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.
Pineapple Pink - Original Figurative Still Life Fruit Food Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kathleen Keifer's original artworks represent one of the most significant expressions of New California Realism. Keifer brings a fresh perspective to her colorful scenes of everyday ...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Nautilus Shell" Original Artwork, 24kt Gold on Museum Glass
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
"Pear II" Original Artwork, 24kt Gold on Museum Glass
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
"Diversity" by Karina Rodríguez, Oil Painting - Realistic Rubber Band Ball
Located in Denver, CO
Karina Rodríguez's "Diversity," rendered in oil on panel, measures 12 x 12 x 75 inches, with a framed dimension of 13.25 x 13.25 inches, ready to hang. This strikingly realistic stil...
Oil, Panel
Plums - Still Life Original Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stuart Dunkel has spent decades refining his hyper-realistic style. He paints realistic imagery based on real world inspirations. His paintings show that the everyday object can be f...
Oil, Board
Pancakes and Blackberries-original realism still life painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Linen, Acrylic
1870's Antique Italian Hunting Scene trompe l’oeil Oil Painting Birds Game Gold
Located in Buffalo, NY
This striking 19th-century painting signed "A. Malevolti 1877 Florence" is a fine example of the trompe l’oeil tradition, in which artists skillfully render imagery that "tricks the ...
Oil, Board
Canadian Perennials -original realism oil painting for sale- contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. “Canadian Perennials” by Ann Goldberg is a masterful display o...
Canvas, Oil
Girl in a Chair, Large Painting by Bill Wiman
By Bill Wiman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Bill Wiman, American (1940 - ) Title: Girl in a Chair Year: 1978 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed Size: 82 x 83.5 in. (182.88 x 212.09 cm) Frame: 83 x 84.5 inches
Oil, Canvas
"Fire Flower" by Daniel Sprick, Oil Painting of Roses
Located in Denver, CO
Daniel Sprick's (US based) "Fire Flower" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a colorful rose bathed in light contrasted with a dramatic background. About the artist...
Oil, Board
Tipping Point
Located in Fairfield, CT
Her oil on canvas images are photorealistic and gorgeous.
Canvas, Oil
Lotus No. 65 (Photo-Realist Still Life Painting of Pink & Green Lotus Flowers)
Located in Hudson, NY
Photorealist still life painting on canvas of a light pink lotus flower with brown lotus pods and green petals against a light grey background "Lotus Number Sixty-Five" oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches, 49 x 49 x 2 inches with a dark wood frame Signed lower left Excellent condition and ready to hang Painted with the exactness of a still life photograph, this hard edge realist painting by artist Frank DiPietro features a light pink lotus flower, with lush green leaves on a pale grey background. Inspired by close observations of the natural world and encounters with still moments that give us pause. Lines, shapes and colors encountered in nature, reveal the cycles of decay and regeneration that are life’s constant state of change. The work has a quiet, meditative quality. The subject is portrayed in a manner true to their existence in a specific time and place and selected based on considerations of visual relationships to formal elements of painting. Aspects of photo realism, hard edge and color field techniques are utilized to isolate the uniqueness of the subject’s detail, as well as emphasize flatness and illusion of depth within the two-dimensional space of the painting. About the artist: Frank DiPietro was born and raised in Scranton PA. He received a Bachelor of Art from Bloomsburg University in 1997, majoring in both Painting and Ceramics with a minor in Art History. In 2000 he earned a degree in Art Education from Moore College of Art and Design while continuing his studies in painting. Frank lived in Philadelphia for twelve years painting and teaching at several museums, art centers and schools in the region. In 2010 he and his family moved to Chester County PA, where he currently resides. Frank currently teaches painting classes and workshops at the Delaware Art Museum and Longwood Gardens...
Canvas, Oil
Time To Grow - Hyperrealist Botanical Flower Still Life Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With a contemporary perspective on landscape painting and inspired by paintings created by old masters, German artist Katharina Husslein paints in a representational manner to captur...
