Skip to main content

Eric Zener Paintings

American, b. 1966

Eric Zener is a self-taught Photorealist artist recognized for his figure paintings of lone subjects often submerged in swimming pools.

Zener employs water as a metaphorical tool to express renewal and personal transformation. It speaks to the collective desire in all of us to retreat from the noise of the world, challenging the shallow, surface-level questions and concerns that frame our daily lives. Additionally, Zener works across a broad spectrum of materials, including paint, silver leaf, and resin, to create texture, depth, and dimensionality in his work.

Zener’s work has been exhibited in the United States, and internationally, for over 25 years. His solo exhibition history has largely been with his long-standing dealers in San Francisco and New York. Additionally, Zener has had numerous shows in Asia, Australia and Europe. Eric’s work has been featured and reviewed extensively in art magazines and other publications. Apart from gallery representation his work has also been included in museum shows and international residency programs.

Find original Eric Zener art on 1stDibs.

to
2
1
6
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
7
7
3
3
1
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
7
7
7
9
773
758
736
677
1
4
7
Artist: Eric Zener
SELF - Contemporary Realism / Swimmer / Waterscape / Male Figure
SELF - Contemporary Realism / Swimmer / Waterscape / Male Figure

SELF - Contemporary Realism / Swimmer / Waterscape / Male Figure

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Original oil painting by Eric Zener. Eric Zener’s photorealistic paintings and resins are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in water. ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

NIGHT PLUNGE II - Contemporary Realism / Water / Ocean / Deep Blue
NIGHT PLUNGE II - Contemporary Realism / Water / Ocean / Deep Blue

NIGHT PLUNGE II - Contemporary Realism / Water / Ocean / Deep Blue

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Original oil painting by Eric Zener. Eric Zener (b. 1966, Astoria, OR) completed his BA in 1988 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. As an artist he has been engaged in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

SUMMER RIPPLE - Contemporary / Figurative / Swimmer
SUMMER RIPPLE - Contemporary / Figurative / Swimmer

SUMMER RIPPLE - Contemporary / Figurative / Swimmer

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Original Painting by Eric Zener. Eric Zener (b. 1966, Astoria, OR) completed his BA in 1988 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. As an artist he has been engaged in a qu...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

HOW TO BE HAPPY - Underwater Photorealism / Female Swimmer / Large Portrait
HOW TO BE HAPPY - Underwater Photorealism / Female Swimmer / Large Portrait

HOW TO BE HAPPY - Underwater Photorealism / Female Swimmer / Large Portrait

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Original oil painting by Eric Zener. Eric Zener (b. 1966, Astoria, OR) completed his BA in 1988 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. As an artist he has been engaged in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

ETHEREAL- Blue Water / Female Swimmer / Floating Free / Photorealism
ETHEREAL- Blue Water / Female Swimmer / Floating Free / Photorealism

ETHEREAL- Blue Water / Female Swimmer / Floating Free / Photorealism

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Original oil painting by Eric Zener. Eric Zener’s photorealistic paintings and resins are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in water. ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

PATHWAYS - Abstract Landscape / Branches and Tree / Blue and Brown
PATHWAYS - Abstract Landscape / Branches and Tree / Blue and Brown

PATHWAYS - Abstract Landscape / Branches and Tree / Blue and Brown

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Original Oil Painting by Eric Zener Eric Zener (b. 1966, Astoria, OR) completed his BA in 1988 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. As an artist he has been engaged in a...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

ABOVE IT ALL - Contemporary Realism / Male Figure Swimmer / Ladder Journey Sky
ABOVE IT ALL - Contemporary Realism / Male Figure Swimmer / Ladder Journey Sky

ABOVE IT ALL - Contemporary Realism / Male Figure Swimmer / Ladder Journey Sky

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Original Painting by Eric Zener Eric Zener (b. 1966, Astoria, OR) completed his BA in 1988 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. As an artist he has been engaged in a que...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Related Items
At My Fingertips
At My Fingertips

