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Photorealist Art

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
Ocean harmony, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
White Sand Seascape Painting - ocean painting Original, one-of-a-kind, hand painted, inspired by there view The Bahamas and Turks And Caicos...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Aerial Australia #2, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Unique original aerial ocean painting inspired by aerial view of the spectacular Shark Bay, Australia Different shades of blue, turquoise, teal, aqua, beige, black and gold This pain...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Lucent ocean waters, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Dealing with depression, PTSD and anxiety, painting is a form of therapy for me. In this painting I create a peaceful and safe space for the child and adult in me both, a place to ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Peaceful ocean, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Dealing with depression, PTSD and anxiety, painting is a form of therapy for me. In this painting I create a peaceful and safe space for the child and adult in me both, a place to ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Our white sand beach, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
White sand beach painting Original, one-of-a-kind, hand painted, inspired by the view of The Bahamas and Turks And Caicos Islands seen from the airplane in my last vacation there. ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Warm ocean waters, Painting, Acrylic on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Dealing with depression, PTSD and anxiety, painting is a form of therapy for me. In this painting I create a peaceful and safe space for the child and adult in me both, a place to ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Santa Monica Harley, Tom Blackwell
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Tom Blackwell (1938-2020) Title: Santa Monica Harley Year: 1977 Medium: Silkscreen on Masonite Edition: 56/60, plus proofs Size: 23 x 37.5 inches Condition: Good Inscription:...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

The Rolling Stones "Out Of Our Heads" by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
The Rolling Stones, taken in London back in 1965 by Gered Mankowitz. This image was used for the cover of Out Of Our Heads. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Patti Smith and John Belushi by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of Patti Smith and John Belushi taken backstage before their Saturday Night Live appearance in April 1976 by Allan Tannenbaum. Limited edition nu...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Finest Coffe and Tea, 18x25x1.5, Acrylic on Masonite
Located in Southampton, NY
Charles Ford's work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of the City of New York. Another wonderful painting by Charles Ford that shows the great lighting and shadows of New ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Masonite

Sailor fisherman in his boat Spain oil on canvas painting seascape
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Domingo Alvarez (Spain 1942) - sailor fisherman in his boat - oil on canvas Canvas size 46x61 cm. Unframed.
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Joni Mitchell vintage 8x10" Print by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Original vintage 8x10” work print from Norman Seeff of Joni Mitchell. Hand printed in 1982 at the time of the photoshoot, signed on the back by Norman Seeff and also featuring his studio stamp. In excellent condition having been stored flat in a climate controlled room These Norman Seeff vintage...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Flower Piece with Storm, Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Flower Piece with Storm Year: 1986 Medium: Acrylic on Panel, with Artist Painted Frame Size: 58.5 x 46.5 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Vegetable Still Life No. 4, Contemporary watercolor by Ohio trompe l'oeil artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
George Mauersberger (American, 20th Century) Veg 4, 2004 Watercolor on paper 9 x 12 inches 13 x 16 inches, framed George Mauersberger completed th...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Vegetable Still Life No. 10 Contemporary watercolor by Ohio trompe l'oeil artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
George Mauersberger (American, 20th Century) Veg 10, 2004 Watercolor on paper 9 x 12 inches 13 x 16 inches, framed George Mauersberger completed t...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Vegetable Still Life No. 2, Contemporary watercolor by Ohio trompe l'oeil artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
George Mauersberger (American, 20th Century) Veg 2, 2004 Watercolor on paper 9 x 12 inches 13 x 16 inches, framed George Mauersberger completed th...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Vegetable Still Life No. 7, Contemporary watercolor by Ohio trompe l'oeil artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
George Mauersberger (American, 20th Century) Veg 7, 2004 Watercolor on paper 9 x 12 inches 13 x 16 inches, framed George Mauersberger completed th...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Vegetable Still Life No. 3, Contemporary watercolor by Ohio trompe l'oeil artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
George Mauersberger (American, 20th Century) Veg 3, 2004 Watercolor on paper 9 x 12 inches 13 x 16 inches, framed George Mauersberger completed th...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Watercolor

