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.
Night Peonies, Original Painting
By Guigen Zha
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Guigen Zha paints a realistic still life of blooming pink peonies. He places the vibrant flowers in a vase, softly lit by the night sky. "The space cut...
Mixed Media
Homage to a toad - underglaze pencil on ceramic
By Tom Rooth
Located in London, GB
This work was created by Tom Rooth in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales. A colony of toads live under and around his cottage, and in the summer nights (particularly when going to the kiln late at night to close the vent), Tom often encounters them. They have lived there for generations. Production process: Tom makes the ceramic panel, which then dries for a month. After this, he carves it down, and then it goes into the kiln for a 48 hour cycle firing. Tom then draws onto the panel, with underglaze pencils, and then glazes the artwork which goes into the kiln once more, for another 48 hour firing cycle. It is then ready for the frame (the frame dictates the subject-matter). Tom has an expert knowledge of frames - his parents were framers and restorers, and he worked at Christie's as Senior Picture Specialist and Director for 14 years, and prior to this Bonhams, Phillips and Sotheby's. Tom's works are unique, highly decorative, highly original, and will compliment any interior, whether traditional or contemporary. Tom has exhibited at The Treasure House...
Ceramic, Glaze, Pencil
Bee columns, in a water-gilded frame, circa 1870
By Tom Rooth
Located in London, GB
This work was created by Tom Rooth in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales. Production process: Tom makes the ceramic panel, which then dries for a month. After this, he carves it down, and then it goes into the kiln for a 48 hour cycle firing. Tom then draws onto the panel, with underglaze pencils, and then glazes the artwork which goes into the kiln once more, for another 48 hour firing cycle. It is then ready for the frame. Tom has an expert knowledge of frames - his parents were framers and restorers, and he worked at Christie's as Senior Picture Specialist and Director for 14 years. Tom's works are unique, highly decorative, highly original, and will compliment any interior, whether traditional or contemporary. Tom has exhibited at The Treasure House...
Ceramic, Glaze, Pencil
$5,400
Death's head moths under a full-moon, presented in a hand-carved c1880 oak frame
By Tom Rooth
Located in London, GB
'Death's head moths under a full-moon' work was created by Tom Rooth in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales. Production process: Tom makes the ceramic panel, which then dries for a month. After this, he carves it down, and then it goes into the kiln for a 48 hour cycle firing. Tom then draws onto the panel, with underglaze pencils, and then glazes the artwork which goes into the kiln once more, for another 48 hour firing cycle. It is then ready for the frame (the frame dictates the subject-matter). Kintsugi is a 15th-Century practice invented in Japan, and means 'to join with gold'. The practice is a reminder to embrace flaws, and celebrate the missteps of life, recognising that when seemingly catastrophic events happen, beauty and good can still result. Tom has an expert knowledge of frames - his parents were framers and restorers, and he worked at Christie's as Senior Picture Specialist and Director for 14 years, and prior to this Bonhams, Phillips and Sotheby's. Tom's works are unique, highly decorative, highly original, and will compliment any interior, whether traditional or contemporary. Tom has exhibited at The Treasure House...
Ceramic, Glaze, Pencil
"Wisdom of Time"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This portrait reflects the wisdom and resilience of a life lived. The wrinkled facial features and long beard of the hero hint at a connection to the past, and the unfinished brushst...
Mixed Media
"Inner Sanctum"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
With his eyes gently shut and a serene expression, the character appears lost in a realm of self-reflection. The vibrant red fez, bold against the shadowed backdrop, serves as a stri...
Mixed Media
"Whispers of Time"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Blending classical portraiture with expressive texture, this piece conjures an image as if listening to the whispers of the past. Its muted palette and unfinished lines imbue the por...
Mixed Media
White Ensatas, Mixed Media on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting: oil, charcoal, mixed media on Canvas. 12 x 12" With a fresh pallet that is injected bold, beautiful colors, this painting will add a dramatic pop of color to your in...
Mixed Media
Fifth Position Resin Sculpture, Realist, Signed, 1985, 10x9x8 in.
