Nude Paintings
Mid-20th Century Nude Paintings
Oil
1940s Realist Nude Paintings
Canvas
1950s Impressionist Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1920s Expressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
1950s Post-Impressionist Nude Paintings
Paper, Gouache, Foam Board, Graphite
20th Century Contemporary Nude Paintings
Paint, Mixed Media, Board
20th Century Abstract Nude Paintings
Watercolor, Paper
1980s Nude Paintings
Spray Paint
1950s Post-Impressionist Nude Paintings
Paper, Oil
20th Century Abstract Nude Paintings
Crayon, Watercolor
1980s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
20th Century Nude Paintings
Oil
1970s Modern Nude Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1990s American Modern Nude Paintings
Conté, Acrylic, Rag Paper
20th Century Modern Nude Paintings
Oil, Board
1990s Modern Nude Paintings
Paper, Ink, Pen
1980s Realist Nude Paintings
Egg Tempera, Wood, Tempera, Board
1970s Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
1970s Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
1970s Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
1970s Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
20th Century Post-Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil, Board
20th Century Abstract Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil Pastel
1960s Abstract Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Nude Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1990s Surrealist Nude Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1970s Cubist Nude Paintings
Varnish, Casein
1970s American Modern Nude Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
20th Century Nude Paintings
Oil
1980s American Modern Nude Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil
1950s Expressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
20th Century Abstract Nude Paintings
Acrylic
1990s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Wood, Oil
Mid-20th Century Nude Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Nude Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
20th Century Nude Paintings
Oil
1960s Abstract Expressionist Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Nude Paintings
Charcoal, Pencil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Nude Paintings
Charcoal, Ink
1960s Modern Nude Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Nude Paintings
Oil, Board
20th Century Contemporary Nude Paintings
Wood, Paint, Mixed Media
1930s Modern Nude Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
1970s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
1950s American Modern Nude Paintings
Oil
1960s Nude Paintings
Oil
1930s Modern Nude Paintings
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Watercolor
1940s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Masonite
1970s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1990s Abstract Nude Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Modern Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1970s Modern Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Modern Nude Paintings
Oil, Board
1970s American Modern Nude Paintings
Watercolor
1950s Post-Impressionist Nude Paintings
Charcoal, Paper
Shop Antique and Vintage Nude Paintings
Today, antique and vintage nude paintings are popular works of art to consider when decorating your home.
The nude as an artist’s subject gained prominence in ancient Greece, wherein male nudes were rendered equivalent to power and victory owing to the Greeks’ celebration of men in athletic events as well as in the worship of the gods who populate Greek mythology. Nude sculptures in Greece positioned men as warriors — strong, moral and fearless. The naked female figures featured in prehistoric art and the art of ancient civilizations, on the other hand, were symbols of fertility and procreation.
Italian painters of the 1400s looked to the magnificent nude sculptures of Greek and Roman art for inspiration. By the end of the century, drawing of undressed models was part of the common practice for these artists. When Christianity had spread through Europe, however, Christians condemned Renaissance nude paintings — most of which are considered famous nude paintings today — because they were erotic, exploring, in some cases, same-sex relationships as well as women’s sexual power. Censorship was the order of the day, except for religious-themed works, such as 1526’s iconic Adam and Eve, an oil painting made by German Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder, one of more than 50 works made in his workshop based on the biblical story. Tuscan painter Daniele da Volterra was famously hired to paint fig leaves over the most exposed figures of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. While freedom of expression for artists has expanded significantly since then, prudish censorship persists when it comes to Renaissance nudity.
On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of authentic antique and vintage nude paintings, from works focused on the reliably reclining figures of Impressionist-style art to oil paintings created by contemporary artists who often work to reject the idealized human forms and unrealistic depictions of female nudes that preceded them. Additionally, find a primer on 1stDibs on how to arrange wall art as well as tips on creating salon-style gallery walls for presenting the wonderfully provocative nude paintings you’ve decided to bring into your home.