courtyard

By Edward Povey

Located in Atlanta, GA

1972-73 Eastbourne College for Art and Design: Fine Art Foundation Course: studies drawing. Works through the South Coast Period of paintings. Studio: South Coast of England. 1974-81 University of Wales: studied painting under Welsh artist Selwyn Jones. Public and private commissions: twenty-five multistory murals in Wales and England: documented by the BBC and British National Newspapers. Studios: Bethesda and Bangor City, Wales. Studies composition and portraiture. Shows at the Royal Exchange, London; Bangor City Museum, Wales. 1981-82 Commission: The Trial of Saint Deiniol: 19-panel, 18 x 21 ft. painting. Studio: Shropshire, England 1982-86 The New York Times send photographer Dith Pran (on whom the movie The Killing Fields was based) to photograph Povey in New York with The Trial of Saint Deiniol painting at Art Expo New York 1986. Povey is advised by George Bush Senior’s former campaign manager Zena Temkin on shaping his public persona. The BBC film Edward Povey with former President of the Royal Academy of Art in London - Sir Hugh Casson KCVO, RA, RDI in which Sir Hugh interviews Povey about his art career. Public and private commissions for collections in the United States, London, Wales, Belgium, West Indies. Studies symbolism and trains in color with Jan de Maere in Brussels and works through the Tapestry Period of paintings Studio: Grenada, West Indies. 1987-91 Studies psychology and narrative in art whilst he builds the extensive Childhood, Illusion and Desire Period of paintings. Studio: Guisborough, England courtesy of the town mayor. Shows in Belgium, London, New York. 1992-93 Public commission: Hall of Illusion mural: 20 X 40 ft. interior oil painting in the Chamber Concert Hall of the University of Wales. The commission is followed by BBC Television, S4C Television; BBC Radio Four and regional and national newspapers. Studios: Guisborough, England; Bangor City, Wales. Designs the Hall of Illusion mural on the island of Grenada, West Indies. 1994-96 Deepens his studies in the relationship between art and the psyche. Researches new ways to evolve concepts with models using theaters...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Slender Pines, Hand-Printed Cyanotype, 16 x 24 inches, ed. 3/10
Slender Pines, Hand-Printed Cyanotype, 16 x 24 inches, ed. 3/10

Slender Pines, Hand-Printed Cyanotype, 16 x 24 inches, ed. 3/10

Located in Oakland, CA

Brand-new addition to the Foggy Woods Collection of forests in northern California near San Francisco. New as of May 14, 2024. This is a hand-printed contact photograph using the ant...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Archival Paper, Rag Paper, Photogram

Sunset
Sunset

Sunset

Located in Zofingen, AG

When even change has become familiar. This work reflects on the paradoxical moment when change itself becomes a constant — no longer evoking fear, but instead blending into the fabr...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Carbon Pencil

"Wrapped" (2020) By Daud Akhriev, Original Oil Painting
"Wrapped" (2020) By Daud Akhriev, Original Oil Painting

"Wrapped" (2020) By Daud Akhriev, Original Oil Painting

Located in Denver, CO

Daud Akhriev's (EUR and US based) "Wrapped" (2020) is an original, handmade oil painting. Artist Biography: The Soviet educational system singled out 8-year-old Daud Akhriev for spe...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

Range War
Range War

Range War

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Original Acrylic painting signed by the Artist on the lower left corner.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Portrait of Mrs. Johnstone
Portrait of Mrs. Johnstone

Portrait of Mrs. Johnstone

By Sir Henry Raeburn

Located in Miami, FL

This is one of Raeburns best works from his best period that is not in a museum or private collection. Three-quarter length portrait, seated in a white dress with a black scarf over...

Category

Early 1800s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Colorado Guy
Colorado Guy

Colorado Guy

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Original Oil and Gold Leaf painting. Signed by the Artist in the lower left corner.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Traveling circus. 2018, canvas, oil, 100x50 cm
Traveling circus. 2018, canvas, oil, 100x50 cm

Traveling circus. 2018, canvas, oil, 100x50 cm

By Igor Maikov

Located in Riga, LV

Igor Maikov (1966) Education: 1981 - 1984 The Art Academy of Latvia 1973 - 1983 Salaspils Primary and Secondary School Exhibitions: 1994 - Group Exhibition «Rol-Art», Latvia ...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pocket Yellow Plum by Dani Humberstone, Small Scale Art, Realist, Still life
Pocket Yellow Plum by Dani Humberstone, Small Scale Art, Realist, Still life

Pocket Yellow Plum by Dani Humberstone, Small Scale Art, Realist, Still life

Located in Deddington, GB

Pocket Yellow Quince by Dani Humberstone [2022] original and hand signed by the artist Oil paint on canvas Image size: H:5 cm x W:5 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:5 cm x W:5 cm x D:3cm Frame Size: H:16 cm x W:16 cm x D:3.5cm Sold Framed Please note that insitu images are purely an indication of how a piece may look Please note that insitu images are purely an indication of how a piece may look. Pocket Yellow Quince is an original oil painting bay Dani Humberstone as part of her pocket fruit series.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Phoenix Purple" Contemporary Realistic Detailed Pink And Yellow Rose Portrait
"Phoenix Purple" Contemporary Realistic Detailed Pink And Yellow Rose Portrait

"Phoenix Purple" Contemporary Realistic Detailed Pink And Yellow Rose Portrait

Located in Frederiksberg C, DK

A contemporary, serene acrylic painting of a single flower exuding a joyous elegance. The up-close pink flower composition is delicately portrayed with thin and delicate brushstrokes, providing a realistic and immersive viewing experience. The soft and subtle nuances of pink, and the bright yellow tucked in soft green bed...

