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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
George Harrison by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
George Harrison of The Beatles taken by Robert Whitaker in Chiswick Park, London, 1965. All limited edition prints in this collection are hand numbere...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie on set 1975, framed signed print by Terry O'Neill
Located in Austin, TX
Framed, 20x24" signed lifetime edition print by Terry O'Neill of David Bowie taken in Los Angeles in 1975 on the set of “The Man Who Fell To Earth” Signed limited edition number 2/5...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Elvis Presley 1957
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1957 These prints are open edition and come with full certification. Availab...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Elvis Presley "The Early King" 1956
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley "The Early King" from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1956 These prints are 16x20" open edition and come with full...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie "Loves to be Loved" by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
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

Merle Haggard by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Merle Haggard in Temecula, CA, 2000 by Jim Herrington 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 75 S...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

New release - Jimmy Page Led Zeppelin 1975 triptych
Located in Austin, TX
New release May 2023 - Triptych featuring Jimmy Page, guitarist of Led Zeppelin, performing on stage in 1975, by acclaimed rock photographer, Lynn Goldsmi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

June Carter and Johnny Cash by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, TX
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

Fiona Apple 1996 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
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

Bob Marley
Located in Austin, TX
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 Ramones Jeans and Keds
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of The Ramones, taken in Los Angeles by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1977. The Ramones we...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie portrait by Jake Chessum - 16x20" first print of the edition
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Jake Chessum taken in 1995. 16x20" - first print of the edition, #1/20 Jake recalls the session: “I shot David Bowie at a house in Fu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Stevie Ray Vaughan by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
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

Previously unseen David Bowie 20x24" contact sheet. First print of the edition
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print, and the first print of the edition #1/15. David Bowie contact sheet from Jake Chessum. Jake recalls the session: “I ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Elvis Presley, Lincoln Continental Mark II in Miami Florida, 1956
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley "Lincoln Continental Mark II in Miami, Florida 1956" from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith These prints are 16x20" open editi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Fiona Apple vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
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

Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie and William Burroughs, framed signed print by Terry O'Neill
Located in Austin, TX
Framed, 20x24" signed lifetime edition print by Terry O'Neill of David Bowie with William Burroughs, taken for an interview published at Rolling Stone magazine in February 28, 1974. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Black Keys Dan Auerbach "Mirror" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
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

The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Glasgow Scotland 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Glasgow Scotland 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black ...
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, TX
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 Beatles Dolls 1966 contact sheet print by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
The Beatles "Dolls" contact sheet by Robert Whitaker from the photo session that ended up giving the band the controversial cover for the 1966 release "Yesterday and Today". On March 25, 1966, The Beatles visited 1 The Vale, Chelsea, London, a top-floor studio leased by Oluf Nilssen and frequently used by renowned photographer Robert Whitaker. Before the photo session with Robert Whitaker, The Beatles posed for a more conventional session at the studio with Nigel Dickson of The Beatles Book...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Chris Cornell by Jake Chessum, framed 9x12" print
Located in Austin, TX
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 Toronto International Film...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

The Black Keys, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines IA 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
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

Pavarotti, 1977
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after) Title: Pavarotti, 1977 Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Year: 2004 Edition: 106/150 Signed: Sig...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Tammy Mackay, Gone, Dodo Art, Contemporary Print, Affordable Art, Monochrome Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Tammy Mackay Gone Limited Edition Photopolymer Print with Chine Collé Edition of 40 Image size: H:71cm x W:52cm Sheet size: H:75.3cm x W:57cm x D 0.1cm Sold Unframed Please note that...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Paper, Pigment

Nick Cave
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Nick Cave by celebrated British photographer, Kevin Cummins, taken for the British music publication, N...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Snoop Dogg by Jake Chessum, framed 9x12" print
Located in Austin, TX
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

Dan Auerbach "Ride" San Francisco 2022 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
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

Tori Amos 1994 Vintage 12"x16" Darkroom Print by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
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

Willie Nelson at the 4th July Picnic 1979
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken at the 4th July Picnic in 1979 in Austin Texas by photographer Scott Newton Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight cotton ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Gwen Stefani No Doubt 1997 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

Rock and Roll Circus Group Portrait
Located in Austin, TX
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

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
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