Canvas, Oil
Undamaged - original still life oil painting - contemporary realism artwork
By Sarah Eden
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Board
Gold Allure - original oil painting - contemporary still life realism artwork
By Sarah Eden
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Board
Love Letters - Scrabble Coffee Original Painting Board Game Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kathleen Keifer is a California-based internationally collected artist. She is a leading force of the New California Realism. Keifer brings a fresh perspective to her hyperrealistic ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Summer Solstice: Photo-Realist Figurative Oil Paining of Two Swimmers in Aqua
Located in Hudson, NY
"Summer Solstice", this photo-realist painting of a man and a woman swimming in a pool is painted by Hudson Valley artist, Samantha French made in 2024...
Canvas, Oil
"Reclining Nude" Original Artwork, 24kt Gold on Museum Glass
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
Cosmo - Original Pink Contemporary Bar Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kathleen Keifer is a California-based internationally collected artist. She is a leading force of the New California Realism. With a high level of technical virtuosity Keifer creates...
Canvas, Acrylic
Still Life No. 7
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jeanette Pasin Sloan Title: Still Life No. 7 Year: 1979 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed and dated verso Size: 46 in. x 62 in. (116.84 cm...
Oil
"New" Oil Painting
By Mia Bergeron
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "New" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the glow of a lit candle with the morning light of sunrise Mia Bergeron's interest in art was cul...
Wax, Oil, Panel
"Cherry" Original Artwork, 24kt Gold on Museum Glass
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
Tiffany Stained Glass - Original Book Art on Canvas
By Carl Smith
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Smith is an American artist who has been living in Berlin, Germany, since 2001. He works with a combination of silkscreen printing, collage, and painting to create his urban ins...
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic, Screen
Sunkissed Peaches -original hyper-realism fruit oil painting- contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. “Sunkissed Peaches” by Ann Goldberg is a radiant example of co...
Canvas, Oil
You Are My Home - Colorful Textural Floral Still Life Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With a contemporary perspective on still-life painting and inspired by paintings created by old masters, German artist Katharina Husslein paints in a representational manner to captu...
Canvas, Oil
"Blue Sprinkle" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Blue Sprinkle" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a donut covered with blue glaze and rainbow sprinkles. Gregory was born in Kansas City...
Oil, Board
Lime Juice - original modern realism still life oil painting - contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
"Marble in Martini Glass" (2025) Oil Still-Life Painting on Panel
Located in Denver, CO
Carlos Bruscianelli's "Marble in a Martini Glass" is an original, handmade oil painting on panel that measures 24 x 18 inches unframed and is ready to hang. About the Artist: Carlos...
Oil, Panel
Ian Hornak, Very Baroque Flowerpiece with Red Birds of Paradise, Shining Parrot
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
IAN HORNAK (1944–2002) Title: Very Baroque Flowerpiece with Red Birds of Paradise and Shining Parrot Date: 1989 Medium: Acrylic on Panel, with Artist Painted Frame Dimensions...
Acrylic
Peaches - original still life realism oil painting - contemporary artwork
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
"After, " Original Still Life Oil Painting, Donuts
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "After" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts an open box of donuts with rainbow sprinkles. Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 19...
Oil, Board
Razzle Dazzle Raspberries –original realism contemporary fruit painting for sale
By Sarah Eden
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Board
"The Hope" (2025) Oil Portrait Painting on Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
This incredible original oil painting is framed at 19 x 19 inches, and is ready to hang. About the Artist: Serge Marshennikov was born in 1971 in Ufa (Bashkiria, USSR). His grandfat...
Canvas, Oil
Five Vases, Photorealist Oil Painting on Canvas by Gustavo Schmidt
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Photorealist Still Life painting of five glass vases on a table by Chilean-born artist Gustavo Schmidt. Five Vases Gustavo Schmidt, Chilean/American (1963-) Date: 2012 Oil on Canv...
Canvas, Oil
"The Dance" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Wood Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"The Dance" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on wood panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame and is read...
Oil, Wood Panel
Sunset
By Mimi Jensen
Located in Burlingame, CA
'Sunset' by artist Mimi Jensen, who uses bold colors to depict theatrically lit objects. The painting measures 30 x 40 inches and is professionally framed in a contemporary ebonized ...
