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.
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow With Horns Facing Away
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow With Horns Resting on The Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of A Bull Lying Down
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow Posed Lying On The Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
Hoppoe bird Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
390 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2024 Style: Classic Art Title: Hoopoe Size: 12 x 16 inch, ...
Paper, Watercolor
Eagle, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
213 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art Title: Eagle Size: 12 x 16 inch, (...
Paper, Watercolor
Quail Bird Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
457 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Quail Size: 12 x 16 inch, ...
Paper, Watercolor
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Portrait of a Detailed Cow's Face
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of Small White Sheep Lying Down
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow Stood Face On Portrait
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Bull Resting On The Ground
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$920Sale Price|20% Off
Antique English Watercolor - Countryside Landscape with Cows
Located in Soquel, CA
Antique English Watercolor - Countryside Landscape with Cows Miniature landscape with two cows in the foreground, signed "J.M. Myall 1910." One cow sits on the ground of a rolling h...
Paper, Watercolor
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow Side Profile and Face Sketch
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Two Sketches of Still Cows In Field
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketches of Different Posed Cows
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
Marx. Dog. Dachshund. Animals. Dogs. small. Black. White.
Located in Oslo, NO
This small but elegant work is a black-and-white portrait of a dog. It is painted using the signature technique of oil on photographic paper (reverse side). Thick, plasticized photog...
Paper, Oil
Chickadee Bird Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2026 Style: Classic Art Title: Chickadee Size: 12 x 16 inch, (...
Paper, Watercolor
Bison Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Bison Size: 12 x 16 inch, (30x4...
Paper, Watercolor
Dog Portrait Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2026 Style: Classic Art Title: Dog Portrait Size: 12 x 16 inch...
Paper, Watercolor
Baby Puma Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2026 Style: Classic Art Title: Baby Puma Size: 12 x 16 inch, (...
Paper, Watercolor
Bison Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Bison Size: 12 x 16 inch, (30x4...
Paper, Watercolor
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow Posed Lying On The Ground
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
Elevate, Jumping Horse Drawing, Charcoal on Fabriano paper, white frame
Located in Dallas, TX
"Elevate" is a beautiful and unique charcoal drawing on paper of a dynamic horse jumping in mid-air. The composition is contemporary, playing with the positive and negative space. Th...
Charcoal, Archival Paper, Graphite
Buffalo, Animal, Watercolor Art Handmade Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
8 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper, Year: 2022 Style: Realism, Subject: Buffalo, Size: 12 x 16 inc...
Paper, Watercolor
$151
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Two Cow's Facing Away Lying On The Ground
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
Cat Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
466 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Cat Size: 12 x 16 inch, (30...
Paper, Watercolor
Reddish cat Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Reddish Cat Size: 12 x 16 inch, ...
Paper, Watercolor
Buffalo Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Buffalo Size: 12 x 16 inch, (30...
Paper, Watercolor
Cat and Butterfly Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2026 Style: Classic Art Title: Cat and Butterfly Size: 9 x 12 ...
Paper, Watercolor
Wren, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
161 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art Title: Wren Size: 12 x 16 inch, (3...
Paper, Watercolor
Robin, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
114 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper, Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art, Subject: Robin, Size: 12 x 16 ...
Paper, Watercolor
British Chalk Pencil Sketches of a Different Sheep Profile
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Large Cow Munching on Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow with Horns Side Profile
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Half Drawn Sketch of a Cow Munching Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketches of a Different Cows in Profiles In Field
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Portrait of a Cow's Face
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Cow With Horns Munching on the Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketches of Two Sheep Standing and Lying on the Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketches of Cows and Calfs in Field
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
Fox Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
427 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Fox Size: 12 x 16 inch, (30...
Paper, Watercolor
'Siamese Cats', Feline Portrait, Embroidery artist, Shorebird Studio, Watercolor
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
'Siamese Cats', Feline Portrait, Embroidery artist, Shorebird Studio, Watercolor Signed lower right, 'Kathryn Molineux' (American, 20th century) and painted circa 1995. Additionally...
Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper
$650
White Fronts Along the Coast (White Fronted Geese, Ireland Landscape)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Robert W. Milliken (Irish, 1920-2014). White Fronts Along the Coast, ca. 1960. Watercolor on paper, image measures 14.5 x 19.5 inches; 21.5 x 26.5 inches framed. Signed lower right. ...
Watercolor
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch Of A Cow's Body With White Features
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Sheep Resting in The Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
Blue-tail, Bird, Watercolor on Paper, Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
301 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2024 Style: Classic Art Title: Blue-tail Size: 12 x 16 inch...
Paper, Watercolor
Peacock Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
360 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2024 Style: Classic Art Title: Peacock Size: 12 x 16 inch, ...
Paper, Watercolor
Mid Century Horse in Winter Landscape
By William Ernest Smyth
Located in Soquel, CA
Charming mid century watercolor painting of a horse in winter with a barn in the background by Ernest Smythe (American/England 1881-1950). Signed "ERNEST SMYTHE" in lower left corner. Presented in a tan mat with a wood frame and glass. Image size: 25"H x 19.75"W As William Ernest Smyth, he was born at 13 Commercial Road, Ipswich on 9 April 1874 but was not baptised at St Michael's, Ipswich until 23 October 1885, when his birth date is given as 17 February 1874, youngest son of artist Thomas Smythe...
Watercolor, Illustration Board
Great Tit, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
106 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper, Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art, Subject: Great Tit, Size: 12 x...
Paper, Watercolor
Chickadee, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
55 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper, Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art, Subject: Chickadee, Size: 12 x ...
Paper, Watercolor
Wolf Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
433 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Wolf Size: 12 x 16 inch, (3...
Paper, Watercolor
$546Sale Price|20% Off
Sunny Day. Cats. Cat. Animals. Watercolor. Blue. Small. Sunny. Light. Paper.
Located in Oslo, NO
This bright, light watercolor is painted in one breath. Two cats are lying on a blue background, one of them is lazily squinting at the sun. The work is filled with sunlight and a fe...
Paper, Watercolor
Robin, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
133 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper, Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art, Title: Robin, Size: 12 x 16 in...
Paper, Watercolor
Fairy Wren, bird, Watercolor Art Handmade Painting
Located in Granada Hills, CA
5 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper, Year: 2022 Style: Realism, Subject: Fairy Wren, Size: 12 x 16 ...
Paper, Watercolor
Single Feather
Located in Burlingame, CA
From her studio in Carmel by the Sea, Manchester draws inspiration from flight and the poetry of the natural world. Her recent Conté and pastel drawings, “Singular Feather,” is portr...
Conté, Pastel, Graphite
Fairy Wren Bird Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
420 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Fairy Wren Size: 12 x 16 inc...
Paper, Watercolor
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of Horse Tacked Up From Behind
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite
Robin Bird Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
404 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Robin Size: 12 x 16 inch, (...
Paper, Watercolor
Bison Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
382 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2024 Style: Classic Art Title: Bison Size: 12 x 16 inch, (...
Paper, Watercolor
$109Sale Price|20% Off
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of Small Sheep Laying in the Grass
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
John Rabone Harvey ( 1966 - 1922) graphic and chalk deep green artist paper , unframed artist paper : 5.5 x 7 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Ha...
Chalk, Graphite