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Photorealist Photography

PHOTOREALISM

A direct challenge to Abstract Expressionism’s subjectivity and gestural vigor, Photorealism was informed by the Pop predilection for representational imagery, popular iconography and tools, like projectors and airbrushes, borrowed from the worlds of commercial art and design.

Whether gritty or gleaming, the subject matter favored by Photorealists is instantly, if vaguely, familiar. It’s the stuff of yellowing snapshots and fugitive memories. The bland and the garish alike flicker between crystal-clear reality and dreamy illusion, inviting the viewer to contemplate a single moment rather than igniting a story.

The virtues of the “photo” in Photorealist art — infused as they are with dazzling qualities that are easily blurred in reproduction — are as elusive as they are allusive. “Much Photorealist painting has the vacuity of proportion and intent of an idiot-savant, long on look and short on personal timbre,” John Arthur wrote (rather admiringly) in the catalogue essay for Realism/Photorealism, a 1980 exhibition at the Philbrook Museum of Art, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At its best, Photorealism is a perpetually paused tug-of-war between the sacred and the profane, the general and the specific, the record and the object.

Robert Bechtle invented Photorealism, in 1963,” says veteran art dealer Louis Meisel. “He took a picture of himself in the mirror with the car outside and then painted it. That was the first one.”

The meaning of the term, which began for Meisel as “a superficial way of defining and promoting a group of painters,” evolved with time, and the core group of Photorealists slowly expanded to include younger artists who traded Rolleiflexes for 60-megapixel cameras, using advanced digital technology to create paintings that transcend the detail of conventional photographs.

On 1stDibs, the collection of Photorealist art includes work by Richard Estes, Ralph Goings, Chuck Close, Audrey Flack, Charles Bell and others.

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Style: Photorealist
David Bowie Smoking Clown contact sheet by Duffy, with silver frame
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original negatives, these o...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie Ohio 1976 by Janet Macoska
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie, photographed performing live on stage in Ohio, 1976 by Janet Macoska Available in various sizes: 16x20" Lambda C-Type Edition: 25 20x24...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Devo "Chili Dog Mac" Akron 1978
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Devo photographed outside Chili Dog Mac restaurant in Akron, Ohio on August 14, 1978 by Janet Macoska 16x20" signed limited edition, number 6/25 Ava...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence”, framed 24x48" print by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 24" x 48" print, edition number 24/50. Custom frames with 8 ply matte and non-glare museum glass Frame dimensions: 56” wide x 30” high x 1” deep As a renowne...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

RARE 40x60" Rolling Stones by Terry O'Neill. Signed ONE OF A KIND
Located in Austin, US
An early portrait of the Rolling Stones outside the Donmar rehearsal theatre, London, 1964 Rare, one of a kind 40x60" signed silver gelatin print of The Rolling Stones by Terry O'Ne...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Rolling Stones "Mick Feeding Goat" Beggars Banquet by Michael Joseph framed
Located in Austin, US
The Rolling Stones "Mick Feeding Goat" - Outtake from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968, si...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Marilyn Monroe nude in Somethings Got To Give by Lawrence Schiller
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality print of Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller, taken on the set of Somethings Got To Give in 1962 during the famous naked swimming pool scene Signed limited edition 16...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan portrait by Guido Harari
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Bob Dylan by Guido Harari, taken in Sirmione, Italy, 1984. Available in the following sizes: A. 11” x 16” - Edition 50 B. 16” x 20” - Edition 50 C. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Contemporary Photography Batman Wild Spirits by Sebastian Magnani
Located in BARCELONA, ES
FRAME INCLUDED WITH THE PICTURE. Edition of 7 Hand-signed by artist Includes certificate of authenticity All Artworks are Signed & Numbered in Front with COA included Sebastian Magnani...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Elvis Presley "Love Me Tender" 1956
Located in Austin, US
Fine art print of Elvis Presley "Love Me Tender" from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1956 These prints are 16x20" open edition and come with full...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Elvis Presley "The Early King" 1956
Located in Austin, US
Fine art print of Elvis Presley "The Early King" from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1956 These prints are 16x20" open edition and come with full...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Elvis Presley "Last Train to Memphis" 1960
Located in Austin, US
Fine art print of Elvis Presley "Last Train to Memphis" from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1960 These prints are 16x20" open edition and come wi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Soft Dance - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment 64"х43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white nude photograph of a young woman diving in a pool. The woman is coming from the depth up toward the surface and her body reflects in the internal water surface. Or...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Soft Dance - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment 23"х16"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool. The woman is coming from the depth up toward the surface and her body reflects in the internal water surface. O...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

No Doubt in 1997 Gwen Stefani by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Gwen Stefani with her band No Doubt, from acclaimed music photographer, Chris Cuffaro. Taken in July 1997 in Albany NY Signed limited edition 17x22" ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sun Rise Machu Picchu
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Sun Rise Machu Picchu" 1997, is a photograph by American artist Lisa Kristine, b.1965. It is hand signed, titled and dated in pencil by the artist. The photograp...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Other Medium

Night Flight - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 17"x23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool. The photograph was taken with black backdrop. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digit...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Night Flight - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 35x48"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool. The photograph was taken with black backdrop. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digit...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Nirvana by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of grunge band Nirvana featuring Kurt Cobain, Chris Novoselic and Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, from acclaimed music photographer, Chris Cuffaro. Taken in Mar...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Chris Cornell by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, from acclaimed music photographer, Chris Cuffaro. Taken in September 1991 in Indio, CA Signed limited edition 17x22...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Great Republic, freighter on the Detroit River
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Freighter traffic on the Great Lakes is abundant and exciting to ride along side of! This photograph is of the Great Republic. It may also be ordered as a 5 x...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

