Representational Artworks

Conrad West Gallery is a haven for anyone looking to liven up their walls with some representational art. However, before buying, we recommend that you spend some time soaking in the variety of mediums and artistic styles before committing to a single composition.

Representational art is thriving and with digital tools and a wide range of options to capture and create even more realistic images, this category of art remains one of the most popular in homes, businesses, and museums around the world.

What is representational art?

When used together, the term “representational art” refers to artwork that represents something, whether that be a bush in a landscape, an orange in still life, or a figure in a portrait. Representational art refers to compositions that are clearly identifiable as something that we know exists in the real world.

The interesting thing about representational art is that while it does need to depict a sense of realism, the depiction of the subject can possess varying levels of abstraction. This allows artists to use loose brushwork, colorful imagery, and simplified forms to create beautiful images that offer a window into realism.

While representational art can possess a hint of abstraction, the lines, colors, and shapes must be true to the existing object to remain in this category of artwork.

A brief history of representational art

If you can believe it, representational art is dated back to the Late Paleolithic period. Yeah, that’s right, with cave paintings! Early humans painted and carved animals and figures on the walls of caves, which sparked the beginning of an infatuation with representational art.

One of the most famous paintings of this time is the Venus of Willendorf. While not as realistic as the modern day, this painting depicted the figure of a woman and is dated 25,000 years ago. However, most ancient examples of representation art idolized gods and scenes from nature.

During the Renaissance, early artists like Michaelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci created some of the most popular forms of representational art that we have had throughout history. Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, artists experimented more with self-expression, and instead of focusing on popular portraits, religious subjects, and landscapes, they shifted to socially relevant situations. This is why we see so much diversity in representational art today.

Do you still need help sorting through Representational Art for sale?

Here are some suggestions we have for those who want to curate a collection of representational art:

• Be sure your artwork fits together with the rest of your interior design scheme.
• Use your artwork to set a mood.
• Invest in pieces that you love now and will continue to admire.
• Do your research before purchasing in-person or online.
• Consider natural and artificial lighting in your choice.
• Have it framed professionally so that it complements the work.
• Never compromise your choice.