Figure arts is a concept and classification widely used in art literature,[1]​ which refers to the relationship or identification of its forms with the concept of figure; This is understood as a representation of nature or as its imitation (mimesis in Greek). Figurative arts are those that have a greater iconic component in their productions.

Very commonly, the term is used interchangeably with visual arts; but they do not coincide exactly, given that among the visual arts there are especially two: painting and sculpture, which are usually understood as figurative, since architecture has a less obvious figurative component (although there are also, explicitly or implicitly, figurative resources in it, such as the evocation of the construction materials that were initially used in each of the architectural elements or the analogical interpretation of their forms - for example, that of the façade of the house as a face, the windows as eyes, the door as mouth-).[2]​.

All of them (painting, sculpture and architecture) are traditionally included among the so-called fine arts or major arts. They can also be identified with the Aristotelian name of imitative arts (Poetics "Poetics (Aristotle)")).

The expression "figurative arts" should not be confused with the expression "figurative art".[3] Within painting and sculpture; and essentially paying attention to the form of representation, figurative art is a concept that is used in contrast to the concept of abstract art, both in relation to the identification or not of the forms used with figures.