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.
"Meteor Shower" Original Surrealist Skyscape, Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Meteor Shower" is an original, handmade oil painting, depicting a beautiful surrealist scene of a sea of colored shooting stars pelting the ocean, leaving ...
Oil, Panel
"Banksy ionics"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A second life for academism, mothballs, frameworks, prohibitions, conditions, and laws. I take dry and boring academism and transform it into vibrant, joyful contemporary art. Aca...
Paper, Acrylic, Pencil
Another Order, Dinah’s
By Tony Peters
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist FRAMED: 13.75" x 25.625" x 1.375" UNFRAMED: 12" x 24" Artist Statement "The chef at work is...
Oil, Panel
The Yellow Tower, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In his Reflections series, artist Andres Lopez studies the everyday moments around his home in Miami, Florida. After the rain, streets turn into mirrors, reflec...
Oil
$5,968Sale Price|20% Off
Portrait of a Lady in Blue - British 20thC art oil painting living room interior
Located in Hagley, England
An original, circa 1970, oil on canvas painting by listed Northern artist Harry Rutherford. A fine example of a Modern British portrait. In fine untouched condition and framed in a p...
Oil
Blush Peony Shabby Floral Art, 36 H X 48" W Abstract Framed Floral Painting
By Irena Orlov
Located in Los Angeles, CA
48 x 36” inches, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas, Framed - Silver Floater Frame, 2017 in Los Angeles FLORAL ART Irena Orlov's floral art collection is oversized, vibrant and guaranteed ...
Acrylic
Scholar in His Study / - The Realization -
Located in Berlin, DE
Lasarre Judavics-Paneth (1870 Königsberg–after 1912), Scholar in His Study, 1902. Oil on wood, 47 cm x 31 cm (image size), 60 cm x 46 cm (frame), signed “J.[udavics] Paneth” and date...
Oil
$1,844Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Belgian Realist Oil Painting - Young Lady Saying Grace at Supper
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Alfred Verstraeten (1858-1936) Belgian, signed Title: Giving Thanks Medium: oil painting, on canvas, unframed. Size: painting: 21.5”...
Canvas, Oil
Seaside. 1969. Oil on canvas. 30x50 cm
By Janis Osis
Located in Riga, LV
Stones of the coast. oil on cardboard, 80x50 cm Information about artist: Janis Osis (1926.10.IV – 1991.22.VII) His first skills in art got at his uncle – painter A. Stunda. In 1951...
Canvas, Oil
"Family Recipe (Impossible Soup)" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Ximena Rendon's "Family Recipe (Impossible Soup)" is an original, handmade oil painting on aluminum panel that depicts two feminine models inside a kitchen with something cooking on ...
Oil, Panel
$1,898Sale Price|20% Off
Traditional Interior Still Life Oil Painting of Fruit & Candle by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Traditional Interior Still Life Oil Painting with Fruit & Candle by 20th Century British Artist, Howard Shingler. This original has a love...
Canvas, Paint, Oil
'Arranging a Bouquet' dated 1886 by Fritz Hanno (1861 – 1921)
Located in Knokke, BE
Fritz Hanno 1861 – Antwerp – 1921 Belgian Painter 'Arranging a Bouquet' Signature: signed lower right and dated 1886 'Fritz Hanno 86' Medium: oil on canvas Dimensions: image size ...
Canvas, Oil
Mountain Top Splendor, Oil Painting
By Art Clark
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
An abandoned house stands in solitude atop a mountain, its peeling paint and broken roof telling stories of time gone by. Wildflowers scatter around. Twisted ...
Oil
$1,670Sale Price|20% Off
Gates in the Old Town 1982, paper, watercolor, 61x28 cm
By Janis Brekte
Located in Riga, LV
Gates in the Old Town 1982, paper, watercolor, 61x28 cm The watercolor technique allows for a loose and expressive style, which can effectively convey the architectural details and...
