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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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Photorealist
David Bowie by Terry O'Neill framed, signed silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Ready to ship immediately. Free domestic US shipping. Framed 16x20" signed lifetime edition print by Terry O'Neill of David Bowie taken in Los Angeles in 1974, with Bowie wearing th...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bette Midler Film Set Backstage Baby Daughter Vintage b&w Print Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Bette Midler Film Set Backstage Baby Daughter Vintage b&w Print Contemporary Roddy McDowall (British-American, 1928-1998)m "Bette Midler & Daughter Sop...
Category

1980s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Rolling Stones backstage by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, US
The Rolling Stones, featuring Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, taken backstage before a show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. June 12t...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie portrait by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of David Bowie, wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette, by Kevin Cummins, taken in November 1995 Edition number 5/50, signed and numbered by Kevin Cummins. This David Bowie print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger hugging
Located in Austin, US
IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging rock star Mick Jagger of ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Black_and_White_Ver4
Located in New York, NY
Bob Tabor is a well-established, New York based, photographer best known for his exquisite large scaled portraits of subjects ranging from horses to seascapes. It is his unique appro...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Digital, Photogram, Archival Pigm...

Jimi Hendrix playing pool by Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Jimi Hendrix, shooting pool at the Bel Air home of John and Michelle Phillips, in Laurel Canyon, LA on July 1st 1967 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Beatles Shea Stadium 1965
Located in Austin, US
The Beatles, approaching the stage at Shea Stadium by Robert Whitaker. The Beatles walking onto the field at Shea Stadium in New York City. This show ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Maquina 2
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Digital, Photogram, Digital Pigment

'Rock, Mirror Lake, Yosemite' Original Photograph by Thomas Ferderbar
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Rock, Mirror, Lake, Yosemite" is an original photograph created by Thomas Ferderbar. Ferderbar shows us a striking photo of a large rock sitting in a mirror still lake. The flow of nature takes the viewers eyes all around the image and back again with it's beautiful features. Ferderbar signed and dated the piece. This work is archivally framed with acid free foam board backing, museum glass, and a silver finished frame. Art: 34.63" x 24.88" Frame: 42.5" x 32.5" Titled, dated, and signed by the artist Interview With the Artist: "I wanted to become a photographer at the age of 12, when my sister Grace gave me a Kodak Box Brownie camera...
Category

1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Luster, Digital

5S5A6039
Located in New York, NY
Bob Tabor is a well-established, New York based, photographer best known for his exquisite large scaled portraits of subjects ranging from horses to seascapes. It is his unique appro...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Digital, Photogram, Archival Pigm...

Jimi Hendrix Contact Sheet Print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition contact sheet print by Ed Caraeff of Jimi Hendrix, drummer John “Mitch” Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding before a performance at the Hollywood Bowl, Californi...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

El Patriarch
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Digital, Photographic Paper, Photogram, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

Contemporary photograph by Hunter Barnes of boy with horse at local rodeo
Located in New York, NY
This work is an artist proof, archival silver gelatin, handprinted by the artist and signed on verso. Directly acquired from the artist. The framing is 100% archival, with the use of only acid frame materials. Glazing, Optium non glare museum plexi. Hand carved wooden hand finished frame. Hunter Barnes is a documentary photographer whose work captures aspects of culture and communities ignored by the mainstream and often misrepresented in the modern American narrative. Hunter trained in photochemistry and traditional photographic techniques. At a young age, he began a nomadic life on the road. In his early twenties, Hunter self published his first book, Redneck Roundup, documenting the dying communities of the Old West. Other projects followed: four years spent with the Nez Perce tribe; months with a serpent handling congregation in the Appalachain mountains; bikers, lowriders, and street gangs...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Located in Austin, US
HM The Queen is released as a 20x24 print in a limited edition, Gelatin Silver Print of 25, with 3 artist proofs, signed and numbered photographer on the front. The print comes with a letter of authenticity signed by the photographer, including a reproduction of the letter Greg Brennan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Patti Smith Fuck The Clock
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith wearing her “Fuck The Clock” t-shirt by Allan Tannenbaum, taken at CBGB in New York, New Years Eve 1977. Available in different ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Beatles on the set of HELP! by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, US
The Beatles having fun at Cliveden House whilst taking a break from filming the 1965 comedy, Help! Taken by Robert Whitaker. All limited edition print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie "The Same Old Kyoto" by Sukita
Located in Austin, US
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "The Same Old Kyoto" by Masayoshi Sukita. “Bowie had come to Japan to film a commercial for a...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Mick Jagger at home, London 1966 by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
Mick Jagger in the hallway of his new apartment at Harley House, London, 1966 by Gered Mankowitz "I shot a series of photographs of each member of the band at home so that they did...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