Located in Aventura, FL
Original one of a kind resin sculpture. Initialed and dated "CJF 85" by Carole A Feuerman. Artwork in Excellent Condition. Please do not hesitate to ask us any further questions. ...
Resin
Wild Running Horse Three-Dimensional Painting on Wood 40H X 30" W
By Irena Orlov
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wild Running Horse Three-Dimensional Painting on Wood 40H X 30" W 2019 in Los Angeles Collaborative Artwork - Irena Orlov-Zeev Orlov SPECIFICATIONS: Combines Painting and Sculptur...
Alabaster
$1,353Sale Price|20% Off
"Luzia" - Christiane Klisch - Nude - Acryl on Canvas
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Luzia by Artist Christiane Klisch. Part of a female torso. The female body is only shown in part. Gestures and posture create their own visual language. The choice of color alienat...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,353Sale Price|20% Off
"Fabricia" - Christiane Klisch - Nude - Acryl on Canvas
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Fabricia by Artist Christiane Klisch. Part of a female torso. The female body is only shown in part. Gestures and posture create their own visual language. The choice of color alie...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,353Sale Price|20% Off
"Olivia II" - Christiane Klisch - Nude - Acryl on Canvas
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Olivia II by Artist Christiane Klisch. Part of a female torso. The female body is only shown in part. Gestures and posture create their own visual language. The choice of color ali...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,353Sale Price|20% Off
"Red II" - Christiane Klisch - Nude - Acryl on Canvas
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Red II by Artist Christiane Klisch. Part of a female torso. The female body is only shown in part. Gestures and posture create their own visual language. The choice of color aliena...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,344Sale Price|20% Off
Chroessi Schnell - "Deer in the Seat of Fire" - realistic neo-expressionist
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Chroessi Schnell - "Deer in the Seat of Fire". Eealistic Neoexpressionism. Abstract forrest in fire with deer, from the series "Animal Souls", in which the artist deals with wild a...
Canvas, Acrylic
View of a Busy Street in Dusseldorf, Luigi Kasimir, Slovenia 1881 – 1962 Austria
Located in Knokke, BE
View of a Busy Street in Dusseldorf Kasimir Luigi Ptuj, Slovenia 1881 – 1962 Grinzing, Austria Austro-Hungarian Painter Signature: Signed bottom middle Medium: Coloured drawing Dim...
Paper, Color Pencil
Liana Axinte "SUCCES SALUTE" Nude
Located in Winterswijk, NL
SUCCES SALUTE by Liana Axinte A person is successful. He stands naked on a stage in the world and greets the audience outside with the spotlight with flowers in his right hand. The ...
Ceramic, Glaze
Les Arcs, France, photographic style realist art , original art, affordable art
Located in Deddington, GB
Samantha Gare Les Arcs, France Pen, Marker and Pastel on Mountboard Unframed 51cm x 76cm Landscape, skiing, black and white, mountain, snow, France Please note that insitu images are...
Pastel, Pen, Permanent Marker, Pencil
Miniature Double Diver Bronze Sculpture with Gold Leaf, Realist, 2013
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture with 24K gold leaf caps on granite base. Variant of 48. Artwork in Excellent Condition. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Please do not hesitate to ask us any further questions. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Carole A. Feuerman (American, born 1945) is a Hyper-Realist sculptor. Along with artists like Duane Hanson and John DeAndrea...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Untitled (7)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Brian Novatny is a Brooklyn based artist who creates mystifying and dazzling works of art, often taking unconventional approaches to construction in his ...
Paper, Mixed Media
Magic Realism Figurative Artwork, "The Kiss" by Evgeniya Golik
Located in San Diego, CA
A 32” x 8” x 1.5" Magic Realism Figurative Artwork by artist Evgeniya Golik. This piece is a Mixed-media inkjet print on Canvas. A certificate of authenticity will accompany the piec...
Inkjet, Mixed Media
"Ironman, " Mixed media painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Ironman" is an original, handmade mixed media artwork that depicts the Ironman symbol made entirely of aluminum. Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missou...