Set of two signed Terry O'Neill prints of David Bowie
Located in Austin, US
Set of two, signed open edition, 8” x 10” archival prints by Terry O'Neill, featuring Terry O’Neill’s embossed studio stamp One print features Bowie with author, William Burroughs, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Roxy
Located in New York, NY
Color offset lithograph. Signed and numbered 2/100 in pencil by Cottingham. This work is based on the same-titled color screenprint by Cottingham.
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Color, Lithograph, Offset

Nirvana color slide print Nevermind by Kirk Weddle - framed signed print
Located in Austin, US
Signed color slide print of Nirvana taken by Kirk Weddle during his session with the band in the pool to promote the 1991 groundbreaking album, Nevermind. This is a photograph, take...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

Liesenbruken, Abandoned Train Bridge, Contemporary Photorealist Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
A bridge to nowhere has been taking no one there for almost 70 years. The Liesenbrücken bridge has been rusting with iron will and doing little else since it was abandoned in favor o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Colorite Spice Rack -- Original Oil Painting -- Please watch attached video
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This painting would look amazing in a modern kitchen. Please see accompanying video. One cannot appreciate this painting on a computer screen; in real life, it is absolutely amazing. Because you cannot appreciate it on a computer screen, our gallery has a unique policy. When purchasing from us, the buyer has sixty days to determine if they want to keep the artwork. If not, the buyer returns to piece to us for full refund, and we pay the shipping both ways! A collector should consider several factors when deciding from whom to purchase artwork online. Check the location of the seller. When one buys from a foreign seller, one also has to consider the problems of getting the piece through Customs. There are often delays and considerable fees to pay in order to import the item. When purchasing from us, we ship the same day and you receive it via FedEx the next day, no problems or hassles. When one purchases from an auction house, one pays a buyer’s premium of anywhere from 23% to 28% over the “hammer price”. So when one “wins” an auction for $20,000, the actual price paid is more like $25,000. By contrast, when purchasing from us, the price agreed to is the price paid by the buyer, no hidden fees. Secondly, when one purchases from an auction house, the buyer pays the packing and shipping fee, which are usually exorbitant. By contrast, when purchasing from us, the price includes packing and shipping. Thirdly, when one purchases from an auction house, the sale is final. If one receives the piece and is not 100% satisfied with it, there is nothing the buyer can do about it. They are stuck with it. By contrast, when purchasing from us, the buyer has sixty days to determine if they want to keep it. If not, the buyer returns to piece to us for full refund, and we pay the shipping both ways. About Mark Schiff -- Animated by photographs that reflect his personal life, Mark Schiff’s paintings are fueled by what makes him happy. Through his open touch and signature blending method, he lends his artistic perception to the original photographic compositions captured on his Leica. Mark’s creative vision has been alive since he was a boy. As a child he spent his summers observing life as he rode the trolley back and forth to art classes at the Pratt Institute. During his future travels to Europe, Mark’s eye for light and photography merged with his passion for painting at the Jeu de Paume in Paris; which triggered his career in photorealism. Mark is well known for painting objects that people can identify and emotionally connect with. His work is distinctly marked by a rich palette and the luminous range of light he paints into his compositions. Each painting is a true extension of his vision and can take up to 200 hours to complete. Mark Schiff’s work has been commissioned by the well-known brands The Hershey Company and Tropicana. His private collectors include A-list celebrities and also corporate collectors in the US and abroad. Possessing a strong philanthropic nature, Mark donates both his time and works to charitable organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Humane Society and the Special Olympics...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

In the Hall of the Mountain King - underwater b&w nude photograph - paper 16x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a female dancer performing in a swimming pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

