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
La sorella maggiore, Thailand (1959) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
« La sorella maggiore », In a Méo village, Thaïland
This photo was made in 1959, printed later, the negative was digit...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
On Broadway, New York City (1955) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1955, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (framing, contrast, light, etc.) was approved by him. This is a very high quality fine art prints on 310 gr/m² Fine Art paper with museum quality pigment inks.
“ On Broadway, near Trinity Church”, New York December 1955. A rainy Sunday morning, a solitary pedestrian seems to be falling over on the slippery surface. As is always the case with Fabrizio La Torre’s photographs, quite apart from the artistic merit, this picture invites us to speculate what is the story behind it: why this deserted avenue at 11:10 on that particular morning, what was the man in the rain doing, why is that car defiantly parked right underneath a no parking sign...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Er Fusto, Roma Ciampino Airport (1953) Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (frami...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Il cuoco felice - Thailand 1959 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Il cuoco felice
This photo was made in 1959, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor signed Lifetime Edition
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, silver gelatin print ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Tradizioni scomparse, Hong Kong 1958 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Tradizioni scomparse, Hong Kong
This photo was made in 1958, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime an...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Mezzogiorno al Pantheon, Rome, 1958 - Limited Edition Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition
Double frame under American box presenting the two sides of the obelisk fountain on the Place du Panthéon. This work by Giacomo della Porta, (and li...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
East River Drive
Located in Austin, US
East River Drive by Norman Parkinson. Robin Miller and Pippa Diggle photographed on the South Street Viaduct beneath Manhattan Bridge for Go Magazine, 1960
...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Kelp Nymph - underwater ocean black & white photograph print on paper 18" x 24"
By Alex Sher
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 Pigment
Patti Smith in her apartment studio 1974
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith taken in her apartment studio by Allan Tannenbaum, New York City, 1974.
Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in the following s...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Reflection - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool. The photograph depicts part of the body and reflection.
Original gallery quality print signed by the arti...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Tutu Skirt - underwater black & white nude photo - print on aluminum 24" x 36"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a naked young female dancer in the pool. The dancer is putting on her tut skirt. The photograph depicts her beautiful naked butt - about t...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Metal
The Beastie Boys
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited 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 ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Eiffel Tower, Tokyo ( 1957 ) - Japan - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Eiffel Tower, Tokyo - Japan
This photo was made in 1957, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and th...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Beastie Boys
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited 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 ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Fratello e Sorella - Thailand 1961 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1961, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical ...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iggy Pop Scala Cinema London 1972
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 ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Keith Richards, Marquee Sound Check 1971
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Keith Richards by Alec Byrne, taken at The Marquee Club, London, March 26th 1971, during a Rolling Stones soundcheck.
Alec recalls, “There was a classic moment during sound check when Jagger was watching Keith, then turned to Mick Taylor...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Patti Smith and John Belushi
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith and John Belushi taken backstage before their Saturday Night Live appearance in April 1976 by Allan T...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Black and White Portrait of an Elderly Woman - Imogen Cunningham
Located in Soquel, CA
Portrait of a seated elderly woman by Imogen Cunningham (American, 1883). Presented in a new white mat. Tag from the studio of Imogen Cunningham affixed ...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Chris Cornell
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Chris Cornell by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls the session: ” This was a brief and friendly shoot at the Toronto Internatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
The Super Constellation Lockheed
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (framing, contrast, light, etc.) was approved by him. This is a very high quality fine art prints on 310 gr/m² Fine Art paper with museum quality pigment inks.
The TWA (Trans World Airlines) Super Constellation...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Two bellow a Tree Photography Paris Signed
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Original black-white photograph, photographer Karol Kállay, picture shooted in 1966 for a German publisher / book about Paris. Signed by the author on the back.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Le Tre Vespe, Roma 1962 - Contemporary Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 3 on 5 sold in perfect condition
Limited Edition of 5 + 2 AP
The 3 Vespas but also the 3 buzzing and twirling “bees”, since this is the translation of this Italian brand...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Soft Dance - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on aluminum 60x40"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool. The woman is coming from the depth up toward the surface and her body reflects in the internal water surface.
O...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Metal
Black and White Portrait of an Elderly Gentleman - Imogen Cunningham
Located in Soquel, CA
Portrait of a seated elderly man by Imogen Cunningham (American, 1883). Presented in a new white mat with black accent. Tag from the studio of Imogen Cunningham affixed to verso of m...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Water Sketch II - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a naked young woman in the pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper w...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Twiggy
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
Fashion shoot at Twiggy's boyfriend Justin de Villeneuve’s home, Chelsea 1966.
Iconic and stylish. One of a kind.
Camera: Leica 35mm.