Metal
Night Must Fall, original vintage book cover
Located in London, GB
Vivian Bewick Night must fall, original vintage book cover Poster colours 24 x 16 cm Signed to reverse This vibrant work was originally a book cover design for the play 'Night Mus...
India Ink, Color
Montezumas Daughter, original vintage book cover
Located in London, GB
Vivian Bewick Montezumas Daughter, original vintage book cover Wash and gouache 34 x 28 cm This work was originally a book cover design for the historical adventure novel 'Montez...
India Ink, Color
Leopold of Habsburg, original vintage book cover
Located in London, GB
Vivian Bewick Leopold von Habsburg, original vintage book cover India ink and body colour 30 x 26 cm This work was originally a book cover design for the biography on Leopold Habs...
India Ink, Color
"Abel", Surrealist Mixed Media Artwork, Realist Style, Unframed, 2010+
By Cheryl Tall
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an original mixed media artwork by Southern California artist, Cheryl Tall. Its dimensions are 10" x 8" x .75". It is unframed. A certificate of authenticity will follow deli...
Mixed Media
$15,166Sale Price|20% Off
Ponte Sant’Angelo -Christo, Contemporary, 21st Century, Collage, Limited Edition
By Christo
Located in Zug, CH
Ponte Sant’Angelo, Wrapped, Project for Rome - Christo, Contemporary, 21st Century, Collage, Limited Edition Collage on lithograph with acrylic frame Edition of 160 Arab and 90 Roman...
Mixed Media, Lithograph
Stag beetle, presented in an English, 17th Century hand-carved oak frame
By Tom Rooth
Located in London, GB
This work was created by Tom Rooth in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales, where Tom lives, off-grid. Production process: Tom makes the ceramic panel, which then dries for a month. After this, he carves it down, and then it goes into the kiln for a 48 hour cycle firing. Tom then draws onto the panel, with underglaze pencils, and then glazes the artwork which goes into the kiln once more, for another 48 hour firing cycle. It is then ready for the frame (the frame dictates the subject-matter). Tom has an expert knowledge of frames - his parents were framers and restorers, and he worked at Christie's as Senior Picture Specialist and Director for 14 years, and prior to this Bonhams, Phillips and Sotheby's. Tom's works are unique, highly decorative, highly original, and will compliment any interior, whether traditional or contemporary. Tom has exhibited at The Treasure House...
Ceramic, Glaze, Pencil
Central Park, Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper
By Lynne Atwood
Located in Yardley, PA
A couple and their dog are sitting on a park bench in Central Park in NYC The foliage is lush and the reflections in the water are beautiful. I created this piece using ultra fin...
Mixed Media
Portuguese Coast, Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper
By Lynne Atwood
Located in Yardley, PA
A young woman celebrates the beautiful Portuguese seascape. The windswept water and dress gives some atmospheric depth to the piece. I created the painting with ultra fine Sharpie...
Mixed Media
Youth, Mixed Media on Paper
By Nadia NL
Located in Yardley, PA
Acrylic painting on paper, drawing and paper cut Multiple layers of paper with painting, drawing and paper cut A total of 4 layers Medium: Acrylic and graphite Support: Bristol p...
Mixed Media
Stories and Legends
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original mixed media watercolor & colored pencil painting signed by the Artist on lower right corner.
Watercolor, Color Pencil
Awareness
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original painting signed by the Artist lower right.
Oil
Price Upon Request
Red handmade thread glamour portrait, Hollywood-Inspired, by Nemo Jantzen
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in Singapore, SG
* Exclusive Original Artwork : A one-of-a-kind artwork by Nemo Jantzen * Innovative Nail and Thread Technique: Handmade artwork with nails and thread on wood. Each nail is carefully ...
Thread, Wood Panel
Price Upon Request
Passage 23
By Leigh Wen
Located in New York, NY
Earth, air, water, and fire are the center subjects of my art. I live in New York City-it is close to the ocean, and I’ve developed a deep affinity for the sea, which has also evoked...