RAM C&N RR -Steel Bridge, Chicago Skyscraper, Contemporary Photorealist Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
I’ve always been attracted to the built environment. Bridges are a great subject. Each one is specially engineered to solve the problem of how to get across the void. While usually n...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Macaroons' abstraction VII, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
16 crushed macaroons with crumbs on a white backgrouond :: Painting :: Photorealism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil

Iggy Pop Scala Cinema London 1972 - 20x24" silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Iggy Pop by Alec Byrne, taken at the Scala Cinema, Kings Cross, London, July 15th 1972. Alec Byrne signed limited edition 20x24" silv...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Summer Scene on Tree Lined River with Cattle in English Countryside in Sunshine
Located in Preston, GB
Summer Scene on a Tree Lined River with Cattle in the English Countryside in beautiful Sunshine, by 20th Century British Artist, Christopher Osborne. Art measures 12 x 8 inches Fram...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

SIMPSON, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
DETAILS: Oil on canvas, size 16x48x1.5 inches - 40X120X4 cm - sides are painted to match the painting SUPPORT: gallery canvas, wrapped around the sides and stapled to the back SIGN...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil

Elevated View of a Sussex Town in the Countryside of South England in Summer
Located in Preston, GB
Elevated View of Sussex Town in the Countryside of the South of England in Summer, by 20th Century British Artist, Christopher Osborne. Art measures ...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Joni Mitchell vintage 8x10" Print by Norman Seeff from 1983
Located in Austin, US
Original vintage 8x10” work print from Norman Seeff of Joni Mitchell. Hand printed in 1983 at the time of the photoshoot, featuring Norman Seeff's official studio stamp on the back. In excellent condition having been stored flat in a climate controlled room These Norman Seeff vintage...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Noel Gallagher by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art photograph of Noel Gallagher during his Oasis days by celebrated rock photographer, Jill Furmanovsky. Location: Music G...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

ROAD SIGNS - Black and white photograph on baryta paper
Located in Napoli, IT
Iconic black and white photograph on baryta paper of the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street.
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

CHILDREN AND CHRISTMAS - Black and white photograph on baryta paper
Located in Napoli, IT
Rare old black and white photograph on sepia paper, depicts three children watching Santa Claus from the window.
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

ARCHITECTURE - Photograph on baryta paper, Bob De Masi, Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white photograph on baryta paper, title "Architecture" 1970s - Bob De Masi, with frame
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

ARCHITECTURE - Photograph on baryta paper, Bob De Masi, Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white photograph on baryta paper, title "Architecture" 1970s - Bob De Masi, with frame
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Joni Mitchell 1983 vintage 8x10" Print by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Original vintage 8x10” work print from Norman Seeff of Joni Mitchell. Hand printed in 1983 at the time of the photoshoot, signed on the back by Norman Seeff and also featuring his studio stamp. In excellent condition having been stored flat in a climate controlled room These Norman Seeff vintage...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Sailor fisherman in his boat Spain oil on canvas painting seascape
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Domingo Alvarez (Spain 1942) - sailor fisherman in his boat - oil on canvas Canvas size 46x61 cm. Unframed.
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blood and Milk III - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 60x43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a topless young woman with white tulle scarf taking off her red skirt on bright red background. Original digital print on archival paper signed by the a...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

NAPOLI , MASCHIO ANGIOINO - Fotografia a colori su carta baritata, 1980s
Located in Napoli, IT
Bellissima fotografia di Piazza Municipio e Castello Maschio Angioino illuminata di sera, Napoli
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum framed signed 9x12" print
Located in Austin, US
Framed, 9x12" signed open edition print of The Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum Jake recalls ” This was from April 1994. I flew from London to shoot at Mike D’s backyard and around G-So...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Flack On Painting (hand signed, dated and inscribed by Audrey Flack)
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Flack Audrey Flack On Painting (hand signed, dated and inscribed by Audrey Flack), 1981 Hardback monograph with dust jacket (hand signed, dated and inscribed by Audrey Flack) ...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Offset, Lithograph, Mixed Media, Ink, Paper

