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The Whip - Social Realism
The Whip - Social Realism

The Whip - Social Realism

By William Gropper

Located in Miami, FL

Work is marked on reverse "Rhythm" and "The Whip." on verso - We are not sure the exact meaning of this work. Gropper was a social realist and a radical of his time and a commenta...

Category

1960s Conceptual Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

"Lay Down Your Swords" Oil Painting, Social Realism, Horses, Cavalry, 24x12 inch
"Lay Down Your Swords" Oil Painting, Social Realism, Horses, Cavalry, 24x12 inch

"Lay Down Your Swords" Oil Painting, Social Realism, Horses, Cavalry, 24x12 inch

By Kristy Gordon

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

An oil painting by Kristy Gordon (b. 1980, British Columbia, Canada) A cavalry battle scene of people in dressed in camouflage and modern street clothes wielding, not swords, but flo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Senator" William Gropper, Social Realism, WPA Political Art, Caricature

"Senator" William Gropper, Social Realism, WPA Political Art, Caricature

By William Gropper

Located in New York, NY

William Gropper Senator Signed lower center Oil on board 16 x 12 1/4 inches ACA Galleries, New York Private Collection, New York Bonhams, American Art Online, August 23, 2023, Lot 3...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Strike Breakers — social realism, Great Depression
Strike Breakers — social realism, Great Depression

Strike Breakers — social realism, Great Depression

By Daniel Ralph Celentano

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Daniel Ralph Celentano, Untitled (Strike Breakers) pencil, c. 1934. Signed, lower right. A fine, social-realist drawing, on cream wove paper, with margins (1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches), in...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pencil

"Unemployed" WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern
"Unemployed" WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern

"Unemployed" WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern

By William Gropper

Located in New York, NY

"Unemployed" WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern William Gropper (1898 - 1977) Unemployed 20 x 16 inches Oil on canvas, 1937 Signed lower right Provenance: E...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

House Beautiful Cover Proposal. American Scene Social Realism Industrial WPA
House Beautiful Cover Proposal. American Scene Social Realism Industrial WPA

House Beautiful Cover Proposal. American Scene Social Realism Industrial WPA

By Antonio Petruccelli

Located in New York, NY

House Beautiful Cover Proposal. American Scene Social Realism Industrial WPA Antonio Petruccelli (1907 – 1994) Mixing Mortar 12 1/2 X 14 3/4 inches (sight) Framed 19 1/2 X 21 3/4 in...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Board

"Lobstermen in Gloucester, Mass." Lionel Reiss WPA Social Realism Fishermen
"Lobstermen in Gloucester, Mass." Lionel Reiss WPA Social Realism Fishermen

"Lobstermen in Gloucester, Mass." Lionel Reiss WPA Social Realism Fishermen

By Lionel S. Reiss

Located in New York, NY

Lionel S. Reiss (1894 - 1988) Lobstermen in Gloucester, Massachusetts, circa 1943 Watercolor on paper Sight 17 1/2 x 23 inches Signed lower left Provenance: Private Collection, Las ...

Category

1940s American Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Pelham Bay" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern NYC Subway Transportation
"Pelham Bay" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern NYC Subway Transportation

"Pelham Bay" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern NYC Subway Transportation

By Daniel Celentano

Located in New York, NY

"Pelham Bay" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern NYC Subway Transportation Daniel Ralph Celantano (1902-1980) "Pelham Bay" 12 1/4 x 16 inches Oil on canvas Signed lower cente...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

“Washington Square Park, 1938” NYC Social Realism Female American Artist Oil
“Washington Square Park, 1938” NYC Social Realism Female American Artist Oil

“Washington Square Park, 1938” NYC Social Realism Female American Artist Oil

By Dorothy Eisner

Located in Yardley, PA

An exceptional, large, early work by American artist Dorothy Eisner (1906-1984). This painting was recently exhibited at Gracie Mansion in 2019 as part of “She Persists” - a show de...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Money Lender"  WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern Mid 20th Century
"Money Lender"  WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern Mid 20th Century

"Money Lender" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern Mid 20th Century

By Mervin Jules

Located in New York, NY

Bio A painter, illustrator, print maker, and educator, Mervin Jules is known for painting and illustration that focuses on social commentary and that often employs satire.

Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Parade" Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene WPA Regionalism
"Parade" Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene WPA Regionalism

"Parade" Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene WPA Regionalism

By Gerrit Sinclair

Located in New York, NY

"Parade" Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene WPA Regionalism Gerrit Van Sinclair (1890 – 1955) Parade 20 x 15 inches Oil on board, c. 1940s Signed lower right Fram...

Category

1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Depression Era Mid 20th Century Social Realism Modern WPA American Scene NYC
Depression Era Mid 20th Century Social Realism Modern WPA American Scene NYC

Depression Era Mid 20th Century Social Realism Modern WPA American Scene NYC

Located in New York, NY

Depression Era Mid 20th Century Social Realism Modern WPA American Scene NYC Saul Kovner (1904-1981) Hot Summer Night 25 x 30 inches Oil on canvas Signed lower left and dated‘48 Fr...

Category

1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Waterfall Bearsville NY Landscape Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Cubism
Waterfall Bearsville NY Landscape Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Cubism

Waterfall Bearsville NY Landscape Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Cubism

By Georgina Klitgaard

Located in New York, NY

Waterfall Bearsville NY Landscape Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Cubism Georgina Klitgaard (1893 - 1976) Waterfall, Bearsville NY 40 1/2 30 inches Oil on canvas Signed lower...

Category

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Boys Swimming Industrial Landscape WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism Modernism
Boys Swimming Industrial Landscape WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism Modernism

Boys Swimming Industrial Landscape WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism Modernism

By Henry Ernst Schnakenberg

Located in New York, NY

Boys Swimming Industrial Landscape WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism Modernism Henry Schnakenberg (1982 - 1970) Boys Swimming Industrial Landscape 11 1/2 x 15 1/2 sight Oil on Can...

Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"May Day" Social Realism WPA American Modern NYC Scene Mid 20th Century
"May Day" Social Realism WPA American Modern NYC Scene Mid 20th Century

"May Day" Social Realism WPA American Modern NYC Scene Mid 20th Century

By Mortimer Borne

Located in New York, NY

"May Day" Social Realism WPA American Modern NYC Scene Mid 20th Century Mortimer Borne (Polish/American 1902-1987) "May Day" 32 x 25 inches Oil on canvas, 1934 Signed lower right Fr...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"High School Dance" WPA Mid-20th Century Modern American Scene Social Realism
"High School Dance" WPA Mid-20th Century Modern American Scene Social Realism

"High School Dance" WPA Mid-20th Century Modern American Scene Social Realism

Located in New York, NY

"High School Dance" WPA Mid-20th Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Heusing (20th Century) "High School Dance" 27 x 32 inches Oil on canvas Signed and dated '47 Lower Righ...

Category

1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century
NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century

NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century

By Max Arthur Cohn

Located in New York, NY

NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century Max Arthur Cohn (1903-1998) New York City Skyline 14 x 21 1/2 inches Watercolor on paper, c. 1930 Singed lower left Framed ...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Glassblowers" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century New York City WPA
"Glassblowers" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century New York City WPA

"Glassblowers" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century New York City WPA

By Ernest Fiene

Located in New York, NY

"Glassblowers" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century New York City WPA Ernest Fiene (1894-1965) Glass Blowers 28 x 23 inches Oil on canvas board Signed and dated 1944 lower...

Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

NYC Park Scene American Scene Social Realism WPA Woman Artist Ashcan Realism
NYC Park Scene American Scene Social Realism WPA Woman Artist Ashcan Realism

NYC Park Scene American Scene Social Realism WPA Woman Artist Ashcan Realism

By Isabel Bishop

Located in New York, NY

NYC Park Scene American Scene Social Realism WPA Woman Artist Ashcan Realism Isabel Bishop (American, 1902-1988) "NYC Park Scene" Pencil on paper Sight: 5 x 7-1/8 inches Signed l...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pencil

"Union Square" NYC American Scene Social Realism Modernism WPA Mid-20th Century
"Union Square" NYC American Scene Social Realism Modernism WPA Mid-20th Century

"Union Square" NYC American Scene Social Realism Modernism WPA Mid-20th Century

By Agnes Hart

Located in New York, NY

"Union Square" NYC American Scene Social Realism Modernism WPA Mid-20th Century Agnes Hart (American, 1912-1979) "Union Square, New York City" Sight: 14 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches Gouache...