Canvas, Linen, Paint, Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Silver Moon Light 7
By Leigh Wen
Located in New York, NY
Earth, air, water, and fire are the center subjects of my art. I live in New York City-it is close to the ocean, and I’ve developed a deep affinity for the sea, which has also evoked...
Canvas, Linen, Paint, Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Blue Symphony CP8
By Leigh Wen
Located in New York, NY
Earth, air, water, and fire are the center subjects of my art. I live in New York City-it is close to the ocean, and I’ve developed a deep affinity for the sea, which has also evoked...
Canvas, Linen, Paint, Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Clematis IV
By Leigh Wen
Located in New York, NY
Earth, air, water, and fire are the center subjects of my art. I live in New York City-it is close to the ocean, and I’ve developed a deep affinity for the sea, which has also evoked...
Canvas, Linen, Cotton Canvas, Oil
Price Upon Request
Splendid
By Leigh Wen
Located in New York, NY
Earth, air, water, and fire are the center subjects of my art. I live in New York City-it is close to the ocean, and I’ve developed a deep affinity for the sea, which has also evoked...
Canvas, Linen, Paint, Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Taiwanese Lady Slipper 1
By Leigh Wen
Located in New York, NY
Earth, air, water, and fire are the center subjects of my art. I live in New York City-it is close to the ocean, and I’ve developed a deep affinity for the sea, which has also evoked...
Canvas, Linen, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Amaryllis II
By Leigh Wen
Located in New York, NY
Earth, air, water, and fire are the center subjects of my art. I live in New York City-it is close to the ocean, and I’ve developed a deep affinity for the sea, which has also evoked...
Linen, Paint, Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Night Train
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Glass spheres on wood Unique glass spheres are arranged to create a dynamic portrait of a young woman. The glass spheres contain imagery of astronauts and space-related media, crea...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Plywood, Color
Price Upon Request
Doodle This
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Glass spheres on wood Unique glass spheres are arranged to create a dynamic portrait of a young woman. The glass spheres create a multi-layered composition. Nemo’s hyper-realist ...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Plywood, Color
Price Upon Request
Non-Fungible
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Glass spheres on wood Unique glass spheres are arranged to create a dynamic portrait of a young woman. The glass spheres contain imagery to create a multi-layered composition. Ne...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Plywood, Color
Price Upon Request
Pulp Fiction
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Glass spheres on wood Unique glass spheres are arranged to create a dynamic portrait of a young woman. The glass spheres contain imagery to create a multi-layered composition. Ne...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Plywood, Color
Price Upon Request
Vogue
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Glass spheres on wood Unique glass spheres are arranged to create a dynamic portrait of a young woman. The glass spheres contain imagery of astronauts and space-related media, crea...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Plywood, Color
Price Upon Request
Hello
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Glass spheres on wood Unique glass spheres are arranged to create a dynamic portrait of a young woman. The glass spheres contain imagery to create a multi-layered composition. Ne...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Plywood, Color
Price Upon Request
BOOM
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Glass spheres on wood Unique glass spheres are arranged to create a dynamic portrait of a young woman. The glass spheres contain imagery to create a multi-layered composition. Ne...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Plywood, Color
Price Upon Request
Blue Blood II
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Nails & Thread on wood, Comes in plexiglass box Thread is expertly wrapped around embedded nails to create a beautiful portrait of a woman. The medium of thread necessitates the use...
Thread, Plexiglass, Wood, Plywood
Price Upon Request
Space Odyssey
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Glass spheres on wood Unique glass spheres are arranged to create a dynamic portrait of a young woman. The glass spheres contain imagery of astronauts and space-related media, crea...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Plywood, Color
Price Upon Request
Blue Blood
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Nails & Thread on wood, Comes in plexiglass box Thread is expertly wrapped around embedded nails to create a beautiful portrait of a woman. The medium of thread necessitates the use...
Thread, Plexiglass, Wood, Plywood
Price Upon Request
Like A Star
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in New York, NY
Nails & Thread on wood, Comes in plexiglass box Thread is expertly wrapped around embedded nails to create a beautiful portrait of a woman. The medium of thread necessitates the use...
Thread, Plexiglass, Wood, Plywood