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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
The Beastie Boys 1994
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of the Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum. Jake recalls ” This was from April 1994. I flew from London to shoot at Mike D’s ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
Keith Richards and Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones, 1983 by Ebet Roberts Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print. Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when she be...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

John Lennon the Beatles 1966 Cleveland Concert
Located in Paonia, CO
This image of John Lennon was taken at a 1966 Cleveland Ohio live Beatles concert. Photographer Michael Chikeris had just gotten out of the Marines and got entry thru the stage door...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Morrissey
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Morrissey by Kevin Cummins, taken at Rochdale Canal, Manchester England, 5th September 1989. Limited edition number 36/50 This ...
Category

1980s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Morrissey 1994 vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Morrissey, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1994, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment. The print is in perfect new condition ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

KEITH RICHARDS CIG IN MOUTH by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1989 by Jim Herrington 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 7...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

In the Blazing Sun at George Airfield
Located in Austin, TX
British fashion model Wenda Parkinson wearing a grey gabardine dress by Dorville at George Airfield in Nairobi, Kenya, South Africa, next to a Hermes airplane...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Jack Nicholson 1961 portrait by Monte Hellman. Signed silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
Jack Nicholson, 1961 portrait by film director Monte Hellman Silver gelatin print 16x20 Signed au verso in pencil by the artist Monte Hellman (1929-202...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Iggy Pop at the Whisky 1970 by Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition. print by Ed Caraeff of Iggy Pop taken during a Stooges show at Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, CA, US, May 1970 by celebrated photographer, Ed Caraeff Signed limited edition print number 2/50 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, Elton John, Carly Simon,Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Tom Waits, Tim Buckley, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Neil Diamond...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie "The First Time I Saw You" 1972 by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "The First Time I Saw You" by Masayoshi Sukita. Limited edition number 2/30 - signed and numbered by Sukita This pr...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Tori Amos Vintage Print 12"x16" by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Original hand-printed vintage 12x16” darkroom 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 sessio...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence”, framed 24x48" print by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 24" x 48" print, edition number 26/50. Custom frames with 8 ply matte and non-glare museum glass Frame dimensions: 56” wide x 30” high x 1” deep As a renowne...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kate Bush
Located in Austin, TX
Absolutely stunning portrait of singer Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978. Kate Bush has seen a huge r...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Beatles on the set of HELP! by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
The Beatles having fun at Cliveden House whilst taking a break from filming the 1965 comedy, Help! Taken by Robert Whitaker. All limited edition print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

"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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Bent Sound - underwater portrait of Njomza Vitia - archival pigment print 18x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Bent Sound" - An ethereal underwater fine art photograph that captures the intersection of music and movement through a portrait of singer Njomza Vitia. This submerged portrait tran...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie at The Dorchester Hotel 1972
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Alec Byrne, taken at the Dorchester Hotel, July 1972 Alec Byrne signed limited edition prints are available ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

Lena Home, 1982
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after) Title: Lena Home, 1982 Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Year: 2004 Edition: 106/150 Signed: Sig...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Willie Nelson by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson on his bus, Beverly Hills, CA 2004. 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 75 Signed on recto by photographer Ji...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Deborah Harry, 1986
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after) Title: Deborah Harry, 1986 Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Year: 2004 Edition: Outside the edi...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Rolling Stones "Out Of Our Heads" by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones, taken in London back in 1965 by Gered Mankowitz. This image was used for the cover of Out Of Our Heads. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Tom Waits, Mantello, 1992
Located in Austin, TX
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 smoking portrait by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken in a studio during rehearsals for the It’s My Life Tour with his band Tin Machine, Dublin, I...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

