Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world.
Work that involves illusionistic techniques of realism dates back to the classical world, such as the deceptive trompe l’oeil used since ancient Greece. Art like this became especially popular in the 17th century when Dutch artists like Evert Collier painted objects that appeared real enough to touch. Realism as an artistic movement, however, usually refers to 19th-century French realist artists such as Honoré Daumier exploring social and political issues in biting lithographic prints, while the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painting people — particularly the working class — with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history.
By the turn of the 20th century, European artists, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, were experimenting with nearly photographic realism in their work, as seen in the attention to every botanical attribute of the flowers surrounding the drowned Ophelia painted by English artist John Everett Millais.
Although abstraction was the guiding style of 20th-century art, the realism trend in American modern art endured in Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and other artists’ depictions of the complexities of the human experience. In the late 1960s, Photorealism emerged with artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes giving their paintings the precision of a frame of film.
Contemporary artists such as Jordan Casteel, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Aliza Nisenbaum are now using the unvarnished realist approach for honest representations of people and their worlds. Alongside traditional mediums, technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive installations are helping artists create new sensations of realism in art.
Find authentic realist paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.
Pacific Ocean Currents, Handmade Cyanotype Seascape in Blue, Waves Landscape
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Pacific Ocean Currents" is a handmade cyanotype print of rough water texture resembling Pacific Ocean swell. Details: + ...
Paper, Emulsion, Engraving, Etching
$4,400
Shape Shifters, Charcoal drawing of dancing couple, groovy disco festive feeling
Located in Dallas, TX
Shape Shifters Charcoal on Fabriano paper 37 × 36 inches 94 × 92 cm Patsy McArthur’s Shape Shifters is a powerful and dynamic charcoal drawing that captures the human figure at the...
Charcoal, Archival Paper
"I Feel Like I've Been Torn to Pieces".
By Irina Burda
Located in Zofingen, AG
"I Feel Like I’ve Been Torn to Pieces" is a visual metaphor for deep inner conflict, a struggle between forces that tear the self apart. In this work, Irina Burda continues her explo...
Archival Paper, Carbon Pencil
Uncertainty
By Irina Burda
Located in Zofingen, AG
In Uncertainty, Iryna Burda delicately yet uncompromisingly explores the fragile, unstable state between decision and helplessness, between motion and stillness. This work is not mer...
Archival Paper, Carbon Pencil
Metamorphoses
By Irina Burda
Located in Zofingen, AG
This work is not an image but a process. It does not depict — it transforms. The fish form, repeated, deformed, layered, becomes a rhythm of inner movement — not bodily, but psychic....
Archival Paper, Carbon Pencil
In a State of Depression...
By Irina Burda
Located in Zofingen, AG
Title: In a State of Depression… Gallery Description: In this piece, Iryna Burda immerses the viewer in the fragile space of the inner world of a person engulfed by depression. She ...
Archival Paper, Carbon Pencil
"Red Medusa Mantle" (Ruffled Kimono) - Hand Augmented Collotype
Located in Soquel, CA
Hand-augmented collotype on layered paper by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). Signed "Patricia A. Pearce" in the lower right corner. Titled "Red Medusa...
Paper, Ink, Pen, Color Pencil
$15,000
Untitled (Colored Pencils), unique painting, Allan Stone Collection & Sotheby's
Located in New York, NY
Grace Knowlton Untitled (Colored Pencils), 1978 Mixed media watercolor and charcoal painting on paper. (Framed with labels from the legendary Allan Stone Collection...
Charcoal, Watercolor, Mixed Media
$5,996Sale Price|20% Off
Lowell Nesbitt, Three Single Anemones, 1985
Located in Fairfield, CT
This exquisite pastel by Lowell Nesbitt (1933–1993), titled Three Single Anemones, exemplifies the artist’s radical expansion of realism into a realm of heightened perception and con...
Linen, Oil
$5,996Sale Price|20% Off
Lowell Nesbitt, Pink Poppy, 1986
Located in Fairfield, CT
This exquisite pastel by Lowell Nesbitt (1933–1993), titled Pink Poppy, exemplifies the artist’s radical expansion of realism into a realm of heightened perception and conceptual int...
Linen, Oil
White and Gold Lace Kimono - Hand Augmented Collotype
Located in Soquel, CA
Hand-augmented collotype by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). Signed "Patricia A. Pearce" in the lower right corner. This piece has an iridescent quality to the coloration. No ...
Paper, Ink, Pen, Color Pencil
Ruffled Kimono (Orange, Teal, and Purple)
Located in Soquel, CA
Delicate kimono by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). This piece has an iridescent quality to the coloration. This piece is unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of other...