David KramerAt My Fingertips, 2016

$2,900

H 25.5 in W 19.5 in

At My Fingertips

By David Kramer

Located in Indianapolis, IN

David Kramer (b. 1963) At My Fingertips (2014) Ink on paper Size: 25.5 x 19.5 in (64.8 x 49.5 cm) Frame size: 30 x 23.5 in (76.2 x 60 cm) Hand signed lower right ==== Inspired by ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Enamel

Garden of early delights I by Joachim van der Vlugt - Semi-abstract painting
Garden of early delights I by Joachim van der Vlugt - Semi-abstract painting

Garden of early delights I by Joachim van der Vlugt - Semi-abstract painting

By Joachim van der Vlugt

Located in Paris, FR

Garden of early delights I is a unique oil on canvas painting by contemporary artist Joachim van der Vlugt, dimensions are 160 × 130 cm (63 × 51.2 in). The artwork is signed, sold un...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Lovely Day" (2025), Original Contemporary Acrylic Barn Painting on Canvas
"Lovely Day" (2025), Original Contemporary Acrylic Barn Painting on Canvas

"Lovely Day" (2025), Original Contemporary Acrylic Barn Painting on Canvas

By Justin Wheatley

Located in Denver, CO

Justin Wheatley's "Lovely Day" is an original, handmade acrylic painting depicting a macro of a white barn. Justin Wheatley was born and raised in Clinton, Utah. He holds a Bachelor...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Figure Painting, Nature, Green Flora, Picnic Among the Ferns by America Martin
Figure Painting, Nature, Green Flora, Picnic Among the Ferns by America Martin

Figure Painting, Nature, Green Flora, Picnic Among the Ferns by America Martin

By America Martin

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

America Martin "Picnic Among the Ferns" Oil & Acrylic on Canvas 40 x 60 inches 41.5 x 61.5 inches framed America Martin is an internationally represented Colombian-American fin...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

"Abstract Flowers III" Oil Painting 24" x 21" inch by Ashraf Zamzami

"Abstract Flowers III" Oil Painting 24" x 21" inch by Ashraf Zamzami

By Ashraf Zamzami

Located in Culver City, CA

"Abstract Flowers III" Oil Painting 24" x 21" inch by Ashraf Zamzami ABOUT A characteristically bold and optimistic palette does not belie the inescapably pensive nature and at time...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Swimmers I, Maria Filopoulou, Greek, Water, Natural World, Expansive, Lagoon
Swimmers I, Maria Filopoulou, Greek, Water, Natural World, Expansive, Lagoon

Swimmers I, Maria Filopoulou, Greek, Water, Natural World, Expansive, Lagoon

Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh

Water & Light are two main components that make the Greek landscape unique and irresistible. Greek painter Maria Filopoulou takes up these two clichés unashamedly and transforms thei...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Figure Painting, Bold lines, Blue Daisy Painted in Maine by America Martin

Figure Painting, Bold lines, Blue Daisy Painted in Maine by America Martin

By America Martin

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

America Martin "Blue Daisy Painted in Maine" Oil & Acrylic on Canvas 20 x 40 inches 21.5 x 41.5 inches framed America Martin is an internationally represented Colombian-America...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

#Breaking - Group of Drifters Enjoying a Beer and Pizza by Peter Lupkin, Framed
#Breaking - Group of Drifters Enjoying a Beer and Pizza by Peter Lupkin, Framed

#Breaking - Group of Drifters Enjoying a Beer and Pizza by Peter Lupkin, Framed

By Peter Lupkin

Located in Chicago, IL

Drifting is a motorsport in which drivers intentionally make their cars slide sideways through a turn by breaking the rear wheels loose from the pavement. The goal is not speed by s...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

PaperLandscape – Mixed Media and Collage on Canvas by Marilina Marchica (2019)
PaperLandscape – Mixed Media and Collage on Canvas by Marilina Marchica (2019)

PaperLandscape – Mixed Media and Collage on Canvas by Marilina Marchica (2019)

By Marilina Marchica

Located in Agrigento, AG

Title: PaperLandscape – Mixed Media and Collage on Canvas by Marilina Marchica (2019) Artist: Marilina Marchica (b. 1984, Italy) Title: PaperLandscape Year: 2019 Medium: Mixed media...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Oil, Canvas, Handmade Paper

