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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

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

"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

"Backyards" Early 20th Century Watercolor Fauvism Social Realism American Scene
"Backyards" Early 20th Century Watercolor Fauvism Social Realism American Scene

"Backyards" Early 20th Century Watercolor Fauvism Social Realism American Scene

By Stuart Davis

Located in New York, NY

"Backyards" Early 20th Century Watercolor Fauvism Social Realism American Scene Note: We have three similar in style works from 1911 available now on 1stDibs.

Category

1910s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

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

'Negro' — California WPA Social Realism – Slavery
'Negro' — California WPA Social Realism – Slavery

'Negro' — California WPA Social Realism – Slavery

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Nicholas Panesis, 'Negro', 1934, color lithograph, edition 18. Signed, dated, titled, and numbered 8/28 in pencil. Initialed in the stone, lower right. A fine impression, with fresh ...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

'Locomotives Watering' — Ashcan School Social Realism
'Locomotives Watering' — Ashcan School Social Realism

'Locomotives Watering' — Ashcan School Social Realism

By Reginald Marsh

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Reginald Marsh, 'Erie R.R. Locos Watering (Locomotives Watering)', etching, 1934, edition 100 (Whitney, 1969), Sasowsky 155. Unsigned as published; numbered '68/100' in pencil. A su...

Category

1930s Ashcan School Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

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

"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

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

NYC Subway Mid 20th Century American Scene Social Realism WPA Modern 1930s
NYC Subway Mid 20th Century American Scene Social Realism WPA Modern 1930s

NYC Subway Mid 20th Century American Scene Social Realism WPA Modern 1930s

By Daniel Ralph Celentano

Located in New York, NY

NYC Subway Riders Mid 20th Century American Scene Social Realism WPA Modern 1930s Daniel Celentano (1902 - 1980) Subway Scene, 1930s 8 x 9 inches Ink and wash on paper Singed lower ...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

YOUNG WOMAN PINK BLOUSE Signed Lithograph, Portrait Drawing, Social Realism
YOUNG WOMAN PINK BLOUSE Signed Lithograph, Portrait Drawing, Social Realism

YOUNG WOMAN PINK BLOUSE Signed Lithograph, Portrait Drawing, Social Realism

By Raphael Soyer

Located in Union City, NJ

YOUNG WOMAN PINK BLOUSE is an original hand drawn (not digitally or photo reproduced) limited edition lithograph by the artist Raphael Soyer - Russian/American Social Realism Painter...

Category

1970s Realist Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

"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

"6th Avenue El" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century Cityscape Modern
"6th Avenue El" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century Cityscape Modern

"6th Avenue El" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century Cityscape Modern

By Max Arthur Cohn

Located in New York, NY

"6th Avenue El" American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century Cityscape Modern Max Arthur Cohn (1903-1998) 6th Avenue Elevated 19 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches Watercolor on paper Signed an...

Category

1920s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

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

Costume Drawing Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Russian Theatre
Costume Drawing Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Russian Theatre

Costume Drawing Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Russian Theatre

By Anton Refregier

Located in New York, NY

Costume Drawing Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Russian Theatre Anton Refregier (1905-1979 Costume, 1931 Pencil, crayon, and silver paint on paper 17 x 13 ¾ inches...

Category

1940s American Modern Mixed Media

Materials

Pencil, Paint, Paper, Crayon

Answering the Door  Early 20th Century w/c Fauvism Social Realism American Scene
Answering the Door  Early 20th Century w/c Fauvism Social Realism American Scene

Answering the Door Early 20th Century w/c Fauvism Social Realism American Scene

By Stuart Davis

Located in New York, NY

Answering the Door Early 20th Century w/c Fauvism Social Realism American Scene Note: We have three similar in style works from 1911 available now on 1stDibs.

Category

1910s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

WPA Mural Study Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Workers
WPA Mural Study Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Workers

WPA Mural Study Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Workers

By Anton Refregier

Located in New York, NY

WPA Mural Study Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Workers Anton Refregier (1905-1979) Mural Study, Untitled 7 ¾ x 22 inches (sight) Gouache, pencil, and charcoal o...

