Figurative

Explore Figurative Art: Masterful portrayals of the human form, emotion, and identity. Discover classical and contemporary works that challenge realism and reflect the human experience. Download high-resolution images for study and inspiration.

  • Psyché (1881)

    Psyché (1881)

    Alexandre Cabanel (French, 1823–1889)

    Psyche lies bathed in golden light, her delicate form draped across the canvas like a whispered secret. The air hums with unspoken longing—half-myth, half-dream—as she lingers between mortal and divine. That suspended moment before awakening, when even the gods hold their breath.

  • Lamia (1905)

    Lamia (1905)

    John William Waterhouse (British, 1849-1917)

    A woman’s serpentine form coils in shadow, her gaze both alluring and dangerous. The flicker of scales beneath her skin hints at the predator within, while her human face remains hauntingly beautiful. Myth whispers of her curse—love that consumes, beauty that betrays.

  • Portrait de Miss Ella Carmichael (1906)

    Portrait de Miss Ella Carmichael (1906)

    Edmond Francois Aman-Jean (French, 1858–1936)

    A young woman gazes past the viewer, her pale face framed by dark curls. The soft brushstrokes blur her features slightly, as if she might dissolve into the muted background. There’s something wistful in her distant expression—not quite sad, but not present either.

  • Woman In Red (c. 1870–90)

    Woman In Red (c. 1870–90)

    Gustave Jean Jacquet (French, 1846–1909)

    A woman in a sumptuous red dress stands poised, the rich fabric cascading around her. Her gaze holds quiet confidence, the folds of her gown catching the light with every subtle shift. There’s an unspoken story in her stillness, a moment frozen just before movement.

  • The love letter (1883)

    The love letter (1883)

    Gustave Jean Jacquet (French, 1846–1909)

    A woman in a rustling silk gown pauses mid-step, the folded letter in her hand casting a shadow across her skirt. Her lowered lashes hide the words’ weight—but the tilt of her head betrays their pull. The ribbon at her throat trembles with unspoken reply.

  • Diana the Huntress

    Diana the Huntress

    Guillaume Seignac (French, 1870–1924)

    Diana stands poised, bow in hand, her gaze sharp as the arrow she’ll loose. The forest holds its breath around her—every leaf, every shadow stilled in anticipation. This is the huntress in her element: untamed, unwavering, a force of nature barely contained by the canvas.

  • 1868 [Women’s fashion in nineteenth-century Paris] (1902)

    1868 [Women’s fashion in nineteenth-century Paris] (1902)

    Henri Boutet (French, 1851–1919)

    A Parisian woman adjusts her gloves, the intricate lace of her gown catching the light. The bustle of 19th-century fashion swirls around her—corseted waists, voluminous skirts, the quiet confidence of a city defining style. Every fold and ribbon whispers an era where elegance was armor.

  • Reverie

    Reverie

    Albert Lynch (Peruvian, 1851–1912)

    A woman gazes into the distance, lost in thought. The soft light caresses her face, hinting at unspoken dreams. Her posture is relaxed yet poised, as if suspended between reality and imagination. The muted tones and delicate brushwork draw you into her quiet, introspective world.

  • Catherine Vlasto (1897)

    Catherine Vlasto (1897)

    John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925)

    A young woman in black lace gazes past the viewer, her gloved hand resting lightly on a chair. The play of light catches the delicate fabric, contrasting with her poised, enigmatic expression. There’s a quiet tension in her stillness—elegant, unreadable, as if she’s just paused mid-thought.