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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
Autographed Black & White Photograph Portrait of Juan Perón, For Elizabeth Lewis
Located in Soquel, CA
Rare original autographed black and white photograph of Argentinian president Juan Perón, dedicated to Elizabeth Lewis (Bess Huggins Lewis), by an unkn...
Category

1950s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

David Bowie Starman by Sukita
Located in Austin, US
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "Starman" by Masayoshi Sukita. This print is also available as a 30x40" signed limited edition print. “It’s very ha...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Mick Jagger with camera by Baron Wolman signed 11x14" limited edition print
Located in Austin, US
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones by the legendary late photographer, Baron Wolman, Taken on the set of "Performance" in London, September 1968. One copy available Signed limited e...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob Marley 1972 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver print of Bob Marley, taken in the recording studio during the "I Can See Clearly Now" sessions with Johnny Nash, 1972 Alec Byrne...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

Kate Bush Lionheart album cover
Located in Austin, US
Portrait of singer and dancer, Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978 for the cover of her album, Lionheart. Gered recalls, "The cover series of portraits that I shot for Lionheart in August 1978. I art directed the album cover and my assistant at the time, Richard Grey...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 16x20" print
Located in Austin, US
Jimi Hendrix by iconic photographer, Baron Wolman. Taken at the Travelodge Motel, San Francisco, February 1968 One copy available Signed limited edition #30/175 20x16” hand printed ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall nude contact sheet
Located in Austin, US
Contact sheet print featuring American model Jerry Hall with singer Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, photographed for Norman Parkinson’s exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall nude contact sheet by Norman Parkinson
Located in Austin, US
Contact sheet print featuring American model Jerry Hall with singer Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, photographed for Norman Parkinson’s exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Kate Bush BIRDFISH
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Kate Bush “Birdfish” by Guido Harari Kate Bush 'Birdfish' photograph taken during the officlal 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!" Available in five sizes: A. 11” x 16” - Edition 50 B. 16” x 20” - Edition 50 C. 20” x 28” - Edition 25 D. 32” x 44” - Edition 10 E. 44” x 59” - Edition 5 Guido Harari has photographed many music legends in his prolific career in Italy. Lou Reed said about him: "I'm always happy when Guido takes my picture because I know it will be a musical picture...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie at The Dorchester Hotel 1972
Located in Austin, US
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

Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment

The Rolling Stones "Stones and Cows" London 1968
Located in Austin, US
“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

Debbie Harry Blondie 1977
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Debbie Harry of Blondie by Michael Brennan, taken at the studio on East 45th in Manhattan, New York, USA, Febru...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

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

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Paul McCartney
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Paul McCartney by Alec Byrne, taken in London in 1970. This Alec Byrne signed limited edition prints is available in. the f...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kate Bush BIRDFISH
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Kate Bush “Birdfish” by Guido Harari Kate Bush 'Birdfish' photograph taken during the officlal 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!" Available in five sizes: A. 11” x 16” - Edition 50 B. 16” x 20” - Edition 50 C. 20” x 28” - Edition 25 D. 32” x 44” - Edition 10 E. 44” x 59” - Edition 5 Guido Harari has photographed many music legends in his prolific career in Italy. Lou Reed said about him: "I'm always happy when Guido takes my picture because I know it will be a musical picture...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie 1977 Heroes session – Speak No Evil
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie, "Speak No Evil", 1977 by Masayoshi Sukita, taken during the photo shoot for the Heroes album cover - Signed limited edition 20" x 24" print ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Rolling Stones "Mick and Chick" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, US
“Mick and Chick” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, L...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Audrey Hepburn
Located in Austin, US
Audrey Hepburn is photographed wearing a Givenchy afternoon cocktail dress from his Spring/Summer 1955 collection at ‘Villa Rolli’, a farmhouse in the A...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Johnny Cash 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Johnny Cash, taken by Barrie Wentzell in London in 1968. This Johnny Cash print is available in the following sizes. 16" x 20" - Edi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Rolling Stones "Swarkestone Contact Sheet" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, US
“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

Woman with Hand on Chin, 42nd Street
By Paul Graham
Located in New York, NY
Paul Graham Woman with Hand on Chin, 42nd Street, 2008 Pigment ink print with custom mount 13 7/8 x 10 1/2 x 1 1/4 inches Edition 1 of 5, with 2 AP Signed ...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Ink, Pigment

David Bowie 1977 Heroes session – See No Evil
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie, "See No Evil", 1977 by Masayoshi Sukita during the photoshoot that produced the album cover shot tor Bowie's Heroes album cover - Signed limit...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Kate Moss at 16
Located in Austin, US
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

Gary Clark Jr Live album cover
Located in Austin, US
Gary Clark Jr taken on stage during his ACL appearance in his hometown of Austin Texas, October 2012. This image, taken by Gary Clark Jr's old school friend, Ben Sklar, was used as t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Rolling Stones "Smokey Stones On Grass" London 1968
Located in Austin, US
“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

