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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
Polish Judaica Portrait of Hasidic Rabbi Shtetl Tailor Oil Painting
Polish Judaica Portrait of Hasidic Rabbi Shtetl Tailor Oil Painting

Polish Judaica Portrait of Hasidic Rabbi Shtetl Tailor Oil Painting

Located in Surfside, FL

Older, realistic portrait of an older Jewish shtetl tailor by Polish artist. Here the artist conveys a sense of quiet grandeur through the eyes of his subject and the way it's rendered. Part of a distinguished European lineage of Jewish genre...

Category

20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

'Beauty', a mischievous terrier

'Beauty', a mischievous terrier

Located in London, GB

Jean Matet (French, 1870-1936) 'Beauty' - a mischievous terrier signed and dated ‘J. Matet' (lower left) and inscribed and dated 'BEAUTY. 1898’ (lower right) oil on canvas 13 x 9 ⅞ i...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gone Fishing, Original Painting
Gone Fishing, Original Painting

Gone Fishing, Original Painting

By Dwight Smith

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A weathered wooden boathouse rests quietly above calm, gray water. A bright green bicycle leans against its side, hinting at the presence of someone who has ste...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Moonlit Saguaros, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Moonlit Saguaros, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Moonlit Saguaros, Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Konnie Kim

Located in Yardley, PA

Thank you for your interest in my work. This painting was created using professional quality oil paints on a 100% cotton canvas board. It is singed on the front and back and comes wi...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Flower. Paper, pastel 33x27 cm
Flower. Paper, pastel 33x27 cm

Flower. Paper, pastel 33x27 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Flower. Paper, pastel 33x27 cm Victor Karnauh (1950, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, Ukrainian SSR – 2012, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine) – a painter, a monume...

Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Poolside Backgammon (Aarons Estate Edition)

Poolside Backgammon (Aarons Estate Edition)

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

Guests at the Villa Nirvana, owned by Oscar Obregon, in Las Brisas, Acapulco, Mexico, 1972. Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity from th...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

Rearing Back
Rearing Back

Rearing Back

By Edward Borein

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Original etching signed by the Artist.

Category

1940s Realist Art

Materials

Etching

Yellow (C3H4)n. 570-590

Yellow (C3H4)n. 570-590

Located in Columbia, MO

Born in Jefferson City Missouri in 1976 Justin Allen attended Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri where he studied filmmaking before studying painting at the Art Students Leagu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

See

See

Located in Columbia, MO

Born in Jefferson City Missouri in 1976 Justin Allen attended Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri where he studied filmmaking before studying painting at the Art Students Leagu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Won't Be There

Won't Be There

Located in Columbia, MO

Born in Jefferson City Missouri in 1976 Justin Allen attended Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri where he studied filmmaking before studying painting at the Art Students Leagu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

I'm Not Sorry

I'm Not Sorry

Located in Columbia, MO

Born in Jefferson City Missouri in 1976 Justin Allen attended Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri where he studied filmmaking before studying painting at the Art Students Leagu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Donut Pile" Oil Painting
"Donut Pile" Oil Painting

"Donut Pile" Oil Painting

By Jason Walker

Located in Denver, CO

Jason Walker's (CAN based) "Donut Pile" is an oil painting that depicts a pile of varied glazed and powdered donuts all sitting together in the dark.

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Sunset. Ocean., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Sunset. Ocean., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Sunset. Ocean., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Iryna Kastsova

Located in Yardley, PA

Sunset. Ocean. The deep, mysterious ocean beckons you to unravel its secrets. Warm water, waves, serene views, shine of the ocean, evening glare of the sun on the water create an atm...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Sailboats. Watercolor on paper, 24x18 cm
Sailboats. Watercolor on paper, 24x18 cm

Sailboats. Watercolor on paper, 24x18 cm

By Zigmunds Snore

Located in Riga, LV

Sailboats. Watercolor on paper, 24x18 cm Zigmunds Šņore was born in 1942 in Latvia. His works has been exhibited since 1969 and are held in private collections in Latvia, USA, Swed...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

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

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

Study of a Butterfly, Watercolour on Silk Applied to Handmade Paper.
Study of a Butterfly, Watercolour on Silk Applied to Handmade Paper.

Study of a Butterfly, Watercolour on Silk Applied to Handmade Paper.

