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
Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith, New York 1969 by Norman Seeff
By Norman Seeff
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 P...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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 protecte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Giclée
Joni Mitchell vintage 8x10" Print by Norman Seeff
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Original vintage 8x10” work print from Norman Seeff of Joni Mitchell. Hand printed in 1982 at the time of the photoshoot, signed on the back by Norman Seeff and also featuring his studio stamp.
In excellent condition having been stored flat in a climate controlled room
These Norman Seeff vintage...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Set of two signed Terry O'Neill prints of David Bowie
Located in Austin, US
Set of two, signed open edition, 8” x 10” archival prints by Terry O'Neill, featuring Terry O’Neill’s embossed studio stamp
One print features Bowie with author, William Burroughs, ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
CHILDREN AND CHRISTMAS - Black and white photograph on baryta paper
Located in Napoli, IT
Rare old black and white photograph on sepia paper, depicts three children watching Santa Claus from the window.
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
ROAD SIGNS - Black and white photograph on baryta paper
Located in Napoli, IT
Iconic black and white photograph on baryta paper of the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street.
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
ARCHITECTURE - Photograph on baryta paper, Bob De Masi, Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white photograph on baryta paper, title "Architecture" 1970s - Bob De Masi, with frame
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Joni Mitchell vintage 8x10" Print by Norman Seeff from 1983
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Original vintage 8x10” work print from Norman Seeff of Joni Mitchell. Hand printed in 1983 at the time of the photoshoot, featuring Norman Seeff's official studio stamp on the back.
In excellent condition having been stored flat in a climate controlled room
These Norman Seeff vintage...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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
Joni Mitchell 1983 vintage 8x10" Print by Norman Seeff
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Original vintage 8x10” work print from Norman Seeff of Joni Mitchell. Hand printed in 1983 at the time of the photoshoot, signed on the back by Norman Seeff and also featuring his studio stamp.
In excellent condition having been stored flat in a climate controlled room
These Norman Seeff vintage...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Iggy Pop Scala Cinema London 1972 - 20x24" silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Iggy Pop by Alec Byrne, taken at the Scala Cinema, Kings Cross, London, July 15th 1972.
Alec Byrne signed limited edition 20x24" silv...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 24"x35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
In the Hall of the Mountain King - underwater b&w nude photograph - paper 16x24"
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
David Bowie with Scottie Dog by Brian Duffy
By Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality print of David Bowie from the official Duffy Archive.
Taken from the original 1980 negative, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum framed signed 9x12" print
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Framed, 9x12" signed open edition print of The Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum
Jake recalls ” This was from April 1994. I flew from London to shoot at Mike D’s backyard and around G-So...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Giclée
ARCHITECTURE - Photograph on baryta paper, Bob De Masi, Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white photograph on baryta paper, title "Architecture" 1970s - Bob De Masi, with frame
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Noel Gallagher by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art photograph of Noel Gallagher during his Oasis days by celebrated rock photographer, Jill Furmanovsky.
Location: Music G...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
PAURA E FEDE - Fotografia in bianco e nero di Ferdinando Alfieri
Located in Napoli, IT
Iscritto dal 1997 all'Ordine dei giornalisti pubblicisti, qualifica in fotografia nel 1998, Mostra fotografica personale al Pan (palazzo delle arti) Napoli marzo 2016 (con pubblicazi...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
DER DEUSCHER VOLKE - Photograph on baryta paper, Nino La Rocca , Italy 1987
Located in Napoli, IT
Analog photograph on baryta paper in black and white titled "Der Deuscher Volke" , the photo depicts the German Parliament and the Berlin Wall before the fall . The photograph is by ...
Category
1980s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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
BOYS - Photograph on baryta paper, Fabio Donato, Italy 2010
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white photograph on baryta paper, title "The Boys" - Fabio Donato, with frame
Fabio Donato, a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, was born in 1947. A photograph...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Clash by Janet Macoska, framed 20x24" signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Bassist Paul Simonon and lead singer Joe Strummer of British punk rock band The Clash backstage at the Agora Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio on February 13, 1979, by Janet Macoska
Framed, signed limited edition number 2/25
Frame measures 32" x 25" x 1"
Recently framed with an 8ply mat, in new, perfect condition
Since 1974, Janet Macoska has been capturing rock’s greatest on film. Among the publications who have used her photos are Rolling Stone, People, Vogue, American Photo, Creem, MOJO, NY Times and London Times. VH1, Bravo, A&E and the BBC regularly use Macoska’s vast archive in their “rockumentaries.” Her work is in the permanent collection of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Smithsonian Museum of American History, The National Portrait Gallery in London and in Hard Rock Cafe restaurants, hotels and casinos all around the planet. David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, DEVO, Heart, Hall and Oates...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Snoop Dogg by Jake Chessum, framed 9x12" print
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Framed, 9x12" signed open edition print of Snoop Dogg by Jake Chessum
Jake recalls the session: “I photographed Snoop at Milk studios in LA. Everybody on the shoot was so excited to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Giclée
Chris Cornell by Jake Chessum, framed 9x12" print
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Framed, 9x12" signed open edition print of Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and Audioslave by Jake Chessum
Jake recalls the session: ” This was a brief and friendly shoot at the Toron...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Giclée
Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 35"х51"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 18x24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Willie Nelson portrait by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 20x24"" print of Willie Nelson taken in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith.
