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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
Showtime diptych I
Located in MADRID, ES
Photography, printed on Fine Art cotton smooth paper 310 g/m2, glued to Dibond Aluminium. 100 x 100 x 0,5 cm + 100 x 100 x 0,5 cm. Unique piece with these dimensions. Showtime, by F...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

12 Photos (Magenta and Yellow) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
Located in Soquel, CA
12 Photos (Magenta and Yellow) - Large Scale Textural Photographs Series of detailed macro photos by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). This set of photos shows several textured a...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

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

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Inkjet, Black and White, Pigment

12 Photos (Graffiti and Stripes) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
Located in Soquel, CA
12 Photos (Graffiti and Stripes) - Large Scale Textural Photographs Series of detailed macro photos by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). This set of photos shows several textured...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Black Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of white painted concrete with a sp...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Painted Concrete - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Painted Concrete - Large Scale Textural Photograph Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of concrete that has been painted a few ...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

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

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

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman rare signed platinum print
Located in Austin, US
JIMI HENDRIX ON STAGE AT THE WINTERLAND BALLROOM IN SAN FRANCISCO, FEBRUARY 1968. One copy available Signed limited edition #7/150 Rare signed platinum print with deckled bottom edge
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Platinum

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

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

Infinity - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival paper 28"x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a topless female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival pap...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dove of peace I/V
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
"Peace Dove" 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...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

The Vanity Ballroom- photo by Ted Fines
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Detroit's Art Deco Vanity Ballroom was once a popular venue for music beginning in the 1920's with Ellington, Goodman, the Dorsey Bros, and Cab Calloway. Later in the 70's, it beca...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Elton John Dodger Stadium
Located in Austin, US
Lifetime prints are the last remaining prints available, signed by Terry O’Neill and obtained from the Terry O’Neill Archive in London. Signed limited edition photographic print by Terry O'Neill. Elton John performs at Dodger Stadium...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

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

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

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

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

Bubble Dance- underwater photograph - print on paper 26” x 35”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a dancer in short red dress dancing in air bubbles. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival pap...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Portrait of Nikita Khrushchev in Profile, Mid Century Black & White Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Exquisite black and white photograph of Nikita Khrushchev, a portrait in profile of the former Premier of the Soviet Union, by Yousuf Karsh from his ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Sketch - underwater b&w photograph - archival pigment print 35x23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of perfect female legs in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on paper with metallic finish signed by the artist. . L...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Winter Fishing - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 25" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a young woman caught in fishing net. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with met...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mermaid Angel - underwater photograph - print on paper 26" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a beautiful young woman in transparent dress on dark background. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Muddy Waters in NY
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
"Muddy Waters in NY" is a limited-edition black & white photograph by contemporary artist Tadeusz Zych from the series entitled Black and white States. The photo was taken during a t...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Raindancer - archival pigment print - 35х24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A young beautiful woman is dancing under the rain. Her dress is all wet. Some strange fishes are reflected in the window behind her. Original gallery quality print signed by the art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Scratched Paint - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete that ha...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Abstract Textural Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete, with w...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

"Polk Street" Large Scale Textural Photograph San Francisco Abstract
Located in Soquel, CA
"Polk" Large Scale Textural Photograph Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete. The paint is bold yello...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

ZSO VARJU FOR NUMERO BERLIN MAGAZINE, 2021
Located in PARIS, FR
Ellia Art Gallery offers a captivating journey into the world of Philip Gay, showcasing his unparalleled ability to capture the essence of sensuality and sophistication in fashion ph...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Grand Teton National Park - Original 1988 Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Grand Teton National Park - Original 1988 Photograph Original 1988 color photograph of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming in the Style of Steve Mattheis, . The photograph show...
Category

1980s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 1
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

San Satiro Bramante
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the Santa Maria church - San Satiro. Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

SYLVIA GOBBEL AND VERONIKA BARON FOR ZOO MAGAZINE, 2020
Located in PARIS, FR
Ellia Art Gallery offers a captivating journey into the world of Philip Gay, showcasing his unparalleled ability to capture the essence of sensuality and sophistication in fashion ph...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 5
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 5
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 7
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 8
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 1
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 2
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 3
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Ann Richards and Dolly Parton in Austin Texas by Scott Newton
Located in Austin, US
Texan politician and former Texas governor, Ann Richards with Dolly Parton taken at the Driskill Hotel, Austin Texas in 1982 by photographer Scott Newton Photographers notes: We wer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 2
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

KLARA KRISTIN FOR ZOO MAGAZINE, 2021
Located in PARIS, FR
Ellia Art Gallery offers a captivating journey into the world of Philip Gay, showcasing his unparalleled ability to capture the essence of sensuality and sophistication in fashion ph...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

NATASA VOJNOVIC FUR US OF AMERICA MAGAZINE, 2016
Located in PARIS, FR
Ellia Art Gallery offers a captivating journey into the world of Philip Gay, showcasing his unparalleled ability to capture the essence of sensuality and sophistication in fashion ph...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

KATI NESCHER FOR STXDIOZ MAGAZINE, 2023
Located in PARIS, FR
Ellia Art Gallery offers a captivating journey into the world of Philip Gay, showcasing his unparalleled ability to capture the essence of sensuality and sophistication in fashion ph...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

MICHELLE LAFF FOR NOISÉ MAGAZINE, 2022
Located in PARIS, FR
Ellia Art Gallery offers a captivating journey into the world of Philip Gay, showcasing his unparalleled ability to capture the essence of sensuality and sophistication in fashion ph...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 8
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 6
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 3
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 4
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 7
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 6
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital

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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