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Photorealist Portrait 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
David Bowie and William Burroughs, framed signed print by Terry O'Neill
Located in Austin, US
Ready to ship immediately. Free domestic US shipping. David Bowie and William Burroughs in Los Angeles, February 1974, signed Terry O'Neill, 8x10" print, custom framed with non-glar...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Elton John Takes Flight - Special co-signed limited edition print, framed
Located in Austin, US
Elton John by photographer Ed Caraeff, taken on-stage at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in California, November 15, 1970. This special edition. print i...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie at a Diego Rivera mural 1997
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Fernando Aceves. Location: Mexico City Date: October 1997 Before his Mexico City concert, David commissioned me to photograph him in ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, US
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Previously unseen David Bowie 20x24" contact sheet. First print of the edition
Located in Austin, US
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Ian Curtis of post-punk band Joy Division, photographed at Princess Parkway, Manchester, January 6, 1979. T...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey performing at Jones Beach, Long Island, New York, during his 'Kill Uncle' tour, July 10, 1991. This Morrissey print by Kevi...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie & Twiggy Pin-Ups album cover, 1973 by Justin de Villeneuve
Located in Austin, US
English model Twiggy poses with David Bowie in Paris for the cover of his ‘Pin Ups’ album, 1973, by Justin de Villeneuve Justin recalls, "Twiggy and I were staying in the Bel Air Hotel in LA when Peter...
Category

1970s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Cramps by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, US
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimi Hendrix 1968
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Jimi Hendrix on stage at the Ackerman Union Ballroom at UCLA, Los Angeles, February 13, 1968. This stunning print is also available in the following sizes with a limited edition of 50. 20" x 24" 30" x 40" 40" x 60" Ed Caraeff is a photographer and art director. He has worked with, photographed, designed or art directed hundreds of album covers. His photography archive includes Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Iggy Pop and The Stooges...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie 1972 Contact Sheet Print, Framed
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition contact sheet of print David Bowie by Barrie Wentzell, taken during an interview at 252 Regent Street, London in January 1972. One of the images was used on th...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Tom Waits, Mantello, 1992
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Tom Waits, taken in Paris 1992 by Guido Harari 16x20" giclee print 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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

David Bowie "He'd Blow Our Minds" by Sukita
Located in Austin, US
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "He'd Blow Our Minds" by Masayoshi Sukita. This print is also available as a 30x40" signed limited edition print. “...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of English singer and songwriter Morrissey, photographed whilst on his 'Kill Uncle' tour in Cologne, Germany, May 1991. This Morrissey pr...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Amy Winehouse at the laundromat
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Amy Winehouse taken at a laundromat in London by Jake Chessum. 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 Chessum offers prints in multiple...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie at Frida Kahlo's House
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Fernando Aceves. Location: Frida Kahlo’s House, Mexico City Date: October 1997 "Before his Mexico City concert, David Bowie commissio...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

La Madre
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Digital, Photogram, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

Salvador Dali 1963 Silver Gelatin Signed Limited Edition Photograph - Ben Martin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Signed Limited Edition Silver Gelatin Photograph was authorized by the Ben Martin Estate. Ben Martin was TIME Magazine’s first New York Bureau staff photographer covering wars, fashion, politics, arts, business, and sports for TIME, Life, Fortune, People, and Sports Illustrated for thirty-three years. He immortalized evocative images that defined the 1960’s. In this series of legendary photoshoots, Martin captured the unedited complexity of each artist's personality, art, and surroundings. This black-and-white photograph of Salvador Dali...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Kate Bush Underwater Tryptich
Located in Austin, US
Underwater triptyc of Kate Bush captured during a photo shoot in London in 1989 Signed limited edition print, number 4/50 Guido Harari revealed during an i...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Helen Frankenthaler 1960 Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print, Framed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Limited Edition Photograph was authorized by the Ben Martin Estate. Ben Martin was TIME Magazine’s first New York Bureau staff photographer covering wars, fashion, politics, art...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Paper

Amy Winehouse 12x16" print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 12x16" print of Amy Winehouse taken in London by Jake Chessum in 2004. Limited edition number 7/20 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 Chessum offers prints in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

The Rolling Stones "Between The Buttons" outtake by Gered Mankowitz framed
Located in Austin, US
The Rolling Stones, taken in London back in 1965 by Gered Mankowitz. An outtake from the shoot for the front cover of the 1967 Rolling Stones album, Between The Buttons . The photog...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Co-signed Raquel Welch on the cross by Terry O'Neill
Located in Austin, US
Co-signed by both Raquel Welch and photographer Terry O'Neill, 20x24" silver gelatin print. Actress Raquel Welch in a photo conceived by photographer Terry O'Neill after Welch noted that she was afraid that the press would "crucify" her for her film choices, taken on the Fox Lot in the late 1960s. Originally deemed too scandalous for promotional use at the time, the photo wasn't published until 30 years later, on the cover of The Sunday Times...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Kate Bush "Sensual World" - First print of the edition
Located in Austin, US
Kate Bush by Guido Harari, taken during the official photo shoot for her album The Sensual World in 1989. Guido Harari recalls, "I collaborated with Kate for over ten years, doing her official press photos for “Hounds of Love”, “The Sensual World”, “The Red Shoes” and on set photography for her film “The Line, The Cross & The Curve”. She wanted me to avoid the iconizing of previous shoots, and find a different way of capturing her more naturally. Shooting in the studio for hours allowed for much improvisation as there were to be no props or fancy sets. I used different techniques more to entertain ourselves rather than to experiment! And it worked!" First print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Willie Nelson at the 4th July Picnic 1979
Located in Austin, US
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Amy Winehouse limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of Amy Winehouse taken in London by Jake Chessum in 2004. Limited edition number 2/15 Jake recalls the session: “I travelled from NYC to London ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

