Realist Photography
REALIST STYLE
Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world.
Work that involves illusionistic techniques of realism dates back to the classical world, such as the deceptive trompe l’oeil used since ancient Greece. Art like this became especially popular in the 17th century when Dutch artists like Evert Collier painted objects that appeared real enough to touch. Realism as an artistic movement, however, usually refers to 19th-century French realist artists such as Honoré Daumier exploring social and political issues in biting lithographic prints, while the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painting people — particularly the working class — with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history.
By the turn of the 20th century, European artists, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, were experimenting with nearly photographic realism in their work, as seen in the attention to every botanical attribute of the flowers surrounding the drowned Ophelia painted by English artist John Everett Millais.
Although abstraction was the guiding style of 20th-century art, the realism trend in American modern art endured in Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and other artists’ depictions of the complexities of the human experience. In the late 1960s, Photorealism emerged with artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes giving their paintings the precision of a frame of film.
Contemporary artists such as Jordan Casteel, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Aliza Nisenbaum are now using the unvarnished realist approach for honest representations of people and their worlds. Alongside traditional mediums, technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive installations are helping artists create new sensations of realism in art.
Find authentic realist paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Realist
Beauty and the Beast
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
Lady Daphne Cameron (Mrs George Cameron) on a tiger skin rug in the trophy room at socialite Laddie Sanford's home in Palm Beach, Florida.
Estate stamped and hand numbered edition o...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
North Conway, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A woman holding her skis in North Conway, New Hampshire, 1955. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Nu...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Fan Mail (Marilyn Monroe in Red), Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962), wearing a red negligee trimmed with black lace, sorts out her fan mail shortly after her film 'The Asphalt Jungle' had been released.
This exquisite p...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Nude I - Limited Edition Finest Quality - Color Photograph
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Beautiful limited edition art photography
Printable in colour or black/white
Editions: 20
Technique: Photography
Surface: Photo Paper
Country of Origin: Russia
Signed: Signed, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Pool At Villa Gli Arieti, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The pool at the Villa Gli Arieti, home of Lamberto Micangeli, in Ansedonia, near Porto Ercole, Italy, September 1986. In the distance is his daughter Marina's 16th century castle, To...
Category
1980s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Ship at the Dock - 1960's San Francisco Maritime Black & White Photograph
By Gene Wright
Located in Soquel, CA
A beautiful black and white photograph of the ship "Balclutha" in dock, with Coit Tower in the background by famed San Francisco photographer Gene Wright (American, 20th Century). Im...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Snowmass Picnic (Aarons Estate Edition)
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
A stand-up fondue picnic for skiers at Snowmass-at-Aspen, Colorado which has more than fifty miles of trails and snowfields. The village was opened in 1967.
Estate stamped and hand...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
European Port At Sunrise
Located in Jacksonville, FL
"European Port at Sunrise" by Charles Kuwasseg is a painting that immediately draws you into its serene and enchanting world. As the first light of dawn breaks over a tranquil Europe...
Category
1860s Realist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Buckleys in Switzerland, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American author and journalist William F. Buckley Jr. and his wife Patricia take a sleigh ride from the Chateau de Rougemont in Switzerland, 1986.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certi...
Category
1980s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Dubonnet Dinner, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A formal dinner organised by Dubonnet on the French Riviera, 1952. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity include...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
North Conway, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A woman holding her skis in North Conway, New Hampshire, 1955. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Nu...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
"A l'exactitude" boutique de cordonnerie, 93 rue Broca, 5ème arr. Neg. no. 1398
By Eugène Atget
Located in Middletown, NY
Albumen print on thin photographic paper (printed out from glass plate); 8 5/8 x 7 inches (219 x 178 mm). Marked by the photographer in pencil on verso "Vieille maison, 93 Rue Broca ...
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Entrée del la Cour 29 Rue Broca, 5ème arrondissement. Atget negative no. 1296
By Eugène Atget
Located in Middletown, NY
Albumen print on thin photographic paper (printed out from glass plate); 7 x 8 5/8 inches (178 x 219 mm). Marked by the photographer in pencil on verso "Entrance to the Courtyard at ...