Paper, Pen, Color Pencil, Gouache
Warm Toned Colorful Realistic Watermelon and Lemon Still Life Fruit Drawing
Located in Houston, TX
Still life pastel drawing by unknown artist. Realistic pastel drawing depicting watermelon, lemons, and other fruits in the background. Signed by artist at bottom left. Double matted...
Pastel
$422Sale Price|20% Off
Small town. Red-blue mood. 2020. Watercolor, paper, 60, 5 x 71, 5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Small town. Red-blue mood. 2020. Watercolor, paper, 60,5 x 71,5 cm Zigmunds Šņore was born in 1942 in Latvia. His works has been exhibited since 1969 and are held in private collec...
Paper, Watercolor
Rebekka / - Rebekka's Appearance -
Located in Berlin, DE
Emil Wachter (1921 Neuburgweiser - 2012 Karlsruhe), Rebekka, 1987. Watercolor mounted on cardboard, 13.5 (height) x 14 cm (width). Signed “E.[mil] Wa[chter]” in pencil within the ima...
Paper
Clifford Ellis Broad Chalk Wiltshire sketch Modern British Art New Naturalists
Located in London, GB
From a series of paintings and drawings by Clifford Ellis and his wife Rosemary. To see them or our other Modern British Art, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it clic...
Carbon Pencil
Advertising design for Pye Records Cambridge gouache Mid Century Wireless
Located in London, GB
Bowens (British, fl. mid 20th Century) Cambridge: Centre of Scientific Research Pye Group Records Pye - Nixa - Mercury - Vanguard - EmArcy c. mid-late 1950s Haig Road in Cambridge, where Pye had their factory, was subsumed into Elizabeth Way and was a long way from King's College chapel. However that iconic building is used to illustrate the Cambridge connection. EmArcy Records is a jazz record...
Gouache
$10,463
H 48 in W 41 in
La Dulce Aqua Vita, Large Signed Carborundum Etching on Handmade Paper, 2002
Located in Aventura, FL
Carborundum etching on hand made paper. Hand signed lower front by Roberto Matta. Edition 111/125. Published by Nordstamp. Artwork is in overall excellent condition. Certificate...
Paper, Etching
$245
H 15 in W 12 in D 0.13 in
A Dynamic 1945 Mid-Century Modern Cubist Studio Scene, Artist Sketch Class
Located in Chicago, IL
A Dynamic, 1945 Mid-Century Modern Cubist Studio Scene, Artist's Sketch Class by Noted Chicago Painter, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Artwork size: 11 x 8 1/2 inches, unframed, mo...
Paper, Charcoal, Pastel
$500
H 12.2 in W 17 in
New York City 4 original work on Japanese paper color pastel collage charcoal
Located in Miami, FL
Bernardo Navarro Tomas (Cuba, 1977) 'Untitled', 2017 mixed media on japanese paper 12.3 x 17 in. (31 x 43 cm.) ID: NAA-304 Hand-signed by author
Paper, Mixed Media, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, Pastel, Wax Crayon
$290
H 20 in W 14 in
Rainbowland Jellyfish I - Abstract Colorful Sea Creature Watercolor Painting
By Xiao Wen Xu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Xiao Wen Xu's artistic practice is deeply influenced by her profound appreciation for the natural world. This artwork is part of her "Rainbowland Jellyfish" series. Through a masterf...
