General
Only the absolute top international artists dedicated to realistic drawing and painting may call themselves a Master of Realism.
In September 2023, some of the very best realist draughtsmen and painters in the Netherlands received the offer to be part of the maximum 200 Masters of Realism. Among others, Douwe Elias, Tjalf Sparnaay, Ans Markus and Henk Helmantel received this invitation accepted.
Soon after, the number of Masters of Realism – The Netherlands grew to 150 and the initiative gained prominence outside the Netherlands. In early 2025, the Masters of Realism – Belgium started . Another year later in 2026, the international website www.mastersofrealism.com was launched.
Masters of Realism international
Below is a limited list of countries with the maximum number of Masters of Realism. More countries will follow as more artists come forward to be balloted as Masters.
The maximum number of Masters of Realism per country is based on population, adjusted on the basis of a considered and well-founded assumption about the number of national artists drawing and painting realistically.
Netherlands
Masters of Realism – The Netherlands is the honorary title for the 200 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Dutch artists of drawing and realistic painting.
Belgium
Masters of Realism – Belgium is the honorary title for the 150 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Belgian artists of realistic drawing and painting.
Germany
Masters of Realism – Germany is the honorary title for the 500 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed German artists of realistic drawing and painting.
France
Masters of Realism – France is the honorary title for the 400 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed French artists of realistic drawing and painting.
Spain
Masters of Realism – Spain is the honorary title for the 300 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Spanish artists of realistic drawing and painting.
United Kingdom
Masters of Realism – United Kingdom is the honorary title for the 450 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed British artists of realistic drawing and painting.
Sweden
Masters of Realism – Sweden is the honorary title for the 140 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Swedish artists of realistic drawing and painting.
Italy
Masters of Realism – Italy is the honorary title for the 350 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Italian artists of realistic drawing and painting.
Austria
Masters of Realism – Austria is the honorary title for the 125 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Austrian artists of drawing and realistic painting.
Poland
Masters of Realism – Poland is the honorary title for the 290 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Polish artists of realistic drawing and painting.
Denmark
Masters of Realism – Denmark is the honorary title for the 100 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Danish artists of realistic drawing and painting.
Portugal
Masters of Realism – United States is the honorary title for the 140 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Portuguese artists of realistic drawing and painting.
Canada
Masters of Realism – Canada is the honorary title for the 275 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed Canadian artists of realist drawing and painting.
United States
Masters of Realism – United States is the honorary title for the 1250 most talented and most skilled, experienced and esteemed American artists of realist drawing and painting.