1960's Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller 'Barbara Streisand'
Located in White Plains, NY
'Barbara Streisand, 1969' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Digital pigment, Ed. 9/35. Image: 13 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. This black ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, US
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan
Located in Austin, US
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Beatles "Revolver sessions" 1966
Located in Austin, US
The Beatles, left to right, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and Paul McCartney, posing with colored cells over their faces during the Abbey Road session to record the promotional video for Paperback Writer, 19th May 1966. This was the same session from which the back cover photo for the Revolver Album was chosen. The photo was part of a series taken by Robert Whitaker during the filming at Abbey Road on 19 May and demonstrated the Beatles’ adoption of fashions from boutiques that had recently opened in Chelsea, rather than the Carnaby Street designers they had favored previously. From these Chelsea boutiques, Lennon wore a long-collared paisley shirt from Granny Takes a Trip...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Bob Dylan "Fans Looking in Limo" The Royal Albert Hall, London, 1966, framed
Located in Austin, US
Musician Bob Dylan with fans looking into his limousine, London, England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein. Posthumously printed by Barry Feinstein's official estate, using the original nega...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

George Harrison by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, US
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Dolly Parton
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Dolly Parton taken during the cover session for her album ‘Here You Come Again’ in Los Angeles, CA, US, July ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Patti Smith Fuck The Clock 1977 by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING 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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie at The Dorchester Hotel 1972 - Artist Proof Print
Located in Austin, US
Signed artist proof 20x24" print of David Bowie by Alec Byrne, taken at the Dorchester Hotel, July 1972 Signed by photographer, Alec Byrne and marked "AP" ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie "Watch That Man IV" by Sukita
Located in Austin, US
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Masayoshi Sukita. Taken at RCA Studios, New York, 1973. As featured in the new movie, Moonage Daydream. This print is also ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Cure 1980 by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of The Cure on the road in Holland and Belgium during their 1980 'Seventeen Seconds' tour. Signed and numbered by Jill Furmanovsky in pencil an...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kate Bush
Located in Austin, US
Portrait of singer Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978. Kate Bush has seen a huge resurgence since her s...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Paul Newman
Located in Austin, US
Modern edition, C-Type print estate stamped and authenticated on reverse by a representative of the Eva Sereny archive. Paul Newman at his home in Connect...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Dolly Parton
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Dolly Parton taken during the cover session for her album ‘Here You Come Again’ in Los Angeles, CA, US, July...
Category

1970s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Rolling Stones Brian Jones by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, US
The Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones photographed in the back of a chauffeured car on the way to the band’s concert at the Palazzo dello Sport in Milan, Italy. April 8th, 1967. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Charlie Watts contact sheet by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, US
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

1960's Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller 'Barbara Streisand'
Located in White Plains, NY
'Barbara Streisand, 1969' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Digital pigment, Ed. 10/35. Image: 13.75 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. This bl...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

David Bowie "Watch That Man II" by Sukita
Located in Austin, US
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "Watch That Man II" by Masayoshi Sukita. Taken at RCA Studios, New York, 1973. This stunning image was used in the new...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

1960's Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller 'Marilyn Monroe'
Located in White Plains, NY
'Marilyn Monroe, 1962' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Archival digital pigment, Ed. 9/25. Image: 13.25 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. From the set of the film 'Something...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Rare David Bowie "Diamond Dogs" contact sheet by Terry O'Neill signed and framed
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie "Diamond Dogs" contact sheet print by Terry O'Neill, hand signed and hand numbered by Terry O'Neill from his Lifetime Edition, obtained direct from the Terry O'Neill arch...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Beatles "Umbrella" by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, US
The Beatles by photographer Robert Whitaker. This formal photo shoot image is fondly known as 'Umbrella'. The Beatles are depicted holding two large striped umbrellas on the banks of Loch Earn...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie by Terry O'Neill framed, signed silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Ready to ship immediately. Free domestic US shipping. Framed 16x20" signed lifetime edition print by Terry O'Neill of David Bowie taken in Los Angeles in 1974, with Bowie wearing th...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Kate Bush
Located in Austin, US
Portrait of singer and dancer, Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978. Kate Bush has seen a huge resurgence...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Framed 30x30" David Bowie & Twiggy Pin-Ups album cover by Justin de Villeneuve
Located in Austin, US
Framed 30x30" print of English model Twiggy poses with David Bowie in Paris for the cover of his ‘Pin Ups’ album, 1973, by Justin de Villeneuve Justin recalls, "Twiggy and I were staying in the Bel Air Hotel in LA when Peter Frampton...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Marilyn Monroe . Marilyn Monroe pink angel . The last sitting
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Bert stern Marilyn Monroe pink angel Mythical photo of the last seance (1962) ink jet print by bert stern 2012 signed on both sides certificate signed by the artist in his lifetime ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The Rolling Stones backstage by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, US
The Rolling Stones, featuring Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, taken backstage before a show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. June 12t...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Bette Midler Film Set Backstage Baby Daughter Vintage b&w Print Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Bette Midler Film Set Backstage Baby Daughter Vintage b&w Print Contemporary Roddy McDowall (British-American, 1928-1998)m "Bette Midler & Daughter Sop...
Category

1980s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie, photographed performing live on stage in Ohio, 1976 by Janet Macoska Available in various sizes: 16x20" Lambd...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Photorealist portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist portrait 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 portrait 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, pink, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Lynn Goldsmith, Jake Chessum, Drew Tal, and Kevin Cummins. Frequently made by artists working with C Print, and 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 portrait photography, so small editions measuring 6.25 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait 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 $210 and tops out at $28,800, while the average work sells for $2,250.

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