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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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Style: Photorealist
Returnable Items Only
David Bowie The Archer
Located in Austin, US
This iconic image of David Bowie as The Thin White Duke was taken by renowned Rock photographer, John Rowlands, on February 26th, 1976, at Maple Leaf Gar...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Willie Nelson
Located in Austin, US
Willie Nelson, taken outside the Pedernales Studio's in 1983 by Austin Texas based photographer Scott Newton Signed limited edition print, printed on hea...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

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

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

Italian Contemporary Photography by Luca Battaglia - Folding Cities #24
Located in Paris, IDF
Photographic Fine Art Paper 325 g, ed. 4/7. Artwork can be shipped in a tube or in a crate if frame is requested Luca Battaglia is an Italian architect and photographer born in 1970...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

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

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

Italian Contemporary Photography by Luca Battaglia - Folding Cities #72
Located in Paris, IDF
Photographic Fine Art Paper 325 g, ed. 2/7. Artwork can be shipped in a tube or in a crate if frame is requested Luca Battaglia is an Italian architect and photographer born in 1970...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

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

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

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

Italian Contemporary Photography by Luca Battaglia - Folding Cities #11
Located in Paris, IDF
Photographic Fine Art Paper 325 g, ed. 3/7. Artwork can be shipped in a tube or in a crate if frame is requested Luca Battaglia is an Italian architect and photographer born in 1970...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Italian Contemporary Photography by Luca Battaglia - Folding Cities #70
Located in Paris, IDF
Photographic Fine Art Paper 325 g, ed. 3/7. Artwork can be shipped in a tube or in a crate if frame is requested Luca Battaglia is an Italian architect and photographer born in 1970...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Italian Contemporary Photography by Luca Battaglia - Folding Cities #15
Located in Paris, IDF
Photographic Fine Art Paper 325 g, ed. 2/7. Artwork can be shipped in a tube or in a crate if frame is requested Luca Battaglia is an Italian architect and photographer born in 1970...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Italian Contemporary Photography by Luca Battaglia - Honfleur
Located in Paris, IDF
Photographic Fine Art Paper 325 g, ed. 2/7. Artwork can be shipped in a tube or in a crate if frame is requested Luca Battaglia is an Italian architect and photographer born in 1970...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

'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

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

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

Raquel Welch
Located in Austin, US
Modern edition, C-Type print estate stamped and authenticated on reverse by a representative of the Eva Sereny archive. American film star and sex symbol Raquel Welch...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Kate Bush
Located in Austin, US
Absolutely stunning portrait of singer Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978. Kate Bush has seen a huge r...
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

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

Bob Marley
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Bob Marley by Guido Harari, taken in 1980 in Milan, Italy. 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

The Landscape around the Marcel Mine, Radlin - Industrial - Rare Vintage Print
Located in London, GB
THE LANDSCAPE AROUND THE MARCEL MINE, RADLIN, 1978 Vintage Gelatin Silver Print 47.5 x 32.5 cm Series: Silesia Signed, titled and dated on verso; Artist's stamp Using a basic 35mm Exa 500 camera, Cała managed to produce images of lyrical beauty, emphasised by a dark graphic printing style that gave the landscape an apocalyptic, otherworldly look. More print information: A little tape marks in the back corners of the print. Nr 61 noted in the middle on the back of the print. The front of the photograph in a very good condition. Hand printed by the photographer on gloss paper. A rare vintage gelatin silver print from the Silesia series. Michal Cala was born in Toruń, Poland in 1948 and studied aircraft construction in Warsaw at the University of Technology in the early 1970's. From 1974 to 1983 he worked as an engineer in various companies in Silesia, and began photographing in the area. In 1977, he moved to Tychy in Upper Silesia, where he co-founded the photographers' association KRON and become a member of the ZPAF - the Union of Polish Art Photographers. Publications on his work include The Anthology of Polish Photography 1839 - 1989, The Masters of Polish Landscape...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

