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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
"Shell 16, " Oil Painting

"Shell 16, " Oil Painting

By Gregory Block

Located in Denver, CO

Gregory Block's "Shell 16" is an oil on board created in 2019 depicting an illuminated shell floating in a black background. About the artist: Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1986 and moved to Colorado at an early age. During his childhood, he attended a Waldorf...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

On the market
On the market

On the market

By Serghei Ghetiu

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this painting, I poured my passion for everyday moments—the quiet connection between two people immersed in simple choices at a vibrant market. Through oil, I captured their focus...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Crossing the ford Capriccio Baroque Landscape 18th century Oil Painting
Crossing the ford Capriccio Baroque Landscape 18th century Oil Painting

Crossing the ford Capriccio Baroque Landscape 18th century Oil Painting

Located in Stockholm, SE

As we gaze upon at this artwork, our eyes are immediately drawn to the foreground where a comical spectacle unfolds before us. A carriage, stubbornly stuck in the midst of a ford, se...

Category

Late 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Original 1975 NYC Manhattan coloring book drawing, George Washington Bridge
Original 1975 NYC Manhattan coloring book drawing, George Washington Bridge

Original 1975 NYC Manhattan coloring book drawing, George Washington Bridge

By David Edward Byrd

Located in Southampton, NY

This is the actual drawing that was used for the 1975 "Manhattan Coloring Book" David Edward Byrd created some of the most memorable Classic Theatre and Rock and Roll images from the 1960s and 70s. David created ALL of the Art for Bill Graham’s Fillmore East, including their Program covers and Rock posters, the art for Jimi Hendrix’s first Fillmore East appearance, The Rolling Stones 1969 World Tour art, The Who’s Performance of Tommy at the New York Metropolitan Opera House and The Fillmore, and The Grateful Dead Swell Dance Concert to name only a few where all created by David Edward Byrd. He also created the poster art for the original location of the 1969 Woodstock music festival . His memorable images were also used for classic Broadway shows like Godspell, Follies and Jesus Christ Superstar to mention only a few. These museum quality drawings are rarely made available for sale, they are not only wonderful rare works of art, but are truly historically important works in the field of Theatre and Rock and Roll collecting. It has been framed with archival double matting. David Byrd's poster art is in many museum collections, including : The Louvre, in Paris, Victoria & Albert in London, The Museum of Modern Art in New York and The Smithsonian in Washington, DC. In 1975, The New York Times commissioned Superstar artist David Byrd to create the "Manhattan Coloring Book" It was to be a coloring book for adults featuring NYC landmark...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Vellum, Pencil

Expression. 1987, canvas, oil, 60x80 cm
Expression. 1987, canvas, oil, 60x80 cm

Expression. 1987, canvas, oil, 60x80 cm

By Stanislav Kreics

Located in Riga, LV

Expression. 1987, canvas, oil, 60x80 cm The central focus of the painting is the shoreline where the boats are situated. The calm sea in the painting reflects the aftermath of the ...

Category

1980s Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Evolution. Oil on canvas, 100x100 cm
Evolution. Oil on canvas, 100x100 cm

Evolution. Oil on canvas, 100x100 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

Yacht Wanderer (Slave Ship)
Yacht Wanderer (Slave Ship)

Yacht Wanderer (Slave Ship)

Located in Jacksonville, FL

When you gaze upon "Yacht Wanderer (Slave Ship)" by William Gay Yorke, you're not just looking at a maritime painting; you're peering into a fragment of history with profound and com...

Category

1870s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Venetian painter - 19th-century Venice view, Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Venetian painter - 19th-century Venice view, Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Venetian painter - 19th-century Venice view, Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Located in Varmo, IT

Venetian painter (19th century) - Venice, view of Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo. 40 x 63 cm (without frame) - 49 x 70.5 cm (with frame). Oil on canvas, in a gilded wooden frame (not...

Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Before performance
Before performance

Before performance

By Serghei Ghetiu

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this painting, I captured a quiet, intimate moment of a ballerina preparing to perform. Using oil, I wanted to convey both the delicate grace and intense focus behind the scenes. ...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Prints
Prints

Prints

By Anthony Adcock

Located in East Quogue, NY

Hyperreal oil painting by Anthony Adcock of a dirt footprint - gold and silver on paper, presented in wood frame. Image is hand drawn on paper. Anthony Adcock's hyperreal oil pain...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Gold, Silver

Side profiles, sketch by Keith Vaughan
Side profiles, sketch by Keith Vaughan

Side profiles, sketch by Keith Vaughan

By Keith Vaughan 1

Located in London, GB

Keith Vaughan Side profiles Ballpoint pen sketch 17 x 13 cm Born in 1912, Keith Vaughan was a British painter known for his modernist and semi-abstract depictions of the male fig...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Art

Materials

Ballpoint Pen

"Irises" oil on canvas figurative painting, woman among blue flowers, yellow sky
"Irises" oil on canvas figurative painting, woman among blue flowers, yellow sky

"Irises" oil on canvas figurative painting, woman among blue flowers, yellow sky

By Tina Orsolic Dalessio

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

"Reverie" is a contemporary oil painting on canvas. Orsolic is known for her melodic landscapes and precise attention to detail, however, in this painting, she branches away from rea...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sailing regatta., Painting, Oil on Canvas
Sailing regatta., Painting, Oil on Canvas

Sailing regatta., Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Iryna Kastsova

Located in Yardley, PA

Sailing regatta. Sailboats sail under the midday sun, the light is reflected from the canvas of the sail and passing clouds, the ocean, a serene view, creates an atmosphere of relaxation, harmony and bliss. Realism. The work of the palette knife knife...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

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

Keble College Chapel, watercolour by David Garland
Keble College Chapel, watercolour by David Garland

Keble College Chapel, watercolour by David Garland

Located in London, GB

David Garland (b.1941) Keble College Chapel Watercolour 28 x 38 cm This richly coloured watercolour was painted by David Garland for the 1971 edition of the 'Oxford Almanack.' Th...

