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Realist Prints and Multiples

REALIST STYLE

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.

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Style: Realist
Period: 1940s
FHK Henrion 1940s Where Coal Comes From original poster for the Ministry of Fuel
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the poster you want. We have a whole series referring to environmental issues on the theme of "Waste not want not" and caring for the environment and recycling. FHK Henrion (1914 - 1990) Where Coal Comes From (circa 1945) Original vintage poster 51 x 76 cm Signed in plate. Issued by the Ministry of Fuel and Power; printed for HM Stationery Office by Field Sons & Co Ltd, Bradford. We have been unable to identify any other copy of this poster by this renowned designer in any public collection - it is possibly the only remaining copy. A Ministry of Fuel poster...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

European Home
Located in Raleigh, NC
Excellent condition and nicely framed
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

1940s Lithograph of Pin Up Girl -- "The Enchantress" - Gift
Located in Soquel, CA
Wonderful example of iconic Pin Up girls of early 20th Century titled "The Enchantress" by famed Pin Up artist Rolf Armstrong (American, 1889-1960) Circa 1...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Ink, Lithograph, Paper

Dig for Victory over Want - World War II public information poster leaflet
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you ca...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

DUNE ROAD OGUNQUIT, MAINE
Located in Santa Monica, CA
STOW WENGENROTH (1906 – 1978) DUNE ROAD OGUNQUIT, MAINE 1949 (Stuckey 186) Lithograpn signed and numbered in pencil, edition 40. Image 5 7/8 x 10 1/8 inched, sheet 12 x 16. Large sh...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 coal saving poster ‘Save Fuel in the Living Room' by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a me...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 coal saving poster ‘Save Fuel at the Sink' by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a me...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 coal saving poster 'Save Fuel when Cooking' by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from ...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 coal saving poster ‘Save Fuel at Breakfast Time' by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from ...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

FHK Henrion 1940s What Comes from Coal original poster for HMSO Ministry of Fuel
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the poster you want. We have a whole series referring to environmental issues on the theme of "Waste not want not" and caring for the environment and recycling. FHK Henrion (1914 - 1990) What Comes from Coal (circa 1945) Original vintage poster 51 x 76 cm Signed in plate. Issued by the Ministry of Fuel and Power; printed for HM Stationery Office by Field Sons & Co Ltd, Bradford. We have been unable to identify any other copy of this poster by this renowned designer in any public collection - it is possibly the only remaining copy. A Ministry of Fuel poster...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 coal saving poster ‘Save Fuel at Tea Time' by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from ...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 coal saving poster 'What Mrs Housewife Can Learn' by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a me...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 coal saving poster 'Save Fuel on Bath Night' by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a me...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 D-Day 'They Need All the Fuel You Can Save' poster by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a me...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 coal saving poster 'Save Fuel when Ironing' by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from ...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War 2 ‘Mild Weather is Your Chance to Save Fuel' poster by Beverley Pick
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information and propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from ...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Aaron, American Social Realist Lithograph
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Thomas Hart Benton (American 1889 - 1975) Title: Aaron Medium: Hand Signed Lithograph Year of Work: 1941 Edition Size: 250 Dimensions: 12.9" x 9.5" unframed, 20" x 16" Framed In this Iconic portrait of "Aaron" Benton depicts an elderly farmer with tattered clothes, seemingly deep in thought. He is set in a neutral background where the subject’s face reveals the wear and tear of the agrestic lifestyle. Much like most of Benton's work, this portrait captures the true feeling of the American social...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

WESTERN PEAKS
Located in Santa Monica, CA
HAROLD LUKENS DOOLITTLE (1873 - 1974) WESTERN PEAKS c. 1945 Aquatint signed and titled in pencil. 6 3/4 x 8 7/8 sheet 9 5/8 x 12 3/4. Good condition save for just a hint of darkening within the window and small bits if tape on the sheet edge verso. Doolittle was a renaissance man. His day job was as an engineer for the Edison Electric Co. But he produced an outstanding body of prints for 5 decades as well as photographs. His very rare arts and crafts furniture is highly sought after. He was a long time member and officer in the California Print...
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1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Aquatint