"Making Space" Lauren Rinaldi, oil painting, figurative, nude
"Making Space" Lauren Rinaldi, oil painting, figurative, nude

"Making Space" Lauren Rinaldi, oil painting, figurative, nude

By Lauren Rinaldi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Lauren Rinaldi works using unbiased portraits of women’s bodies as a vehicle to explore ideas about body image, sexuality and self-identity and is often informed by her own personal ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Bambina in giallo "  Olio cm. 55 x 60  2007
"Bambina in giallo "  Olio cm. 55 x 60  2007

Igor SMEKALOV"Bambina in giallo " Olio cm. 55 x 60 2007, 2007

$4,348Sale Price|20% Off

H 26.38 in W 24.41 in

"Bambina in giallo " Olio cm. 55 x 60 2007

By Igor SMEKALOV

Located in Torino, IT

Figura di bambina gialla Bellissima cornice in legno

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Previously Available Items
LOOKING AHEAD, man in water, photorealism, underwater, swimmer
LOOKING AHEAD, man in water, photorealism, underwater, swimmer

LOOKING AHEAD, man in water, photorealism, underwater, swimmer

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener’s photorealistic paintings and resins are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in water. Zener manipulates light to create psych...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Resin, Mixed Media

EPHEMERA I, Swimmer, Blue Water, Pool, Bubbles, Female Form
EPHEMERA I, Swimmer, Blue Water, Pool, Bubbles, Female Form

EPHEMERA I, Swimmer, Blue Water, Pool, Bubbles, Female Form

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener’s photorealistic oil paintings are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in the water. A self-taught artist, Zener manipulates li...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Unbound, Contemporary Realist Painting, Oil, Figurative, Swimmer, Ocean, Blue
Unbound, Contemporary Realist Painting, Oil, Figurative, Swimmer, Ocean, Blue

Unbound, Contemporary Realist Painting, Oil, Figurative, Swimmer, Ocean, Blue

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

In this painting, a large female swimmer comes into close-view as she rises from under the blue pool water towards the surface. The painting is similar to a large selfie or an underw...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Where I End and You Begin
Where I End and You Begin

Where I End and You Begin

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener’s photorealistic paintings and resins are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in water. Zener manipulates light to create psych...

Category

2010s Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Deep Voyager

Eric ZenerDeep Voyager, 2012

Sold

H 72 in W 84 in

Deep Voyager

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener’s photorealistic paintings are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in water. Zener manipulates light to create psychologically ...

Category

2010s Photorealist Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

A Clear Opening Ahead

A Clear Opening Ahead

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener (b. 1966, Astoria, Oregon) is an American photorealist artist best known for figure paintings of lone subjects, often in or about swimming pools. Zener is a self-taught ar...

Category

2010s Realist Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Breaking the Surface Tension

Breaking the Surface Tension

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener’s photorealistic paintings are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in water. Zener manipulates light to create psychologically ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Thin Line Study II

Eric ZenerThin Line Study II

Sold

H 16 in W 13.5 in

Thin Line Study II

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener’s photorealistic oil paintings are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in water. Zener manipulates light to create psychologica...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Resin

Blissful Descent
Blissful Descent

Blissful Descent

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener’s photorealistic paintings are focused on four motifs: landscapes, figures in bed or on tightropes, and bodies in water. Zener manipulates light to create psychologically ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Letting Go
Letting Go

Eric ZenerLetting Go, 2015

Sold

H 60 in W 70 in

Letting Go

By Eric Zener

Located in New York, NY

Eric Zener (b. 1966, Astoria, Oregon) is an American photorealist artist best known for figure paintings of lone subjects, often in or about swimming pools. Zener is a self-taught artist. His new series turns to large scale, bright yet enigmatic canvases based on amusement park water slides...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Eric Zener Paintings

Materials

Oil

Eric Zener paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Eric Zener paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of paintings to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Eric Zener in paint, canvas, fabric and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Eric Zener paintings, so small editions measuring 24 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of David Ligare, Thelma Appel, and Chris Gwaltney. Eric Zener paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $8,000 and tops out at $90,000, while the average work can sell for $46,000.