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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
Period: 18th Century
Public Schools facade, Oxford University by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) The Public Schools, University of Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-century view of the facade of Oxford's Public Schools, engraved by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan, the noted engraver, draughtsman, and painter. Pieter van der Aa of Leiden was a Dutch publisher best known for preparing maps and atlases, though he also printed editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated volumes. He is noted for the many engravings he produced after David Loggan's series of Oxford and Cambridge colleges...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

Magdalen College, Oxford engraving by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) Magdalen College, Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm A magnificent eighteenth-century view of Magdalen, engraved by Pieter van...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

New College, Oxford engraving by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) New College, Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-century view of Le College Neuf (New College), engraved by Piete...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

Queen's College, Oxford engraving by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) Queen's College, Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-century view of Le College de la Reine (Queen's College), engraved by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan, the noted engraver, draughtsman, and painter. The college was founded in 1341 by Robert de Eglesfield in honour of Philippa of Hainault (the wife of King Edward III...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

Public Schools, Oxford University by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) The Public Schools, University of Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-century view of the interior of the Public ...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

University of Oxford Divinity School by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) The Divinity School, University of Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-centur...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

The Sheldonian, Oxford University by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) The Sheldonian Theatre, University of Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-century view of Oxford's marvellous She...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

Jesus College, Oxford engraving by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) Jesus College, Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-century view of Jesus College, engraved by Pieter van der Aa a...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

Lincoln College, Oxford engraving by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) Lincoln College, Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-century view of Lincoln, engr...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

St John's College, Oxford engraving by Pieter van der Aa after David Loggan
Located in London, GB
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), after David Loggan (1634–1692) St John's College, Oxford Engraving 12 x 16 cm An eighteenth-century view of St John's, engraved by Pieter van der Aa a...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

Samuel Buck (1696-1779) Ruins of Byland Abbey Yorkshire Engraving Print
Located in London, GB
To see our other views and maps of England - including London, Oxford and Cambridge, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send...
Category

1720s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

John Boydell 1751 engraving A South Prospect of the City of Oxford
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 ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

1782 View of Windsor Castle by James Fittler RA George Robertson John Boydell
By James Fittler
Located in London, GB
To see our other Architectural Prints and Drawings including other views of Windsor, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller." James Fittler (1758-1835) after George Robertson...
Category

Mid-18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

William Williams engraving of Christ Church - College at Oxford c.1732
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 Williams...
Category

Early 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

Robert Morden Map of Nottingham Shire 18th century Nottinghamshire
By Robert Morden
Located in London, GB
Robert Morden (1650-1703) Nottingham Shire (or Nottinghamshire) Engraving with recent hand colouring 34x42cm First published in 1695 for Camden's Britannica (1695-1772) and reprinte...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

A Young Woman of the Sandwich Islands Captain Cooks travels engraving J. Webber
Located in Paonia, CO
A Young Woman of the Sandwich Islands is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain James Cook. John Webber (1752...
Category

1780s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

ENOCH SEEMAN (circle of) PORTRAIT OF SIR FRANCIS SEYMOUR AS A BOY
By Enoch Seeman
Located in York, GB
ENOCH SEEMAN (circle of) PORTRAIT OF SIR FRANCIS SEYMOUR AS A BOY A very fine 18th century portrait of Sir Francis Seymour as a boy,oil on canvas housed in a gilt frame, circle of En...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

LARGE OLD MASTER LATE 18th CENTURY CIRCLE of SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS OIL PAINTING
Located in Ferndown, GB
OLD MASTER LATE 18th /EARLY 19th CENTURY CIRCLE of SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS OIL PAINTING Fine OIL PAINTING Old Master 18th Century R.A artist in a ...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

OLD MASTER OIL PAINTING 18th CENTURY Scottish School FINE DETAIL GOLD GILT FRAME
Located in Ferndown, GB
DESCRIPTION OLD MASTER OIL PAINTING 18th CENTURY Scottish School FINE DETAIL GOLD GILT FRAME NEW COLLECTION Of RARE PIECES OF Scottish HISTORY Description ( Late 18th centur...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