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Dubonnet Dinner, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A formal dinner organised by Dubonnet on the French Riviera, 1952. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity include...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
North Conway, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A woman holding her skis in North Conway, New Hampshire, 1955. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Nu...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
North Conway, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A woman holding her skis in North Conway, New Hampshire, 1955. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Nu...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Une cour de la rue Saint-Médard, 5ème Arrondissement. Atget negative no. 1486
By Eugène Atget
Located in Middletown, NY
Albumen print on thin photographic paper (printed out from glass plate); 7 x 8 1/2 inches (178 x 218 mm). Marked by the photographer in pencil on verso "Une cour del la rue St. Méda...
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Cour 29 Rue Broca, 5ème arrondissement. Atget negative no. 1394
By Eugène Atget
Located in Middletown, NY
Albumen print on thin photographic paper (printed out from glass plate); 8 1/2 x 7 inches (217 x 178 mm). Marked by the photographer in pencil on verso "Courtyard 29 Rue Broca 1394."...
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
"Au petit temple" / hôtel meublé des Bons Enfants, rue Saint-Médard, 5ème Arr.
By Eugène Atget
Located in Middletown, NY
Albumen print on thin photographic paper (printed out from glass plate); 7 x 8 1/2 inches (178 x 217 mm). Marked by the photographer in pencil on verso "Rue St. Medard 442." Deckled ...
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Marian Anderson, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American contralto Marian Anderson during the filming for 'The Ford 50th Anniversary Show' (also known as 'The American Road') television special, 1953. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton ...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Marian Anderson, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American contralto Marian Anderson during the filming for 'The Ford 50th Anniversary Show' (also known as 'The American Road') television special, 1953. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton ...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Portrait of Nude Man
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Victor Arimondi (1942-2001). Portrait, ca. 1975. Period print measures 11 x 14 inches. Artist studio stamp on verso.
Victor Arimondi (November 8, 1942 – July 24, 2001) was an Itali...
Category
1970s Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Sno Bear (Small)
Located in Colorado Springs, US
Edition #18/45 - Original gampi print by Pete Zaluzec.
Signed lower right.
Framed Size: 26.25 X 20.25
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Photography
Materials
Color
Preening Sparrow (Small)
Located in Colorado Springs, US
Edition #2/45 - Original gampi print by Pete Zaluzec.
Signed.
Framed Size: 20.25 X 26.25
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Photography
Materials
Color
In The Wind (Small)
Located in Colorado Springs, US
Edition #18/45 - Original gampi print by Pete Zaluzec.
Signed lower right.
Framed Size: 27.5 X 21.5
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Photography
Materials
Color
Lotta Bull (Medium)
Located in Colorado Springs, US
Edition #4/45 - Original gampi print by Pete Zaluzec.
Signed.
Framed Size: 26 X 40
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Photography
Materials
Color
Sunrise Ridge (Hand-printed cyanotype, 12 x 18 inches)
Located in Oakland, CA
Brand-new addition to the Foggy Woods Collection of forests in northern California near San Francisco. New as of May 14, 2024. This is a hand-printed contact photograph using the ant...
Category
2010s Realist Photography
Materials
Paper, Archival Paper, Rag Paper, Photogram
Portrait of Nude Man
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Victor Arimondi (1942-2001). Portrait, ca. 1975. Period print measures 11 x 14 inches. Artist studio stamp on verso.
Victor Arimondi (November 8, 1942 – July 24, 2001) was an Itali...
Category
1970s Realist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Britt Ekland, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Film star Britt Ekland (Britt-Marie Eklund) in Porto Ercole, Italy.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered and stampe...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Slender Pines (Hand-printed cyanotype, 18 x 12 inches)
Located in Oakland, CA
Brand-new addition to the Foggy Woods Collection of forests in northern California near San Francisco. New as of May 14, 2024. This is a hand-printed contact photograph using the ant...
Category
2010s Realist Photography
Materials
Rag Paper, Archival Paper, Paper, Photogram
Slim Aarons 'Westin Excelsior, Venice' Mid-century Modern Photography
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
Westin Excelsior in Venice
1957
C print
Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity from the estate.
Slim Aarons, an acclaimed fine art photo...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Laguna Beach Surfers, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A surfer in the sea at Laguna Beach, California, January 1970. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Nu...
Category
1970s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Poolside Host, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Guests by the pool at Nelda Linsk's desert house in Palm Springs, California, January 1970. The house was designed by Richard Neutra for Edgar J. Kaufmann. At far left is Lita Baron....