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...

David Bowie "Loves to be Loved" by Sukita
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie, "Loves to be Loved", 1973 by Masayoshi Sukita - Signed limited edition 16" x 20" print . This print is also available as a 20" x 24" an...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

The Beatles live in Tokyo
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality print of The Beatles, taken on stage in Tokyo, Japan, by photographer Robert Whitaker. The Beatles ascend the steps to the stage at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan for a matin...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence” 1974
Located in Austin, US
As a renowned graphic designer (with 5 Grammy nominations), Norman Seeff has designed a number of large-scale composites and sequences. Signed limited edition sequence print of comedian Steve Martin...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 16x20" print
Located in Austin, US
Jimi Hendrix by iconic photographer, Baron Wolman. Taken at the Travelodge Motel, San Francisco, February 1968 One copy available Signed limited edition #30/175 20x16” hand printed ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Rolling Stones "Out Of Our Heads" by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
The Rolling Stones, taken in London back in 1965 by Gered Mankowitz. This image was used for the cover of Out Of Our Heads. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Night Flight - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 18"x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a naked young woman in the pool. The photograph has solid black background. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mick Jagger, Los Angeles 1972 “Exile?”
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of Mick Jagger, taken in LA by Norman Seeff in 1972. I art directed the EXILE ON MAIN STREET album package. Mick was very hands-on and the final decision maker. One afternoon, we asked him to hand-write the liner notes, which we pasted on to layout. We created the album package design right there in that moment. - Norman Seeff. This Mick Jagger print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mick Jagger and his Aston Martin DB6, London 1966 by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones with his beloved Aston Martin DB6, taken outside his London apartment in 1966 by Gered Mankowitz. "I shot a series of photographs of each member of...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Marianne Faithfull by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
English singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull, photographed at The Salisbury pub in London, 1964. Available in the following sizes. All prints signed and numbered by Ger...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

The Beatles 1963
Located in Austin, US
The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr at the President Hotel, Russell Square, London, 12 September 1963 by Norman Pa...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie holds a cassette player, 1974 by Terry O’Neill
Located in Austin, US
Never before printed, a rare image from the Terry O’Neill archive, available now for the first time. An outtake from the iconic Freddie Burretti suit photoshoot in Los Angeles, 1974...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Marc Bolan T-Rex, The Guru
Located in Austin, US
16" x 20", signed limited edition prints of Marc Bolan of T-Rex by Masayoshi Sukita, limited edition number 3/30, taken at Logan International Airport, Bost...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Robert & Patti, New York 1969 “Vertical II”
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, taken in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This Patty Smith...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Morrissey Kill Uncle Tour 1991
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey by Kevin Cummins, taken standing in front of a sign reading ‘Penis Mightier Than The Sword’ during the Japanese leg of his ‘K...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Courtney Love
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Courtney Love by Kevin Cummins, taken in Zurich Switzerland, 1996. Edition 50 This print by Kevin Cummins...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

John Lee Hooker
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of John Lee Hooker by Guido Harari, taken in Redwood City, California, 1991. Available in the following sizes: A. 11” x 16” - Edition 50 B. 16” x 20” - Edition 50 C. 20” x 28” - Edition 25 D. 32” x 44” - Edition 10 E. 44” x 59” - Edition 5 Guido Harari has photographed many music legends in his prolific career in Italy. Lou Reed said about him: "I'm always happy when Guido takes my picture because I know it will be a musical picture...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Courtney Love 1996
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Courtney Love by celebrated British photographer, Kevin Cummins, taken in Zurich Switzerland, 1996....
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ninos de la Calle 1
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment, Digital P...