OIL PAINTING FRENCH By ? Beautiful lady of Nobility in a Gold Neoclassical Frame
Located in Ferndown, GB
OIL PAINTING By ? Beautiful lady of Nobility in a Neoclassical Frame FINE Portrait OIL PAINTING Old Master Early 19th Century French artist ...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

HUGE OLD MASTER LATE 18th CENTURY CIRCLE of SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS OIL PAINTING
Located in Ferndown, GB
HUGE OLD MASTER LATE 18th CENTURY CIRCLE of SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS OIL PAINTING Fine OIL PAINTING Old Master 18th Century R.A artist in a Large ...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil

18th Century Portrait, Major Alexander Brown in Military Uniform
By Sir David Wilkie
Located in Cotignac, FR
18th Century Military portrait of a young officer in Napoleonic period military dress. The painting is not signed but the subject is Major Alexander Brown. The work is oil on canvas later mounted on board and presented in a fine 'Regence style' carved gilt frame. There are labels to the back referring to the subject, 'Major Brown of Trinity' and a framers trade label from Edinburgh. A magnificent and imposing portrait of a young military officer in the prime of his life. His red uniform adorned with fine buttons, fringed epaulettes and high gilt collar. His ruddy complexion offset by his stylish hair, a quiff and swept forward to the sides as was the fashion at the time. Sir David Wilkie RA (18 November 1785 – 1 June 1841) was a Scottish painter, especially known for his portraits, including formal royal ones, and scenes from his travels to Europe and the Middle East. He painted successfully in a wide variety of genres, including historical scenes. His main base was in London, but he died and was buried at sea, off Gibraltar, returning from his first trip to the Middle East. He was sometimes known as the "people's painter". He was Principal Painter in Ordinary to King William IV and Queen Victoria. Apart from royal portraits, his best-known painting today is probably The Chelsea Pensioners Reading the Waterloo Dispatch of 1822 in Apsley House. Sir David Wilkie was actually admitted in 1799 (despite only being 14) through the influence of the Earl of Leven...
Category

Late 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

49. White guava, Manduca sexta
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

37. Branching larkspur, Peaseblossom moth
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

"The Fern Gatherers" 18th Century Antique Mezzotint Engraving by John R. Smith
Located in Carmel, CA
"The Fern Gatherers" After a painting by George Morland. 1763-1804. - Mezzotint engraving by John Raphael Smith. 1752-1812. Print: 20.75" x 26" - With Frame: 28" x 33.5" Published:...
Category

Late 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Mezzotint, Engraving

20. Curious shells
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

"The Country Stable" 18th Century Antique Mezzotint Engraving by William Ward
Located in Carmel, CA
"The Country Stable" After a painting by George Morland. 1763-1804. - Mezzotint engraving by William Ward. 1766-1826. Print: 20.75" x 26" - With Frame: 28.5" x 34" Published: March...
Category

Late 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Mezzotint, Engraving

31. Keel-tail iguana, Holbrookia spec., Surinam ameiva, Gecko
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

23. Dendrites of ferrous hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, and manganese ore fissure
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

A Man of the Sandwich Islands, Dancing (Hawaii) from Captain Cooks travels engra
Located in Paonia, CO
A Man of the Sandwich Islands Dancing (Hawaii) is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain James Cook. John Webber (1752-1793) was the official artist for the third voyage of Captain James Cook (1728-1779). The purpose of this voyage was to discover the Northwest Passage and to explore the Pacific Ocean north of the Equator. These engravings were published in 1784-85 by G. Nichol and Thomas Cadell of London in the four large format atlas, Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Captain Cook was an extraordinary explorer known for discovering and mapping unknown territory and for his many contributions to the scientific world. These original engravings from Webber’s drawings and paintings are only a glimpse into this great man’s historical contributions that make him one of the greatest explorers of all times. This image shows a Hawaiian dancer...
Category

