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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
Comfort in Chaos by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 "Another conversation with no destination, another battle never won. Each side is a loser, so who cares who fired...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Pigment

Comfort in Chaos by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 "Another conversation with no destination, another battle never won. Each side is a loser, so who cares who fired...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Pigment, Photographic Paper

Contemporary Photography Batman Wild Spirits by Sebastian Magnani
Located in BARCELONA, ES
FRAME INCLUDED WITH THE PICTURE. Edition of 7 Hand-signed by artist Includes certificate of authenticity All Artworks are Signed & Numbered in Front with COA included Sebastian Magnani...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Bubble Dance- underwater photograph - print on paper 26” x 35”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a dancer in short red dress dancing in air bubbles. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival pap...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sketch - underwater b&w photograph - archival pigment print 35x23"
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 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

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

Raindancer - archival pigment print - 35х24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A young beautiful woman is dancing under the rain. Her dress is all wet. Some strange fishes are reflected in the window behind her. Original gallery quality print signed by the art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 1
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 8
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 5
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 7
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 2
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 6
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 3
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 4
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital

Dragon Mouth Trip - underwater black&white nude photograph - archival print
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater black and white nude photograph of a model diving in a swimming pool Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival pa...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Cold Song III - underwater photograph - archival pigment print
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a man diving in the pool with bouquet of flowers Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper w...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Blue Mirror - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 17.5 x 23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a beautiful young woman diving in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper w...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Deep Anesthesia - underwater nude photograph - archival print 17 x 23.5"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a nude model diving in blue light on a black background. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archiva...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Henry Miller And Eve Miller On Partington Ridge - 1954 Original Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
"Henry And Eve Miller On Partington Ridge" - 1954 Original Photograph 1954 original black and white silver gelatin photograph of Henry and Eve Miller at their house on Partington Ri...
Category

1950s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

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 17.5" x 23"
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

Green Bud - underwater photograph - print on paper 56" x 43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman wrapped in bright green tulle. Her head is above the water, hidden from the camera. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. ...
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

Whirlpool - underwater photograph - print on paper 19" x 17.5"
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

Whirlpool - underwater photograph - print on paper 35" x 32"
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

Green Bud - underwater photograph - print on paper 46" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman wrapped in bright green tulle. Her head is above the water, hidden from the camera. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Green Bud - underwater photograph - print on paper 28" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman wrapped in bright green tulle. Her head is above the water, hidden from the camera. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

ANCIENT STUFA - Sepia effect photograph, illegible shape, Italy 1990s
Located in Napoli, IT
Photograph on analog and photographic paper, signed and dated on back 1992. It depicts an antique stove, and the photo has been antiqued with a beautiful sepia effect,
Category

1990s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

In the Hall of the Mountain King - underwater b&w nude photograph - paper 24х35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a female dancer performing in a swimming pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mermaids - a book of underwater nude and ocean wildlife photographs
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The book “Mermaids” has the best of Alex Sher’s underwater photography for eight years (2010-2017). It blends human erotics with the beauty of the ocean wildlife - transforming the c...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Magazine Paper

Comfort in Chaos by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 "Another conversation with no destination, another battle never won. Each side is a loser, so who cares who fired...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Pigment

Pleasures and Terrors of Levitation
Located in Greenwich, CT
One of Siskind's most famous and memorable photographs. He set a whole genre amongst photographers with this image. This mid-space shot where the sky is white turns this image into...
Category

1950s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mauritanie - Jeune fille Maure. Adrar
Located in SAINT-PAUL-DE-VENCE, FR
In the captivating photograph titled "Mauritanie - Jeune fille Maure. Adrar," artist Patrick de Wilde skillfully captures the essence of Mauritanian culture through the lens of his c...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 24"x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

In the Hall of the Mountain King - underwater b&w nude photograph - paper 16x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a female dancer performing in a swimming pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Woman In Ballet Pose Holding a Flower - San Francisco Richard Edwards
Located in Soquel, CA
Woman In Ballet Pose Holding a Flower - San Francisco Richard Edwards A brunette woman poses, standing on her left leg with her hand out holding a flower. A collection of photograph...
Category

1960s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper, Paper

"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960
Located in Soquel, CA
"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960 Photograph of a young ballerina circa 1950's by Photographer Richard Edwards (American,. The young girl is photographed p...
Category

1960s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Young Ballerina In Pose San Francisco Richard Edwards
Located in Soquel, CA
Young Ballerina In Pose San Francisco Richard Edwards Photo of a young ballerina posing. She is holding her right hand above her head, while her left hand is posed in front of her. ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Ranch Hands Oppenheimer - Rancho San Carlos Cattle Ranch, 1950's Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Rancho San Carlos Cattle Ranch, 1950's Photograph 1950's photograph of the San Carlos Cattle Ranch located south of Carmel Valley, California by James Ziegler (American). The ranch ...
Category

1950s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper

Steps II - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 35х24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman sitting on pool steps. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 35"х51"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Photograph of Mary Pickford - Melbourne Spurr Photography - Silent Film Actress
Located in Soquel, CA
Photograph of Mary Pickford - Melbourne Spurr Photography Photograph depicting Mary Pickford by Hollywood photographer Melbourne Spurr (Canadian-American, 1892-1979). Mary Pickford is depicted wearing a white sleeveless dress, sitting in a lounge chair, facing forward, the side of her face is the focal point. Pickford's blonde hair is shown in tight finger curls, her hands on her lap, with a single pearl...
Category

1920s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper, Paper

Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 18x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Steps II - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 24х18"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman sitting on pool steps. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Bather - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 35x53"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a model in floating petals Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with metallic fin...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

The Bather - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 23” x 35”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a model in floating petals Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with metallic fin...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

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

Boy and Hawk by Keith Carter. Signed limited edition 16 x 20" print
Located in Austin, US
Boy and Hawk by Keith Carter Signed limited edition 11/35, 2005 Silver gelatin, vintage print made by the artist Signed au verso in pencil by the artist Printed image 15" x 15" Pap...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Porcelain and Тurquoise - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 35x26"
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 by the artist. Digital archival ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Intimate Perspective by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 “From this new and intimate perspective, she learned a simple, obvious thing she had always known, and everyone k...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Pigment

Signed Flag Raising at Iwo Jima, 1945
Located in Cliffside Park, NJ
Joe Rosenthal's photograph "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima" was first published in Sunday newspapers on February 25th 1945. It became extremely popular and was ...
Category

1940s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Golden Drops - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 18x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of two naked models on red background. 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 Paper, Archival Pigment

Green Breath - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 18" x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young naked woman diving in a pool. Her breast is covered with the bright green scarf and her perfect buttons are clearly visible on the black backgroun...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

After Hours
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"After Hours" is a photograph by Marilyn Minter and is a chromogenic print. The framed photograph measures 87 1/2 x 57 3/4 x 2 in. The piece is edition 1 of 3. The work is part of her "Dirty" series. Marilyn Minter was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1948 and raised in Florida. As a student at the University of Florida...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

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

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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