Figurative Paintings
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
1980s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1950s Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Figurative Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Archival Paper
1940s Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Oil
Early 19th Century English School Figurative Paintings
Oil
1630s Flemish School Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Ink, Watercolor
Early 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel
20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Early 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Cubist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Linen, Oil, Panel
Early 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Newsprint
20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1850s Academic Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
19th Century French School Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Late 20th Century Feminist Figurative Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Ink, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Archival Paper
1840s Barbizon School Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Realist Figurative Paintings
Linen, Oil, Panel
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Newsprint, Oil Pastel
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
17th Century Baroque Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 1900s Tonalist Figurative Paintings
Glue, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Pastel
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Post-Modern Figurative Paintings
Acrylic, Permanent Marker
Late 20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen
1920s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Laid Paper
Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Paintings
Gouache
16th Century Mannerist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
1940s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Gold Leaf
2010s Abstract Figurative Paintings
Clay, Acrylic
Early 20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Board
Early 20th Century Italian School Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Illustration Board
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper
1910s Tonalist Figurative Paintings
Glue, Mixed Media, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic
Figurative Paintings for Sale
Figurative art, as opposed to abstract art, retains features from the observable world in its representational depictions of subject matter. Most commonly, figurative paintings reference and explore the human body, but they can also include landscapes, architecture, plants and animals — all portrayed with realism.
While the oldest figurative art dates back tens of thousands of years to cave wall paintings, figurative works made from observation became especially prominent in the early Renaissance. Artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and other Renaissance masters created naturalistic representations of their subjects.
Pablo Picasso is lauded for laying the foundation for modern figurative art in the 1920s. Although abstracted, this work held a strong connection to representing people and other subjects. Other famous figurative artists include Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. Figurative art in the 20th century would span such diverse genres as Expressionism, Pop art and Surrealism.
Today, a number of figural artists — such as Sedrick Huckaby, Daisy Patton and Eileen Cooper — are making art that uses the human body as its subject.
Because figurative art represents subjects from the real world, natural colors are common in these paintings. A piece of figurative art can be an exciting starting point for setting a tone and creating a color palette in a room.
Browse an extensive collection of figurative paintings on 1stDibs.