Paper, Watercolor
$1,369
The arrest
Located in Genève, GE
Oil on canvas signed lower left This captivating work depicts a dramatic and tense scene of human interaction. In a dark interior, three men appear to be holding back a fourth indivi...
Oil
Bridge to Sunset, Oil Painting
By Nick Savides
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A figure crosses a bridge that overlooks the Hudson River and Jersey City. The vertical stains on the structure mirror the city skyline, while the clouds echo t...
Oil
Standing Proud, Original Painting
By Art Clark
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A house proudly stands against a fiery sky, its weathered walls and darkened windows hinting at stories left untold. Artist Art Clark drew inspiration from hi...
Acrylic
$7,500
White Pink Black Floral Acrylic Painting Framed 48 H X 36" W Floral Inspiration
By Irena Orlov
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abstract Floral Acrylic Painting, Framed 48 H X 36" W *Acrylic on Stretched Canvas *Frame: Black Float Frame FLORAL ART Irena Orlo...
Acrylic
Window
Located in Zofingen, AG
The window opens to a pastel-hued view of city at sunset. The vibrant flowers on the windowsill contrast beautifully with the soft pastel tones of the background. The blending of col...
Canvas, Oil
Sailboat oil/ canvas, 50x40 cm, 1989
Located in Riga, LV
Sailboat oil/ canvas, 50x40 cm, 1989
Canvas, Oil
Old courtyard Original Oil Cityscape Painting by Igor Sventitski
Located in Zofingen, AG
Original oil painting on canvas, cityscape painting made under natural light. This artwork is painted using high-quality fine linen canvas and sold unframed, stretched, and ready to ...
Oil
"Entre Sueños" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Ximena Rendon's "Entre Sueños" is an original, handmade oil painting on aluminum panel that depicts two feminine models inside a bedroom with one appearing to be asleep.
Oil, Panel
$8,121
Lotus interior wall painting emerald green purple pink present botanical floral
Located in Zofingen, AG
STRENGTH. REBIRTH. PURIFY - the main meaning of wonderful lotus flower and the name of this painting. Lotus are one of my favourite flowers. And I was painting them with all my love...
Canvas, Oil
The evening in the mountains - mountains painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
The evening forest painting with the mountains is a wonderful wall decor, the painting is created en plein air, the artwork is full of different green colours. The lively painting is...
Oil, Board
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century Summer Floral Still Life - Zinnias, Delphiniums, Corn Flowers
Located in Soquel, CA
Early 20th Century Summer Floral Still Life - Zinnias, Delphiniums, Corn Flowers Substantial and gorgeous early 20th Century still life of summer flowers in cream bowl with Zinnia, Delphiniums, and Corn Flowers with pink candle by Volney...
Linen, Oil
Two Nuns Facing the Ocean
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Two Nuns Facing the Ocean" c.1950 is an oil painting on hardboard by Australian artist Joan Wilkie, 1903-? It is signed at the lower right co...
Oil
Red Apples On The White Tablecloth - apples oil painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
Professional realistic oil painting with red apples near the light window will give you a sense of harmony and lyrical mood. The picture will became a wonderful gift for You and Your...
Canvas, Oil
Cyclamens
Located in Zofingen, AG
Cyclamens picked in my garden set in a transparent vase. The various shades of pink and the choice of details made it possible to convey the beauty of these flowers. My intention was...
Canvas, Oil
Winter city
Located in Zofingen, AG
Original oil painting on canvas, cityscape painting made under natural light. This artwork is painted using high-quality fine cotton canvas and sold unframed, stretched, and ready to...
Oil
$2,610
Orchid on the window in winter. Horizontal interior and landscape painting
Located in Oslo, NO
The painting depicts a winter window in the artist's studio, beyond which we see snow-covered, partially thawed tiled roofs with brick chimneys, and a cloudy sky with the glow of daw...
Canvas, Oil
$1,740Sale Price|44% Off
" The simple attractiveness of run-down apartments." by Lilya Volskaya
Located in Zofingen, AG
The paintings are drawn with oil on the canvas. The simple attractiveness of run-down apartments. The scene in the winter is radiant with light. An ancient tree in front of the resid...