By La Roche Laffitte

Located in Cotignac, FR

One from a set of four watercolours of butterflies on silk, applied to handmade paper, with hand cut edges, by French artist La Roche Laffitte. Signed bottom right. (The other 3 items are available separately) A beautifully observed and detailed study of a butterfly painted...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Silk, Watercolor, Gouache, Handmade Paper, Carbon Pencil

Portrait of a Young Man by Victorian artist George Elgar Hicks

Portrait of a Young Man by Victorian artist George Elgar Hicks

By George Elgar Hicks

Located in London, GB

GEORGE ELGAR HICKS (1824-1914) Portrait of a Young Gentleman Signed and dated 1858 Watercolour and bodycolour, oval 30 by 25 cm., 11 ¾ by 9 ¾ in. (frame size 50 by 41 cm., 19 ¾ b...

Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Nude model. vintage collectible sculpture, cast bronze, 1987
Nude model. vintage collectible sculpture, cast bronze, 1987

Nude model. vintage collectible sculpture, cast bronze, 1987

Located in Zofingen, AG

realism, academism manner, vintage collectible sculpture, cast bronze, "I create this sculpture at the very beginning of my career. I sculpted it from a real model. The girl was ver...

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Bronze

Woodland Autumn Scene, 19thC signed English artist, original oil on canvas
Woodland Autumn Scene, 19thC signed English artist, original oil on canvas

Woodland Autumn Scene, 19thC signed English artist, original oil on canvas

Located in Naples, Florida

This original and unique landscape is one of a pair that is priced individually. They depict a rural cottage by a stream and one of a woodland scene and are by the artist O. J. Clark...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Day Dreaming; Miao Girl
Day Dreaming; Miao Girl

Day Dreaming; Miao Girl

By Mian Situ

Located in Pasadena, CA

Provenance On consignment to the gallery from a private collector in Newport Beach, California. Signed "Mian Situ" on lower left Artist Statement "Miao people are one of the larges...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Panel

19th Century British School Still Life of Clover, Ivy and a Buttercup

19th Century British School Still Life of Clover, Ivy and a Buttercup

Located in London, GB

BRITISH SCHOOL (19th Century) Clover, Ivy and Buttercup Watercolour and bodycolour Unframed, in mount only 5.5 by 10.5 cm., 2 ¼ by 4 ¼ in. (mount size 18.5 by 25 cm., 7 ¼ by 9 3/4...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

"Still Life with Oriental Statues"  Artist Howard Hughes Senior VP of Huges Tool
"Still Life with Oriental Statues"  Artist Howard Hughes Senior VP of Huges Tool

"Still Life with Oriental Statues" Artist Howard Hughes Senior VP of Huges Tool

By F. W. Ayers

Located in San Antonio, TX

F. W. Ayers (Fred) "Still Life with Flowers and Asian Figurines, 1938 " (1884-1966) Houston Artist Image Size: 24 x 16 Frame Size: 26.5 x 18.5 Medium: oil Dated 1938 "Still Life with Flowers and Asian Figurines, 1938 " F.W. (Fred) Ayers. Vice President of Hughes International Tool Houston Texas Biography F. W. Ayers (Fred) (1884-1966) Background Ayers, Fred Wesley was born on November 13, 1884 in Wilmington, Delaware, United States. Son of Frank Marion and Annie Elizabeth (Perry) Ayers. Education Mechanical Engineering, Scranton (Pennsylvania) Corresponding School, 1910. Career Junior executive, plant manager, works manager Éleuthère Irénée duPont Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1911-1921. Vice president Klaxon Horn Company division General Motors Corporation, Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, 1922-1926, works manager Pontiac Motor Car Company, 1926-1928. Management engineer Auto Car Company, Ardmore, Pennsylvania, 1929-1930. Construction engineering layout, tooling for automobile plant Brandt & Associate, Moscow, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 1931-1932. Management, construction engineering budgetary control, cost systems, Birmingham, England, managing director Daimler Motor Car Company, Coventry, England, director Benton & Stone, Ltd., Birmingham, Chairman of the Board, director Samuel Booth & Sons, Ltd., Birmingham, 1932-1939. Senior vice president, general manager Hughes Tool Company, Houston, since 1943, also director. Director Trans World Airlines, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, National Bank Commerce, Houston. Membership Mason.; Clubs: Petroleum, River Oaks...

Category

1930s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Studio Recycling
Studio Recycling

Studio Recycling

Located in Tulsa, OK

Abra Johnson's "Studio Recycling" is a captivating study of iconic beverage containers. This 16" x 16" oil painting on a wood cradled panel showcases a Coca-Cola can alongside its cl...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Peaceful Afternoon" Oil Painting
"Peaceful Afternoon" Oil Painting

"Peaceful Afternoon" Oil Painting

Located in Denver, CO

Daud Akhriev's (EUR and US based) "Peaceful Afternoon" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts an interior setting adorned with fine wooden fur...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Linen

On the Edge
On the Edge

On the Edge

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Original bronze sculpture by George Walbye. Edition #8/60. Signed on bronze sculpture.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Bronze

The Prince's Room
The Prince's Room

The Prince's Room

By Willy Pogany

Located in Buffalo, NY

Born in Szeged, Hungary, he became one of the better known and successful illustrators of the Golden Age of Illustration, completing over 100 books. Among them are "A Treasury of Verse for Little Children," "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam," and "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." He is probably best known for pen and ink drawings of mythology subjects geared towards children. He studied at Budapest Technical University and attended art schools in Munich and Paris before moving to London at age 23. In 1907, he began illustrating children's books and did a series of annual gift books...