The Clash by Janet Macoska, framed 20x24" signed limited edition print
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 Cleveland, Ohio on February 13, 1979, by Janet Macoska Framed, signed limited edition number 2/25 Frame measures 32" x 25" x 1" Recently framed with an 8ply mat, in new, perfect condition Since 1974, Janet Macoska has been capturing rock’s greatest on film. Among the publications who have used her photos are Rolling Stone, People, Vogue, American Photo, Creem, MOJO, NY Times and London Times. VH1, Bravo, A&E and the BBC regularly use Macoska’s vast archive in their “rockumentaries.” Her work is in the permanent collection of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Smithsonian Museum of American History, The National Portrait Gallery in London and in Hard Rock Cafe restaurants, hotels and casinos all around the planet. David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, DEVO, Heart, Hall and Oates...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Willie Nelson playing pool
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken playing pool at the Pedernales Studio's in 1983 by photographer Scott Newton Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie Aladdin Sane by Brian Duffy framed
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie Aladdin Sane album cover print from Brian Duffy Taken from the original 1973 negative, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with the offic...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Iggy Pop "Lust For Life"
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Iggy Pop, taken on stage during the tour to support the album ‘Lust for Life’ at the Manchester Apo...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Amy Winehouse portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Amy Winehouse taken in London by Jake Chessum in 2004. Jake recalls the session: “I travelled from NYC to London in February 2004 to do a press shoot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Rolling Stones Mick Jagger by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1989 by Jim Herrington 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 75 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie Scary Monsters Clown Contact Sheet by Duffy
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original negatives from the Scary Monsters and ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Jimi Hendrix playing pool by Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Jimi Hendrix, shooting pool at the Bel Air home of John and Michelle Phillips, in Laurel Canyon, LA on July 1st 1967 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie 1972 Contact Sheet Print, Framed
Located in Austin, TX
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

Kate Moss at 16
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Kate Moss by Jake Chessum, taken when she was an unknown 16 year old model, just starting her career. Jake recalls, "I had heard of Kate as she was...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugs rock star Mick Jagger backstage after her Bottom Line concert. NYC 5/14/77 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Chris Cornell by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, from acclaimed music photographer, Chris Cuffaro. Taken in September 1991 in Indio, CA Signed limited edition 17x22" print, edition number 25/50 Chris Cuffaro has shot the best of the best in the music world including ground-breaking bands like Jane’s Addiction...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
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

David Bowie by Terry O'Neill framed, signed silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
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

David Bowie Aladdin Sane Eyes Open by Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie Aladdin Sane "Eyes Open" print from Brian Duffy, taken during the phot shoot for the Aladdin Sane album cover. Taken from the original 1973 negatives, these official Du...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Pamela Des Barres 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
Miss Pamela by Baron Wolman, taken in Los Angeles in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition number 2/1...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie Ziggy Stardust contact sheet by Duffy. Large format limited edition
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art contact sheet print of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, taken by Brian Duffy in London, 1972, from the official Duffy Archive. Available in one size - 30"x40" ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Rolling Stones "Smokey Stones On Grass" London 1968
Located in Austin, TX
“Swarkestone Contact Sheet” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968. Featu...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

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 Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Elvis Presley 1960 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1960 These prints are open edition and come with full certification. Availab...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait 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 Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Patti Smith 1975 Iran War Protest, framed first print of the edition #1/20
Located in Austin, TX
Patti Smith taken in NYC during a 1975 Iran War protest by Lynn Goldsmith. Recently framed with non-glare museum glass, signed limited edition 16x20" print, edition #1/20 Lynn Go...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Kate Moss at 16 by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Kate Moss by Jake Chessum, taken when she was an unknown 16 year old model, just starting her career. Jake recalls, "I had heard of Kate as she was...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Rolling Stones "Stones Playing Cricket" London 1968
Located in Austin, TX
“From the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Siouxsie Sioux by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Siouxsie Sioux taken by Simon Fowler in the UK Available in the following sizes: 12 x 17” - open edition 15 x 22” - Edition 35 24 x 33” - Edition 25
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

TOWNS VAN ZANDT, TENNESSEE 1996 by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Townes Van Zandt, Tennessee, 1996 by Jim Herrington 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 75 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie with Scottie Dog by Brian Duffy
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality print of David Bowie from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original 1980 negative, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Jimi Hendrix "Blue Smoke", London, February, 1967 by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz A portrait of Jimi looking serious while holding a cigarette in an embroidered jacket. "Shot during my first session with Jimi at my Stu...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Elvis Presley 1956 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1956 These prints are open edition and come with full certification. Availab...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie Aladdin Sane by Brian Duffy with black mat and gold frame
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie Aladdin Sane album cover print from Brian Duffy Taken from the original 1973 negative, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with the offic...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

John Lennon Portrait by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles at the Westwood Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, 27th-28th June 1966. En route for the Japanese leg of their final world tour, the group made...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait 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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Debbie Harry by Lynn Goldsmith, signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Debbie Harry of Blondie by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in New York City in 1977. Signed limited edition 20x24" print, edition #8/20 Lynn Golds...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

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 Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie "He'd Blow Our Minds" by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
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

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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