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Coffee Pot with Glass Balls and Flowers, Original Painting
Coffee Pot with Glass Balls and Flowers, Original Painting

Coffee Pot with Glass Balls and Flowers, Original Painting

By John Jaster

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist John Jaster illustrates a dramatic still life in high contrast realism. A vintage blue campfire coffee pot sprouts a dynamic arrangement of colorful fl...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Slim Aarons 'Bahamas Signpost''
Slim Aarons 'Bahamas Signpost''

Slim Aarons 'Bahamas Signpost''

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

Slim Aarons Bahamas Signpost 1964 C print Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity from the estate. A signpost in Nassau points the way to...

Category

1960s Realist Art

Materials

Lambda

Prospect of Durham from the River 19th Century Watercolour

Prospect of Durham from the River 19th Century Watercolour

Located in London, GB

To see our other views and maps of England - including London, Durham, Oxford and Cambridge, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" -...

Category

19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Study (Stardust), 7 x 12, Landscape, Oil Painting
Study (Stardust), 7 x 12, Landscape, Oil Painting

Study (Stardust), 7 x 12, Landscape, Oil Painting

By Robin Cole

Located in Denver, CO

Robin Cole's "Study (Stardust)," a 2023 oil on panel, invites the viewer into the cosmic dance of interstellar beauty. This exquisite piece, measuring 7 x 12 inches, is framed to a s...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Oil

Tranquil Beach – Dog in Coastal Landscape Painting on Panel, Blue Sky & Clouds
Tranquil Beach – Dog in Coastal Landscape Painting on Panel, Blue Sky & Clouds

Tranquil Beach – Dog in Coastal Landscape Painting on Panel, Blue Sky & Clouds

By Kazaan Viveiros

Located in Dallas, TX

"Tranquil Beach" is a peaceful dog painting on panel by Kazaan Viveiros features a soulful brown dog sitting quietly amid coastal grasses under a blue sky with soft clouds. A tranqui...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Paint, Acrylic, Wood Panel

A small oil painting of Deer in a Forest, late 19th century
A small oil painting of Deer in a Forest, late 19th century

A small oil painting of Deer in a Forest, late 19th century

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Alice G. Gropper (late nineteenth century) Deer in the Forest Oil on canvas, 12 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches FRAMED: 14 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches (approx.) Inscribed on stretcher: (in ink) "Alice ...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Morning of New Year's Day

Morning of New Year's Day

By Zhang Li

Located in Greenwich, CT

Oil on linen painting by Zhang Li of a Chinese girl looking out of the window. Zhang Li is a member of the Chinese Association of Artists. He has won many national awards in China...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Linen, Oil

"The Return II" Charcoal Painting

"The Return II" Charcoal Painting

By Robin Cole

Located in Denver, CO

Robin Cole's (US based) "The Return II" is an original, handmade charcoal painting that depicts a grey monochrome sky with clouds. Nature and those that inhabit it—our human selves...

Category

2010s Realist Art

Materials

Charcoal, Mylar

Ice Abstraction
Ice Abstraction

Ice Abstraction

By Brett Weston

Located in Buffalo, NY

Signed and dated on the front of the mount. Limited edition of 35. Number 9 of 35. From the “Twenty Photographs, 1970-1977” Portfolio.

Category

1970s Realist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Thunderhead
Thunderhead

Thunderhead

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Original oil painting on linen by artist Dustin Van Wechel. Framed.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Linen, Oil

Boxing Match

Boxing Match

By Hermine David

Located in New York, NY

Hermine David, drypoint and engraving, Boxing Match, circa 1927, signed and numbered in pencil, lower margin. Reference: Jean Adhemar, Inventaire Biblioth...

Category

1920s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving, Drypoint

Peony_01, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper

Peony_01, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper

By Helal Uddin

Located in Yardley, PA

This is one of my studio paintings. Trying to capture nature of beauty. I love watercolor because it’s a very challenging medium. I used Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors with wo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Sharing Space
Sharing Space

Sharing Space

By Bela Bacsi

Located in Pasadena, CA

Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist Description Resting upon a golden cushion, this two-faced subject has the look of a mask that one would be able to wear. ...

Category

1990s Realist Art

Materials

Marble

St Albans Cathedral (1810), engraving by James Basire
St Albans Cathedral (1810), engraving by James Basire

St Albans Cathedral (1810), engraving by James Basire

By John Basire

Located in London, GB

James Basire & John Carter Floor plan of St Albans Cathedral Engraving 61 x 95 cm This engraving was originally published by the Society of Antiquaries of London, an organisation ...

Category

1810s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

St Albans Cathedral (1810), engraving by James Basire
St Albans Cathedral (1810), engraving by James Basire

St Albans Cathedral (1810), engraving by James Basire

By John Basire

Located in London, GB

James Basire & John Carter St Albans Cathedral Engraving 62 x 46 cm This engraving was originally published by the Society of Antiquaries of London, an organisation dedicated to ...

Category

1810s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

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.