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
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
New York City Painting Michael Budden Evening On Broadway St James & Sardis
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Evening On Broadway, St. James & Sardi's
Image is 10 x 8 unframed, 15.5 x 13.5 framed.
An acrylic painting on canvas panel by award winning contemporary artist Michael Budden that...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Acrylic
'Lovina Sleeping' by Roni Taharlev - Portrait of a Young Woman - Oil Pastel
Located in Carmel, CA
"Lovina Sleeping" by Roni Taharlev is an intimate and tender portrayal that encapsulates the quietude of its subject. This 15.5" x 18" oil pastel on paper piece is crafted with soft,...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Paper, Oil Pastel
Memento Mori 2 - By Evangelos Koukouwitakis
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Memento mori is a Latin saying that starts with Remember that you are dying! or in general with a memory of death! translates. The saying is considered a vanitas symbol. Vanitas desc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Lithograph
Porsche. Figurative realistic acrylic on paper painting Polish art, Car
Located in Warsaw, PL
Acrylic on paper contemporary figurative painting by Michal Wojtysiak. Artwork depicts Porsche 993 Turbo car in realistic style. The color is vibrant and saturated. Michal Wojtysiak...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
"The Sumatran Tiger" - Original Oil Painting of an Endangered Big Cat
Located in Denver, CO
Lindsey Kustusch's "The Sumatran Tiger" is a stunning handmade original oil on wood panel artwork, with dimensions of 30 x 30 x 1.50 inches. Created in 2023, this piece stands as a p...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Wood Panel, Oil
Pennants, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An original piece from the series “Flagâ€
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil
"Goldfinch in Winter" Original oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Brian Mashburn's painting "Goldfinch in Winter," crafted in 2022, is an original oil painting that depicts the close up views of a goldfinch bird in profile surrounded by a misty blu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
Synergy -original realism seascape-ocean-sunset oil painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
In "Synergy," a captivating seascape masterpiece by the talented artist Joanne Parent, the convergence of elements creates a scene of captivating beauty and raw power. This original ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Prelude-original realism seascape ocean-sunset oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
In "Prelude," a breathtaking seascape painted by the skilled artist Joanne Parent, viewers are invited to witness the serene beauty of nature at twilight. This original oil painting ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
'Sleep' by Roni Taharlev - Portrait of a Young Woman Sleeping - Oil Pastel
Located in Carmel, CA
For a piece that offers a serene repose, "Sleep" by Roni Taharlev is an aptly titled oil pastel on paper that captures the quietude of rest. The artwork, sized 15.5" x 18", showcases...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Paper, Oil Pastel
Engagement
Located in Malmo, SE
Free shipment worldwide.
Painted on the sides.No frame needed.
Signature: signed and dated in the right corner and titled at the verso.
Reproduced in the book: ”Unwrapping Yrjö Ede...
Category
Early 2000s Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Natura Morte 5 - By Evangelos Koukouwitakis
Located in Winterswijk, NL
From the series "Natura Morte" still life
The photographic image of the withered flowers, rotten fruit, animal bones and broken glasses seems to preserve the objects, keep them alive...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Giclée, Lithograph
Natura Morte 6 - By Evangelos Koukouwitakis
Located in Winterswijk, NL
From the series "Natura Morte" still life
The photographic image of the withered flowers, rotten fruit, animal bones and broken glasses seems to preserve the objects, keep them alive...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Giclée, Lithograph
Peonies on the dark background, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Peonies on a dark background. The painting was created in 2021. High-quality materials, strong construction of the subframe. The canvas is gallery stretch, the edges of the picture a...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil
Nature Monte 1 - By Evangelos Koukouwitakis
Located in Winterswijk, NL
From the series "Natura Morte" still life
The photographic image of the withered flowers, rotten fruit, animal bones and broken glasses seems to preserve the objects, keep them alive...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Giclée, Lithograph
"Poppies, Jegun" Contemporary Impressionist painting en plein air in France
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Poppies, Jegun" is a contemporary Impressionist painting, painted en plein air in rural France.
Tina Orsolic Dalessio is a figurative painter born and raised in Zagreb, Croatia. Sh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Linen, Canvas, Oil
Lornes Pond With Yarrow - Nature Landscape Romantic Realism
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amber Young's creative focus centers on nature, with a particular emphasis on the intricate beauty of forests, flowers, and water reflections.Young's artistic journey is deeply roote...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"At Last, " Sculpture
By Bill Starke
Located in Denver, CO
Bill Starke's "At Last" is a limited edition, bronze sculpture created by Bill Starke depicting a male figure with out-stretched arms.
