Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
ACADEMIC STYLE
During the Renaissance, the first European fine art academies were established in Italy and would guide the style and standards of visual culture in the following centuries. Academic art became dominant across the continent in the 17th century, with artists coming together to offer instruction in this style of painting and sculpture.
The academic art period represented a significant change from the previous era when painters, sculptors and other artists were part of guilds and seen more as artisans than purveyors of culture. While patronage from the elite and the church remained pivotal, young artists were able to support themselves for the first time through academic exhibitions and an independent marketplace. The leading academies included the French Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture founded in Paris in 1648 (which became the Académie des Beaux-Arts after the French Revolution) and the London Royal Academy of Arts formed in 1768 under the inaugural leadership of painter Joshua Reynolds.
Academy students sketched drawings based on prints, sculptures and, finally, live models. Movements including neoclassicism and romanticism were particularly popular in these art schools and institutions where the influence of Raphael and Nicolas Poussin was prominent. Beaux Arts architecture and furniture design drew on these movements, too, and, as they also originated at the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the disciplines share common ground with academic painting and sculpture.
Although academic art was a major shift for artistic status when it began, by the middle of the 19th century it was viewed as stodgy and resistant to new ideas, with the subject matter of artists such as William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Jean-Léon Gérôme generally limited to allegorical or mythological themes. Impressionism, realism and the other movements that engaged with contemporary issues that followed were direct reactions to the academic tradition, although it continued to inform the avant-garde as artists like Gustav Klimt and Pablo Picasso started their practices as academic realists.
Find a collection of academic paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Academic
Leopold Morsing, Portrait Study Of A Woman
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This early 20th-century drawing by Swedish artist Leopold Morsing (1887-1971) depicts a model with head turned.
As a young man, Morsing was thrust into an ever-advancing art scene w...
Category
Early 1900s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
Academic drawing of classical bust sculpture. 19th century
Located in Firenze, IT
This 19th century Italian drawing of classical bust sculpture in plaster showcases expert chiaroscuro modeling in black and brown charcoal on paper.
Technique: black and brown charc...
Category
Mid-19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
French academic drawing Pencil portrait man bust 19th
Located in PARIS, FR
Charles Louis MULLER
Paris, 1815 – Paris, 1892
Dessin au crayon
50 x 38 cm
Signé en bas à droite « Ch. L. Müller »
Category
19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil
French school Drawing 18th Portrait Ténor SAINT AUBIN three chalks Paris Opéra
Located in PARIS, FR
French school of the 18th century
Three pencils (pencil, red chalk, white chalk) on paper
27 x 18 cm (45 x 34 cm with frame)
Inscription at bottom “Saint-Aubin de l’Académie de musique”
Dated "1785"
Augustin d'Herbez known as "Saint-Aubin" was a tenor and member of the Royal Academy of Music...
Category
1780s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil, Paper, Chalk
Portrait of woman
Located in PARIS, FR
French School of the 18th century
Woman portrait
Pastel on paper mounted on canvas
Pastel: 46.5 x 63 cm (18.3 x 24.8 inches)
Frame: 57 x 71 cm (22.4 x 28 inches)
Very good condition
...
Category
1770s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Woman smoking pencil drawing
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Frame size 74x61 cm.
Category
1950s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Young boy with carafe by Heinrich Rettig - Watercolor on paper 60x76 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Watercolor on paper sold with frame
Total size with frame 73x89 cm
Heinrich RETTIG is an artist born in Germany in 1859 and died in 1921. His works have been sold at public auction ...
Category
Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
French School circa 1880, Portrait of a boy holding a book, drawing
Located in Paris, FR
French school circa 1880
Portrait of a boy holding a book
graphite and white gouache on paper
39.5 x 32 cm oval view
in good condition, slightly yellowed with age
In its original ova...