Category

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Board

Mural Study for "History of Water" American Scene Modernism Social Realism WPA
Mural Study for "History of Water" American Scene Modernism Social Realism WPA

Mural Study for "History of Water" American Scene Modernism Social Realism WPA

By Thomas Hart Benton

Located in New York, NY

Mural Study for "History of Water" American Scene Modernism Social Realism WPA Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889-1975) "Water Story" (Study for The History of Water) Tempera and o...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Egg Tempera, Board

"Great Neck Landscape" American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern WPA
"Great Neck Landscape" American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern WPA

"Great Neck Landscape" American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern WPA

By Philip Evergood

Located in New York, NY

"Great Neck Landscape" American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern WPA PHILIP HOWARD EVERGOOD (1901 - 1973) Great Neck Landscape 12 x 16 inches Oil on board, circa 1935. S...

Category

1930s American Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century
WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century

WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century

By Michael Loew

Located in New York, NY

WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century Michael Loew (1907-1985) Detail for Mural (Social Security Building Washington D.C.) 24 x 24 inches ...

Category

1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Workers
WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Workers

WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Workers

By Seymour Fogel

Located in New York, NY

WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Workers Seymour Fogel (1911-1984) Mural Study, untitled 11 x 49 1/4 inches (sight) Tempera on board Provenance:...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Egg Tempera, Board

Neon Lighting WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism American Scene Modern Figures
Neon Lighting WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism American Scene Modern Figures

Neon Lighting WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism American Scene Modern Figures

By Maurice Becker

Located in New York, NY

Neon Lighting WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism American Scene Modern Figures MAURICE BECKER (1889-1975) 'Neon Lighting 17 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches Oil on masonite Signed, dated 1936 a...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Post Office WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Modern 20th Century
Post Office WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Modern 20th Century

Post Office WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Modern 20th Century

By Carlos Lopez

Located in New York, NY

Post Office WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Modern 20th Century Carlos Lopez (1910-1953) "Bounty" WPA Mural Study for Michigan Post Office 19 ½ x 22 ½ inches Oil on B...

Category

1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco CT
WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco CT

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco CT

By Arnold Friedman

Located in New York, NY

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco CT Arnold Aaron Friedman (American, 1874-1946) "Cancellation Table" 11 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches Oil on Wood ...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco D
WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco D

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco D

By Arnold Friedman

Located in New York, NY

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco D Arnold Friedman (1874-1946) "Dispatch" 11 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches Oil on Wood Panel, 1935 Signed, dated,...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco SR
WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco SR

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco SR

By Arnold Friedman

Located in New York, NY

WPA American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Postal Workers Deco SR Arnold Friedman (American, 1874-1946) "Swing Room" 11 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches Oil on Wood Panel, 1935, ...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"3rd Avenue EL" NYC American Scene Ashcan WPA Modern 20th Century Social Realism
"3rd Avenue EL" NYC American Scene Ashcan WPA Modern 20th Century Social Realism

"3rd Avenue EL" NYC American Scene Ashcan WPA Modern 20th Century Social Realism

By Bernard Gussow

Located in New York, NY

"3rd Avenue EL" NYC American Scene Ashcan WPA Modern 20th Century Social Realism Bernard Gussow (1881-1957) 3rd Avenue El 28 1/8 x 30 1/4 inches Oil on canvas Signed lower left Fram...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Morning Beneath the EL NYC American Scene WPA Modern 20th Century Social Realism
Morning Beneath the EL NYC American Scene WPA Modern 20th Century Social Realism

Morning Beneath the EL NYC American Scene WPA Modern 20th Century Social Realism

By Bernard Gussow

Located in New York, NY

"Morning Beneath the EL" NYC American Scene Ashcan WPA Modern 20th Century Social Realism Bernard Gussow (1881-1957) "Morning Beneath the EL" 24 1/4 x 30 inches Oil on canvas Signed...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Still Life American Scene Social Realism 20th Century Woodstock Modern Dudensing
Still Life American Scene Social Realism 20th Century Woodstock Modern Dudensing

Still Life American Scene Social Realism 20th Century Woodstock Modern Dudensing

By Konrad Cramer

Located in New York, NY

Still Life American Scene Social Realism 20th Century Woodstock Modern Dudensing Konrad Cramer (1888 – 1963) "Black Glass Bowl and Napkin" 16 ½ x 14 inches Oil on Board Singed lower...

