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Photorealist Figurative 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
Original Marilyn Monroe Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Original Marilyn Monroe Photograph Original photograph of Marilyn Monroe posing in her dressing room on the film of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" by photographer Milton Gold (American,...
Category

1950s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Cold Song III - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 35x56"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
'Cold Song III' exemplifies the avant-garde evolution of underwater fine art photography, merging contemporary conceptual art with technical mastery. This ethereal composition captur...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Desolate Amber by Jo Cardin - Contemporary Figurative photography on Diasec
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Mixed Media of Photography and Painting Size: 150 x 100 cm Limited edition 2 of 15 ______________________________________________________________...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Black & White Photograph of a Female Nude by Contemporary American Photographer
Located in Preston, GB
Black & White Photograph of a Female Nude by Contemporary American Photographer, Dan O'Neill. Dan is based in Brooklyn, New York. Photo Size 9.5 x 7.5 inches Unmounted & Unframed Dan has has work featured in the following magazines: BAZAAR • COSMOPOLITAN • 20 ANS • COMPANY • BIBA • CITY • SELF • L'OFFICIEL • SPIN • INTERVIEW • AMICA • YM • SUGAR • PLAYBOY • RIVIERA • ESSENCE His work has been used in adverts for: TRUE RELIGION • OSCAR DE LA RENTA • NIKE • VICTORIA'S SECRET • NORDSTROM • NIVEA • MACY'S • ROBERT COMSTOCK • BEDFORD • CONTREC • VICTORY • JUNKO YOSHIOKA • TARGET • EDDIE BAUER...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Ink, Printer's Ink, Photographic Paper

Copper Velvet - underwater photograph - print on paper 17" x 23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This mesmerizing underwater fine art photograph captures a dancer suspended in dark waters, draped in flowing copper-red fabric that creates striking contrast against pale skin. The ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

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, Califor...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Sensu - underwater black & white photograph - archival paper 24x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater black and white photograph of a young woman gracefully poised beneath the dark water surface. Her tulle dress merging with her reflection on the underside of the water for...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Pool Party II - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 20x35
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 Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Breakdance - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 35”x51"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a girl dancing in a swimming pool. The dark pool is filled with sharp sunbeams. Some mysterious light ornaments cover the pool bottom and inner water su...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Open - underwater monochrome photograph - archival paper print 24.3 x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater monochromatic photograph capturing a young woman in a light tulle dress and unbuckled bra turned away from the camera. The subdued tones create an ethereal tranquility...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Sensu - underwater black & white photograph - archival paper 35x51"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater black and white photograph of a young woman gracefully poised beneath the dark water surface. Her tulle dress merging with her reflection on the underside of the water for...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Winter Fishing - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 25" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a young woman caught in fishing net. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with met...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mermaid Angel - underwater photograph - print on paper 26" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a beautiful young woman in transparent dress on dark background. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Breakdance - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 43х62"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a girl dancing in a swimming pool. The dark pool is filled with sharp sunbeams. Some mysterious light ornaments cover the pool bottom and inner water su...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Breakdance - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 24”x 35”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a girl dancing in a swimming pool. The dark pool is filled with sharp sunbeams. Some mysterious light ornaments cover the pool bottom and inner water su...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Her Majesty - underwater nude photograph - archival print 25” x 35”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in bright tulle. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist. Limited edition of 1...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Winter Fishing - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 35" x 49"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a young woman caught in fishing net. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with met...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Her Majesty - underwater nude photograph - archival print 35” x 49”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in bright tulle. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist. Limited edition of 1...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Hot Spring - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 25"x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a beautiful young woman on red background. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist. Limited edition of 1...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Sunshine - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 16x24
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman in the pool wrapped in with sunbeams and air bubbles. Original gallery quality digital archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist. Limited edition of 24 The artwork is furnished with certificate of authenticity with artist's name, edition number, edition limit, and other details. The photograph has been exhibited at: 2024 Roth & Taylor Gallery (Los Angeles, US) 2023 LA Art Show (Los Angeles, US) 2023 Beverly Hills Art Show (Beverly Hills, US) 2023 Roth & Taylor Gallery (Los Angeles, US) 2022 Spectrum (Miami, US) 2022 Beverly Hills Art Show (Beverly Hills, US) 2022 Art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

The Source - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 24” x 36”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of two naked women wrapped in red tulle. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Blue Mirror - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 17.5 x 23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Blue Mirror" - A haunting underwater fine art photograph capturing a solitary figure suspended in deep azure waters. The minimalist composition presents a nude form diving through c...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bent Mirror - underwater photograph - print on paper 17 x 23.5"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a topless young female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, furnis...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Die Loreley - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 24x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a beautiful young woman wrapped in tulle. The photograph was taken with dark red background. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archiv...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

‘The Shape of Her’, homage to Henry Moore BY CLARE GROSSMAN, Limited Edition Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Clare Grossman ‘The Shape of Her’, homage to Henry Moore’ Limited edition of 45 Solar plate etching on Somerset 300gsm paper. Actual plate/image size ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Etching