Limited edition number 5/20
Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping.
Lynn Gold...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
June Carter and Johnny Cash by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20"" print of June Carter and Johnny Cash taken during a performance in 1980 by Lynn Goldsmith.
Limited edition number 2/20
Modern C-type print. Available...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Jimi Hendrix Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
Jimi Hendrix, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz
A portrait of Jimi looking serious while in an embroidered jacket. "Shot during my first session with Jimi at my Studio in early 1967."
...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
No Way - black & white nude photograph - archival pigment print 35x55"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a perfect woman's buttocks and her handcuffed hands giving a finger.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment p...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20"" print of Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1980.
Limited edition number 6/20
Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping.
Lynn Goldsm...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
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
Apriel - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on aluminum 30" x 36"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a beautiful topless young woman, Apriel swimming in the pool.
Original digital print on aluminum plate signed by the artist.
Limited edi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Metal
Jimi Hendrix Experience 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz
Signed limited edition 16x20" print, signed and numbered by Gered Mankowitz featuring Gered's embossed stamp.
Also avai...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Beastie Boys and Run DMC by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
The Beastie Boys and Run DMC on the roof of B. Smith's restaurant at 47th St. and 8th Avenue in New York City on May 11, 1987, taken by Ebet Roberts.
Signed limited edition, hand pr...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Jimi Hendrix 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
Jimi Hendrix, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz taken during Gered's first phot shoot with Hendrix.
Signed limited edition 16x20" print, signed and numbered by Gered Mankowitz featuri...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence” 1974, signed limited edition 24x48"
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 24" x 48" print, edition number 24/50
As a renowned graphic designer (with 5 Grammy nominations), Norman Seeff has designed a number of large-scale composites...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Miss Trixie 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, US
Miss Trixie by Baron Wolman, posing topless with her bass guitar, taken in San Francisco in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine.
Limited editio...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Karen Seltenrich "Groupies", signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, US
Karen Seltenrich by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1970 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine.
Limited edition number 2/150, signed and noted...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Willie Nelson running a marathon, Austin TX 1977
Located in Austin, US
Willie Nelson, taken in 1977 during a running race in Austin Texas. Taken by photographer, Scott Newton
Scott Newton recalls, "Willie Running Race (For Stehlin Foundation Cancer Benefit-Run For Your Life) outside the Austin Opry House entrance on Academy Drive, Austin TX...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
George Barris, "In Her Car Montage, " photolithograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Photographed in her car at the Hollywood Hills home of Tim Leimert, this black and white photolithograph was created from the original negatives in 1962 and printed in 1987. Publishe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Cure 1980 by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of The Cure on the road in Holland and Belgium during their 1980 'Seventeen Seconds' tour.
Signed and numbered by Jill Furmanovsky in pencil an...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Keith Richards and Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones, 1983 by Ebet Roberts
Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print.
Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when she be...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders taken backstage at Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, 26th March 1980 by Ebet Roberts.
Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin prin...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Giclée
Pamela Des Barres 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, US
Miss Pamela by Baron Wolman, taken in Los Angeles in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine.
Limited edition number 2/1...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Pool Party II - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 35х60
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of two naked young women in the pool. The minimalistic photograph partially depicts bodies in blue color schema.
Original gallery quality print signed by th...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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
Stevie Ray Vaughan by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Stevie Ray Vaughan backstage at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis,TN on August 26, 1986, taken by photographer, Ebet Roberts.
Signed limited edition, ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
David Bowie The Archer - New special edition
Located in Austin, US
NEW - Special limited edition series produced for the 2023 David Bowie Worldwide Fan Convention in June 2023.
This iconic image of David Bowie as The Thin White Duke was taken by re...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Waylon Jennings at The Armadillo, Austin 1974
Located in Austin, US
Waylon Jennings, taken at the Armadillo WHQ, Austin TX in 1974 by photographer Scott Newton.
20x28" signed limited edition print.
Scott Newton recalls, "In 1974 Waylon was ornery...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
No Way - black & white nude photograph - archival pigment print 43 x 68"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a perfect woman's buttocks and her handcuffed hands giving a finger.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment p...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
The GTO's 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, US
The GTO's by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine.
Limited edition number 6/150, signed and noted by Baron Wolman
11x14” hand printed silver gelatin print.
The GTOs (Girls Together Outrageously) were an all-girl group from the Los Angeles area, specifically the Sunset Strip scene. Featuring Miss Pamela...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Mick Jagger Parka by Terry O'Neill signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition photographic print of The Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger posing in a fur parka, with a fur trimmed hood, 1964, by Terry O'Neill
Signed limited edition "Lif...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy taken by photographer, Ebet Roberts in Austin TX 1983
Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Pool Party II - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 20x35
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of two naked young women in the pool. The minimalistic photograph partially depicts bodies in blue color schema.
Original gallery quality print signed by th...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
David Bowie 1995 16x20" contact sheet. First print of the edition
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" print, and the first print of the edition #1/20. David Bowie contact sheet from Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls the sessi...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Giclée
Elvis Presley 1960 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Fine art print of Elvis Presley from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1960
These prints are open edition and come with full certification.
Availab...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Willie Nelson by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Willie Nelson at The Palladium in NYC on December 11, 1980 by Ebet Roberts.
Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print.
Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when sh...
Category
Late 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.