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

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

Nivaldo 1998 by Salvino Campos
Located in Napoli, IT
Photo b/w signed and dated on back New York 1998, numbered 2 of 5 He was born in Brazil in 1970 in Quartel Geral, in the state of Minas Gerais, where he began his professional activi...
Category

1990s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

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 "Keith and Pug"
Located in Austin, US
The Rolling Stones "Keith and Pug" - Outtake from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hamp...
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

The Beatles, Our World 1967
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of The Beatles by Alec Byrne, taken at Abbey Road Studios, London, Jun. 24, 1967 Alec recalls “This wasn’t just any band: It was the Beatles. Everyone w...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment

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

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

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

Apriel - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 18 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a beautiful topless young woman, Apriel swimming in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print signed by the artist. Pap...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Antonio Lopez with Jerry Hall Vogue fashion shoot
Located in Austin, US
Famed fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez with Jerry Hall by Norman Parkinson, taken in Jamaica on a shoot for Vogue, May 1975 issue. NORMAN PARKINSON POSTHUMOUS LIMITED EDITION PRINT...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Dolly Parton 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Dolly Parton taken in New York City in 1977 by Allan Tannenbaum This Dolly Parton print is available in th...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Black and White Portrait of a Couple - Imogen Cunningham 1957
Located in Soquel, CA
Portrait of a seated couple by Imogen Cunningham (American, 1883). Signed and dated "Imogen Cunnungham 1957" in the lower right corner below the photo. Information about subjects wr...
Category

1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper

David Bowie "Heroes To Come" Heroes Contact Sheet 1977 by Sukita
Located in Austin, US
Stunning 16" x 20", signed limited edition contact sheet print of David Bowie, titled "Heroes To Come" by Masayoshi Sukita, taken from the 1977 photo session for David Bowie's Heroe...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Joe Strummer of The Clash
Located in Austin, US
16" x 20", signed limited edition prints of Joe Strummer of punk band The Clash by Masayoshi Sukita, limited edition number 3/30, taken during the filming of Mystery Train...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Night Flight - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 17"x23"
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 print signed by the artist. Digit...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Rock and Roll Circus Group Portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, archival pigment print from photographer Alec Byrne, taken during the Rock and Roll Circus taping on December 11th, 1968 featuring, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, 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

Fiesta Photography Mexico Stamped Karol Kállay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography done for the publication Mexico/Volk und Welt Berlin 1968/stamped on the back with authors stamp.
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Bob Marley
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Bob Marley by Kevin Cummins, photographed whilst performing at Bingley Hall in Stafford, England, June 22, 19...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ballet - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival pigment 36" x 48"
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 Pigment, Archival Paper

Pacific Beach Horizon, Sunset Seashore in Black and White, Sugimoto Style Giclée
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 "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 with camera by Baron Wolman signed 11x14" limited edition print
Located in Austin, US
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones by the legendary late photographer, Baron Wolman, Taken on the set of "Performance" in London, September 1968. One copy available Signed limited e...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Double Trouble - underwater nude photograph - print on aluminum 24" x 36"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of two naked young women in the pool. Original digital print on aluminum plate signed by the artist. Limited edition of 12 The artwork is fu...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Metal

Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging rock star Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, backstage after her Bottom ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie "As I Ask You To Focus On" 1973 by Sukita
Located in Austin, US
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "As I Ask You To Focus On" by Masayoshi Sukita. This print is also available as a 30x40" signed limited edition prin...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie 1969 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of David Bowie by Alec Byrne, taken at the Coventry Theatre, October 8th 1969, just before Bowie’s opening slot...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment

Double Trouble - underwater black & white nude photograph - paper print 17 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of two naked young women in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper sig...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

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

Mick Jagger, Marquee Sound Check, London 1971
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, archival pigment print of Mick Jagger by Alec Byrne, taken at The Marquee Club, London, March 26th 1971, during the Rolling Stones soundcheck. Alec recalls, “I’d photographed them in big theaters and at Hyde Park, of course, but I’d never been this close, just a few feet from Jagger (not counting that time in the bed). I literally felt the sweat coming...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, 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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