Jimi Hendrix 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
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

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey, former frontman of rock band The Smiths, wearing a plaster on his forehead, September 5, 1991. This Morrissey print by Kevi...
Category

1990s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
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

Amy Winehouse at the laundromat 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of Amy Winehouse taken at a laundromat in London by Jake Chessum. Limited edition number 3/15 Jake recalls the session: “I travelled from NYC to London in February 2004 to do a press shoot with Amy Winehouse. It was a classic February day: cold, wet, foggy and dark by about 4pm. We met at her flat and went to a few of her local haunts: a cafe, a launderette, Primrose Hill. The record company were very hands off and didn’t pressure us to do any particular set ups. We just went with the flow. She was really entertaining: funny, smart and cooly indiscreet. I am a huge jazz fan and I remember we talked about music, London and New York.” Jake grew...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Karen Seltenrich "Groupies", signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
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 14/150, signed and note...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Yosemite Falls, " Black and White Photograph signed by Thomas Ferderbar
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Yosemite Falls" is a black and white photograph signed by Thomas Ferderbar. This view of the waterfall is from the side, not a center view. One can see how far the water falls down and where it creates mist as well. An evergreen tree balances the piece. Archival inkjet print on archival Epson Premium Luster paper. Camera that was used was an 8x10 Ansco View with a Goerz lens. And was scanned in the early 2000's with a drum scanner prior to achivally digitally printed. Signed by artist in lower left corner. Paper: 50 x 40 in Frame: 54 x 44 in Interview with the Artist: I wanted to become a photographer at the age of 12, when my sister Grace gave me a Kodak Box...
Category

1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Luster, Archival Ink, Digital

Noel Gallagher by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
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

Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of British singer Ian Curtis performing with Joy Division at the Futurama One Festival at the Queen's Hall, Leeds, 8th September 1979. The...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Charlie Watts contact sheet by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition contact sheet print of Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, taken at the Halcyon Hotel in London in March 1991 by Jill Furmanovs...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Willie Nelson portrait by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
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

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix by iconic photographer, Baron Wolman. Taken at the Travelodge Motel, San Francisco, February 1968. Having served as Rolling Stone magazine’s first Chief Photographer, Ba...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Richard Blair "Tom Dunphy aka General Waste-More-Land" Berkeley 1969 / 2001
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Tom Dunphy aka General Waste-More-Land" Berkeley, c.1969 Thomas Michael Dunphy (born 1944 in East Los Angeles, California) is best known for portraying General Waste-more-land, a character based on General William Westmoreland, at anti-Vietnam War protests in the 1960s. Dunphy is also a poet and is involved in other political activities including working with the Hopi Indians...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan taken at The Big 60, Austin Texas in 1993 by photographer Scott Newton. Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Cramps by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of Poison Ivy and Lux Interior from influential 1970s and 1980s punk band The Cramps taken by Jill Furmanovsky in 1981...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Willie Nelson
Located in Austin, TX
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

Patti Smith Fuck The Clock
Located in Austin, TX
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

Second World War photograph, Lancaster bomber - G for George
Located in London, GB
Charles E. Brown Lancaster bomber, G for George Silver gelatine photograph 21 x 14 cm This striking black and white photograph by Charles E. Brown showcases the magnificent Lancast...
Category

1940s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Dolly Parton and John Belushi
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging John Belushi backstage after her Bottom Line concert. NYC 5/14/77 by SoH...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie 1995 16x20" contact sheet. First print of the edition
Located in Austin, TX
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

The Clash
Located in Austin, TX
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 Cl...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Muhammad Ali
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Muhammad Ali shadow boxes at his Deer Lake, PA, training camp. Taken by Allan Tannenbaum in 1977. Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in t...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Cramps 1979 by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of The Cramps featuring Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, taken by Simon Fowler in the UK in 1979. Simon recalls - "Shot this at LFI’s Studio. I say Studio, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Photorealist black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist black and white photography available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Alex Sher, Allan Tannenbaum, Jake Chessum, and Kevin Cummins. Frequently made by artists working with Pigment Print, and Archival Pigment Print and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Photorealist black and white photography, so small editions measuring 5.5 inches across are also available. Prices for black and white photography made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $11 and tops out at $200,247, while the average work sells for $1,815.

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