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.
$6,200
"Ocean Reflections - Immerse Yourself", Oil Painting by Alexandra Telgmann
Located in Denver, CO
Alexandra Telgmann's "Ocean Reflection - Immerse Yourself" (2022) is an oil painting on aluminum, measuring 80 x 100 cm. The unframed artwork featur...
Metal
OIL PAINTING By MAJOR John E . Bale 19th Century BRITISH SCHOOL
Located in Ferndown, GB
OIL PAINTING SIGNED 19th Century BRITISH SCHOOL Fine Original Antique 19th Century British OIL PAINTING GOLD GILT FRAME By Major John Edward Bale Excellent Condition Panel, Professional Cleaned & re-varnished Ready to hang. frame is in wonderful condition . John Edward Bale, was born at Low Farm House, Pattesley-cum-Oxwick, South Creake, Norfolk on 27 July and baptised at South Creake on 1 August 1834, eldest child of John Edward Bale (1803-27 April 1862), a farmer of 620 acres, and his wife Mary née Branford, who married at Horningtoft, Norfolk on 27 November 1833. In 1841, a 6 year old, living at Low Farm with his parents, 35 year old John and 28 year old Mary, and his two sisters, Mary 3 and Esther 1. In 1861, a 26 year old 'artist architecture' boarding at 11 Bulstrode Street, Marylebone, London but in October 1863, he was an Ensign by purchase in the 1st West Indian Regiment. As a lieutenant, whilst on a tour of duty in West Africa, Surgeon Major Augustus Frederick Elliott (born 1834), kept a diary (now at Duke University Library) which is embellished with calligraphy and watercolour titles by Bale. During this tour, Bale was promoted to Captain and retired from the army in 1881 with the rank of major. Bale married at Christ Church, Ealing on 10 November 1868, Charlotte Gordon Lee née Johnson (c1847-1910). A painter in oil and watercolour and a member of the Ipswich Fine Art Club 1886-1890 and as Major Bale exhibited from 9 Creffield Terrace, Colchester, Essex in 1888, 'View from Museum...
Oil
Baby Puma Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2026 Style: Classic Art Title: Baby Puma Size: 12 x 16 inch, (...
Paper, Watercolor
$106Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow Side Profile and Face Sketch
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
Crowded Street Scene From Luntmakargatan, Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
Olof Arborelius (1842–1915) From Luntmakargatan, Stockholm oil on paper mounted on board signed with monogram “OA” unframed 24 × 30 cm (9.4 × 11.8 in) frame 35 × 41 cm (13.8 × 16.1...
Oil, Board, Laid Paper
Realistic Still Life Painting, "Seemingly Ordinary #10" 2022
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original painting by southern California artist, Leslie Winokur. Its dimensions are 20" x 10" x 1" (HxWxD). It is oil on linen. ...
Oil
The Bath. Late 19th Century. Oil on canvas, 61x46 сm
Located in Riga, LV
Vinsent G. Stiepevich (1841 - 1910) Russian and American artist. Emigrated to New York in 1878, where he lived in Brooklyn, Vincent Stiepevich was noted for his realist painting style of portrait, figure and genre subjects, especially in Harem and Orientalist* settings. Memberships in New York included the Artists Fund Society* the Brooklyn Art Association*, 1878-82, 1891; National Academy of Design*, 1878-91; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts* annual, 1885, 1888-91; Boston Art...
Canvas, Oil
$2,700
“Young Lady and Governess” by Constantino Sereno - Oil on Board - 89x67cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Signed by the artist. Artwork sold with frame (101.5 x 79 x 5 cm) Costantino Sereno (1829–1893) was an Italian painter renowned for his historical scenes, religious frescoes, and d...
Oil, Board
Pocket Persimmon Fruit by Dani Humberstone, Still life, Small Scale Oil Painting
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Persimmon Fruit by Dani Humberstone [2022] original and hand signed by 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 Persimmon Fruit is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her pocket fruit series.