Category
1880s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache, Pencil
Study of Christ, hands crossed, three pencils on blue paper
Located in PARIS, FR
Victor François Éloi BIENNOURRY (1823-1893)
Study of Christ, hands crossed
Three pencils on blue paper
Signed "V. Biennourry" and located in "Paris" at the top right
10 x 8,5 inch
Fr...
Category
Mid-19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pencil, Color Pencil
Study of a saint, circa 1875-79, Preparatory drawing
Located in PARIS, FR
Melchior DOZE (1827-1913)
Study of a saint, ca. 1875-79
Preparatory drawing for the decoration of the church of Saint-Félix de Saint-Gervasy (Gard), chapel of the Cross (south side...
Category
1870s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk, Paper, Graphite
Academic study of male Nude. Two -sided. Sketches on reverce. 19th century
Located in Firenze, IT
19th century Italian school drawing. Academic study of the figure of the young naked man.
Drawing made from two sides of the sheet of paper
On the other side two feet and an arm are ...
Category
19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Chalk, Crayon, Pencil, Carbon Pencil
Studious Girl Reading a Book - Women's Education - Female Illustrator
Located in Miami, FL
The work represents a carefully rendered and meticulously observed environmental portrait of a young girl absorbed in study in front of a book case. It celebrates the intelligence o...
Category
1910s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Chalk, Charcoal
Procession Four girls with flowers - English Female Illustrator
Located in Miami, FL
Four young English girls with flowers are shown in a line and moving from left to right. They are pushed forward on the picture plane as if they were on a stage with a simple indica...
Category
1890s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
“Indian Prince with Rose”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original gouache and watercolor on archival paper of an Indian prince holding a pink rose. The pink rose signifies love and appreciation. No visible signature. Artist unknown. The ...
Category
Late 20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper
Street Costumes, Gay Nineties Fashion - Female Illustrator
Located in Miami, FL
Street Costumes by Ruth Kreps.
Signed lower right.
Most likely for a book published in the 1930's about turn of the century women's fashion. "Costume Design of the Gay Nineties" T...
Category
1930s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Board, Ink
Luke
Located in MADRID, ES
In this portrait of a young man I wanted to show feelings of boredom and frustration held in check. Created with pastel pencils on recycled kraft paper.
Category
2010s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Luisina
Located in MADRID, ES
The curved figure and shadow created an unusual composition in this drawing, inspired by model Luisina. Created with pastel pencils on recycled kraft paper.
Category
2010s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Olga
Located in MADRID, ES
I wanted to capture the fierce gaze of the young woman in this portrait. Created with colour pencil on recycled kraft paper.
Category
2010s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Color Pencil
Harriet
Located in MADRID, ES
I wanted to capture the fierce gaze of the young woman in this portrait. Created with colour pencil on recycled kraft paper.
Category
2010s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Color Pencil
Miss Twisty: Back to the City - Mid-Century Female Illustrator
Located in Miami, FL
Miss Twisty is a story of a young girl who leaves the big city to spend time in the country. The book is filled with insight and humor. This work is a deftly rendered black-and-wh...
Category
1940s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Graphite, Paper
Vogue Magazine Illustration Turn of the Century - Woman Illustrator
By Helen Dryden
Located in Miami, FL
Early in the artist's career most likely for Vogue Magazine. Signed lower left. Helen Dryden (1882–1972) was an American artist and successful industrial designer in the 1920s and 1...
Category
1910s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Graphite, Gouache, India Ink
Stipple Drawing in Black and White of the First Lady of Haiti - African American
Located in Miami, FL
1942 Calendar illustration featuring the First Lady of Haiti (Madame Elie Lescot]) rendered in a precise stipple effect and celebrating African-American women which was titled "Twelve American Women." It was executed during the hight of World War II. Lois Mailou Jones...
Category
1940s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Ink
Louis Marie René Choprix, Girl With Doll, Pastel
By Louis Marie René Choprix
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This charming mid-20th-century portrait by Belgian artist René Choprix (1888-1972) depicts a girl with a doll. It’s a sensitive portrayal and it’s probably his granddaughter.