1780s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

6. Crown Imperial, Yellow archangel, Prominent
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

28. Saltatoria Mantis
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

32. Shorthorned grasshopper, Dung beetle, Water scavenger beetle, Longhorned bee
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

17. True tulip, Triton's trumpet, Hermit crab
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

The Inside of a Hippah in New Zealand from Captain Cooks Travels
Located in Paonia, CO
The Inside of a Hippah in New Zealand is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain James Cook John...
Category

1780s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

27. Metallic beetle, Lunar-headed dung-beetle, Capricorn beetle, Harlequin beet
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

42. Martagon lily, Frog-hopper, Acronicta leporina, Looper, inchworm
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

29. Arctian, Castnia, Steirodon thoracicm
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

48. Hibiscus
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

25. Spray of flowers, not clearly identifiable
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

41. Rosa hemisphaerica, Dagger moth
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

35. Common hyacinth, Common tiger, moth
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

45. Hairy cotton, Helicopis cupido
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

19. Spider conches
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

A Human Sacrifice, in a Morai, in Otaheite (Tahiti) 1784 James Cook Final Voyage
Located in Paonia, CO
 A Human Sacrifice in a Morai in Otaheite (Tahiti)  1784 by John Webber is from the  First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain...
Category

1780s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

14. Sponge crab, Calappid, Lophozozymus octodentatus
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

40. Fennel flower, Iron Prominent
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

38. Musk-thistle, Syrphid-fly
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

22. Bangles, Minerals
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

21. Fingerstones, fossil blemnites, Axes of nephrite, flint & metal, Fossilized
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

16. Branching star
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

15. Horseshoe crab, king crab
Located in Columbia, MO
Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Germany in 1647 and received early artistic training from her stepfather, an established still life painter. She was fascinated by insects and collec...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Pigment

An Inland View; in Atooi ( Hawaii ) 1784 Captain Cook engraving by John Webber
Located in Paonia, CO
An Inland View in Atooi ( Hawaii ) is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain James Cook. This engraving depicts ...
Category

1780s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

A Dance in Otaheite (Tahiti) 1784 James Cook Final Voyage by John Webber
Located in Paonia, CO
A Dance in Otaheite ( Tahiti ) is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain James Cook. John Webber (1752-1793) who...
Category

1780s Realist Art

Materials

Engraving

Capriccio Panoramic landscape Sea Bay at sunset 18th century Large oil painting
Located in Stockholm, SE
The events depicted in the painting take place possibly somewhere in the Middle East or North Africa. Painting takes us to the times of great explorations and sea voyages. In those days, the knowledge of something new and unknown was the cause of numerous discoveries and adventure. In the foreground we see the harsh conquistadors, who presumably play the role of guarding the trade caravan here, the figures depicted on the canvas are fussing and busy loading things onto camels. The buildings and towers of the coastal city are visible in the distance. Atmospheric mood is added by a beautiful sunset over the sea bay...
Category

18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Mount Posillipo Near the Tomb of Virgil, Naples, 1779
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jean-Claude-Richard de Saint Non (French, 1727-1791) Mount Posillipo Near the Tomb of Virgil, Naples, 1779 Watercolor on paper, 15 x 20 inches Inscribed on verso: (in pencil) "l ' A...
Category

1770s Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor, Paper

Village of Lekkerkerk on the River Lek: a 18th century dutch watercolor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Nicolaes Wicart (Dutch, 1748-1815) Village of Lekkerkerk on the River Lek Watercolor on paper, 8 x 12 inches (sight) Signed at lower left: "Wicart" Inscribed in ink on verso: "4 Dorp...
Category

Late 18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

19th century view of Raglan Castle by English artist David Hall McKewan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
David Hall McKewan (English, 1817-1873) Raglan Castle Watercolor on paper, 9 x 13 inches (sight) David Hall McKewan studied watercolor painting under David Cox (the elder) and exhib...
Category

Mid-18th Century Realist Art

Materials

Watercolor, Paper

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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