Photorealist Paintings
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
Suspended Animation 2
Located in Greenwich, CT
Joel Carson Jones Biography
American, b. 1975
Joel Carson Jones lives, teaches, and paints in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1975. With the work-ethic of the Scran...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Orange Under Wraps
Located in Greenwich, CT
American, b. 1948
What is “sharp focus” drawing? Put very simply, it is a rendering with refined, precise line and tone to create a lifelike representation of the subject matter. It...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Sail Boats
Located in Miami, FL
A precise and exact rendering and meticulous spacial arrangement are on full display in Lewandowski's this later work.
The work looks better in person. The artwork is in pristine co...
Category
1990s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Gouache
Woodland Farm in Winter with Horse & Cart and Farmer in the English Countryside
Located in Preston, GB
Woodland Farm in the Winter with Horse & Cart and Farmer in the English Countryside with Warm Brown Colours, Small Lake in the foreground, by 20th Century British Artist, Christopher...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Chroma sky (Blue key) 10 - Contemporary, Blue, Minimalist, Figurative, Landscape
Located in Berlin, DE
Chroma sky (Blue key) 10, 2007
Acrylic and oil on canvas
(Signed on reverse)
23.62 H x 31.49 W in
60 H x 80 W cm
The artist wrote about how he conceives this work:
"The transformat...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
La Vie Est Belle. 2023, oil on canvas, 80x70 cm
Located in Riga, LV
La Vie Est Belle. 2023, oil on canvas, 80x70 cm
Works of Liene Liepina are full of life and joy because of photography-like, realistic details on the one hand, and intense and slight...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
8 Track I - Graffiti and rust covered bridge contemporary photorealist painting
By Roland Kulla
Located in Chicago, IL
This painting captures a graffiti and rust covered steel bridge with bright blue skies and a sliver of green trees in and urban architectural setting.
Rolland has always been fascinated by the built environment. Reflecting on what the structures tell about their builders as well as their interaction with nature and the results of time. He focuses on the engineering ingenuity that created Chicago’s many bridges. Structural elements are abstracted from their context and painted with a hard-edged realism on a scale that highlights the monumentality of the forms and the creativity necessary for their existence. Shown here is “Eight Track”
Roland Kulla
8 Track...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Signed Fabulous 19th Century Male Mustache Portrait Dutch Ripple Frame Drawing
Located in Buffalo, NY
Incredibly well executed and superb subject. A 19th century portrait of a handsome young man with a mustache. Framed in a Dutch ripple wood molding...
Category
1890s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"California Bug" Original Oil Painting 16 in x 20 in
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"California Bug"
2021
Oil on Panel
16 in x 20 in
"California Bug" is all about the unbounded cheerfulness of the vintage Volkswagen Bug. A residential street in Southern Californi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Bowl with Spices-original modern realism still life painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
Heidi von Faber's original painting showcases a hyper-realistic interpretation of a contemporary still life, reminiscent of the precision and style seen in the works of early Dutch m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Lemon water- original modern realism oil painting- impressionist art
Located in London, Chelsea
Immerse yourself in a moment of tranquility with "Lemon Water," an original still life painting by the talented artist Irina Trushkova. Executed on canvas in the style of contemporar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Fluid Cadi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The painting “Fluid Cadi” draws inspiration from a fusion of the artist’s travel recollections and dreamscapes. Captured during a trip to California, the artist encountered this Cadi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Beverly Hills I - Photorealistic Oil and Enamel Painting on Canvas
By Ross Tamlin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ross Tamlin's unique photorealistic compositions merge traditional painting methods with modern industrial techniques to create captivating works of art. Using layers of oil and enam...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Enamel
Sommer’s Glow -original realism modern seascape oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Sommer's Glow" captures the essence of a tranquil seaside moment, rendered in the vibrant strokes of impressionism by the talented Lia Madsen. This diptych masterpiece consists of t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Worship of this Love by K Husslein Botanical Hyperrealistic Still life
Located in DE
This is a beautiful oil painting of an array of flowers in a vase in front of a dark background.
Reminding us of old master paintings, this is a brand new painting full elegance and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Traditional English Farm with Horses, Figures, Trees & Lake by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
English Farmhouse with Horses, Figures, Fields, Trees & Lake entitled 'Winters Morn' by 20th Century British Artist.