David Bowie smoking portrait by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken in a studio during rehearsals for the It’s My Life Tour with his band Tin Machine, Dublin, I...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Scarecrow: Owczarski in the Garden" by Deborah Benedic
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Scarecrows are often unusual, and this is no exception. The homeowner decided to mount a metal sculpture by Polish/American artist Marian Owczarski in the garden to scare off variou...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Water Sketch II - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper wi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Crabby Joe says Hello photograph by Deborah Benedic
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Crab humor is what makes this photo special. Photo of a crab on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Buds Before the Storm" photograph by Deborah Benedic
Located in Clinton Township, MI
An image of the buds on tree branches just before the storm were turned 4 times to create this photograph. Framing options available--this particular photo looks great in a white fr...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Apriel - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment 35 x 43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a beautiful topless young woman, Apriel swimming in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print - signed by the artist. Limited edition of 24 Paper size: 36x44...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Crabby Joe says Hello photograph by Deborah Benedic
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Crab humor is what makes this photo special. Photo of a crab on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Scarecrow: Owczarski in the Garden" by Deborah Benedic
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Scarecrows are often unusual, and this is no exception. The homeowner decided to mount a metal sculpture by Polish/American artist Marian Owczarski in the garden to scare off variou...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Buds Before the Storm" photograph by Deborah Benedic
Located in Clinton Township, MI
An image of the buds on tree branches just before the storm were turned 4 times to create this photograph. Framing options available--this particular photo looks great in a white fr...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The Great Republic, freighter on the Detroit River
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Freighter traffic on the Great Lakes is abundant and exciting to ride along side of! This photograph is of the Great Republic. It may also be ordered as a 5 x...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Peapod Decapitated"
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Peapods after the big chop. Photograph by Deborah Benedic,
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Peapod Decapitated"
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Peapods after the big chop. Photograph by Deborah Benedic,
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

George Barris, "Warm Up", hand signed, photolithograph
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Taken just two and a half weeks before her untimely death "Warm Up" is considered to be the last photo taken of the last photo shoot of Marilyn Monroe by George Barris at Santa Monic...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Battistero - Firenze
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the Battistero - Firenze (Italy). Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works between Mil...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

Red Hot Chili Peppers by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
A classic, stunning shot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1985 by celebrated photographer, Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, hand printed sil...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Eric Clapton "Shangri La"
Located in Austin, US
Guitar legend, Eric Clapton, taking a break from recording his album ‘No Reason To Cry’ at Shangri La recording studio in Malibu, CA, US, November 21, 1975. Limited edition number 2/...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sant'Eustorgio
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the Sant'Eustorgio church - Milan (Italy). Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works be...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

David Bowie Smoking Clown contact sheet by Duffy, with silver frame
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original negatives, these o...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Silence. Limited edition no. I/V
Located in Kraków, Województwo małopolskie
"Silence" is a limited edition of a black and white photograph by the contemporary artist Tadeusz Zych from the Black and White States series. The photo was taken during a trip to Fr...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Night Flight - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 23x32"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool. The photograph was taken with black backdrop. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digit...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

San Gottardo
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the San Gottardo church - Milan (Italy). Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works betw...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

Blood and Milk VII - underwater nude photograph, archival print on paper 16x23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a young woman with white tulle scarf taking off her red skirt on bright red background. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archiva...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Mike Tyson - Stampa su carta in bianco e nero
Located in Napoli, IT
Stampa su carta in bianco e nero del pugile Mike Tyson, con cornice
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Paper, Monoprint

La Rolls del Re - Bangkok - Thaïland - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This photo was made in 1961, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical p...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Danae and Zeus - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 27x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in golden tulle. Her body position, her beautiful face, and golden reflection remind Ancient Greek myth of Zeus and Danae. O...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Super Constellation Lockheed - Full Framed Fine Art Edition
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This photo was made in 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser (CIA-Roma) - Full Framed Fine Art Edition
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This photo was made in 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Famiglia numerosa, Bangkok 1958 - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Famiglia numerosa, Bangkok This photo was made in 1958, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and th...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

San Giorgio
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the San Giorgio church - Milan (Italy). Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works betwe...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

The Grand Place of Brussel - 2013 - Full Framed color panoramic photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Panoramic cityscape made from 15 pictures Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef - This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwor...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Eiffel Tower, Tokyo ( 1957 ) - Japan - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Eiffel Tower, Tokyo - Japan This photo was made in 1957, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and th...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Tradizioni scomparse, Hong Kong 1958 - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Tradizioni scomparse, Hong Kong This photo was made in 1958, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime an...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Trafic jam in Bangkok -Thailand 1957 - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Trafic Jam in Bangkok This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork : The Fine Art print on Baryta paper i...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Piazza Navona, Roma - Italy 2019 - Full Framed Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef Artwork sold in perfect condition from a limited edition of 12 ex- Composition from an assembly of 12...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960 - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960 This photo was made in 1960, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Il cuoco felice - Thailand 1959 - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Il cuoco felice This photo was made in 1959, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

La sorella maggiore, Thailand (1959) - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition « La sorella maggiore », In a Méo village, Thaïland This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork : The F...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Photorealist photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist photography available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, red, pink, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Alex Sher, Allan Tannenbaum, Lynn Goldsmith, and Jake Chessum. Frequently made by artists working with Pigment Print, and Archival Pigment Print and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Photorealist photography, so small editions measuring 5.5 inches across are also available. Prices for photography made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $11 and tops out at $200,247, while the average work sells for $1,930.

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