Category

1940s American Modern Mixed Media

Materials

Charcoal, Gouache, Board, Pencil

"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

"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

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

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

"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

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

"Bathers" American Scene Social Realism 20th Century Modernism Ashcan Fauvism
"Bathers" American Scene Social Realism 20th Century Modernism Ashcan Fauvism

"Bathers" American Scene Social Realism 20th Century Modernism Ashcan Fauvism

By Charles Demuth

Located in New York, NY

"Bathers" American Scene Social Realism 20th Century Modernism Ashcan Fauvism Charles Demuth (1883-1935) "Bathers" 10 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches watercolor on paper, c. 1930 Signed lower le...

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

"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

"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

"Money Lender" WPA American Scene Social Realism Modernism Mid Century Mervin M Jules (1912-1994 "The Money Lender" 15 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches Oil on board, c. 1940s Signed lower left F...

Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Working Man WPA Social Realism Industrial Modernism 20th Century American Scene
Working Man WPA Social Realism Industrial Modernism 20th Century American Scene

Working Man WPA Social Realism Industrial Modernism 20th Century American Scene

By Jo Cain

Located in New York, NY

Working Man WPA Social Realism Industrial Modernism 20th Century American Scene Jo Cain (1904 - 2003) Printing Press 40 ½ x 26 inches (sight) Oil on paper, c. 1930s Signed lower rig...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Oil

WPA Post Office Mural Study Native American Scene Regionalism Social Realism
WPA Post Office Mural Study Native American Scene Regionalism Social Realism

WPA Post Office Mural Study Native American Scene Regionalism Social Realism

By Louise Ronnebeck

Located in New York, NY

WPA Post Office Mural Study Native American Scene Regionalism Social Realism Louise Emerson Ronnebeck (1901 - 1980) Proposal Sketch for Worland Wyoming Post Office WPA Mural Project...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Cardboard

American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century WPA Era Woman Artist Children
American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century WPA Era Woman Artist Children

American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century WPA Era Woman Artist Children

Located in New York, NY

American Scene Social Realism Mid-20th Century WPA Era Woman Artist Children Winnie Borne Sherman (1902-2004) “Ring around the Rosie” Pencil on Paperboard, c. 1930s 13 3/8 H x 15 5...

Category

1930s American Realist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite, Board

6th Avenue El at 8th St NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century
6th Avenue El at 8th St NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century

6th Avenue El at 8th St NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century

By Max Arthur Cohn

Located in New York, NY

6th Avenue El at 8th St NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century Max Arthur Cohn (1903-1998) 6th Avenue El at 8th Street 13 x 18 inches Watercolor on paper, c. 1930 ...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

WPA Post Office Mural Study American Scene Regionalism Social Realism Modern Art
WPA Post Office Mural Study American Scene Regionalism Social Realism Modern Art

WPA Post Office Mural Study American Scene Regionalism Social Realism Modern Art

By Louise Ronnebeck

Located in New York, NY

WPA Post Office Mural Study American Scene Regionalism Social Realism Modern Art Louise Emerson Ronnebeck (1901 - 1980) Oil Riggers, Mural Study Image: 6 1/2 x 37 inches Watercolor ...

Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Cardboard

Brooklyn Bridge NYC American Scene Ashcan 20th Century Social Realism Modern
Brooklyn Bridge NYC American Scene Ashcan 20th Century Social Realism Modern

Brooklyn Bridge NYC American Scene Ashcan 20th Century Social Realism Modern

By John Marin

Located in New York, NY

Brooklyn Bridge NYC American Scene Ashcan 20th Century Social Realism Modern John Marin (1870-1953) Brooklyn Bridge 7 1/2 x 9 7/8 inches Graphite on paper Signed lower right, c. 1...

Category

1920s American Modern Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Graphite

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Social Realism For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact social realism 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 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 realism for your space, you can search on 1stDibs by color — popular works were created in bold and neutral palettes with elements of gray, black, brown and blue. Finding an appealing social realism — no matter the origin — is easy, but Raphael Soyer, William Gropper, Aaron Bohrod, Daniel Ralph Celentano and Ron Croci each produced popular versions that are worth a look. Artworks like these — often created in paint, lithograph and oil paint — can elevate any room of your home. A large social realism can prove too dominant for some spaces — a smaller social realism, measuring 5 high and 3.44 wide, may better suit your needs.

How Much is a Social Realism?

A social realism can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price for items in our inventory is $3,000, while the lowest priced sells for $465 and the highest can go for as much as $45,000.
Questions About Social Realism
  • 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.