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Women's City Club, Youngstown, Ohio.  American Historical Scene Painting.
Women's City Club, Youngstown, Ohio.  American Historical Scene Painting.

Women's City Club, Youngstown, Ohio. American Historical Scene Painting.

By Clyde Singer

Located in Marco Island, FL

His teachers included John Steuert Curry, Thomas Hart Benton, Kenneth Hayes Miller, and Ivan Olinsky. Adopting the Social Realist style, he tried to paint in the same locations as Ge...

Category

1940s American Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

A Vibrant 1930s American Scene, Factory / Industrial Painting, "Brick Kilns"
A Vibrant 1930s American Scene, Factory / Industrial Painting, "Brick Kilns"

A Vibrant 1930s American Scene, Factory / Industrial Painting, "Brick Kilns"

By Harry Shokler

Located in Chicago, IL

A subtle juxtaposition of Man, Industry and Nature, and a wonderful addition to any Social Realist or Industrial themed collection. Artwork size: 21 x 25 1/2 inches, oil on canvas...

Category

1930s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Paris City Scene, Portrait Oil Painting WPA Era 1940s
Paris City Scene, Portrait Oil Painting WPA Era 1940s

Paris City Scene, Portrait Oil Painting WPA Era 1940s

By Maurice Kish

Located in Surfside, FL

The artists tended to be socially progressive, as Kish certainly was. Kish's work from this period, with its dark colors and rolling clouds, reveals the influence of Social Realists ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Proud Chimney Sweep Modern Judaica Oil Painting WPA Jewish artist Maurice Kish
Proud Chimney Sweep Modern Judaica Oil Painting WPA Jewish artist Maurice Kish

Proud Chimney Sweep Modern Judaica Oil Painting WPA Jewish artist Maurice Kish

By Maurice Kish

Located in Surfside, FL

The artists tended to be socially progressive, as Kish certainly was. Kish's work from this period, with its dark colors and rolling clouds, reveals the influence of Social Realists ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Organ Grinder, Parrot Modern Judaica Oil Painting WPA Jewish artist Maurice Kish
Organ Grinder, Parrot Modern Judaica Oil Painting WPA Jewish artist Maurice Kish

Organ Grinder, Parrot Modern Judaica Oil Painting WPA Jewish artist Maurice Kish

By Maurice Kish

Located in Surfside, FL

The artists tended to be socially progressive, as Kish certainly was. Kish's work from this period, with its dark colors and rolling clouds, reveals the influence of Social Realists ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

1981 HARBORLIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL Rare Vintage Art Poster Abstract Jazz Musicians
1981 HARBORLIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL Rare Vintage Art Poster Abstract Jazz Musicians

1981 HARBORLIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL Rare Vintage Art Poster Abstract Jazz Musicians

By Romare Bearden

Located in Union City, NJ

Bearden studied with George Grosz, beginning his artistic career as a social realist in the 1930s. He shifted to abstraction in the 1950s until arriving at his breakthrough collages ...

Category

1980s Contemporary Portrait Prints

Materials

Offset

Circe 2
Circe 2

Circe 2

By Will Barnet

Located in San Francisco, CA

His early work is decidedly social realist, with sullen portraits done in dark tonalities that suggest both the struggle of the depression era and the hope in the simple love of fami...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Screen

Ink Drawing Man in Suit and Hat with Nude
Ink Drawing Man in Suit and Hat with Nude

Ink Drawing Man in Suit and Hat with Nude

By Jonathan Shahn

Located in Surfside, FL

Shahn has taught at the Tyler School in Rome, Boston University, and the Maryland Institute, among others. The son of famed Social Realist artist Ben Shahn and Bernarda Bryson Shahn,...

Category

20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

'Psychopathic Ward' — Socially-Conscious Realism
'Psychopathic Ward' — Socially-Conscious Realism

'Psychopathic Ward' — Socially-Conscious Realism

By Robert Riggs

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Robert Riggs, 'Psychopathic Ward', 2-color lithograph, c. 1940, edition c. 50, Beall 60, Bassham 78. Signed, titled, and numbered '14' in pencil. Signed in the stone, lower right. A ...

Category

1940s Realist Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Ragazza con Rose - Lithograph by Domenico Purificato - 1980
Ragazza con Rose - Lithograph by Domenico Purificato - 1980

Ragazza con Rose - Lithograph by Domenico Purificato - 1980

By Domenico Purificato

Located in Roma, IT

In the 1940s and 1950s the artist became one of the most acclaimed painters of the social realist movement and as a living painter, as his art surpassed social realism.