Paper, Powder Coating, Watercolor
$1,200
H 30.5 in W 22.25 in
Large Ink Drawing Abstract Expressionist Rooster Woman Artist Judith Brown
By Judith Brown
Located in Surfside, FL
Judith Brown (December 17, 1931 – May 11, 1992) was a dancer and a sculptor who was drawn to images of the body in motion and its effect on the cloth surrounding it. She welded crushed automobile scrap metal into energetic moving torsos, horses, and flying draperies. Brown attended Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York (B.A., 1954), where she learned to weld from her teacher, Theodore Roszak, a pioneering abstract expressionist sculptor. This is done in a style similar to Leonard Baskin. Select Commissions Mural Sculpture, Lobby, Louisville Radio Station WAVE Fountain, commissioned by Architectural Interiors, New York City Model, designed and executed for Festival of Two Worlds, Spoleto, Italy Sculpture, designed for Electra Film Productions, NYC Noah's Ark, exhibited at Bronx Zoo, New York City, at Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester, New York, and at Hopkins Center, Hanover, New Hampshire Store Windows, executed Tiffany & Company Windows, New York City, Christmas 1957, 1959, 1962, October 1969, Spring 1979, and October 1980 Wall Sculptures: for Youngstown Research Center (1963-4), commissioned by Youngstown Steel Company, Youngstown, Ohio; for Hecht and Company, Landmark Shopping Center, Alexandria, Virginia, Daniel Schwartzman, Architect; for Lobby, 570 Seventh Avenue, New York City, Giorgio Cavaglieri, Architect; for Lobby, Cities Service Company's New Research Center, Cranbury, New Jersey; for Ottauquechee Health Center, Woodstock, Vermont Eternal Lights: for Congregation Beth-El, South Orange, New Jersey; for Congregation Sharey Tefilo, East Orange, New Jersey Menorahs: commissioned by Architect Fritz Nathan for the Permanent Collection of the Jewish Museum, New York City; commissioned by Smith College for the Helen Hill Chapel, Northampton, Massachusetts; commissioned by Jules Scherman, of Wisteria Press, Inc., New York City Altar Cross, commissioned by Smith College for the Helen Hill Chapel, Northampton, Massachusetts Landscape, Memorial Piece for Gustave Heller, YM-YWCA, Essex County, New Jersey Memorial Plaque for Robert A. Ferguson, Westchester County Airport, Purchase, New York Sculpture for Vice President's office, Atlantic Richfield Company, New York City Bronze Relief Sculpture for Gymnasium Lobby, South Richmond High School, Staten Island, New York, Daniel Schwartzman, Architect Poster, Stratton Arts Festival, Stratton, Vermont Medallion, commissioned by Brandeis University National Women's Committee, New York City Model for Fountain for the Plaza at Windsor, Vermont Bronze Sculpture, commissioned by Intramural, Inc. for Building Lobby, N/E Cor. 79th Street and Second Avenue, New York City Presentation Piece, commissioned by Graphic Arts Associates of Delaware Valley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wall Mural, Noah's Ark, Roosevelt Hospital, New York City 1977: Designed and executed Hanes Hosiery "Million Dollar Award"; Designed and executed "Old Spice" Smart Ship Award 1978: Commissioned to design and execute the "Walter White Award" for the NAACP for presentation to Hubert Humphrey; Commissioned to design and execute the Award for the Honorees of the National Board YWCA's First Tribute to Women in International Industry 1979: Designed and executed Jewelry for the Museum of Modern Art, New York City; Designed and executed limited edition of Mazuzas for Brandeis University-National Women's Committee, New York City 1980: Bronze Cross commissioned for St. James Episcopal Church, Woodstock, Vermont 1982: Eubie Award, New York Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences 1985: Two Sculptures, Marriott Hotel, Orlando, Florida 1986: Two large Sculptures for indoor reflecting pools, Palm Desert Hotel, Palm Springs, California; John Portman, Eight Sculptures for Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia; John Portman, Beach House, Sea Island, Georgia 1987: Loan Installation, DeCordova Museum, Lincoln, Massachusetts 1988: Eleven foot outdoor Sculpture for Front Plaza, River Court, Charles River, East Cambridge, Massachusetts, H. J. Davis Development Corp.; Tomie dePaola...
India Ink, Handmade Paper
$24,500
H 11.75 in W 20.25 in
Mel Bochner - UNNAMEABLE, Monoprint with collage, engraving & embossment, Signed
By Mel Bochner
Located in New York, NY
Fresh to market - UNIQUE! Mel Bochner UNNAMEABLE Monoprint with collage, engraving and embossment on hand- dyed Twinrocker handmade paper Signed in graphite recto Frame included - he...
Handmade Paper, Engraving, Monoprint
Master American Contemporaries
By Alex Katz
Located in Wien, 9
The art work is signed in the print at the lower left and numbered in pencil: P.P. II/IV This special art piece "Master American Contemporaries" by Alex Katz (*1927) is a colour lit...
Lithograph, Paper
$22,500
H 9.88 in W 13.13 in
Flying Bird, 1967 by Mexican Master Rufino Tamayo (certificate included)
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rufino Tamayo Flying Bird, 1967 Colored crayon and graphite on paper Sheet dimensions: 9.87 x 13.12 inches Framed dimensions: 16.62 x 19.87 inches We're pleased to showcase Mexican ...
Paper, Crayon, Graphite
$3,850
H 5 in W 5 in
Donald Baechler - Duck, Graphite on paper drawing, Signed, Framed, w/ Provenance
Located in New York, NY
Original graphite drawing on paper drawing Unique Provenance; Donated by the artist to the New York Studio School for Painting & Sculpture fundraiser Signed and dated 2019 verso This...