Canvas, Oil
Train to Sunset, Oil Painting
By Nick Savides
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Set on a winter evening at the 4th Avenue/9th Street station in Brooklyn, this painting captures a vivid sunset framed by the converging diagonals of the train ...
Oil
Christ Church, Oxford 1675 hand-coloured engraving by David Loggan
By David Loggan
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 ...
Engraving
$420
Full Blue Moon, Handmade Cyanotype on Watercolor Paper, Cosmos, Deep Blue Space
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Blue Moon" shows an outstanding full moon with all its details. Details: + Title: Blue Moon + Year: 2022 + Edition Size...
Emulsion, Watercolor
Muffy Bancroft, Manhattan, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Mrs. Thomas Bancroft Jnr (Peggy Bancroft) in the foyer of her Manhattan duplex. This is an estate-s...
Lambda
Dog Portrait Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2026 Style: Classic Art Title: Dog Portrait Size: 12 x 16 inch...
Paper, Watercolor
$10,000
Dog Portraits: "The Musicians" Charles Van den Eycken ((1859 - 1923)
By Charles H. Van den Eycken
Located in SANTA FE, NM
"The Musicians" Charles H. Van den Eycken (Belgium, 1859 - 1923) Oil on wood panel with highly ornate original wood, stucco and gilt frame. Signed upper right and dated "1893.' 10 1...
Mahogany, Oil, Wood Panel
Dnipro River – Light Over River Stones
Located in Zofingen, AG
The painting focuses solely on the Dnipro River’s surface — clear, sunlit, ever-shifting. Light dances across stones beneath the water, reflecting sky and movement. It’s not a landsc...
Canvas, Oil
$2,000Sale Price|60% Off
Dove
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Mark Morrison (1895-1964) Dove, ca. 1960 Carved and polished stone 10" wide, 6.25" deep, height is 12" Tail exhibits a small area of loss. Our conservator can repair this at no ex...
Stone
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Bucks County Winter Landscape Oil Painting Contemporary Artist Michael Budden
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Uhlerstown Lock, Bucks County The image measures 20 x 24 and 27.5 x 31 framed. signed LR An oil painting on canvas by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that showcases ...
Oil
W . THORNLEY OIL PAINTING 19th CENTURY Gold Gilt Frame
Located in Ferndown, GB
OIL PAINTING 19th CENTURY SHORE SCENE 19th Century Good condition on Canvas .. Piece has been professional cleaned Frame is in Good condition for age (see pictures) Descriptio...
Oil
Pacific Ocean Currents, Handmade Cyanotype Seascape in Blue, Waves Landscape
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Pacific Ocean Currents" is a handmade cyanotype print of rough water texture resembling Pacific Ocean swell. Details: + ...
Paper, Emulsion, Engraving, Etching
Contemporary Bronze Male Torso Sculpture
Located in Boulder, CO
This contemporary bronze sculpture by Swiss-American artist Roger Reutimann combines the refinement of classical figurative sculpture with a clean modern aesthetic. Featuring a power...
Bronze
$106Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketches of Cows and Calfs in Field
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$2,019
Deep Waters-original modern realism seascape-study-oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. Laevon Bowman captures the mesmerizing beauty of nature's mov...
Canvas, Oil
"Morning Nook" (2025), Original Landscape Still Life Oil Painting on Panel
By Tracy Wall
Located in Denver, CO
"Hosta Party" by Tracy Wall (United States) is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a landscape and is framed and ready to hang. As an artist, Tracy Wall sheds new light ...
Oil, Panel
Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features guests around the swimming pool at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, in Antibes on the French Riviera. This ...
Lambda
$2,000
"Nude"
By Roman Dub
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The heroine does not look at the viewer. Her gaze is directed into the distance, past the grey walls, beyond the edge of the canvas. She is not merely looking — she sees what is hidd...
Acrylic
Painting on Canvas, Chrysler Building, Pink Sky, 42nd Street New York City, 2026
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of the Chrysler Building 42nd Street New York City by Contemporary British Artist, Angela Wakefield. Art measures 24 x 36 inches Frame measures 30 x 42 inches Chrysler Bui...