Category

1980s Modern Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

'The Rabbit' original woodcut engraving by Clarice George Logan
'The Rabbit' original woodcut engraving by Clarice George Logan

'The Rabbit' original woodcut engraving by Clarice George Logan

By Clarice George Logan

Located in Milwaukee, WI

The careful line-work of the woodblock engraving adds a sense of expressionism to the scene, leaving the figures looking distraught and dirty, though the image nonetheless falls into...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Engraving, Woodcut

"Original Joseph Stella Drawing" - 20th Century Portrait Pencil Drawing
"Original Joseph Stella Drawing" - 20th Century Portrait Pencil Drawing

"Original Joseph Stella Drawing" - 20th Century Portrait Pencil Drawing

By Joseph Stella

Located in New Orleans, LA

He made a name for himself in the early 1900's as a Social-Realist illustrator. In 1912, however, he spent a year in Paris where he was greatly influenced by Fauvism, Cubism, and Fu...

Category

Early 20th Century Modern Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite

Art Deco Abstract Oil Painting by Burr Singer , 20th Century
Art Deco Abstract Oil Painting by Burr Singer , 20th Century

Art Deco Abstract Oil Painting by Burr Singer , 20th Century

By Burr Singer

Located in Hoddesdon, GB

She frequently depicted scenes of laborers, African Americans and others, working, riding on buses, and in other Social Realist scenes. Bernice Lee Singer was born in St.

Category

1930s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Aegean XI
Aegean XI

Aegean XI

By Jacob Kainen

Located in San Francisco, CA

During the late 1930s, the fiercely independent and anti-establishment Kainen took a liking to social realist painting. However, his influences from his personal relationships with N...

Category

1980s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Victorian Landscape Classic Framed Oil Painting Children on the Beach Cornwall
Victorian Landscape Classic Framed Oil Painting Children on the Beach Cornwall

Victorian Landscape Classic Framed Oil Painting Children on the Beach Cornwall

By John Robertson Reid

Located in ludlow, GB

He became interested in the social-realist movement; probably influenced by Bastien-Lepage and in 1879 his “Toil and Pleasure” was hung in the Royal Academy and bought by the Chantre...

Category

19th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Nude in a Mirror
Nude in a Mirror

Nude in a Mirror

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in Fairlawn, OH

His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists in New York.

Category

1960s American Realist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Nude in a Mirror
Nude in a Mirror

Nude in a Mirror

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in Fairlawn, OH

His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists in New York.

Category

1960s American Realist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Standing Female Nude
Standing Female Nude

Standing Female Nude

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in Fairlawn, OH

His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists in New York.

Category

1950s American Realist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Nude on a Stool
Nude on a Stool

Nude on a Stool

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in Fairlawn, OH

His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists in New York.

Category

1970s American Realist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Herbert Ferber Abstract Expressionist sculptural study signed framed Provenance
Herbert Ferber Abstract Expressionist sculptural study signed framed Provenance

Herbert Ferber Abstract Expressionist sculptural study signed framed Provenance

By Herbert Ferber

Located in New York, NY

While participating in these organizations he attended talks by influential social-realist Mexican muralists José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros, who were visiting New Yo...

Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

William Gropper Unemployment WPA American Scene Realism Mid 20th Century Modern
William Gropper Unemployment WPA American Scene Realism Mid 20th Century Modern

William Gropper Unemployment WPA American Scene Realism Mid 20th Century Modern

By William Gropper

Located in New York, NY

His blunt, forceful style attracted the attention of other publications, and he provided illustrations and cartoons for a variety of magazines, from the left-wing New Masses to mains...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Walnut Shells
Walnut Shells

Walnut Shells

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in Bristol, CT

His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists in New York.

Category

Mid-20th Century Other Art Style Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Acrylic, Board

Charcoal Drawing "Waiting" Pensive Woman Americana WPA Artist
Charcoal Drawing "Waiting" Pensive Woman Americana WPA Artist

Charcoal Drawing "Waiting" Pensive Woman Americana WPA Artist

By William Gropper

Located in Surfside, FL

Gropper continued to produce more Social-Realist oil paintings and to frequent Europe for inspiration.

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal

Nude Reclining on a Mat
Nude Reclining on a Mat

Nude Reclining on a Mat

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in Fairlawn, OH

His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists in New York.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Realist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Horses Leaving the Barn, American Realist Watercolor, Signed, 1940
Horses Leaving the Barn, American Realist Watercolor, Signed, 1940

Horses Leaving the Barn, American Realist Watercolor, Signed, 1940

By Adolf Dehn

Located in Fairlawn, OH

After graduating from high school in 1914 at the age of 19—an age not unusual in farming communities at the time, where school attendance was often irregular—Dehn attended the Minnea...