Category
1970s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Slim Aarons 'Lido Life, Venice' Mid-century Modern Photography
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
Lido Life, Venice
1957
C print
Signature stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity from the Slim Aarons estate.
A waiter serves fruit to bathers, ...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rhode Island Surfer, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A surfer carrying his board at a Rhode Island beach, September 1965. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered an...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Rhode Island Surfer, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A surfer carrying his board at a Rhode Island beach, September 1965. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered an...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Rhode Island Surfers, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Surfers off Rhode Island, September 1965. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aaron...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Rhode Island Surfers, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Surfers off Rhode Island, September 1965. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aaron...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Laguna Beach Surfers, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A surfer in the sea at Laguna Beach, California, January 1970. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Nu...
Category
1970s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Laguna Beach Surfers, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A surfer in the sea at Laguna Beach, California, January 1970. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Nu...
Category
1970s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Laguna Beach Surfers, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A surfer in the sea at Laguna Beach, California, January 1970. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Nu...
Category
1970s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Rhode Island Surfer, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A surfer carrying his board at a Rhode Island beach, September 1965. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered an...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Rhode Island Surfer, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A surfer carrying his board at a Rhode Island beach, September 1965. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered an...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Rhode Island Surfers, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Surfers off Rhode Island, September 1965. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aaron...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Rhode Island Surfers, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Surfers off Rhode Island, September 1965. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aaron...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Freeport Yachts
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yachts in a marina in Freeport, in the Bahamas, April 1969.
40 x 60 inches
$3950
30 x 40 inches
$3350
20 x 30 inches
$3000
10 x 12 inches
$1350
Complimentary dealer shipping to ...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Skiing Waiters Estate Edition Photograph (Vintage Winter Snowscape)
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three skiing waiters on a ski slope, circa 1960. In the foreground, a white-clad chef skis towards the viewer, offering a beautifully prepared bird on a tray. Behind him, a man in a ...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Carmen Sevilla, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spanish actress and singer Carmen Sevilla. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons
Carmen Sevilla
Chromogenic Lambda print
1957, Printed Later
Slim Aarons Estate Edition
Com...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Slim Aarons 'Kings of Hollywood'
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
Film stars (left to right) Clark Gable (1901 - 1960), Van Heflin (1910 - 1971), Gary Cooper (1901 - 1961) and James Stewart (1908 - 1997) enjoy a joke at a New Year's party held at R...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Carmen Sevilla, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spanish actress and singer Carmen Sevilla. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons
Carmen Sevilla
Chromogenic Lambda print
1957, Printed Later
Slim Aarons Estate Edition
Com...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Alice In Acapulco, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alice Topping and Minnie Cushing (left) relax with friends in Acapulco, Mexico, February 1966. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certifi...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Alice In Acapulco, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alice Topping and Minnie Cushing (left) relax with friends in Acapulco, Mexico, February 1966. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certifi...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Naumburg Bandshell, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Couples dance to a live band performing at the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, New York City, 1948. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons
Naumburg Bandshe...
Category
1940s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Naumburg Bandshell, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Couples dance to a live band performing at the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, New York City, 1948. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons
Naumburg Bandshe...
Category
1940s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Naumburg Bandshell, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Couples dance to a live band performing at the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, New York City, 1948. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons
Naumburg Bandshe...
Category
1940s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Alice In Acapulco, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alice Topping and Minnie Cushing (left) relax with friends in Acapulco, Mexico, February 1966. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certifi...
Category
1960s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Carmen Sevilla, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spanish actress and singer Carmen Sevilla. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons
Carmen Sevilla
Chromogenic Lambda print
1957, Printed Later
Slim Aarons Estate Edition
Com...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Carmen Sevilla, Slim Aarons Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spanish actress and singer Carmen Sevilla. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
Slim Aarons
Carmen Sevilla
Chromogenic Lambda print
1957, Printed Later
Slim Aarons Estate Edition
Com...
Category
1950s Realist Photography
Materials
Lambda
Realist photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Realist 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, purple, red, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Slim Aarons, Pico Garcez, Kind of Cyan, and Massimo Listri. Frequently made by artists working with Digital Print, and Lambda 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 Realist photography, so small editions measuring 3.94 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 $105 and tops out at $75,000, while the average work sells for $3,000.