Paint, Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
$2,500
The Basketball Game: Black African American urban cowboys in Philadelphia
By Ron Tarver
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
This photograph of a Black African American cowboy in the urban city of Philadelphia pictured with the city's iconic Fletcher Street Urban Riders is part of artist Ron Tarver's long...
Archival Pigment
Culture 9 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Women, Fashion, Eyes
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
"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...
Canvas, Oil
$1,654Sale Price|20% Off
"Nude I&II" - limited edition finest quality - color photograph - set of two
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Kseniia Kokovashina - "Nude I&II" set of two. Beautiful limited edition art photography. Printable in colour or black/white. Editions: 20. Tec...
Photographic Paper
19th Century Victorian Romantic Landscape Alpine Idyll Oil Wooden Panel Signed
Located in Stockholm, SE
Painted in oil on a wooden panel in the second half of the 19th century by the professional European artist E. Buttery, this romantic painting celebrates the majestic beauty of the E...
Wood, Oil, Wood Panel
Crossed - original contemporary artwork - figurative oil painting
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
$1,850
Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per Frederick deWit 1666 map
Located in Paonia, CO
Map of Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per F de Wit 1688 engraving from: Atlas Contractus Orbis Terrarum Praecipuas ac Novissimas Complectens Tabulas. Amsterdam, N. Visscher, 1656-77. (Koeman III, Vis5-8) This highly decorative map of the Middle East is by the Dutch engraver, publisher, and map seller...
Engraving
"London in Shades of Blue" by Lindsey Kustusch, Realist Cityscape, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Lindsey Kustusch's "London in Shades of Blue" is a compelling handmade original oil on wood panel artwork, measuring 12 x 12 inches. This 2025 piece is a primary market item, arrivin...
Oil, Wood Panel
Still Life with Blue Pitcher and Gerber Daisy
Located in Greenville, DE
Still Life with Blue Pitcher and Gerber Daisy, 2018 by Tina Ingraham (b. 1947); Oil on linen; 19 x 23 inches; framed 20 x 24 inches. Influenced by Old Master works, mosaics, and cont...
Linen, Oil
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Impressionistic Cityscape Nocturne Oil Painting Michael Budden American Flags
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Evening On Dover Street 16 x 20 unframed and 23.75 x 27.75 framed signed LL Evening On Dover Street is an oil painting on panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden t...
Oil
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
"Still-life of Fruits" by Maria Meriggi - Oil on Copper - 30x24 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Maria Meriggi, born in 1935, is an Italian painter known for her evocative depictions of urban landscapes and everyday scenes, particularly those of Venice. Her notable works include...
Metal, Copper
$3,250
State of Mind 14 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Women
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Siemens computer - Lithograph - Plate signed - 1968
Located in Paris, IDF
Bernard BUFFET Siemens computer, 1968 MEDIUM : Lithograph PRINTER : Atelier Mourlot SIGNATURE : Plate signed PAPER : Vellum DIMENSIONS : 33 x 67 cm - 13 x 27" Excellent co...
Lithograph
Federico Castelluccio, "American Mustang" Equine Portrait Oil Painting on Canvas
By Federico Castelluccio
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This equine portrait, "American Mustang" is a 36x48" oil painting on canvas by Italian actor and artist Federico Castelluccio. A beautiful dark horse ...
Canvas, Oil
$4,320Sale Price|20% Off
Kittens at Play, Antique Animals Painting, Cats, Teddy Bear
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Josef Heimerl (Austrian, 1867-1918) Signed: Jos. Heimerl (Lower, Right) " Kittens at Play ", circa 1900 Oil on Canvas 14 3/4" x 22 7/8" Housed in a 5 1/2" Ornamented Frame in Go...
Canvas, Oil
"Moonlight" - Original Still-Life and Landscape, Oil Painting on Panel
By Emma Kalff
Located in Denver, CO
"I've always loved painting cars, particularly trucks. I've been thinking a lot lately about how we used to have to travel by horse or by foot to get anywhere. Cars have changed life...