Canvas, Oil
Martini Blues - Original Cocktail Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kathleen Keifer is a California-based internationally collected artist. She is a leading force of the New California Realism. Kathleen brings a fresh, clean perspective to her colorf...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
"Before, " Original Still Life Oil Painting, Donuts
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Before" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts an open box of donuts with rainbow sprinkles. Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1...
Oil, Board
"Virginia Creeper, Swamp, Plum Creek" 24kt Gold on Museum Glass
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
Superchip (large signed giclee on canvas)
Located in Aventura, FL
Giclee on canvas. Hand signed lower right by Doug Bloodworth. Hand numbered 39/150 lower right. Canvas size 38 x 50 inches. Canvas is not stretched. Artwork is in excellent co...
Canvas, Acrylic
Lemon - original realism still life painting - contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Linen, Acrylic
Candy Crush
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Jesús Navarro was born in Jerez, (Cadiz), located in southern Spain, in 1952. By the age of tw...
Canvas, Oil
Fruit Splash - original realism still life painting - contemporary artwork
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
"Blooming Days II" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Wood Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"The Dance" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on wood panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame and is read...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Mollie's Spoons", Oil Painting
By Scott Fraser
Located in Denver, CO
Scott Fraser's "Mollie's Spoons" is an oil painting created in 2020 that depicts varying fine silver spoons scattered across a warm grey surface. About ...
Oil, Board
"Pink Package" - Oil Painting on Cradled Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"Pink Package" by Sarah van der Helm is an original, handmade oil painting on cradled panel. This piece measures 8 x 8 x 2 inches unframed and is ready to hang. Born in 1970, Sarah ...
Oil, Panel
New York Times (large signed giclee on canvas)
Located in Aventura, FL
Giclee on canvas. Hand signed lower right by Doug Bloodworth. Hand numbered 36/150 lower right. Canvas size 44 x 55 inches. Canvas is not stretched. Artwork is in excellent co...
Canvas, Acrylic
Strawberry Deuce – original realism contemporary fruit painting for sale
By Sarah Eden
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Board
TV Dinner, Fried Chicken
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, Los Angeles -- Artist Statement Nothing But Neon, 2021 I see beauty in old neon signs. I have always been fascinated by the glow inside the h...
Oil, Panel
"Preserving Memories" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Aluminum Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"Preserving Memories" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on wood panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame a...
Oil, Wood Panel
"The Last" Citrus Elegance Still Life Oil Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
"The Last," a 2013 oil on canvas by Victoria Novak, is a testament to the timeless beauty and elegance of still life painting. Measuring 19.70 x 39.40 i...
Canvas, Oil
"Mushrooms, Tuscany" Original Artwork, 24kt Gold on Museum Glass
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
Afternoon splendor
By Lynette Cook
Located in Burlingame, CA
The subtle and brilliant work of art is meticulously hand painted by Lynette Cook, who realistically depicts scenes that she sees during her morning walks through the city, yet her p...
Canvas, Acrylic
Liesenbruken, Abandoned Train Bridge, Contemporary Photorealist Painting
By Roland Kulla
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
American School Super Realist Still Life Surreal Original Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist still life oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed verso.
Canvas, Oil
Glistening Grapes -original hyper-realism fruit oil painting- contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. “Glistening Grapes” by Ann Goldberg is a mesmerizing explorati...
Canvas, Oil
"The Sweet Taste of Honey" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Linen
Located in Denver, CO
"The Sweet Taste of Honey" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on linen in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame a...
Oil, Linen
"The Winged Alchemist" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Aluminum Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"The Winged Alchemist" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on an aluminum panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black...
Oil, Panel
Harmony / oil on canvas
By Mimi Jensen
Located in Burlingame, CA
Sophisticated shades of grey and white still life with vases, shell, box and marble. Wonderful complex patterns throughout the oil painting on canvas. In excellent condition. Signed ...
Canvas, Oil
"Blooming Days" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Aluminum Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"Blooming Days" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on aluminum panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame and...
Oil, Panel