Graphite
$1,930
H 31 in W 25 in D 0.01 in
Mid Century Abstract Expressionist Charcoal Drawing
By John Haley
Located in Soquel, CA
Wonderful abstract expressionist drawing in shades and tones of grays and black by John Haley (American, 1905-1991), c.1956-7. Signed lower left corner. Presented in 3" mat. Condition: Very good: some edge wear consistent with age. Image size: 25"H x 19"W. A feature of the artwork of John Charles...
Charcoal, Graphite, Paper
$35,606
H 9.63 in W 14.63 in D 1 in
Signed and dated watercolour painting by Henry Moore, 1981 'Four ideas'
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Henry Moore O.M., C.H. (British, 1898-1986) Four Ideas for Sculpture Signed and dated ‘Moore/81’ (lower right) Pencil, watercolour, crayon, charcoal and ball point pen on paper 24.5 ...
Paper, Charcoal, Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil
$4,875
H 25.375 in W 15.75 in
"Whale in a Sea of Symbols, " Drawing on Handmade Paper by Miguel Castro Leñero
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Whale in a Sea of Symbols" is an original ink and charcoal on handmade amate paper by Miguel Castro Leñero. The artist initialed the piece lower right. This piece features an abstra...
Charcoal, Ink, Handmade Paper
Montoya Lady Pencil Drawing
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Renowned for his stunning ability to capture the essence of Mexican culture, Gustavo Montoya’s drawings offer a powerful narrative through minimalistic yet emotive lines. His works, ...
Carbon Pencil, Paper
Sold
H 40 in W 28 in
Pacific Ocean Currents, Handmade Cyanotype Seascape in Blue, Waves Landscape
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Pacific Ocean Currents" is a handmade cyanotype print of rough water texture resembling Pacific Ocean swell. Details: + ...
Paper, Emulsion, Engraving, Etching
Montoya Drawing Lady With Open Mouth Looking Front
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Renowned for his stunning ability to capture the essence of Mexican culture, Gustavo Montoya’s drawings offer a powerful narrative through minimalistic yet emotive lines. His works, ...
Carbon Pencil
Montoya Drawing Lady With No Hair Face
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Renowned for his stunning ability to capture the essence of Mexican culture, Gustavo Montoya’s drawings offer a powerful narrative through minimalistic yet emotive lines. His works, ...
Carbon Pencil
Montoya Drawing Lady On Profile Lines On Hair
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Renowned for his stunning ability to capture the essence of Mexican culture, Gustavo Montoya’s drawings offer a powerful narrative through minimalistic yet emotive lines. His works, ...
Carbon Pencil
Montoya Drawing Lady With Eyes Closed
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Renowned for his stunning ability to capture the essence of Mexican culture, Gustavo Montoya’s drawings offer a powerful narrative through minimalistic yet emotive lines. His works, ...
Carbon Pencil
Sold
H 40 in W 28 in
Pacific Ocean Currents, Handmade Cyanotype Seascape in Blue, Waves Landscape
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Pacific Ocean Currents" is a handmade cyanotype print of rough water texture resembling Pacific Ocean swell. Details: + ...
Emulsion, Engraving, Etching, Paper
Sold
H 42 in W 34 in D 1.5 in
'A Black Cat Jumps to an Empty Tune, ' by Mark Gilmore, Oil Painting on Paper
By Mark Gilmore
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This framed 42" x 34" landscape painting by Mark Gilmore features a rural scene of a hillside field and an emerging tornado hidden behind a moving rainsto...
Oil, Color Pencil
Sold
H 23.82 in W 33.67 in D 0.04 in
Mood. 2020. Watercolor, paper, 60, 5 x 85, 5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Mood. 2020. Watercolor, paper, 60,5 x 85,5 cm Zigmunds Šņore was born in 1942 in Latvia. His works has been exhibited since 1969 and are held in priva...
Paper, Watercolor
Sold
H 12 in W 15 in D 1.25 in
Circle Patterned Realistic Armored Rhino Exotic Wildlife Pencil Drawing
Located in Houston, TX
Realist patterned pencil drawing of an exotic rhino. Beautiful example of an intricate wildlife drawing. Currently hung in a simple black frame with a complimentary white mat. Dime...
Pencil
Sold
H 40 in W 28 in
Pacific Ocean Currents, Cyanotype on Watercolor Paper, White Border, 100x70cm
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Pacific Ocean Currents" is a handmade cyanotype print of rough water texture resembling Pacific Ocean swell. Details: + ...
Emulsion, Watercolor, Photographic Paper, C Print, Engraving, Etching
Red Rope Kimono
Located in Soquel, CA
Multi-layered collotype by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). This piece is unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of other Pearce work. No frame. Patricia Pearce (Americ...
Paper, Ink, Lithograph, Gouache