Robert & Patti, New York 1969 “Patti with Cigarette”
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, taken in her kitchen in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This Patty Smith...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Morrissey
Located in Austin, US
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

Iggy Pop "Lust For Life"
Located in Austin, US
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

Dolly Parton "Here You Come Again"
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 7, 1977. Limited edition number 2/50 This stunning Dolly Parton 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

1970s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Marilyn Monroe . New baby on the bed . The last sitting
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Marilyn Monroe by Bert Stern (1964) new baby on the bed circa 2009 hand double signed and dated by Bert Stern COA hand signed by bert stern edition of 72 perfect condition
Category

1980s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Bob Dylan Contact Sheet Print
Located in Austin, US
Contact sheet of Bob Dylan, taken at the BBC TV Studios, London 1965 by Barrie Wentzell Barrie recalls : On the first of June, 1965, Bob came to the BBC Studios in London, to do a live concert. I went along to rehearsals but the studio was empty, so I headed off to the canteen bar where I ran into some musicians I knew from The Pretty Things. Sitting a few tables away were Bob Dylan and his chum Bobby Neuwirth. I sat and chatted with the Pretty Things, who later would be immortalized in a line in one of Bob’s songs, “The Sweet Pretty Things are in bed now, of course. This Bob Dylan print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kate Moss at 16
Located in Austin, US
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, US
“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

Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging rock star Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, backstage after her Bottom ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence”
Located in Austin, US
As a renowned graphic designer (with 5 Grammy nominations), Norman Seeff has designed a number of large-scale composites and sequences. Signed limited edition sequence print of comedian Steve Martin...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Diana Ross
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Diana Ross, taken by Barrie Wentzell in 1975. This Diana Ross print is available in the following sizes. 16...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Beatles, Our World 1967
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of The Beatles by Alec Byrne, taken at Abbey Road Studios, London, Jun. 24, 1967 Alec recalls “This wasn’t just any band: It was the Beatles. Everyone w...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

Pete Townshend of The Who. Signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Pete Townshend, guitarist from The Who, taken by photographer, Baron Wolman at a recording studio in London, 1968 One copy available Limited edition number 6/150, signed and noted b...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Debbie Harry Blondie 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Debbie Harry of Blondie by Michael Brennan, taken at the studio on East 45th in Manhattan, New York, USA, Febru...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

John Lennon 1967 portrait
Located in Austin, US
John Lennon relaxing at Brian Epstein's house in London whilst at the launch party for The Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' in May 1...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Gary Clark Jr backstage
Located in Austin, US
Gary Clark Jr taken in his dressing room, backstage at the Fillmore West, San Francisco by Ben Sklar Available in the following sizes: 16" x 20" - Edition 20 - signed and numbered b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

In the Blazing Sun at George Airfield
Located in Austin, US
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

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie Tea and Sympathy New York City
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken outside the Tea & Sympathy, the legendary British themed restaurant in NYC, 1996. This David Bowie print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Jimi Hendrix live 1968
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Jimi Hendrix taken by Barrie Wentzell, live at the Woburn Music Festival, Woburn UK, 6th July 1968. The July 1968 Woburn festival was ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Rolling Stones "Stones Into Camera" London 1968
Located in Austin, US
“Stones Into Camera” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968. Featuring Mi...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Clash
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Bassist Paul Simonon and lead singer Joe Strummer of British punk rock band The Clash backstage at the Agora Theatre in Cl...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Mick Jagger, Marquee Sound Check, London 1971
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, archival pigment print of Mick Jagger by Alec Byrne, taken at The Marquee Club, London, March 26th 1971, during the Rolling Stones soundcheck. Alec recalls, “I’d photographed them in big theaters and at Hyde Park, of course, but I’d never been this close, just a few feet from Jagger (not counting that time in the bed). I literally felt the sweat coming...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

David Bowie Tin Machine
Located in Austin, US
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, Ireland, August 4, 1991. Edition 50 This David Bowie print...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Kate Moss at sixteen
Located in Austin, US
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

Antonio Lopez with Jerry Hall Vogue fashion shoot
Located in Austin, US
Famed fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez with Jerry Hall by Norman Parkinson, taken in Jamaica on a shoot for Vogue, May 1975 issue. NORMAN PARKINSON POSTHUMOUS LIMITED EDITION PRINT...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Amy Winehouse
Located in Austin, US
Lifetime prints are the last remaining prints available, signed by Terry O’Neill and obtained from the Terry O’Neill Archive in London. Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print by Terry O'Neill. Amy Winehouse...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Patti Smith portrait, New York 1969
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of musician, poet and writer, Patti Smith, taken in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This Patty Smith...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kate Moss at sixteen
Located in Austin, US
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

Aretha Franklin 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Aretha Franklin by Alec Byrne, taken in London, 1968 16x20" signed limited edition #2/75 Alec Byrne signed...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

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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