Canvas, Lacquer, Oil
Green tea
Located in Zofingen, AG
Original oil painting on canvas, still life painting made under natural light. This artwork is painted using high-quality fine linen canvas and sold unframed, already stretched and r...
Oil
Yellow laces
Located in Zofingen, AG
Original oil painting on canvas, still life painting made under natural light. This artwork is painted using high-quality fine linen canvas and sold unframed, already stretched and r...
Oil
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Rainy city
Located in Zofingen, AG
Original oil painting on canvas, cityskape painting made under natural light. This artwork is painted using high-quality fine cotton canvas and sold unframed, already stretched and r...
Oil
The box
Located in Zofingen, AG
Original oil painting on canvas, still life painting made under natural light. This artwork is painted using high-quality fine linen canvas and sold unframed, already stretched and r...
Oil
Still Life with Fruit, Realist Oil on Canvas, Framed, Circa 1890
By Abbott Fuller Graves
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Abbott Fuller Graves (American, 1859-1936) Still Life with Fruit Oil on canvas, 20 x 32 inches FRAMED: 29 x 41inches (approx.) Signed and dated a...
Canvas, Oil
Rain In The Mountains - mountains landscape painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
The forest painting with the mountains is a wonderful wall decor, the painting is created en plein air, the artwork is full of different green colours. The lively painting is a remarkable purchase for your collection. The picture is author's and original. It is signed on the front and also titled and signed on the back. The painting comes with the Certificate of Authenticity. Materials used: oil on board. Dimensions: 35x28 cm. Packaging: I pack the paintings in special paper, then I wrap them with bubble wrap, and finally I cover artworks with strong wooden sheets. Nikolay Dmitriev...
Oil, Board
"Evening city"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
I started working on the painting “Evening city” in 2014, finished in 2025. This is the view from my window on the street of one of the oldest districts of Kharkiv, wich name is Mosk...
Canvas, Oil
$788Sale Price|20% Off
Still life with pearls. Oil on canvas, 50 x 40, 5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Still life with pearls. Oil on cardboard, 50x40,5 cm
Canvas, Oil
$7,161Sale Price|20% Off
Contemplation - British 1950's art female portrait oil painting female artist
By Alice Mary Burton
Located in Hagley, England
This captivating British portrait oil painting is by noted exhibited and listed female artist Alice Mary Burton. Painted circa 1955, the painting is a portrait of a woman gazing out ...
Oil
$779Sale Price|20% Off
Olinkalns, paper/watercolor, 54x75 cm, 1971.
By Janis Brekte
Located in Riga, LV
Olinkalns paper/watercolor, 54x75 cm, 1971. Through the use of watercolors on paper, the artist has created a nostalgic and picturesque portrayal of the landscape, inviting viewers...
Paper, Watercolor
17th Century Genre Painting -- The Pipe Smoker
By Flemish School, 17th Century
Located in Soquel, CA
Wonderful genre painting from 18th Century of pipe smoker. Signed lower right edge with monogram "I I E". Oil paint on copper. Condition: good: minor wear/rubbing from frame's rabbet...
Copper
$835Sale Price|20% Off
Interior - XXI Century, contemporary oil painting, Light & shadow contrasts
By Ilona Sapka
Located in Warsaw, PL
ILONA SAPKA studied at the School of Applied Arts, "Schola Posnaniensis" in Poznan. She received her diploma from the Faculty of Painting in the studio of stained glass led by prof. ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,392Sale Price|20% Off
French painter - 19th century portrait of Alexandre Dumas - Oil panel
Located in Varmo, IT
French painter (19th century) - Portrait of Alexandre Dumas (Villers-Cotterêts 1802 - Neuville-lès-Dieppe 1870). 24.5 x 19 cm. Oil on panel, without frame (not signed). This small...