Category

1940s American Realist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Minou-Study of Head, Charcoal on Vellum, American Modern, Signed, 1984
Minou-Study of Head, Charcoal on Vellum, American Modern, Signed, 1984

Minou-Study of Head, Charcoal on Vellum, American Modern, Signed, 1984

By Will Barnet

Located in Fairlawn, OH

His early work is decidedly social realist, with sullen portraits done in dark tonalities that suggest both the struggle of the depression era and the hope in the simple love of fami...

Category

1980s American Modern Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Charcoal

1920s Social Realism “Erie R.R. Yards” Lithograph
1920s Social Realism “Erie R.R. Yards” Lithograph

1920s Social Realism “Erie R.R. Yards” Lithograph

By Reginald Marsh

Located in San Francisco, CA

While the 1920s stock market was raising some Americans to new heights of wealth, plenty of folks ground out a minimal existence through hard labor. Pointedly capturing this disparit...

Category

Early 20th Century American Realist Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

EVENING THOUGHTS Signed Lithograph, Young Black Woman, Color Collage Portrait
EVENING THOUGHTS Signed Lithograph, Young Black Woman, Color Collage Portrait

EVENING THOUGHTS Signed Lithograph, Young Black Woman, Color Collage Portrait

By Ernest Crichlow

Located in Union City, NJ

EVENING THOUGHTS is an original limited edition lithograph by the Harlem Renaissance, American social realist artist, ERNEST CRICHLOW (1914-2005) printed in 2002 at J K Fine Art Edi...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

City Park, Winter
City Park, Winter

City Park, Winter

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in Fairlawn, OH

His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists in New York.

Category

1940s American Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Rocks and Sea
Rocks and Sea

Rocks and Sea

By Paul Burlin

Located in Bryn Mawr, PA

Signed and dated lower right: Burlin 1914 Provenance Private collection Born in New York City, Paul Berlin was a Social Realist for most of his career, influenced at first by the A...

Category

20th Century American Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman
Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

By Benjamin Kopman

Located in Surfside, FL

His themes include American views, Great Depression and Social Realist scenes as well as Judaica scenes. Kopman’s work is held in the collections of many institutions including the W...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Lithograph

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman
Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

By Benjamin Kopman

Located in Surfside, FL

His themes include American views, Great Depression and Social Realist scenes as well as Judaica scenes. Kopman’s work is held in the collections of many institutions including the W...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman
Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

By Benjamin Kopman

Located in Surfside, FL

His themes include American views, Great Depression and Social Realist scenes as well as Judaica scenes. Kopman’s work is held in the collections of many institutions including the W...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Lithograph

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman
Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

By Benjamin Kopman

Located in Surfside, FL

His themes include American views, Great Depression and Social Realist scenes as well as Judaica scenes. Kopman’s work is held in the collections of many institutions including the W...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Lithograph

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman
Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

Expressionist Hand Signed Lithograph - Benjamin Kopman

By Benjamin Kopman

Located in Surfside, FL

His themes include American views, Great Depression and Social Realist scenes as well as Judaica scenes. Kopman’s work is held in the collections of many institutions including the W...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Lithograph

The Wood Decoy oil painting by Paul Sample
The Wood Decoy oil painting by Paul Sample

The Wood Decoy oil painting by Paul Sample

By Paul Sample

Located in Hudson, NY

Working alongside Mexican social realist David Alfaro Siqueiros and other artists, he produced a mural for the Chouinard Art School sculpture court.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Work on paper by Maximilien Luce titled Ouvrier au Travail
Work on paper by Maximilien Luce titled Ouvrier au Travail

Work on paper by Maximilien Luce titled Ouvrier au Travail

By Maximilien Luce

Located in London, GB

Though landscapes made up most of his oeuvre, Luce executed some marvellous paintings of people in the Pointillist style, and this social realist aspect differentiated him from many ...

Category

20th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Color Pencil

The Demagogue or Tale in a Tub
The Demagogue or Tale in a Tub

The Demagogue or Tale in a Tub

Located in Los Angeles, CA

He was so committed to socially progressive art that by 1934, he had changed his name to Bendor Mark, in part, to distinguish his social realist paintings from his earlier work.

Category

1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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Social Realist For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the social realist you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. There are many Modern, Abstract and Surrealist versions of these works for sale. If you’re looking for a social realist 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. When looking for the right social realist for your space, you can search on 1stDibs by color — popular works were created in bold and neutral palettes with elements of gray, brown, black and gold. Creating a social realist has been a part of the legacy of many artists, but those crafted by William Gropper, Raphael Soyer, Paul Zimmerman, Slim Aarons and Gershon Benjamin are consistently popular. Frequently made by artists working in lithograph, paint and oil paint, these artworks are unique and have attracted attention over the years.

How Much is a Social Realist?

The average selling price for a social realist we offer is $800, while they’re typically $250 on the low end and $12,500 for the highest priced.