John da Costa On Sale
Early 1900s Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Mohair, Silk, Giltwood, Wood
Late 17th Century Baroque Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs
Silk, Wool
19th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Panelling
Wood, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Pier Mirrors and Conso...
Paint, Wood, Gesso
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century English Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Brass, Ormolu
1870s French School Figurative Paintings
Oil
17th Century Old Masters Paintings
Oil
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Sterling Silver
Silver
17th Century Old Masters Paintings
Oil
Early 19th Century Academic Portrait Paintings
Oil
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Pier Mirrors and Console Mirrors
Wood
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Canvas, Oil
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.