Category

1940s Realist Art

Materials

Gouache, Graphite, Pen, Watercolor

Venus. 2006. Oil on canvas, 66x183 cm

Venus. 2006. Oil on canvas, 66x183 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Venus. 2006. Oil on canvas, 66x183 cm Realistic woman act on drapery Normunds Braslinsh (1962) Born 1962 in Riga, Latvia 1980–1986 Latvian Academy of Art, Painting Department 1973–...

Category

Early 2000s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Un coin a Bruges" original etching

"Un coin a Bruges" original etching

By Jacques Beurdeley

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original etching. Catalogue reference: Sanchez and Seydoux 1910-7. Printed in Paris and published in 1910 by Gazette des Beaux Arts. Plate size: 8 1/4 x 6 inches (210 x 155 m...

Category

1910s Realist Art

Materials

Etching

Broadway Costume Design Illustration
Broadway Costume Design Illustration

Broadway Costume Design Illustration

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Fabulous illustration depicts a costume for Broadway production. Gouache on illustration board, image measures 10.5 x 16.5 inches; 15 x 22 inches framed. Excellent condition in ori...

Category

1960s Realist Art

Materials

Gouache, Illustration Board

Serene Countryside Scene with Trees, a Tranquil Pond and a Charming Cottage
Serene Countryside Scene with Trees, a Tranquil Pond and a Charming Cottage

Serene Countryside Scene with Trees, a Tranquil Pond and a Charming Cottage

Located in Preston, GB

Serene Countryside Scene with Trees, a Tranquil Pond and a Charming Cottage by 20th Century German Artist, Krahn. Art measures 20 x 16 inches Frame measures 24 x 20 inches This pa...

Category

20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Julian Trevelyan RA, Peterhouse Cambridge College proof print (1959/62)

Julian Trevelyan RA, Peterhouse Cambridge College proof print (1959/62)

By Julian Trevelyan

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. We also have a series of prints and original oil paintings by Trevelyan. Julian Otto Trevelyan, RA (1910 -1988) Peterhouse, Cambridge College (1959/1962) Proof print aside from the edition of 70. Signed by the artist and numbered in pencil. 38 x 44 cm (15×17 in.) This comes from Julian Trevelyan’s Cambridge Suite which consisted of 10 lithographs: Caius College, Caius College II, Christ’s College, Corpus Christi College, Downing College, Emmanuel College, Jesus College, Peterhouse, St Catharine’s College and Sidney Sussex...

Category

1960s Realist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Cat forged crafted in black wrough iron. Unique. In and outdoor fine sculpture
Cat forged crafted in black wrough iron. Unique. In and outdoor fine sculpture

Cat forged crafted in black wrough iron. Unique. In and outdoor fine sculpture

By Ivan Zanoni

Located in Milan, IT

An exquisite and highly tasteful sculpture, The Cat is one of the most recent artworks by the Italian master blacksmith Ivan Zanoni who has recently been put on display at MART, Museum of Modern Art in Rovereto (the most prominent in Italy), which has dedicated a significant exhibition to him. Ivan Zanoni has learned this rare activity from his father, Luciano, who, among other artworks, has sculpted a four-meter olive tree for Melinda and Bill Gates...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Iron

Koko, with her favourite ball
Koko, with her favourite ball

Koko, with her favourite ball

Located in London, GB

Vivian Evans, circa 1907 Koko, with her favourite ball signed and dated ‘VIVIAN EVANS. 1907.' (lower right) oil on canvas 10 ¾ x 15 ¾ in. (27.3 x 40 cm.) frame 17 x 22 in. (43.2 x 55...

Category

Early 20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Bananas, 1983, Framed Impressionist Watercolor by Ed Ahlstrom
Bananas, 1983, Framed Impressionist Watercolor by Ed Ahlstrom

Bananas, 1983, Framed Impressionist Watercolor by Ed Ahlstrom

By Ed Ahlstrom

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Ed Ahlstrom, American (1944 - ) Title: Bananas Year: 1983 Medium: Watercolor on Paper, signed Size: 20 in. x 24 in. (50.8 cm x 60.96 cm) Frame Size: 29.5 x 33 inches

Category

1980s 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.