Oil, Panel
$8,100
Roberto Bompiani "The Confirmation" Museum Quality Large Scale Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Roberto Bompiani (Italy, 1821-1908) "The Confirmation" Museum Quality Oil Painting circa 1871 Extraordinary oil painting by listed Italian artist. T...
Canvas, Oil
"Again and Again" Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Again and Again" is an oil painting that depicts a lone man surrounded by an interior darkness that is kept at bay with only...
Oil
"End of way"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This picture was painted under a strong emotional impression of the author. These boots are associated with a certain stage in life that has come to an end. This is symbolism through...
Oil, Canvas
$5,968Sale Price|20% Off
Man Reading Newspaper - Orientalist art 19th century portrait oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This striking large Orientalist oil portrait painting is by a talented Turkish School artist from the late 19th century. The portrait is extremely well painted, dating to circa 1890 ...
Oil
Evening Joy Acrylic Painting, Realist Style, Framed, 21st Century
Located in Sandwich, GB
A glance at the lantern clock says it is almost time to take your tipple outside to enjoy the warm sunshine of a summer evening. It sounds like a good idea to me!
Acrylic
$5,968Sale Price|20% Off
Portrait of Lady at Spinning Wheel - French 1901 interior portrait oil painting
By William Albert Ablett
Located in Hagley, England
This lovely Edwardian oil painting is by French artist William Albert Ablett. Dated 1901, the brush work and use of light are superb. Ablett has perfectly captured the movement and f...
Oil
$3,369Sale Price|20% Off
It got dark. Big horizontal interior painting, realism
Located in Oslo, NO
The painting depicts a fragment of an interior. The protagonist is absent, but we can assume that this is his resting place. And he has just left. We see a disassembled bed with a la...
Canvas, Oil
$4,774Sale Price|20% Off
French Coffee Pot - British exh art 1960s floral still life oil painting flowers
By Mary Kent Harrison
Located in Hagley, England
A stunning British RA exhibited still life oil painting by artist Mary Kent Harrison who exhibited throughout her career. This stunning oil is a bold, adventurous and confident still...
Oil
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - Artist House
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas
Canvas, Oil
$5,220
Large White Rose Oil Painting, Contemporary Floral Artwork, France, 2010
Located in AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FR
"Blooming Rose” is an oil painting on Linen canvas created in 2010 by the French artist Françoise de Beaucé. From a private collection. This elegant artwork celebrates the timeless b...
Oil, Canvas, Linen
$1,436Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Huge Signed Photorealist Southwest Cactus Avocado Still Life Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist still life oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed.
Canvas, Oil
Peony Green Pink, 36 H X 48" W Abstract Framed Floral Painting, Shabby Chic
By Irena Orlov
Located in Los Angeles, CA
48 x 36” inches, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas, Framed - Silver Floater Frame, 2017 in Los Angeles FLORAL ART Irena Orlov's floral art collection is oversized, vibrant and guaranteed ...
Acrylic
Abstract Floral Acrylic Painting, Framed 48 H X 36" W Floral Inspiration
By Irena Orlov
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abstract Floral Acrylic Painting, Framed 48 H X 36" W *Acrylic on Stretched Canvas *Frame: Black Float Frame FLORAL ART Irena Orlo...
Acrylic
$3,341Sale Price|20% Off
"Objects on orange tablecloth" Oil cm.40 x 40 2011
By Luisa Albert
Located in Torino, IT
spheres, orange, black, silver Luisa Albert was born in Turin, Italy where she currently lives and works. In 1989 she enrolled at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan and around t...
Oil
Opera Buenos Aires
Located in Greenwich, CT
Tommaso Ottieri (Italian, b. 1971) Born in Naples, Italy, Tommaso Ottieri studied architecture at the University Federico II of Naples and at the Robert Gordon School of Architecture...
Oil, Board
"Spring Floe, " Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Spring Floe" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts yellow flowers gathered in a vase in front of a window revealing a picturesque landscape. ...
Oil, Panel