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.

  • 1870 [Women’s fashion in nineteenth-century Paris] (1902)

    1870 [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 corset’s silhouette and cascading skirts speak of an era where fashion was both armor and art. Every fold, every ribbon, a silent declaration of status and style.

  • Summer (1890)

    Summer (1890)

    Frank Weston Benson (American, 1862–1951)

    Sunlight dapples through the trees as a woman in white lounges on the grass, her hat tipped back. The breeze carries the scent of warm earth and crushed stems. Nearby, another figure bends to gather flowers, their skirts brushing against the long summer grass. Lazy afternoon light pools around them.

  • Mary Crowninshield Endicott Chamberlain (Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain) (1902)

    Mary Crowninshield Endicott Chamberlain (Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain) (1902)

    John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925)

    A poised woman in a flowing white gown gazes past the viewer, her gloved hand resting lightly on a chair. The soft folds of fabric and subtle play of light suggest quiet elegance, while her distant expression hints at unspoken thoughts. The portrait balances refinement with an air of mystery.

  • Parisienne

    Parisienne

    Gustave Jean Jacquet (French, 1846–1909)

    A young woman in 19th-century French attire gazes past the viewer, her lace collar framing quiet confidence. The play of light on silk and velvet suggests wealth, yet her expression holds something unreadable—a private thought lingering beneath the polished surface of high society.

  • Baigneuses (1892)

    Baigneuses (1892)

    Berthe Morisot (French, 1841–1895)

    Two women wade in shallow water, their dresses clinging to their limbs. Sunlight dapples the surface, blurring the line between reflection and skin. A breeze stirs the reeds; their laughter hangs just beyond the canvas.

  • The Mandolin Player

    The Mandolin Player

    Conrad Kiesel (German, 1846–1921)

    A young woman cradles a mandolin, fingers poised above the strings. The soft glow of candlelight catches the curve of the instrument and the folds of her dress, as if the first note is about to break the quiet.

  • A Woman Seated at a Bench on the Avenue du Bois (1885)

    A Woman Seated at a Bench on the Avenue du Bois (1885)

    Berthe Morisot (French, 1841–1895)

    A woman in a flowing dress sits alone on a bench, dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. The broad avenue stretches behind her, alive with the blur of passing carriages and distant strollers. Her stillness anchors the scene, a quiet figure amid the bustling Parisian promenade.

  • At sea

    At sea

    Jozef Israëls (Dutch, 1824–1911)

    A lone boat rocks on dark waves, its weary fishermen bent against the wind. The sea stretches gray and endless, swallowing their silhouettes. Salt spray stings their faces as they haul nets heavy with the day’s meager catch. The horizon offers no comfort—just another day of toil beneath the indifferent sky.

  • Portrait of artist’s sister (1890)

    Portrait of artist’s sister (1890)

    Konstanty Mańkowski (Polish, unknown)

    A young woman gazes past the frame, her expression unreadable. The soft light catches the folds of her dress, but her eyes hold something distant, private. There’s a quiet tension in the way she turns slightly away, as if caught between staying and stepping out of view.