Category

Early 2000s Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

New York City Police Fortune Magazine Illustration
New York City Police Fortune Magazine Illustration

New York City Police Fortune Magazine Illustration

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

This original illustration, titled "Cops at Ease in the Muster Room of a Station," is packed with character and detail and shows an unexpected and rare vision of the police in an off moment. Riggs unveils the real-life behind-the-scenes in this narrative work, which stylistically flaunts Riggs ' prodigious drawing skills. It accompanied the article Nineteen Thousand Cops published in the July 1939 issue of Fortune Magazine. This issue was dedicated to the city of New York and included a total of ten paintings by Riggs for this article on New York City's police department. Robert Riggs was a gay artist...

Category

1930s Realist Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Charcoal

1880 Original Romantic Pastoral Oil Painting Alpine River with Watermill Signed
1880 Original Romantic Pastoral Oil Painting Alpine River with Watermill Signed

1880 Original Romantic Pastoral Oil Painting Alpine River with Watermill Signed

Located in Stockholm, SE

This exquisite oil on canvas from 1880 captures a vibrant summer landscape in the Alps. It presents a picturesque nook: a small watermill with a grassy roof sits by a quiet river, a ...

Category

1880s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Oil

"Gallimaufry" Aaron Bohrod, Realism, Surrealism, Charlie Brown, Buddha, Gnome
"Gallimaufry" Aaron Bohrod, Realism, Surrealism, Charlie Brown, Buddha, Gnome

"Gallimaufry" Aaron Bohrod, Realism, Surrealism, Charlie Brown, Buddha, Gnome

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in New York, NY

Aaron Bohrod Gallimaufry, 1989 Signed on the right Oil on gesso panel 14 x 11 inches Aaron Bohrod's work has not been limited to one style or medium. Initially recognized as a regionalist painter of American scenes, particularly of his native Chicago, Bohrod later devoted himself to detailed still-life paintings rendered in the trompe l'oeil style. He also worked for several years in ceramics and wrote a book on pottery. Born in 1907, Bohrod began his studies at Chicago's Crane Junior College in 1925, and two years later enrolled in the Art Institute of Chicago. But it was at the Art Students League in New York City, from 1930 to 1932, that he studied under the man believed to be his most significant early influence, John Sloan. Sloan's romantic realism...

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Bulldog with a bone

Bulldog with a bone

Located in London, GB

This striking mid-century oil painting captures the essence of the bulldog with remarkable character and presence. Seated on a lawn, he exudes a sense of sturdy confidence, his powe...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ocean light 3., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Ocean light 3., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Ocean light 3., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Iryna Kastsova

Located in Yardley, PA

Ocean light 3. Blue water, ocean, water glare, clear sky, create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Made in the style of realism, light blue, white palette emphasizes the energ...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Shell 3 , Oil Painting

Shell 3 , Oil Painting

By Gregory Block

Located in Denver, CO

Gregory Block's "Shell 3" is an oil on board created in 2020 depicting a shell floating above glistening waves. About the artist: Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 19...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Leaning Pines Cyanotype Photograph, Hand-Printed, 12 x 16 inches, 1/10
Leaning Pines Cyanotype Photograph, Hand-Printed, 12 x 16 inches, 1/10

Leaning Pines Cyanotype Photograph, Hand-Printed, 12 x 16 inches, 1/10

Located in Oakland, CA

This is a hand-printed contact photograph using the 170-year-old cyanotype process and very big negatives the same size as the final print. These iconic Monterey pines can be found a...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Photogram

Hunting Dogs, Landscape by 19th Century French painter, period frame
Hunting Dogs, Landscape by 19th Century French painter, period frame

Hunting Dogs, Landscape by 19th Century French painter, period frame

Located in Doylestown, PA

"Hunting Dogs" is a 26 x 21.5 inches, oil on canvas landscape of two dogs on the trail by the river. The canvas is signed "G Boucher" in the lower left. G. Boucher is a listed artis...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Original Entrance to the Cloisters at Magdalen College, Oxford Engraving

The Original Entrance to the Cloisters at Magdalen College, Oxford Engraving

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...

Category

1780s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

CAILLAUD Stll life Christmas gifts Realist French Painting 19th
CAILLAUD Stll life Christmas gifts Realist French Painting 19th

CAILLAUD Stll life Christmas gifts Realist French Painting 19th

Located in PARIS, FR

Alfred CAILLAUD La Rochelle, 1858 – Paris, 1940 Christmas Gifts by the Fireside Oil on canvas 51 x 38 cm (56 x 43 cm with frame) Signed lower right "A. Caillaud" Dedicated "To my fri...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Mother and child
Mother and child

Mother and child

Located in Täby, SE

Teuvo Kotilainen was born in 1925 in Rääkylä and died 2010 in Tampere. He was a finnish sculptor inspired by Jussi Mäntynen and his lynxs and he performed se...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Bronze

A summer day III
A summer day III

A summer day III

Located in Zofingen, AG

I poured light and life into this scene to capture the warmth and connection of a shared moment. The crisp realism invites you to feel the gentle chatter, the sunlight dancing on ski...

Category

2010s 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.