Photorealist Black and White 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
Hangyaku No
Located in New York, NY
“Ink Stories”, which was introduced at Nyari’s very first solo gallery exhibit, consists of large-scale nude photographs that explore the concept of self-identity and female empowerm...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Pho...
Black and White Perspective Photograph of Sidewalk with Trees
Located in Houston, TX
Landscape black and white perspective photograph of a sidewalk and trees. The photograph is matted onto a thick board to protect against bends. The photograph is not framed.
Category
20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
George Harrison, from a 1966 concert in Cleveland Ohio
Located in Paonia, CO
This image of George Harrison was taken at a 1966 Cleveland Ohio live Beatles concert. Photographer Michael Chikeris had just gotten out of the Mari...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Photographic Film
Rare Silver Gelatin Photograph "Jewish Deli, Poland" c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
Silver Gelatin Photograph "Jewish Deli, Poland" c.1930
Rare photograph of a group of men standing in the doorway of a Jewish Deli in Poland in the 1930s....
Category
Early 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Film
Filled with Light
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture belongs to. a set of photographs, done by Kallay in NYC in 1965 for a German book publisher.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Richard Blair Photograph "Daily News - Chinatown" San Francisco c.1974
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Daily News - Chinatown" San Francisco c.1974
Fine black and white photograph by noted American photographer Richard Blair. Richard Blair has been in a phot...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Down on East River
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Black and White photograph, edition 50, part of book about NY, 1965.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper
Reflection Around
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture is a part of photographs which Kallay done in 1965 for a German book publisher about NYC.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
On the Downton Shore
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture of NYU was done in 1965 as a collection of photographs for a German book editor. Later a phonebook about NYU was published.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Newport
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The NYU picture is a part of photographs done in 1965 for a German book publisher, lately a book with his photographs about NYC was published.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
American Commander
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Black and White photo in limited edition, a part from a book about NYC, 1965, printed by a German publisher.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Early Morning
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture belongs to a set of photographs which Kallay took in 1965 for a German book publisher in NYC.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Last Stop
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture belongs to a collection of NYC photographs, which Kallay done in 1965 for a German publisher.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
John Lennon the Beatles 1966 Cleveland Concert
Located in Paonia, CO
This image of John Lennon was taken at a 1966 Cleveland Ohio live Beatles concert. Photographer Michael Chikeris had just gotten out of the Marines and got entry thru the stage door...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Photographic Film
Midtown Stillife
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture is a part of photographs which Kallay done in 1965 for a German book publisher about NYC.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Manhattan Rythm
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Black and White, 1965 NYC a part of book which Kallay prepared for a German publisher.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Kingston Trio" Iconic American Folk Music Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph of the iconic American folk and pop music group that launched in the late 1950's to the late 1960's. The photograph is not fram...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
European Architectural Bridal Shop Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph with a European setting. The building appears to be a bridal or dress shop. The photograph is attached to a board to protect a...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Snowy Mountains Black and White Landscape Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph of snowy mountain tops. The photograph is attached to a board to protect against bending.
Category
20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
d'Este Eagles Among the Spouts in the Hundred Fountains in the Vill d'Este Photo
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph of d'Este Eagles among the spouts in the Hundred Fountains in the Vill d'Este. The photograph is attached to a board to protect against bending.
Category
20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Sculpture Street Scene Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white sculptural street scene photograph. The photograph is attached to the board to protect against bending.
Category
20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
European Canal Fisherman Early Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Early black and white photograph of a fisherman fishing in what appears to be a European town setting. The photograph is matted to a board to prevent bendi...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Tammy Mackay, Gone, Dodo Art, Contemporary Print, Affordable Art, Monochrome Art
By Tammy Mackay
Located in Deddington, GB
Tammy Mackay
Gone
Limited Edition Photopolymer Print with Chine Collé
Edition of 40
Image size: H:71cm x W:52cm
Sheet size: H:75.3cm x W:57cm x D 0.1cm
Sold Unframed
Please note that...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Pigment, Paper
Portrait of Nikita Khrushchev in Profile, Mid Century Black & White Photograph
By Yousuf Karsh
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 Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper
Richard Blair "Tom Dunphy aka General Waste-More-Land" Berkeley 1969 / 2001
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Tom Dunphy aka General Waste-More-Land" Berkeley, c.1969
Thomas Michael Dunphy (born 1944 in East Los Angeles, California) is best known for portraying General Waste-more-land, a character based on General William Westmoreland, at anti-Vietnam War protests in the 1960s. Dunphy is also a poet and is involved in other political activities including working with the Hopi Indians...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Yosemite Falls, " Black and White Photograph signed by Thomas Ferderbar
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Yosemite Falls" is a black and white photograph signed by Thomas Ferderbar. This view of the waterfall is from the side, not a center view. One can see how far the water falls down and where it creates mist as well. An evergreen tree balances the piece. Archival inkjet print on archival Epson Premium Luster paper. Camera that was used was an 8x10 Ansco View with a Goerz lens. And was scanned in the early 2000's with a drum scanner prior to achivally digitally printed. Signed by artist in lower left corner.
Paper: 50 x 40 in
Frame: 54 x 44 in
Interview with the Artist:
I wanted to become a photographer at the age of 12, when my sister Grace gave me a Kodak Box...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Luster, Archival Ink, Digital
NYC Shopping Couple
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture is an edition ( Edit. of 50) and part of a book about NYC, which Kallay done in 1965 for a German book publisher.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Sand Dunes Death Valley" - Minimal Desert Black & White Landscape Photograph
By Harry R. Kimball
Located in Soquel, CA
"Sand Dunes, Death Valley", a starkly beautiful black & white desert landscape photograph by Dr. Harry R. Kimball (American, 20th C). Signed lower right "H.R. Kimball", studio stamp on verso with title, date, and signature. On an acid free mat and aluminum frame. Image, 6.88"H x 9"W. Mat, 14"H x 18"W.