Woman In Ballet Pose Holding a Flower - San Francisco Richard Edwards
Located in Soquel, CA
Woman In Ballet Pose Holding a Flower - San Francisco Richard Edwards A brunette woman poses, standing on her left leg with her hand out holding a flower. A collection of photograph...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper, Paper

Mauritanie - Jeune fille Maure. Adrar
Located in SAINT-PAUL-DE-VENCE, FR
In the captivating photograph titled "Mauritanie - Jeune fille Maure. Adrar," artist Patrick de Wilde skillfully captures the essence of Mauritanian culture through the lens of his c...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith, New York 1969 by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, taken in her kitchen in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This P...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 24"x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

DER DEUSCHER VOLKE - Photograph on baryta paper, Nino La Rocca , Italy 1987
Located in Napoli, IT
Analog photograph on baryta paper in black and white titled "Der Deuscher Volke" , the photo depicts the German Parliament and the Berlin Wall before the fall . The photograph is by ...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Barn Find (Ford F100)" Limited Edition Giclée Print
Located in Denver, CO
Shan Fannin's "Barn Find (Ford F100)" is a limited edition giclée print that meticulously reproduces the original artwork's vibrant patina and character. This print, available unfram...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

BOYS - Photograph on baryta paper, Fabio Donato, Italy 2010
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white photograph on baryta paper, title "The Boys" - Fabio Donato, with frame Fabio Donato, a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, was born in 1947. A photograph...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Rusted Glory (Chevy Truck)" Limited Edition Giclée Print
Located in Denver, CO
Shan Fannin's "Rusted Glory (Chevy Truck)" is a visually captivating limited edition giclée print that brings to life the rich history and character of a classic Chevrolet truck. Thi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

Les Humanities CCVIII 2006 acrylic/canvas Trompe l’Oeil Photo Realism Books
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
“Les Humanities CCVIII”, a large and wonderful acrylic on canvas painting by Paul Béliveau, was created in 2006. This panting depicting books on a shelf is considered to be in the Tr...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Young Ballerina In Pose San Francisco Richard Edwards
Located in Soquel, CA
Young Ballerina In Pose San Francisco Richard Edwards Photo of a young ballerina posing. She is holding her right hand above her head, while her left hand is posed in front of her. ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960
Located in Soquel, CA
"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960 Photograph of a young ballerina circa 1950's by Photographer Richard Edwards (American,. The young girl is photographed p...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Snoop Dogg by Jake Chessum, framed 9x12" print
Located in Austin, US
Framed, 9x12" signed open edition print of Snoop Dogg by Jake Chessum Jake recalls the session: “I photographed Snoop at Milk studios in LA. Everybody on the shoot was so excited to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

PAURA E FEDE - Fotografia in bianco e nero di Ferdinando Alfieri
Located in Napoli, IT
Iscritto dal 1997 all'Ordine dei giornalisti pubblicisti, qualifica in fotografia nel 1998, Mostra fotografica personale al Pan (palazzo delle arti) Napoli marzo 2016 (con pubblicazi...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

David Bowie Smoking Clown by Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original negatives, these offici...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Ranch Hands Oppenheimer - Rancho San Carlos Cattle Ranch, 1950's Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Rancho San Carlos Cattle Ranch, 1950's Photograph 1950's photograph of the San Carlos Cattle Ranch located south of Carmel Valley, California by James Ziegler (American). The ranch ...
Category

1950s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper

Chris Cornell by Jake Chessum, framed 9x12" print
Located in Austin, US
Framed, 9x12" signed open edition print of Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and Audioslave by Jake Chessum Jake recalls the session: ” This was a brief and friendly shoot at the Toron...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

Photorealist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist art 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 art 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, purple, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Alex Sher, Gregory Block, Lowell Nesbitt, and Ian Hornak. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint 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 art, so small editions measuring 0.79 inches across are also available. Prices for art 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 $585,000, while the average work sells for $2,404.

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