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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 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

Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20"" print of Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1980. Limited edition number 6/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Goldsm...
Category

Late 20th Century 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

The Rolling Stones "Swarkestone Contact Sheet" Beggars Banquet
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

Jimi Hendrix 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz taken during Gered's first phot shoot with Hendrix. Signed limited edition 16x20" print, signed and numbered by Gered Mankowitz featuri...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Rolling Stones "Mick and Chick" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, TX
“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

Diana Ross
Located in Austin, TX
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

Dan Auerbach "Ride" San Francisco 2022 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
Dan Auerbach “Ride”, San Francisco 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with Larry Niehues began t...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film

Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
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

Kate Moss at sixteen
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

Noel Gallagher by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art photograph of Noel Gallagher during his Oasis days by celebrated rock photographer, Jill Furmanovsky. Location: Music G...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Rock and Roll Circus Group Portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, archival pigment print from photographer Alec Byrne, taken during the Rock and Roll Circus taping on December 11th, 1968 featuring, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

Miss Sparky 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
Miss Sparky by Baron Wolman, taken in Los Angeles in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition number 2/150, signed and noted by Bar...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Dolly Parton portrait by Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Dolly Parton, taken in Los Angeles, September 24th 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

Muhammad Ali
Located in Austin, TX
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

Gwen Stefani No Doubt 1997 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Gwen Stefani and Ska band No Doubt, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1997, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment. The print is ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Gwen Stefani and No Doubt 1997 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Gwen Stefani with Ska band No Doubt, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1997, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment. The print is...
Category

Late 20th Century 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

The Beatles "Revolver sessions" 1966
Located in Austin, TX
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

Aretha Franklin 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
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

Kate Bush Lionheart album cover
Located in Austin, TX
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

The B-52s by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24"" print of The B-52s by Lynn Goldsmith, shot in 1980. Limited edition number 3/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Goldsmit...
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, TX
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

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

Keith Richards, Marquee Sound Check 1971
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Keith Richards by Alec Byrne, taken at The Marquee Club, London, March 26th 1971, during a Rolling Stones soundcheck. Alec recalls, “There was a classic moment during sound check when Jagger was watching Keith, then turned to Mick Taylor...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment

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

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

Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan
Located in Austin, TX
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

David Bowie & Twiggy Pin-Ups Contact Sheet, 1973 by Justin De Villeneuve
Located in Austin, TX
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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Willie Nelson portrait by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24"" print of Willie Nelson taken in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith. Limited edition number 5/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Gold...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

John Lennon 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of John Lennon by Alec Byrne, taken during a 1968 party held at the Mayfair Hotel for new Apple Publishing act Grapefruit. Alec Byrne si...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

Bernard Sumner of New Order
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Bernard Sumner by Kevin Cummins. This stunning shot of the New Order frontman was taken in New York Cit...
Category

1980s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

Elvis Presley 1964 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1964 These prints are open edition and come with full certification. Availab...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Courtney Love
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Courtney Love by Kevin Cummins, taken in Zurich Switzerland, 1996. Edition 50 This print by Kevin Cummins...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Cure portrait by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
The Cure taken in 1981 by Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition print. Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when she began documenting the evolving punk scene at CBGB’s in New York...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

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

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

The Rolling Stones "Stones Into Camera" London 1968
Located in Austin, TX
“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

Ronnie Wood and David Bowie by Rolling Stones Bill Wyman, signed framed print
Located in Austin, TX
Ready to ship immediately. Free domestic US shipping. Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood and a camera- shy David Bowie at the Kellgren House in Los Angeles, September 3rd 1975 by...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie "I Saw You Again in the Rainbow Theater", 1972 by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "I Saw You Again in the Rainbow Theater", 1972 by Masayoshi Sukita Limited edition number 7/30 - signed and numbered ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie 1995 16x20" contact sheet. First print of the edition
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" print, and the first print of the edition #1/20. David Bowie contact sheet from Jake Chessum. Jake recalls the sessi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Debbie Harry Blondie 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
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

David Bowie portrait by Jake Chessum - 16x20" first print of the edition
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Jake Chessum taken in 1995. 16x20" - first print of the edition, #1/20 Jake recalls the session: “I shot David Bowie at a house in Fu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

The Cramps by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
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

Adele Collins for British Vogue
Located in Austin, TX
Norman Parkinson’s homage to a painting by Dutch artist Kees van Dongen entitled The Corn Poppy. Adele Collins wearing an Otto Lucas velvet toque. British V...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Jimi Hendrix Experience 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz Signed limited edition 16x20" print, signed and numbered by Gered Mankowitz featuring Gered's embossed stamp. Also avai...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Willie Nelson
Located in Austin, TX
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

Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger hugging
Located in Austin, TX
IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging rock star Mick Jagger of ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Previously unseen David Bowie 20x24" contact sheet. First print of the edition
Located in Austin, TX
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 "As I Ask You To Focus On" 1973 by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "As I Ask You To Focus On" by Masayoshi Sukita. This print is also available as a 30x40" signed limited edition prin...
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

Stevie Ray Vaughan by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
Stevie Ray Vaughan backstage at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis,TN on August 26, 1986, taken by photographer, Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 16x20" print
Located in Austin, TX
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

David Bowie Tea and Sympathy New York City, framed signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
Ready to ship immediately. Free domestic US shipping. Signed limited edition, framed 20x24" print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken outside the Tea & Sympathy, the legendary Br...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Ivy Nicholson in New York for American Vogue, 1957
Located in Austin, TX
Model and future Factor Star, Ivy Nicholson in New York for American Vogue, 1957 by Norman Parkinson NORMAN PARKINSON POSTHUMOUS LIMITED EDITION PRINTS ...
Category

Late 20th Century 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

The Cure by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
Robert Smith of The Cure in 1992 by Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition print. Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when she began documenting the evolving punk scene at CBGB’s i...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

David Bowie 1969 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of David Bowie by Alec Byrne, taken at the Coventry Theatre, October 8th 1969, just before Bowie’s opening slot...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

The Beatles live in Tokyo
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality print of The Beatles, taken on stage in Tokyo, Japan, by photographer Robert Whitaker. The Beatles ascend the steps to the stage at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan for a matin...
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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