Category

1920s American Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

NYC EL American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern WPA Era Figurative
NYC EL American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern WPA Era Figurative

NYC EL American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern WPA Era Figurative

By Cecil Crosley Bell

Located in New York, NY

NYC EL American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern WPA Era Figurative Cecil Bell (1906 – 1970) Street Life Under the EL 22 x 30 inches Oil on canvas, c. 1930s Signed upper...

Category

1930s American Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"6th Avenue El" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century New York City
"6th Avenue El" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century New York City

"6th Avenue El" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century New York City

By Ernest Fiene

Located in New York, NY

"6th Avenue El" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century New York City Ernest Fiene (1894-1965) "6th Avenue El" 12 1/4 x 14 1/4 Oil on canvas board, c. 1940s Signed lower righ...

Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Still Life" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern Thomas Hart Benton Student
"Still Life" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern Thomas Hart Benton Student

"Still Life" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern Thomas Hart Benton Student

By Daniel Celentano

Located in New York, NY

"Still Life" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modern Thomas Hart Benton Student Daniel Celentano (1902-1980) "Still Life" 14 1/8 x 10 1/2 Oil on canvas Signed lower left and on str...

Category

1930s American Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Streetscape" American Scene WPA Social Realism Mid 20th Century Industrial
"Streetscape" American Scene WPA Social Realism Mid 20th Century Industrial

"Streetscape" American Scene WPA Social Realism Mid 20th Century Industrial

Located in New York, NY

"Streetscape" American Scene WPA Era Social Realism Mid 20th Century Industrial Herbert Heyel (American 1907-2000) "Streetscape" 14 x 20 inches Watercolor on paper, c. 1939 Signed l...

Category

1930s American Realist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

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Social Realism Painting For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact social realism painting you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. You can easily find an example made in the Expressionist style, while we also have 1 Expressionist versions to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a social realism painting from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Adding a social realism painting to a room that is mostly decorated in warm neutral tones can yield a welcome change — find a piece on 1stDibs that incorporates elements of gray, black, brown, blue and more. There have been many interesting social realism painting examples over the years, but those made by Aaron Bohrod, Daniel Ralph Celentano, Ron Croci, Philip Evergood and William Gropper are often thought to be among the most thought-provoking. Artworks like these — often created in paint, oil paint and paper — can elevate any room of your home. If space is limited, you can find a small social realism painting measuring 12 high and 15 wide, while our inventory also includes works up to 37 across to better suit those in the market for a large social realism painting.

How Much is a Social Realism Painting?

The price for a social realism painting in our collection starts at $700 and tops out at $45,000 with the average selling for $4,400.
Questions About Social Realism Painting
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    Social Realism is important because it was a major art movement of the 20th century that elevated everyday people as subjects and appealed to the larger public beyond elite cultural circles. While art that fits this description dates back to the 18th century with artists like William Hogarth in the UK, it became especially prominent in the 20th century between the two World Wars. Artists such as Diego Rivera, Elizabeth Catlett and José Clemente Orozco depicted the lives of laborers and working class people, drawing attention to social issues and oppressive social systems. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Social Realist art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    In his artwork, Jacob Lawrence used Social Realism to portray the everyday lived experiences of Black Americans. His most famous work is The Migration Series, a narrative piece of 60 18-by-12-inch hardboard panels focused on the Great Migration of Black Americans from the agricultural South to the industrial North between 1910 and 1940. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Jacob Lawrence art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    The artist associated with Urban Realism and American Scene painting is Edward Hopper. Throughout the early 20th century, he created paintings of New York City that captured the feelings of isolation associated with urban life. His best-known works include Nighthawks, Automat, Chop Suey and Office at Night. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Edward Hopper art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024
    One of the most famous Realism paintings made by Jean-François Millet is called The Gleaners. It depicts three peasant women working in a field. Millet produced the oil painting in 1857, and it is now part of the collections of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France. Other notable works by the French artist include The Angelus, Shepherdess with Her Flock and Man with a Hoe. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Jean-François Millet art.