Nude Paintings
Artist Comments
A narrative painting, where the female subject is conflicted between the worlds of darkness and light. This painting is on a gallery wrapped canvas with fini...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Post-Impressionist Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
This painting combines the geometric abstract element of the background with the sensuous curves of the figure. I love this narrative style and subject, and ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Dreamy and exotic, I wanted the colors and feel of this painting to capture some of those far off qualities. I am constantly fascinated by how the shapes in ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
Early 2000s Modern Nude Paintings
Rice Paper, Paper, Watercolor
1990s Nude Paintings
Paper, Watercolor, Ink
Artist Comments
This is a heavy, impasto work done with palette knife and oil. It is both a celebration of texture and color in an attempt to bring vibrancy to the figure. Pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
Early 2000s Modern Nude Paintings
Rice Paper, Watercolor
1980s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Nude Paintings
Oil
20th Century Modern Nude Paintings
Oil, Masonite
Early 2000s Modern Nude Paintings
Watercolor, Paper
1950s Abstract Expressionist Nude Paintings
Cardboard, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Nude Paintings
Linen, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Nude Paintings
Oil
2010s Nude Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Romantic Nude Paintings
Lithograph, Drypoint, Engraving
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Nude Paintings
Mixed Media
1950s American Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
17th Century Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil, Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Nude Paintings
Linen, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Nude Paintings
Panel, Acrylic
2010s Surrealist Nude Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Trimming, Fabric, Charcoal
Early 2000s Modern Nude Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media
1930s Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1960s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Modern Nude Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Trimming, Fabric, Charcoal
2010s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Trimming, Fabric, Charcoal
1990s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1960s Nude Paintings
Paper, Gouache
1990s Nude Paintings
Acrylic
Early 2000s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Jute, Oil
1990s Nude Paintings
Acrylic
Early 2000s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Ink, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Nude Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
1950s Nude Paintings
Paper, Gouache
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Nude Paintings
Panel, Acrylic
Early 2000s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Pencil, Gouache
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Nude Paintings
Archival Paper, Oil
1960s Impressionist Nude Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Nude Paintings
Oil, Linen
1970s Abstract Nude Paintings
Oil
1980s Realist Nude Paintings
Egg Tempera, Wood, Tempera, Board
1960s Other Art Style Nude Paintings
Oil
Early 2000s Modern Nude Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media, Archival Ink, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Cubist Nude Paintings
Acrylic, Spray Paint, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Nude Paintings
Panel, Acrylic
1950s American Modern Nude Paintings
Panel, Oil
2010s Photorealist Nude Paintings
Wood, Oil
2010s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Pencil, Ink, Paper
2010s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Pastel, Charcoal, Board
1990s Contemporary Nude Paintings
Watercolor, Archival Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Nude Paintings
Oil
2010s Surrealist Nude Paintings
Linen, Oil
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.