Oil, Panel
Abstracted Trees Reflected in Water - Black & White Landscape Photograph
By Jeff Nixon
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstracted Trees Reflected in Water - Black & White Landscape Photograph Beautiful black and white abstracted landscape photo by Jeff Nixon (American, 1952-2022). A grove of tre...
Paper, Silver Gelatin
Black Allegory (African-American Mythological Figures)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Black Mythological Scene with Figures, ca 1970's. Etching on wove paper, plate measures 17.5 x 21.5 inches on a sheet 22 x 28 inches. Unsigned and unattributed. This is an examp...
Etching
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...
Canvas, Oil
$795
Afghan Girl iconic poster: Sharbat Gula, Pakistan (Hand Signed by Steve McCurry)
Located in New York, NY
Steve McCurry Sharbat Gula, Afghan Girl, Pakistan (Hand Signed), 1984 Offset Lithograph poster Hand signed by the photographer in black felt pen on the front 24 × 20 inches Unframed...
Felt Pen, Lithograph, Offset
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
"Back View 11, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Mark Bradley Schwartz's (US based) "Back View 11" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the nude back of a brunette woman sitting in a chair with white fabric delicately...
Oil, Linen
$106Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch Of A Cow's Body With White Features
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$2,920Sale Price|20% Off
"The Family Hearth" - Turn of the Century Cozy Interior Figurative Scene
By Charles Everett Johnson
Located in Soquel, CA
Charming turn-of-20th Century interior painting that takes the viewer back to simpler times with grandmother, grandfather, mother sewing and a young girl playing with her greyhound a...
Linen, Oil
"Panoramique" a photorealist maritime oil painting with a ship sailing
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
Painting of Mountain Path by Lake in Ireland by 20th Century Irish Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of Mountain Path by Lake in Ireland by 20th Century Irish Artist Art measures 16 x 9 inches Frame measures 24.5 x 17.5 inches A beautifully atmospheric mid 20th century Ir...
Oil, Board, Canvas, Wood
"Far Away, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Joseph McGurl's "Far Away" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a vast landscape of valleys and mountains in the distance under the orange and yellow glow of sunrise or...
Oil, Panel
Deforestation by Romain Langlois - Bronze Sculpture, Realist Portrait
Located in Paris, FR
Deforestation is a figurative bronze sculpture by French artist Romain Langlois, representing the face of a man wearing a wooden crown – also made of bronze. The sculptor’s figurati...
Bronze
CRYSTAL SILENCE– Light Beneath the Surface
Located in Zofingen, AG
A moment of pure stillness beneath the shimmering surface. This painting captures the meditative beauty of crystal-clear water, where light dances across smooth stones, and silence f...
Canvas, Oil
Painting Portrait Soldier in armor Circel of MESSONIER Wood panel 19th
Located in PARIS, FR
French school of the 19th century Ernest MESSONIER (Circle of) Portrait of a soldier in armor 27.5 x 17.5 cm (31 x 21 cm with the frame) Beautiful pitch pine wood frame Good condition
Oil
Hirschhorn, Germany
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork depicts the town of Hirschhorn, a resort town in Germany on the River Neckar near Heidelberg. It is an original color etching by Austrian/American artist Tana Kasimir Ho...
Etching, Color
$9,500
“Guitar Player in Recife, Brazil, 1886” Pernambuco Brazilian Coast Oil Signed
Located in Yardley, PA
“Guitar Player in Recife, Brazil, 1886” by Ferdinand Piereck (1844-1925) An extremely rare 19th century painting of a Brazilian guitarist by Austrian-Brazilian artist Ferdinand Pier...
Canvas, Oil
$3,500
Anatolio Sokoloff (1891–1971) — Russian Troika in Winter — Oil on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Oil on canvas, signed low right. "A. Sokoloff" A dynamic and atmospheric winter scene depicting a troika — the quintessential Russian three-horse carriage — racing at full gallop ac...
Canvas, Oil
Poolside Friendship, Palm Springs, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970 portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Nelda Linsk (left, in yellow), wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk with guests by the pool at the Li...
Lambda