Art measures 36 x 24 inches
Frame measures 41 x 30 inches
Ch...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"For the Shear Fun of it" Charcoal Painting 29" x 21" inch by Casey Baugh
By Casey Baugh
Located in Culver City, CA
"For the Shear Fun of it" Charcoal Painting 29" x 21" inch by Casey Baugh
Medium: Charcoal on paper
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Baugh's work can be described as narrative impressionistic re...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Charcoal, Paper
Azure Tempest -original modern realism seascape oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
In "Azure Tempest," Lia Madsen presents a breathtaking vista of the ocean in all its tumultuous beauty, expertly rendered in realistic detail. This original seascape painting invites...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Gold sparks on the water., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Gold sparks on the water. Warm water, waves, serene views, ocean shine, evening sun glare on the water create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Made in the style of realism, a...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Sounds of morning waves, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The sounds of the morning waves. The shining ocean, small waves, glare on the water, the beach, clear sky create an atmosphere of relaxation, romance. Made in the style of realism, L...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Landscape with a boat, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting. Landscape with a boat. A saturated palette of greenery, water, boats on the shore, forest, pine trees, cause a feeling of love and gratitude to nature. The picture has a go...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Green Glow of the Sea-original realism seascape oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
In "Green Glow of the Sea," Lia Madsen transports viewers to the mesmerizing realm where land meets water, capturing the essence of the ocean's verdant embrace in stunning realism. T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Dancing glare on the water., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Dancing glare on the water. Blue water, blue ocean, clear sky, reflections on the water create an atmosphere of relaxation, serenity, romance. Made in the style of realism, deep blue...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
A magical sunrise at the sea, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A magical sunrise at the sea, the sound of coastal waves, sea foam, the reflection of the sun in the water, the sky, inspired me to create this picture. The atmosphere of relaxation,...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Warm sunset over the ocean., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Warm sunset over the ocean. Blue water, sea, ocean, waves, sun glare on the water, clear warm sky, warm sand, beach create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Light flickers on ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Shining horizon., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Shining horizon. Blue water, clear skies, waves, serene views, sun glare on the water create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. The blue and white palette, made in the style of...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Glare on the waves, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Glare on the waves. Blue water, ocean shine, glare on the water, small waves create an atmosphere of relaxation, romance. Made in the style of realism. Part of a permanent series of ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Silver of the ocean 2., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Silver of the ocean 2. Power of nature. The ocean ... deep, mysterious. He beckons you to unravel his secrets. ... Silver water, ocean, sun glare on the water, clear sky create an...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Still life with Pears- original realism still life painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Pears" is a captivating masterpiece that pays homage to the intrinsic beauty and timeless allure of this delectable fruit. Executed with meticulous precision and infused with the sp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Music of the ocean 2., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Music of the ocean 2. Blue water, ocean, shimmering sun glare on the water, clear sky, small waves, create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Made in the style of realism, ligh...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
'A Moment rest' Photorealist painting of a Kingfisher in the wild, blue, orange
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
'A Moments Rest' by Ben Waddams is a Contemporary Realist Wildlife oil painting of a Kingfisher perched on a branch. With such incredible detail you can almost feel feathers and exp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Sea 22., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Sea 22. Light blue water, sea, ocean, small waves, glare on the water, clear sky create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Made in the style of realism, light blue, white p...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
First of the Day from Calais, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Tony Munns
Located in Yardley, PA
A medium sized unframed original acrylic painting that is a personal tribute to the incredible Mountbatten Class SRN4 hovercraft and to Hoverlloyd, who operated four of this type bet...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
The Game of Life, Jacque
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In her painting entitled “The Game of life, Jaque”, Eva Carzul captures life’s complexities, portraying it as a chess game, all the while adorned in a top that ironically expresses g...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Unstable Affection
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In Eva Carzul’s painting, “Unstable Affection,” a comedic portrayal unfolds, vividly illustrating the visual representation of emotional fragility and instability. Perched atop a box...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
New York City - Photorealistic Oil and Enamel Painting on Canvas
By Ross Tamlin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ross Tamlin's unique photorealistic compositions merge traditional painting methods with modern industrial techniques to create captivating works of art. Using layers of oil and enam...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Enamel
Softer Notes for Love by K Husslein Botanical Hyperrealistic Still life
Located in DE
This is a beautiful oil painting of an array of flowers in a vase in front of a dark background.
Reminding us of old master paintings, this is a brand new painting full elegance and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Ancestors Heritage - Cusco, Peru, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Grace Diehl
Located in Yardley, PA
The Cusco vase is symbolic of the Peruvian heritage. Included in this still life is a metal stand in the background that is rusted and has a nice corroded patina which gives an Old W...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Glory of Real Estate
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Eva Carzul’s artwork, “The Glory of Real Estate,” ingeniously infuses humor as the artist shares her personal experiences with the viewer. With one hand clutching keys to an undisclo...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
HMS Nairana. Royal Navy Seaplane Carrier. Float Plane.Tasmania & Melbourne Ferry
By Vincenzo D'Esposito
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Vincenzo D’Esposito.
Italian ( b.1886 - d.1946 ).
HMS Nairana, Royal Navy Seaplane Carrier.
Gouache on Paper. Signed.