Film stock: Kodak Tri-X Pan.
Location: Chelsea, London.
Year: 1966.
Edition of 30 at this size. Other sizes available contact us for more information.
All prints are titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper and inserted into a rigid 4mm thick protective cardboard tube for delivery. This is for print only.
Certificate of Authenticity: Each print acquired from The Arthur Steel Archive is accompanied by an individually signed Certificate of Authenticity.
ABOUT ARTHUR STEEL
This photographer's archive of iconic images is nothing short of fabulous, and counts David Walliams as a collector. His most famous photograph is arguably of Diana and Charles's kiss on the balcony on their wedding day. He was one of just a handful of photographers who were on the 'royal rota' that day.
Regarded as a highly respected editor and Fleet Street photographer, Arthur photographed a vast array of celebrities over the years. In his images one can see how at ease his subjects felt in his company, such as Eric Morecambe within his study, Elton John at home with his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Digital
Tired Photography Mexico Signed Karol Kállay
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography done for the publication Mexico/ Volk und Welt Berlin, 1967, signed on the back by the author.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Midtown Stillife
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture is a part of photographs which Kallay done in 1965 for a German book publisher about NYC.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Tutu Skirt - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 36" x 60"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a naked young female dancer in the pool. The dancer is putting on her tut skirt. The photograph depicts her beautiful naked butt - about t...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
Acqua e Fantasia, 1962 - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
An impressive flood of the Tiber had already battered the pontoons of the few rowing clubs in the city. The raging wav...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Tongue Photography Mexico Stamped Karol Kállay
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography done for the publication Mexico/ Volk und Verlag Berlin, stamped on the back by the author.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
L'Attesa, 1962 (The wait) - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
She was there, leaning against a wall, she seemed to be waiting," says the photographer. I did not understand what she could expect, since few vehicles could have passed through this narrow passage. So I leaned against the wall almost in front of her, I also waited and this ray of sunshine came to play in the hanging linen...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Famiglia numerosa, Bangkok 1958 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Famiglia numerosa, Bangkok
This photo was made in 1958, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and th...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Mezzogiorno al Pantheon, 1958 - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Mezzogiorno al Pantheon, 1958. At noon, a fountain in the Pantheon Square, work of Giacomo della Porta, (such as so ma...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Le tre Vespe, 1962 - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
The 3 Vespas but also the 3 buzzing and twirling “bees”, since this is the translation of this Italian brand. Omnipres...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Rotondità 1963 (Rondeurs) - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
On Via del Tritone, an elegant exit from the small underground passage which made it possible to avoid automobile traff...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Infinity - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival paper 17"x22"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a topless female dancer in the pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival pap...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Gita in famiglia, Thaïland (1957) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1960, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical p...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Two cigarettes Photography Mexico Signed Karol Kállay
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography done for publication Mexico/Volk und Welt, signed by the author on the back.
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960
This photo was made in 1960, the negative was digitized dur...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Sotto l'ala - Ciampino Airport (Roma)
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Sketch - underwater b&w photograph - archival pigment print 24x16"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of perfect female legs in the pool.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on paper with metallic finish signed by the artist. .
L...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Picture Frame limited edition photography by Arthur Steel iconic London
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
About the image:
Arthur used to pass a shop in London that sold nothing but antique picture frames and he started to think of what I could use them for, a scene of some kind was unf...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Digital
Verticalità, New York (1955) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1955, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Tutu Skirt - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 14 x 24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a naked young female dancer in the pool. The dancer is putting on her tut skirt. The photograph depicts her beautiful naked butt - about t...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
The Canadian Pacific Train (1956-Canada) Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1956, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bambini per la strada, New York (1955) Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1955, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 11 - Hong Kong - Vintage Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition
Fabrizio La Torre’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (1921-2021) Set # 11 - Hong Kong
Limited edition of 100 Coffrets for each themes, all artworks pri...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 10 - Canada - Vintage Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition
Fabrizio La Torre’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (1921-2021) Set # 10 - Canada
Limited edition of 100 Coffrets for each themes, all artworks printe...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser (CIA-Roma)
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Paeseggio Urbano, New York City (1955) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1956, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Tornando con le spese, New York (1955) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1955, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Parcheggio condiviso, New York (1955) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1955, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
L'Addio, New York City (1956) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1956, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Verticalità, New York, 1955 - Contemporary Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork #1 / 5 sold in perfect condition printed on baryta heavyweight paper & framed (black metal border)
From the collection called "Art 2014", format 30x42 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 9 - Childhood - Vintage Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition
Fabrizio La Torre’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (1921-2021) Set # 9 - Childhood
Limited edition of 100 Coffrets for each themes, all artworks prin...
Category
1950s 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.