Following retirement after five decades of medical teaching, research and clinical care, Dr. Kimball devoted a full time effort to fine art landscape and nature photography. In the film era, he had the good fortune to study with the black and white masters of the late 20th century including John Sexton...
Category
1980s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence, Italy Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy. It is noted for the shops built alo...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Clarence Sinclair Bull, "Gable in Car, " vintage photograph
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is an original vintage photograph from the original negative taken by Clarence Sinclair Bull circa 1930-1940s. It depicts the iconic actor Clark Gable, often referred to ...
Category
1930s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Amy Winehouse at the laundromat by Jake Chessum framed 9x12" print
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Framed, signed 9x12" print of Amy Winehouse taken at a laundromat in London by Jake Chessum.
Frame measures 16.5 x 14/5 x 1"
Framed in a simple black frame, matting and UV protected conservation clear glass
Jake recalls the session: “I travelled from NYC to London in February 2004 to do a press shoot with Amy Winehouse. It was a classic February day: cold, wet, foggy and dark by about 4pm. We met at her flat and went to a few of her local haunts: a cafe, a launderette, Primrose Hill. The record company were very hands off and didn’t pressure us to do any particular set ups. We just went with the flow. She was really entertaining: funny, smart and cooly indiscreet. I am a huge jazz fan and I remember we talked about music, London and New York.”
Jake grew...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Giclée
Tired Photography Mexico Signed Karol Kállay
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography done for the publication Mexico/ Volk und Welt Berlin, 1967, signed on the back by the author.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Ripples - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude black and white photograph of a perfect female torso wrapped in sunlight.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, fur...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
Oil Peir (Pier)
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Photograph titled "Oil Peir (Pier)" c.1960, is a gelatin silver print by noted photographer Richard Stacks, 1930-2015. It has the stamp of the Baltimore Sunpapers and the name o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Ripples - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude black and white photograph of a perfect female torso wrapped in sunlight.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, fur...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Infinity - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival paper 17"x22"
By Alex Sher
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 Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Everyday
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The photography belongs to a cycle of photographies of NY, published in the book "New York", Verlag und Volk, Berlin 1967. Signed by the author on the back, certificate will be inclu...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Water Sketch II - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper wi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Glasgow Scotland 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Glasgow Scotland 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Night Flight - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 17"x23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool. The photograph was taken with black backdrop.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan portrait by Guido Harari
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 Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Richard Blair Photograph "Shipwrecked Boat - Tomales Bay" c.2000
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Shipwrecked Boat - Tomales Bay" c.2000
Tomales Bay is North or San Francisco. An absolutely beautiful and pristine area of remote wilderness.
Fine black a...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Dragon Dreams - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 16x23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater black and white nude photograph of a model on black background. Her distorted reflection in the inner water surface reminds some mysterious creature.
Original gallery qua...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
REFLECTIONS - Photography in Black and White , Bjorn Wennerwald
Located in Napoli, IT
Bjorn Wennerwald was born in 1964 and lives in Scandinavia. He graduated as a photographer from Copenhagen Photo College in 1987. During his long career his ...
Category
1990s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Red Hot Chili Peppers by Ebet Roberts
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 Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Night Flight - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 43x59"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool. The photograph was taken with black backdrop.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
David Bowie - Scary Monsters Remastered Color Contact Sheet by Duffy
By Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie - Scary Monsters Remastered Color Contact Sheet
Taken from the original negatives, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with the official ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Ripples - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude black and white photograph of a perfect female torso wrapped in sunlight.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, fur...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
David Bowie Smoking Clown from Scary Monsters by Duffy
By Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive.
Taken from the original negatives, these offici...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
"Monument Valley" Black and White Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
"Monument Valley" Black and White Photograph
Stunning photograph of Monument Valley, Utah, by an unknown artist (20th Century). A gnarled, ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
David Bowie Scary Monsters Clown Contact Sheet by Duffy
By Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive.
Taken from the original negatives from the Scary Monsters and ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
David Bowie Smoking Clown by Duffy
By Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive.
Taken from the original negatives, these offici...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Shadow on Daytona Beach
Located in Kraków, Województwo małopolskie
"Shadow on Daytona Beachis" a limited-edition black & white photograph by contemporary artist Tadeusz Zych from the series entitled Black and white States. The photo was taken during...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
David Bowie Smoking Clown contact sheet by Duffy, with silver frame
By Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive.
Taken from the original negatives, these o...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
David Bowie Smoking Clown Contact Sheet by Duffy
By Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive.
Taken from the original negatives, these o...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Rocky Desert Mountain, Black and White Landscape Photograph of Atlas, Morocco
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive limited edition black and white giclée print, on 100% cotton Hahnemühle Photo Rag Fine Art matte paper.
This series of black and white photographs captures the ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée
David Bowie Scary Monsters Clown Contact Sheet by Duffy
By Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive.
Taken from the original negatives from the Scary Monsters and ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Workmen on Top of Tunnel at Shape Up Basin
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Photograph titled "Workmen on Top of Tunnel at Shape Up Basin" c.1960, is a gelatin silver print by noted photographer Richard Stacks, 1930-2015. It has the stamp of the Baltimo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Photorealist black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist black and white 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. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Alex Sher, Allan Tannenbaum, Jake Chessum, and Kevin Cummins. 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 black and white photography, so small editions measuring 5.5 inches across are also available. Prices for black and white 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 $1,815.