DUELO (Duel)
Located in Santa Monica, CA
FRANCISCO MORA (1922 - 2002) DUELO (Duel) c. 1945 Lithograph signed in pencil. Published by the TGP Taller de Grafica Popular. Label on verso. 9 5/8 x...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Kerry Lee 'Cambridge' Original Vintage Poster pictorial map University
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage travel posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the poster you want. Kerry Lee (1903-1988) Cambridge pictorial poster map Image size: 45x58cm Original lithographic poster Published by Pictorial Maps Limited, Kerry Lee's own company The first edition of this map was 1947; this is a later edition showing as it does Fitzwilliam College in its new location on the Huntingdon Road where it moved in 1963, but still referring to it as Fitzwilliam House - it became a college in 1966. Well known as a creator of pictorial maps of British cities from the mid 20th century, he generally draws a self-portrait in the bottom corner by his signature - as here, where he is seen (mustachioed and bearded, and clad in a green tunic) with his ever-faithful dog Jim. Educated at Reading Schools of Arts and Science, the Slade and the Sorbonne in Paris, he subsequently assisted his step-father, an architect named Mr Harvey, as draftsman. Following the Depression Lee set up 'Associated Artists' at Blandford Studios off Baker Street, with a group of other commercial artists. During World War 2 he was based in Hertfordshire creating detailed cut-away drawings of German aircraft, and after the war - still at Blandford Studios - published a series of pictorial maps, both those as Travel Posters for British Railways and also his own publications. Here he presents a stylised view of Norwich as an architectural...
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1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Original WW2 Ambulance First Aid Civil Defence Poster UK Propaganda for HMSO
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you ca...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

'Psychopathic Ward' — American Socially-Conscious Realism, 1940s
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Robert Riggs, 'Psychopathic Ward', 2-color lithograph, c. 1940, edition c. 50, Beall 60, Bassham 78. Signed, titled, and numbered '14' in pencil. Signed in the stone, lower right. A ...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

1942 World War 2 American Propaganda writing paper Porto Service Chicago posteri
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage propaganda posters and other items, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message i...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

"November Morning, " Original Etching signed by Churchill Ettinger
By Churchill Ettinger
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"November Morning" is an original etching by Churchill Ettinger. The artist signed the piece in pencil lower right and titled it in pencil lower left. It depicts two fishermen workin...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

New York, Columbia University Color Etching by Luigi Kasimir
Located in Paonia, CO
The famous Austrian artist, Luigi Kasimir ( 1881- 1962 ) studied at the Vienna Academy of Art. He went on to develop the technique of color etching using multiple plates to creat a finished etching in color. Previously a colored etching had to have the color applied by hand. Kasimir was a very prolific artist famous for his scenes of Vienna...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

Original WW2 Poster Join QARANC – Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the poster you want. Join QARANC – Queen Alexandra...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

1942 World War 2 American Propaganda writing paper Porto Service Chicago poster2
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage propaganda posters and other items, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message i...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Eric Fraser 'For Progress in the Future Save Now' World War 2 original poster
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the poste...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

"Peaceful Cove - New England, " Original Lithograph signed by Adolf Dehn
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Peaceful Cove - New England" is an original lithograph by Adolf Dehn. The artist signed the piece lower right. It depicts an aerial view of New England. 9 1/2" x 13" image 11" x 15" paper 17" x 20 5/8" frame Adolf Dehn was born in Minnesota, November 22, 1895 and he died in New York City, May 19 1968. He was one of the most notable lithographers of the 20th century. Throughout his artistic career, Dehn participated in and helped define some important movements in American art, including Regionalism, Social Realism, and caricature. He was known for both his technical skills and his high-spirited, droll depictions of human foibles. Biography Dehn was born in 1895 in Waterville, Minnesota. Dehn began creating artwork at the age of six and by the time of his death had created nearly 650 images. After high school he went to the Minneapolis School of Art, known today as the (Minneapolis College of Art and Design) where he met Wanda Gág...
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1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Original WW2 Blood Donor Poster UK Propaganda for HMSO by Allan Carter
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage public information posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this seller" - or send us a message if you ca...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

World War II Football poster Quicker Turnaround to Victory Ministry of Transport
Located in London, GB
Ministry of War Transport Quicker Turnaround Helps to Quicker Victory - Football Original vintage poster c. 1940 30x20" Printed by H M Stationery Office by J Weiner Ltd London WC1 P...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Leo Vernon West Africa poster map 1948 Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Gambia
By Leo Vernon
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage travel posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find th...
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Fishing Boats
Located in Raleigh, NC
Nicely framed.
Category

1940s Realist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

Realist prints and multiples for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Realist prints and multiples 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. If you’re looking to add prints and multiples created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Daniel Pollera, Luigi Kasimir, Peter Doig, and John Harris (painter). Frequently made by artists working with Etching, and Lithograph and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Realist prints and multiples, so small editions measuring 0.5 inches across are also available. Prices for prints and multiples 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 $50 and tops out at $72,120, while the average work sells for $793.

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