Image size 7.7 inches x 12.2 inches ( 19.5cm x 31cm ).
Frame si...
Category
Early 20th Century Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Paper, Gouache
Jungle Cadi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The artwork “Jungle Cadi” beckons the viewer to submerge into an atmosphere of sophistication and mystery, skillfully blending the sleek Cadillac against a verdant backdrop that grad...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Glass Giants"
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
John Schieffer graduated in 1995 from Paier College of Art in Hamden, Connecticut with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The salutatorian entered the world of illustration at Mercer Ma...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
C Sørensen, Still Life With Trollius, Tea Cup & Books, Oil Painting
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This charming early 20th-century oil painting by Danish artist C Sørensen depicts an arrangement of trollius with a vase, tea cup and books.
Little is known about C Sørensen, which ...
Category
1930s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Blue Room
By Jack Mendenhall
Located in New York, NY
DESCRIPTION
Bears O.K. Harris Works of Art, New York, New York label, verso.
SIGNATURE
Signed and dated Mendenhall '79, verso
Category
1970s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"The Treasure Key, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Ruddy Taveras' "The Treasure Key" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts two clear spheres, coins and a skeleton key perched atop a marble ledge.
About the artist:
Rudd...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
Family
Located in San Francisco, CA
An excellent example of Molinari's photorealistic technique, the level of detail in rendering the subtle fluctuations of the crumpled surfaces, as well as the play of light and shado...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
72A
Located in San Francisco, CA
An excellent example of Molinari's photorealistic technique, the level of detail in rendering the subtle fluctuations of the crumpled surfaces, as well as the play of light and shado...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil
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 Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Hunter, Mid-Century Photo Realist Drypoint Etching Portrait, Limited Edition
By Gilbert Schoenbrod
Located in Soquel, CA
An incredible photo-realist drypoint etching of a Native American man by Gilbert Adam Shoenbrod (American, 1903-1996), 1937. Titled "The Hunter", this hyper detailed portrait depicts...
Category
1930s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Drypoint
Ogni Giorno, Painting, Acrylic on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Brand new painting entitled Ogni Giorno, Italian for Every Day. Inspired by a trip to Agrigento, Sicily. It shows a man working in a supermarket. :: Painting :: Photorealism :: This ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Spiral Martini"
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
John Schieffer graduated in 1995 from Paier College of Art in Hamden, Connecticut with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The salutatorian entered the world of illustration at Mercer Ma...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel, Oil
"Star Confetti"
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
John Schieffer graduated in 1995 from Paier College of Art in Hamden, Connecticut with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The salutatorian entered the world of illustration at Mercer Ma...
Category
2010s Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
Flight over Dolores
By Lynette Cook
Located in Burlingame, CA
'Lightness of Being' - depicts a white brick building with warm sunlight and shadows cascading across the facade of the warm bricks with white inset window. Birds flying are reflecte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Superhero
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Cesar Santander Superhero Original Oil Painting -- Please watch video in listing
16" x 20" original painting on board.
This is a unique, original painting of which no copies have bee...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Still life with citrus- original modern realism oil painting- contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
Step into a moment frozen in time with "Still Life with Citrus," an original oil painting by the talented artist Irina Trushkova. Executed on canvas in the style of contemporary real...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Summer fruits-original modern realism still life oil painting- contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
Irina Trushkova's "Summer Fruits " exemplifies contemporary realism within the realm of Impressionism, offering viewers an immersive experience in a moment of pure and unadulterated ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
A Pleasing Bloom-original hyper realism still life painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"A Pleasing Bloom" by Colin Wilson, a captivating still life masterpiece that brings the essence of nature to life. This original oil painting, skillfully rendered on board, showcases Wilson's mastery in contemporary realism, inviting viewers to savor the beauty of simplicity.
At the heart of the composition, three luscious plums take center stage, their rich, velvety hues of pink exuding a sensuous allure. Each plum is meticulously painted, capturing the subtle variations in color and texture, making them almost palpable. The play of light on the plums creates a dynamic interplay of shadows and highlights, adding depth and dimension to the scene.
The plums rest upon a bed of leaves, their verdant greens providing a harmonious contrast to the vibrant pinks. The leaves, delicately detailed with veins and subtle variations in color, contribute to the overall realism of the piece. Positioned on a dark 3D boxed...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings
Materials
Board, Acrylic
Finest Coffe and Tea, 18x25x1.5, Acrylic on Masonite
By Charles Ford
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 Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Masonite
Photorealist paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist paintings 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 paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, green, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Gregory Block, James Zamora, Ian Hornak, and Kathleen Keifer. 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 paintings, so small editions measuring 3.5 inches across are also available. Prices for paintings 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 $125 and tops out at $585,000, while the average work sells for $3,772.
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