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
Returnable Items Only
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Elton John Dodger Stadium
Located in Austin, US
Lifetime prints are the last remaining prints available, signed by Terry O’Neill and obtained from the Terry O’Neill Archive in London.
Signed limited edition photographic print by Terry O'Neill. Elton John performs at Dodger Stadium...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
San Carlo
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the San Carlo Church of Milan.
Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He l...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment
San Maurizio
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the San Maurizio Church of Milan.
Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. H...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment
Milano Palazzo Reale
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the Royal Palace of Milan.
Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment
San Pietro
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken at San Pietro - Rome
Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works be...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment
Pantheon
Located in Milano, MI
Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works between Milan and Barcelona. He bega...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment
Beastie Boys Adam Yauch MCA Vintage Darkroom Print by Jake Chessum
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Original hand-printed vintage print from photographer Jake Chessum of Beastie Boys Adam Yauch, know as MCA, playing double bass in the studio in 1994.
Printed by Jake back in the d...
Category
1990s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Tori Amos Vintage Print 12"x16" by Jake Chessum
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Original hand-printed vintage 12x16” darkroom print from photographer Jake Chessum of Tori Amos. Printed by Jake in the 90's, at the time of the photo shoot.
Jake recalls the sessio...
Category
1990s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Henry Miller And Eve Miller On Partington Ridge - 1954 Original Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
"Henry And Eve Miller On Partington Ridge" - 1954 Original Photograph
1954 original black and white silver gelatin photograph of Henry and Eve Miller at their house on Partington Ri...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Duomo
Located in Milano, MI
Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works between Milan and Barcelona. He bega...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Tori Amos 1994 Vintage 12"x16" Darkroom Print by Jake Chessum
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Oginal hand-printed 12x16” darkroom vintage print from photographer Jake Chessum of Tori Amos. Printed by Jake in the 90's, at the time of the photo shoot.
Jake recalls the session...
Category
1990s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The Black Keys "Red Vision 2" Phoenix AZ 2022 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys “Red Vision 2” Phoenix AZ 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relatio...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
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
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Black Keys "Tour Life, somewhere on the road 2022" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys, “Tour Life”, somewhere on the road 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relationship with Larry...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Black Keys Dan Auerbach "Mirror" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys “Mirror” taken on the Dropout Boogie Tour 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relationship with...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Centrale
Located in Milano, MI
Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works between Milan and Barcelona. He bega...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment
The Black Keys "Red Vision 1" Phoenix AZ 2022 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys, “Red Vision 1” Phoenix AZ 2022, signed limited edition prints byThe Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relatio...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Black Keys Recording with Beck Los Angeles 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys, Recording with Beck, Los Angeles 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relationship with Larry N...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Black Keys "Shadow" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys “Shadow” taken in Tel Aviv Israel 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relationship with Larry N...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Black Keys "Double Dan" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys, “Double Dan” print taken in Kansas City, KS, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relationship with L...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Dan Auerbach "Ride" San Francisco 2022 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
Dan Auerbach “Ride”, San Francisco 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relationship with Larry Niehues began t...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Film
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 Keys relationship with Larry Nie...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Black Keys, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines IA 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, US
The Black Keys, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines IA 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black K...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Film
"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
Gwen Stefani No Doubt 1997 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Gwen Stefani and Ska band No Doubt, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1997, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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
Kate Moss at 16
By Jake Chessum
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
Gwen Stefani and No Doubt 1997 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Gwen Stefani with Ska band No Doubt, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1997, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Ian Curtis by Kevin Cummins. Edition number 38/75
This iconic shot of the Joy Division singer was taken at T...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Fiona Apple 1996 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Singer Fiona Apple, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1996, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
Th...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix 1967 silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Mick Jagger with Jimi Hendrix by Alec Byrne, taken at the Top Of The Pops TV studios, London, May 1967.