Chopri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Paper
Julius Mante (Attributed), Portrait Of A Lady, Drawing
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An enigmatic charcoal portrait of a middle-aged lady attributed to German artist Julius Mante (1841-1907). The artist has captured an expression that's deliberately tricky to deciphe...
Category
19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal, Paper
Portrait pour Torca by Alexandre Blanchet - Charcoal on paper 44x58 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Charcoal on paper without frame
Category
1950s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal
Portrait of a man by Hans Berger - Drawing 38x51 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper without frame
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil
Young woman lying on the sofa
Located in Genève, GE
Stamp of the workshop lower right
Work on paper
Golden wood frame with glass pane
35.5 x 41 x 3.5 cm
Category
Mid-20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Half-lying young woman
Located in Genève, GE
Stamp of the workshop lower right
Work on paper
Golden wood frame with glass pane
35.5 x 41 x 3.5 cm
Category
Mid-20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
20th Century drawing of William Docker Drysdale by Gilbert Spencer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Gilbert Spencer RA, RWS, NEAC (British, 1892-1959)
Portrait of William Dockar Drysdale
pencil
Signed and dated `Gilbert Spencer/ 1949’ (lower right)
15...
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Paper
Drawing of Putti with Anchor by Jean-Jacques le Barbier l'Ainé (1738-1826)
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Drawing of Putti with Anchor
Jean-Jacques le Barbier l'Ainé (1738-1826)
Black pencil on paper
Signed and dated lower left "...1822. 12 years l waiting"
Considering that the anchor ...
Category
1820s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pencil
Drawing of Putti in the Clouds by Jean-Jacques le Barbier l'Ainé (1738-1826)
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Drawing of Putti in the Clouds
Jean-Jacques le Barbier l'Ainé (France, 1738-1826)
Black pencil on paper
Signed and dated lower left "Le Barbier L'ainé 1816"
10 1/4 x 12 1/4 inches ...
Category
1810s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Paper
Sir Stanley Spencer 'Portrait of Hilda, Stanley's wife', 1924, drawing
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Sir Stanley Spencer, CBE RA (British, 1891 – 1959)
A Portrait of Hilda, the artist’s wife
Pencil on paper
Signed and dated ‘Stanley spencer 1924’ (lower right)
8 x 9.3/4 in. (20.3 x ...
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Paper
Cowgirl
By Henri Fehr
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal, Crayon
Sexy Gag Cartoon E. Simms Campbell first African American Cartoonist - Black Art
Located in Miami, FL
Elmer Simms Campbell was a brilliant illustrator and cartoon artist and was also the first African American cartoonist to be nationally syndicated in major newsstand magazines such a...
Category
1940s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Board, Casein
Persephone, 19th Century Classical French Academy Drawing
Located in Cotignac, FR
19th Century French Academy drawing of a classical maiden, signed Xavier Rendeley bottom right, numbered and dated 2nd April 1883. Presented in ...
Category
1880s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Chalk, Pencil
Landscape by Henri Fehr - Drawing 20x30 cm
By Henri Fehr
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Mrs John Torcapel by Alexandre Blanchet - Sketch 35x47 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Total dimension with the passe-partout: 63 x 48 cm
Category
Mid-20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
In evening dress by Henri Fehr - Sketch 50x70 cm
By Henri Fehr
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Sketch of woman by Stephanie Guerzoni - Drawing 31x48 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper with a white wooden frame and glass. The total size with frame is 45,5 x 54,5 cm
Stéphanie Guerzoni is a Swiss and Italian painter born April 15, 1887 in Vienna (Aust...
