J F Kernan
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1930s Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1910s Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Late 20th Century American Modern Abstract Prints
Etching
People Also Browsed
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Natural Specimens
Other
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Still-life Sculptures
Mixed Media
1990s Art Deco More Art
Porcelain
Late 20th Century German Art Deco Decorative Art
Porcelain
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indian Scholar's Objects
Gold
Late 20th Century American Other Historical Memorabilia
Metal
1970s American Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary European Victorian Taxidermy
Animal Skin
Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Panelling
Wood, Pine
1990s German Art Deco Porcelain
Porcelain
1940s Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century Italian Greco Roman Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Cork
1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Board, Gouache
Antique Late 19th Century French Beaux Arts Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Glass
Glass
Finding the Right figurative-paintings for You
Figurative art, as opposed to abstract art, retains features from the observable world in its representational depictions of subject matter. Most commonly, figurative paintings reference and explore the human body, but they can also include landscapes, architecture, plants and animals — all portrayed with realism.
While the oldest figurative art dates back tens of thousands of years to cave wall paintings, figurative works made from observation became especially prominent in the early Renaissance. Artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and other Renaissance masters created naturalistic representations of their subjects.
Pablo Picasso is lauded for laying the foundation for modern figurative art in the 1920s. Although abstracted, this work held a strong connection to representing people and other subjects. Other famous figurative artists include Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. Figurative art in the 20th century would span such diverse genres as Expressionism, Pop art and Surrealism.
Today, a number of figural artists — such as Sedrick Huckaby, Daisy Patton and Eileen Cooper — are making art that uses the human body as its subject.
Because figurative art represents subjects from the real world, natural colors are common in these paintings. A piece of figurative art can be an exciting starting point for setting a tone and creating a color palette in a room.
Browse an extensive collection of figurative paintings on 1stDibs.