Alec recalls, “I got a late p...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1994, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is in perfec...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
'SCIMPANZE' WITH EYES - Black and white photograph Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Small Photograph on photographic paper titled "Chimpanzee with Glasses" on ivory paper passpartu' and a 1970s briar frame
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Andy Warhol on roller skates vintage silver gelatin print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of Andy Warhol on roller stakes at The Roxy in New York City in March 1980. This print is an original, hand printed darkroom pr...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Fiona Apple vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Fiona Apple, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1996, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
John Lennon and Yoko Ono naked in bed 1980 vintage print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of John Lennon and Yoko Ono taken in New York , naked in bed, November 26th 1980. This print is an original, hand printed darkr...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Morrissey 1994 vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Morrissey, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1994, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is in perfect new condition ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Morrissey vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Morrissey, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1994, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is in perfect new condition ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein Blondie vintage print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie taken on the rooftop of their New York City. apartment in 1980. This print is an ori...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
John Lennon and Yoko Ono "Starting Over" 1980 vintage print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of John Lennon and Yoko Ono taken in New York on the set of "Starting Over" November 26th 1980. This print is an original, hand...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
BABY- Black and white photography Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Beautiful b/w photo depicting a little Peruvian girl
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
John Lennon and Yoko Ono Dakota Building vintage print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of John Lennon and Yoko Ono taken outside the Dakota Building on November 21st 1980. This print is an original, hand printed da...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
CHIARO DI LUNA - Fotografia bianco e nero su carta fotografica
Located in Napoli, IT
Fotografia analogica in bianco e nero su carta fotografica, autore ignoto
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic 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 talents have benefited a ...
Category
1990s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
MOSCOW - Black and white photograph on photographic paper, Sergio del Vecchio 1986
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white analog photograph on photographic paper, signed Sergio del Vecchio.
Sergio Del Vecchio: Neapolitan, born in 1961, enrolled in the Order of Journalists of Campania, in...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
ESERCITO AL FRONTE - Fotografia bianco e nero , Vittorio Buonanno 1950
Located in Napoli, IT
Fotografia in bianco e nero alla gelatina ai sali d'argento, Titolo "Esercito al fronte" di Vittorio Buonanno
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
In the Hall of the Mountain King - underwater b&w nude photograph - paper 24х35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a female dancer performing in a swimming pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman rare signed platinum print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, US
JIMI HENDRIX ON STAGE AT THE WINTERLAND BALLROOM IN SAN FRANCISCO, FEBRUARY 1968.
One copy available
Signed limited edition #7/150
Rare signed platinum print with deckled bottom edge
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Platinum
George Barris, "Feeling the Surf, " hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Taken at the beach in Santa Monica, California 2 1/2 weeks before her death, this photograph is from the last ever photo shoot of Marilyn Monroe by the photographer George Barris. P...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Bridges. Memphis I
Located in Kraków, Województwo małopolskie
"Bridges. Memphis I" is a limited-edition black & white photograph by contemporary artist Tadeusz Zych from the series entitled Black and white States. The photo was taken during a t...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Greta Garbo - Somber Head Shot by Clarence Sinclair Bull, 1931
Located in Soquel, CA
Greta Garbo - Somber Head Shot by Clarence Sinclair Bull, 1931
1931 Black and white somber headshot photograph of Swedish/American actress Greta Garbo (Swedish, 1905-1990) by Clarence Sinclair Bull (American, 1896-1979). Greta Garbo gazes at the camera, her curled hair sits in front of her face. The background is black. A black and white photograph, matte finish, double-weight paper, depicting a 1931 shot of the star titled 'Mata Hari,' printed decades later from the original negative, penciled in the lower left corner "A.P.," Estate stamped and blind embossed in the lower right corner "Clarence Sinclair Bull," further blind embossed in same corner "The Kobal / Collection," verso with the photographer's black ink credit stamp, verso further with two "Edward Weston" black ink credit stamps dated "1981" and "1992," originally from the John Kobal Collection.
Greta Garbo was a Swedish-American actress. Regarded as one of the greatest screen actresses of all time, she was known for her melancholic, somber persona, her film portrayals of tragic characters, and her subtle and understated performances. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Garbo fifth on its list of the greatest female stars of classic Hollywood cinema.
Clarence Sinclair Bull was born in Sun River, Montana, in 1896. His career began when Samuel Goldwyn hired him in 1920 to photograph publicity stills of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio's stars. He is most famous for his photographs of Greta Garbo, taken between 1926 and 1941. Bull's first portrait of Garbo was a costume study for the silent romantic drama film Flesh and the Devil in September 1926.
Bull was able to study with the great Western painter...
Category
1930s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Paper, Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper
George Barris, "Hollywood Hills " photolithograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This photograph of Marilyn was taken at the Hollywood Hills home of Tim Leimert 2 1/2 weeks before Marilyn's death. Photolithograph taken from original negative. Published by Edward ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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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