Autographed Black & White Photograph Portrait of Juan Perón, For Elizabeth Lewis
Located in Soquel, CA
Rare original autographed black and white photograph of Argentinian president Juan Perón, dedicated to Elizabeth Lewis (Bess Huggins Lewis), by an unkn...
Category

1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Ninos de la Calle 4
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this skill over time, meticulously p...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Paper, Digital, Photogram, Digital Pigment,...

David Bowie at The Dorchester Hotel 1972
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Alec Byrne, taken at the Dorchester Hotel, July 1972 Alec Byrne signed limited edition prints are available ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment

David Bowie 1977 Heroes session – Speak No Evil
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie, "Speak No Evil", 1977 by Masayoshi Sukita, taken during the photo shoot for the Heroes album cover - Signed limited edition 20" x 24" print ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Debbie Harry Blondie 1977
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Debbie Harry of Blondie by Michael Brennan, taken at the studio on East 45th in Manhattan, New York, USA, Febru...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Ballet - underwater black and white nude photograph print on paper 42" x 56"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a young female dancer diving in pool. The naked dances is covering herself with tutu skirt. Original gallery quality archival pigment pri...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Kelp Nymph - underwater ocean black & white photograph print on paper 26" x 36"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a beautiful young woman diving in kelp forest. The picture is taken in Pacific Ocean near Palos Verdes, California. Original gallery qu...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Johnny Cash 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Johnny Cash, taken by Barrie Wentzell in London in 1968. This Johnny Cash print is available in the following sizes. 16" x 20" - Edi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Muhammad Ali
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Muhammad Ali by Michael Brennan, taken in 1977. A copy of this Iconic photograph is held in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Kate Moss at 16
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Kate Moss by Jake Chessum, taken when she was an unknown 16 year old model, just starting her career. Jake recalls, "I had heard of Kate as she was...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Marley 1972 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver print of Bob Marley, taken in the recording studio during the "I Can See Clearly Now" sessions with Johnny Nash, 1972 Alec Byrne...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment

The Rolling Stones "Mick and Chick" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, US
“Mick and Chick” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, L...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Muhammad Ali Shadow Boxing
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of American professional boxer and activist Muhammad during a training session at his training camp on 58 Sculps Hill Road, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, USA,...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Morrissey
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Morrissey by Kevin Cummins, taken at Rochdale Canal, Manchester England, 5th September 1989. Limited edition number 36/50 This ...
Category

1980s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Robert & Patti, New York 1969 “Patti with Cigarette”
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, taken in her kitchen in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This Patty Smith...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Rolling Stones "Swarkestone Contact Sheet" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, US
“Swarkestone Contact Sheet” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968. Featu...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie 1977 Heroes session – See No Evil
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie, "See No Evil", 1977 by Masayoshi Sukita during the photoshoot that produced the album cover shot tor Bowie's Heroes album cover - Signed limit...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Jack Nicholson
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Jack Nicholson at the Carlisle Hotel, March 1981 by Allan Tannenbaum. Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Iggy Pop "Lust For Life"
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Iggy Pop, taken on stage during the tour to support the album ‘Lust for Life’ at the Manchester Apo...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Gary Clark Jr backstage Troubadour portrait
Located in Austin, US
Gary Clark Jr taken on backstage at The Troubadour, LA, by Ben Sklar Available in the following sizes: 16" x 20" - Edition 20 - signed and numbered by Ben Sklar 20" x 24" - Edition ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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.

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