White Swan - underwater nude ballet photograph - print on paper 24.5” x 35”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater ballet. An underwater photograph of topless ballerina in white tutu skirt on a bottom of a pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Porcelain and Тurquoise - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 24x17"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young women diving next to the bright turquoise dress she just took off. Original gallery quality print signed ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Wild Blood - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 62x43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
There are no rules for luck. I was sure the new girl would need practice and practice - and I was wrong. She was just perfect from the first second. Next month she got married and m...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Hot Spring - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 16.6x23.5"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a beautiful young woman on red background. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist. Limited edition of 1...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Brandenburg 2013
By Daniel Kane
Located in New Orleans, LA
In the famous story of the great 19th century photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, it is said she was given her first camera by her daughter as a way to occupy her time while her husband was away. In my case, as with so many others, the beginning of the story was equally fortuitous: Knowing I was about to spend a year abroad as an exchange student, my mother gave me my first camera, saying I would probably want to take pictures while I was away. Neither of us realized how important that little Instamatic camera would turn out to be, and now, 47 years and over a hundred thousand images later, I present the different portfolios shown here as a reflection of the work I have made since back then in 1970. One by one, my favorite films and papers have been driven from the market by digital media, but I remain loyal to this day to analog photography, and the originals of all of these images were made with real film, either color slides...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Pool Party II - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 35х60
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 Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Conversation, Morrocco (Morocco)
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Conversation, Morrocco (Morocco)" c.1998, is a photograph by American artist Lisa Kristine, b.1965. It is stamp signed and titled on the back. The photograph siz...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Other Medium

Athena - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman with a sward. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with metallic fi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Green Breath - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 26" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a beautiful young woman diving on deep black background. A bright green scarf cover her breasts leaving open the perfectly shaped buttocks. Original g...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

White Swan - underwater nude ballet photograph - print on paper 16.5” x 23.5”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater ballet. An underwater photograph of topless ballerina in white tutu skirt on a bottom of a pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Athena - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 18" x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman with a sward. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with metallic fi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Liquid Fire - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 25.5 x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young women with long blonde hair diving in a pool. The realistic photograph is taken with red background. Original gallery quality archival pigm...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Greek Beach Bliss, Handmade Cyanotype on Watercolor Paper, Swimming Body in Blue
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Greek Beach Bliss" is a cyanotype of a woman's feet in the fresh water of a sandy beach shore...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Watercolor, Rag Paper, Lithograph

Breakdance - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 16” x 23.5”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a girl dancing in a swimming pool. The dark pool is filled with sharp sunbeams. Some mysterious light ornaments cover the pool bottom and inner water su...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sleeping Swan - underwater nude ballet photograph - print on paper 16.5” x 23.5”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater ballet. An underwater photograph of topless ballerina in white tutu skirt on a bottom of a pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Blue Marilyn - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a nude model diving in blue light on a black background. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, furnish...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dancing Flowers - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 48" x 36"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in cyan tulle dancing with the bougainvillea flowers on deep black background. Original gallery quality print signed by the a...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Hot Water - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 24" x 18"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool in front of bright red background. There are no rules for luck. I was sure the new girl would need practice and pra...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dancing Flowers - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 24" x 18"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in cyan tulle dancing with the bougainvillea flowers on neutral black background. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with metallic finish. Limited edition of 24 The artwork is furnished with certificate of authenticity, signed by artist with artist's name, edition number, edition limit, and other details. The most recent magazine publications: 2022 Moevir Magazine (France) 2022 Art Market Magazine (US) 2022 UnTold Magazine - Fine Art Issue (Greece) 2022 Atillery Magazine (US) 2022 Redwood Art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Red Sadhu, Rajasthan, India
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Red Sadhu, Rajasthan, India" 1998, is a photograph (Cibachrome) by American artist Lisa Kristine, b.1965. It is hand signed, titled and dated in pencil by the ar...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Other Medium

Kaleidoscope - underwater black&white nude photograph - archival print 17x23.5"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a young women kaleidoscopically multiplied into a lacy artwork. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Green Fairy - underwater photograph - print on paper 35"x27"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman wrapped in bright green tulle. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Honey Pot II - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 18" x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a girl relaxing in the pool. The photograph was taken with terra-cotta background and with green trees and bright blue sky visible thorough the water...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Wild Blood - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 50x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
There are no rules for luck. I was sure the new girl would need practice and practice - and I was wrong. She was just perfect from the first second. Next month she got married and m...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dancing Flowers - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 57 x 43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in cyan tulle dancing with the bougainvillea flowers on deep black background. Original gallery quality archival pigment print signed by the artist. Limited edition of 24 The artwork is furnished with certificate of authenticity, signed by artist with artist's name, edition number, edition limit, and other details. The most recent magazine publications: 2022 Moevir Magazine (France) 2022 Art Market Magazine (US) 2022 UnTold Magazine - Fine Art Issue (Greece) 2022 Atillery Magazine (US) 2022 Redwood Art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Drinking Air - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 24x36"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman playing with a wine glass in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print signed by the artist. Limited edition of 24. The art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Drinking Air - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 16" x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman playing with a wine glass in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print signed by the artist. Limited edition of 24. The art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Green Breath - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 18" x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a beautiful young woman diving on deep black background. A bright green scarf cover her breasts leaving open the perfectly shaped buttocks. Original g...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Hot Water - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 64" x 43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool in front of bright red background. There is no rules for luck. I was sure the new girl would need practice and prac...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Hot Water - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 52" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool in front of bright red background. There is no rules for luck. I was sure the new girl would need practice and prac...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sweet Champagne - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 24" x 36"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman with her face covered with air bubbles. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival p...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Kelp Nymph - underwater ocean black & white photograph print on paper 18" x 24"
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, Califor...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ballet - underwater black and white nude photograph print on aluminum 42" x 56"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An amazing underwater photograph of a young female dancer diving in pool. The naked dances is covering herself with tutu skirt. The photograph looks black and white even though it h...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Metal

Photorealist figurative photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist figurative 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. If you’re looking to add figurative photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, red, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Alex Sher, Bob Tabor, Josephine Cardin, and Karol Kallay. Frequently made by artists working with Pigment Print, and Paper 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 figurative photography, so small editions measuring 7.5 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative 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 $80 and tops out at $110,000, while the average work sells for $960.

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