Category
Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Portrait of a man by Hans Berger - Drawing 38x50 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon, Engraving
Study of a young girl by Henri Fehr - Drawing 50x70 cm
By Henri Fehr
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
"In surprise" by Henri Fehr - Drawing 36x27 cm
By Henri Fehr
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon, Charcoal
Young woman sitting
By Henri Fehr
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Sketch woman portrait by Stephanie Guerzoni - Sketch on paper 26x37 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Portrait of a lady by Stephanie Guerzoni - Pastel on paper 38x51 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper sold with frame (white wooden frame with glass). The total size with frame is 46,5 x 56,5 cm
Stéphanie Guerzoni is a Swiss and Italian painter born April 15, 1887 in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Crayon
Young woman Drawing on paper 23x32 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Monogram L.T.C.
Category
Mid-20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal, Pastel
"Dressing" by Otto Vautier - Pencil on paper 19x12 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Stamp of the workshop of O. Vautier
Dimension of the "passe partout" frame 52.5 x 38 cm
Category
1910s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Portrait of John Torcapel by Alexandre Blanchet - Pastel on paper 27x35 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Portrait of a woman by Stefanie Guerzoni - Charcoal on paper 50x65 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal
Sketch of man in suit by Otto Vautier - Drawing on paper 12x20 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Stamp of the workshop of O. Vautier
Dimension of the passe-partout framing 52.5 x 38 cm
Category
Early 19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Dancer by Henri Fehr - Drawing 50x35 cm
By Henri Fehr
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper
Category
20th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon
Louis Charles Auguste Couder (1789-1873) Portrait of a young man, signed pastel
Located in Paris, FR
Louis Charles Auguste Couder (1789-1873)
Portrait of a young man
signed on the right border
Pastel on paper
28.5 x 21 cm
In good condition
In a modern frame : 48 x 40.5 cm
Augu...
Category
1860s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Art Lovers and Art Critics Analyzing Obscene Painting. Cartoon
Located in Miami, FL
Cartoonist Richard Taylor was trained in academic art. He frequently comments on abstract art which was the new and radical thing at the time. "Curtis sees so much more in these thi...
Category
1940s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Board
Portrait d’une Jeune Femme by Alexei Harlamoff
Located in New Orleans, LA
Alexei Alexeievich Harlamoff
1840-1925 Russian
Portrait d'une Jeune Femme
Signed “Harlamoff” (lower right)
Charcoal on paper
One of Russia's most important portrait painters, Alexei Harlamoff...
Category
Late 19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal, Paper
Edouard Detaille (1848 1912), A Carnival character, original signed Drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Edouard Detaille (1848-1912)
A Carnival character and a Zouave
19.5 x 12.5 cm
Pen and ink on paper
Signed lower left with the initials (faded)
In a modern framing : 35 x 28 cm
T...
Category
1880s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
Self Portrait, Graphite Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
Elizabeth Zanzinger's (US based) "Self Portrait" is a graphite drawing that depicts the artist.
Elizabeth Zanzinger is an award-winning painter with an enthusiastic international following. She developed her artistic voice through her studies at the Aristides Atelier and Gage Academy of Fine Art in Seattle. Elizabeth finished her education with a fellowship award (Grand Prize, 2nd Annual Utrecht Art...
Category
2010s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Graphite
Fernand de Launay (1855-1904) Portrait of a child, 1890, original drawing
By Fernand de Launay
Located in Paris, FR
Fernand de Launay (1838-1904)
Portrait of a child, probably the daughter of the artist
Lead pencil on paper
Signed and dated "4 septembre 1890" on the lower left
27 x 21 cm
In quite ...
Category
1890s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil
"Self Portrait Conte Sketch" rare Ben Fenske work on paper - academic study
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A colorful self-portrait from Ben Fenske, staring at the viewer straight-on. Hues of red dominate.
Unframed.
Ben Fenske (b. 1978) although a native of Minnesota, and has been worki...
Category
Early 2000s Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Conté
Academic portrait drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Academic portrait drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Ben Fenske, Jean Baptiste Édouard Detaille, Adele Grasset, and Elizabeth Zanzinger. Frequently made by artists working with Crayon, and Pencil and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Academic portrait drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 2.56 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait drawings and watercolors made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $125 and tops out at $17,000, while the average work sells for $613.
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