( 3/85 )
About the artist:
Human beings int...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Goldfish III-original wildlife fish abstract sculpture-artwork-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Goldfish III" is a captivating sculpture crafted by the esteemed artist Andrzej Szymczyk. This original wildlife tabletop sculpture offers a unique interpretation of the iconic gold...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Bronze
Red Door, Oil Painting
By Nick Savides
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A townhouse on West 27th Street draws attention at night, its red door seemingly glowing in the darkness. Shadows of a street sign and construction vehicles add...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Oil
Spring Collection: Pocket Blackbird's Egg (c), Original Painting, Egg, Realism
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Crimson Strawberry (c) 2024 is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to ...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Easter John - original contemporary realist bird and skyscape oil painting art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Easter John" by Lilia Mazurkevich welcomes viewers into a serene yet vibrant blue sky, where a singular bird steals the spotlight with its exuberant presence. Perched gracefully on ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Enchanted-original realism modern seascape ocean oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Enchanted," a mesmerizing seascape by the talented artist Joanne Parent, transports viewers to a realm of sublime beauty and tranquility. Rendered in exquisite detail and imbued wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Original Still Life oil painting on canvas, Strawberries, Signed, Framed, Dated
Located in Framingham, MA
Up for sale is a beautiful oil painting on canvas depicting two blue ceramic cups and strawberries.
Painting signed in the middle Rason'02. Ni...
Category
Early 2000s Realist Art
Materials
Oil
Changing Chapters-original seascape sunset oil painting-artwork-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Changing Chapters" by Eva Volf is a captivating seascape masterpiece rendered in oil on canvas, skillfully employing the realism style to evoke a profound sense of tranquility and t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Skylover" contemporary realist male nude perspective oil painting
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Skylover" is a contemporary realist male nude perspective oil painting in a unique wood frame. An ellipse shaped canvas displays a man laying on the ground under the morning sky. Hi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Still life with wildflowers. Oil on canvas, 80.5x60.5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Still life with wildflowers. Oil on canvas, 80.5x60.5 cm
Category
Early 2000s Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Poppy
By Katherine Mason
Located in Dallas, TX
I started my Lipstick Series in order to support women who have battled, or are currently battling, Breast Cancer. When asking women what the hardest part of their journey with cance...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Found Objects
El último Cadillac
Located in Madrid, ES
The work represents a white Cadillac model car abandoned on a
beach at sunset.
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil
"Losing Touch, " Oil Painting
By Matt Talbert
Located in Denver, CO
Matt Talbert ( US based) "Losing Touch" is an oil painting that depicts a dark haired feminine form sitting curled up with the patterned background partially concealing her face.
A...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
"Departure" 19th century style Realist self portrait by the Croatian artist
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Departure" is as 19th century style Realist self portrait by the Croatian artist, Tina Orsolic Dalessio.
Tina Orsolic Dalessio is a figurative painter born and raised in Zagreb, C...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Linen, Canvas, Oil
Natura Morte - By Evangelos Koukouwitakis
Located in Winterswijk, NL
From the series "Natura Morte" still life:
The photographic image of the withered flowers, rotten fruit, animal bones and broken glasses seems to preserve the objects, keep them aliv...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Offset, Lithograph, Giclée
"I Feel Useful" Original oil painting of Sandwich on Red
Located in Denver, CO
Felicia Forte's painting "I Feel Useful" created in 2016 features a sandwich on a red background.
Felicia attended the Art Students League of New York in 2006, moving next to San F...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Oil
"Pine Warbler Perched On a Twig" Original oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Brian Mashburn's painting "Pine Warbler Perched On a Twig" crafted in 2023, is an original oil painting that depicts the close up views of a pine warbler bird in profile, on a branch...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
CONTEMPORARY Fine Art Landscape Artwork Spanish Artist Carol Moreno
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Carol Moreno Lara, artistic self-taught painter. Born in Barcelona. Proposal; Embellishes unique and personal spaces through artistic painting.
A feisty woman who honors his personal development, she is noble, brave and delivered. He loves to paint and discover his passion for painting from very small. In 2005 he created his own studio Carol Moreno. And since then, he has worked for various corporations: Revlon Group (The Colomer Group), Moet Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, ColaCao and luxury hotel chains.
Also contacts interior design studies, design, architecture … that has allowed closer ties with prestigious brands like Lazarus Violán Rosa, Jaime Beriestain...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Erotic Male Nude (Cigar Smoking Man)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
William Sibberns (American). Big Cigar Man, 2010. Pastel on paper, 8 x 10 inches. Measuring 16 x 18 inches framed. Signed and dated on page and on ver...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Charcoal, Pastel
Blue Willow Bouquet by Ginny Williams Framed Floral Still Life Oil on Canvas
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unframed this painting measures 24 x 18.
