Photorealist Figurative 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
"The Brass Ring", Bob Byerley, Original Oil on Canvas, 24x12 in., Realism
Located in Dallas, TX
"The Brass Ring" by Bob Byerley is a realistic original oil painting measuring 24x12 in.
The artist’s photographic memory of his boyhood adventures combin...
Category
1980s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
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 adorned with cautionary tape proclaiming “Fragile,” the figure dons mismatched shoes and, in a comical twist, manages to ensnare herself with her own fishing line. The true essence of instability emanates from the exaggerated facial features...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative 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 Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Sandía / Watermelon". Contemporary, Realism, food, figurative
Located in MADRID, ES
"Sandía / Watermelon". Contemporary, Realism, food, figurative, hyperrealism, photorealim
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Suitcase with teddy bears
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
This landscape-oriented painting is an intriguing work that stands out for its grisaille technique and its focus on tonal play. On the left, there is a painting within the painting: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
"Ranas / Frogs". Contemporary, Realism, animal, figurative, hyperrealist
Located in MADRID, ES
"Ranas / Frogs". Contemporary, Realism, animal, figurative, hyperrealism, photorealim
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
"Sisterhood II" Figurative Oil Painting 43 "x 39" inch by Yousra Hafad
By Yousra Hafad
Located in Culver City, CA
"Sisterhood II" Figurative Oil Painting 43 "x 39" inch by Yousra Hafad
Yousra Hafad is a young artist who excels in portraiture and particularly the meti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Yes Darling
Located in London, GB
One of a series of slightly edgy thought provoking series titled 'Yes Darling', is he in charge or is she in charge?...
About The Artist
Artist Martin Allen is a London based. Marti...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Se faire les ongles
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives in Montpelier, France
Classic Painting for Contemporary History
He defines his painting as " The world as a representation " His oil on canvas paintings are born ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Dj Princesse
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives and works in Montpelier, France
He defines his painting as Classic Painting for Contemporary History
" The world as a representation " His oil on canvas painting...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
NYC Biz
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives in Montpelier, France
Classic Painting for Contemporary History
He defines his painting as " The world as a representation " His oil on canvas paintings are born ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
NYC Kid
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives and works in Montpelier, France
He defines his painting as Classic Painting for Contemporary History
" The world as a representation " His oil on canvas painting...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Violet" Figurative Oil Painting 55" x 32" inch by Yousra Hafad
By Yousra Hafad
Located in Culver City, CA
"Violet" Figurative Oil Painting 55" x 32" inch by Yousra Hafad
Yousra Hafad is a young artist who excels in portraiture and particularly the meticulous art of drapery which she adorns her demure female figures in. Her works capture the ideals of female empowerment, and the feminine traits of motherhood, sisterhood, intuition, compassion and grace, all of which her carefully created subjects embody.
Yousra Hafad is an Egyptian artist...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
La Grande Parade
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives and works in Montpelier, France
He defines his painting as Classic Painting for Contemporary History
" The world as a representation " His oil on canvas painting...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Hallow Taxi
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives and works in Montpelier, France
He defines his painting as Classic Painting for Contemporary History
" The world as a representation " His oil on canvas painting...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Rain on Windshield: Rosie's Diner IV", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Dianne L. Massey Dunbar's (US based) "Rain on Windshield: Rosie's Dinver IV" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a cascading pattern of rain d...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Paper
Afternoon Light - Looking Through the Parking Lot, Oil Painting by Mickey Frome
By Mickey Frome
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Mickey Frome
Title: Afternoon Light - Looking Through The Parking Lot
Year: 2002
Medium: Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, Signed lr
Size: 34 x 44 inches
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Contemporary Surrealist Hyperrealist Large Figures Super Hero Wonder Woman Women
By Bruce Adams
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original painting by American contemporary conceptual painter Bruce Adams from the artist's new Untitled series.
The “Untitled,” series draws from a variety of visual and histori...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Samsara" Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Samsara" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the glow of a lit candle casting a halo on a blue background.
Mia Bergeron's interest in art ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Wax, Oil, Panel
"Chocolate Coconut" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Chocolate Coconut" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a chocolate donut covered with coconut shavings.
Gregory was born in Kansas City, ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
"Ring of Fire" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Ring of Fire" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a chocolate donut with a red topping in the center.
Gregory...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
"We the People" Figurative Narrative "Being Human" vs "Human Being"
Located in San Antonio, TX
Samuel Wilson
(Born 1986)
San Antonio, TX
Image Size: 30 x 24
Medium: Oil on Board
"WE THE PEOPLE"
When you see them in person you will say UNBELIEVEABL...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Whelk, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Whelk" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a broken pink and white hued Conch shell on a rustic canvas and teal background.
About the Art...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Bicycles III", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Dianne L. Massey Dunbar's (US based) "Bicycles III" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the layered view of red bicycles and gears, in profile, locked to a bike rack...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Driving in the Rain II", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Dianne L. Massey Dunbar's (US based) "Driving in the Rain II" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a cascading pattern of rain drops on a car windshield which obscures...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
'Tribal Indochine Woman II'
Located in Rye, NY
‘Tribal Indochine Woman 2’ is a large photorealist oil on canvas painting created by Vietnamese artist Nguyen Quang Huy in 2008. Featuring a captivating white, grey and black palette...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Crushed
Located in Austin, TX
"Crushed" by Gaylon Dingler
Acrylic on board
24.75 x 18.5 inches
Framed: 30 x 25 inches
A larger-than-life, photorealistic composition that captures ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Board
$2,700
Novelist Graham Green. Time magazine Cover Illustration
Located in Miami, FL
Work is nicely archival matted to 17.75 x 16.75 inches but not framed. Signed lower left
Published : Oct. 29, 1951 Cover, Time Magazine
Category
1950s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Board
At the Airport
Located in Miami, FL
Before there was Photorealism, there was Austin Briggs.
Done in 1951, this work has all the hallmarks of the 1970's fine art movement and more.
Briggs is using photographs as a refer...
Category
1950s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Cover of Newsweek, Kruschev, Russia March 16th 1959
By Robert Engle
Located in Miami, FL
Cover of Newsweek, Kruschev, March 16th 1959
Works on Paper (Drawings, Watercolors etc.),
Gouache on board
12 x 12 in. (30.5 x 30.5 cm.)
Signed Lower left
Powerful study of Russian ...
Category
1950s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Ancient Blessing
By Roseta Santiago
Located in Missouri, MO
Ancient Blessing, 2006
Roseta Santiago
Oil on Canvas
Signed Middle Left
42 x 48 inches
43 x 50 inches with frame
Roseta Santiago was born and raised in Washington D.C. She started ...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Price Upon Request
Intergalactic
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in Singapore, SG
Nails and thread on wood in plexiglass. One-of-a-kind original artwork.
In his latest body of work, the Dutch artist Nemo Jantzen is combining skills obtained in earlier years of hi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Thread
Price Upon Request
Silence Is Golden
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in Singapore, SG
Nails and thread on wood in plexiglass. One-of-a-kind original artwork.
In his latest body of work, the Dutch artist Nemo Jantzen is combining skills obtained in earlier years of hi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Thread
Price Upon Request
Out of Focus
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in Singapore, SG
Nails and thread on wood in plexiglass. One-of-a-kind original artwork.
In his latest body of work, the Dutch artist Nemo Jantzen is combining skills obtained in earlier years of hi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Thread, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Who’s Laughing Now
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in Singapore, SG
Nails and thread on wood in plexiglass. One-of-a-kind original artwork.
In his latest body of work, the Dutch artist Nemo Jantzen is combining skills obtained in earlier years of hi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Thread
Price Upon Request
Senses
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in Singapore, SG
Nails and thread on wood in plexi-glass.
One-of-a-kind original artwork.
In his latest body of work, the Dutch artist Nemo Jantzen is combining skills obtained in earlier years of h...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Thread
Price Upon Request
X-RAY
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in Singapore, SG
Nails and thread on wood in plexi-glass.
One-of-a-kind original artwork.
In his latest body of work, the Dutch artist Nemo Jantzen is combining skills obtained in earlier years of h...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Thread
Price Upon Request
"Dreaming Venus", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Daniel Sprick's (US based) "Dreaming Venus" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude feminine model laying on her side in the fetal posi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Price Upon Request
Vanitas 15.12.01, Photorealist Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Paul Beliveau
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Paul Beliveau, Canadian (b. 1954)
Title: Vanitas 05.12.01
Year: 2015
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed, titled, and dated verso
Size: 30 x 60 inches
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Vanitas 15.10.28, Photorealist Acrylic on Canvas Painting by Paul Beliveau
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Paul Beliveau, Canadian (b. 1954)
Title: Vanitas 05.10.28
Year: 2015
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed, titled, and dated verso
Size: 30 x 60 inches
Category
2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Photorealist figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist figurative 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 figurative 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, orange, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Gregory Block, Bruce Adams, James Van Fossan, and Mia Bergeron. 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 figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative 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 $228 and tops out at $100,000, while the average work sells for $3,000.