We were immediately drawn to the thoughtfully painted work, the clever titles and the rich, deep hues. And when we got to know the artist, w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Board, Oil
Reflections, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The colorful buoys of a fishing boat in San Pedro harbor reflect on the dark, calm water. The gray sky sets a peaceful tone. The two men fishing from the docks ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Watercolor
Deutsche Oper am Rhein Düsseldorf by Candida Höfer, C-Print, Photography
Located in Zug, CH
This artwork is part of a project called "In Portugal", which consists of a selection of photographs taken in public sites throughout the Iberian country. Typical of Candida Höfer, t...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
C Print
Duet of Peonies 2, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Duet of Peonies 2 . The year of creation is 2022 . Oil on canvas, signature on the reverse side :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticit...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil
Grief, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Eva Hoffmann
Located in Yardley, PA
Inspired by a performance for video clip. The actress expressed pain and loneliness. the dark background, white dress and her red hair are the perfect drama. Painted by several laye...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil
Erotic Male Nude
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
William Sibberns (American). Standing Male Nude with Upraised Leg, 2011. Pastel on paper, 12 x 18 inches. Measuring 18 x 24 inches framed. Signed a...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Charcoal, Pastel
Natural Drama III, Oil Painting
By Mandy Main
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Dramatic technicolor clouds sweep across the sky, reflecting their vibrant hues on the water and sand below. The light from the nearly obscured sun peeks throug...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Oil
Glass Half Full, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A solitary glass of bourbon stands against the backdrop of muted hues. Bathed in soft, ambient light, its amber depths evoke a sense of warmth and tranquility. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Still life with jars
Located in Queenston, ON
A study in light. An homage to Giorgio Morandi
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil
Cheryl C at Dock, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The lone boat bears the marks of its history. Here, she sits alone, at rest. Artist Tom Hoerber has kept the composition simple to emphasize the quiet solitude,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Watercolor
Morning at California Ranch
Located in Pasadena, CA
Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist
UNFRAMED: 12" x 16" FRAMED: 19.125" x 23.125" x 2"
Artist Statement
“In this painting I was fascinated by the expansive green vall...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Linen
Seahorse Couple (verdigris)-original wildlife marine sculpture-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
Bronze , Limited edition of 8
In the mesmerizing depths of Andrzej Szymczyk's imagination swims the "Seahorse Couple," a captivating tableau that celebrates the timeless bond of lo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Bronze
Watershed
Located in Burlingame, CA
Watershed, oil on canvas is 36 x 55 inches. The painting features a walking pathway and rolling foothills up close, and into the distance with a clear blue sky. A serene and calming ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Siamese Fighter Fish-original bronze wildlife sculpture-artwork-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
Andrzej Szymczyk
sculptures for sale, original sculptures for sale online, sculptures for sale online, buy original sculptures online, wildlife sculptures for sale, contemporary artw...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Bronze
Baby's Blue
Located in Dallas, TX
Words fall short when art speaks for itself. A language all its own.
"Inspiration was never something to seek out but to be awake for."
Based in Southern California, Miriam contin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Board
Erotic Male Nude
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
William Sibberns (American). Male Nude in Bed, 2009. Pastel on paper, 10 x 14 inches. Measuring 16 x 20 inches framed. Signed and dated on page and...
Category
Early 2000s Realist Art
Materials
Pastel, Charcoal
Poppy. Canvas, cardboard, oil, 61x45.5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Poppy. Canvas, cardboard, oil, 61x45.5 cm
Category
Early 2000s Realist Art
Materials
Cardboard, Canvas, Oil
"Bull Elk" Original handmade oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Brian Mashburn's "Bull Elk" from 2023 is an original oil painting depicting a bull elk in profile with distant mountains. Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, Mashburn's work is d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
Spring Collection: Pocket Daffodil [2024], Baroque Still Life, flower
Located in Deddington, GB
Spring Collection: Pocket Daffodil is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to ...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
![Spring Collection: Pocket Daffodil [2024], Baroque Still Life, flower](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/dani-humberstone-paintings-spring-collection-pocket-daffodil-2024-baroque-still-life-flower-for-sale/a_6323/a_139170321707305716006/b3d04612f84834a4899db29046bff32a_1_master.jpg?width=240 "Dani Humberstone - Spring Collection: Pocket Daffodil [2024], Baroque Still Life, flower")
Clink, Clink, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The liquor's warm amber hues glow softly against the rustic wooden table. Wisps of aromatic vapor rise from the golden liquid, creating an ethereal aura around ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Art
Materials
Acrylic
"Camellias From My Garden II, " Still Life Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Yvonne Melchers' "Camelias From My Garden II" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts two fully blossomed pink camellias that compliment their green leaves in a glass pitc...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
"Glass with Red and Purple Anemone, " Still Life Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Please note: This painting will ship from the artists' studio in the Netherlands.
Yvonne Melchers' "Glass with Red and Purple Anemone" is an original, handmade oil painting that dep...
Category
2010s Realist Art
Materials
Oil, Canvas
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.
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