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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
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

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix by iconic photographer, Baron Wolman. Taken at the Travelodge Motel, San Francisco, February 1968. Having served as Rolling Stone magazine’s first Chief Photographer, Ba...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Amy Winehouse
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 Febr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Cramps 1979 by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of The Cramps featuring Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, taken by Simon Fowler in the UK in 1979. Simon recalls - "Shot this at LFI’s Studio. I say Studio, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Karen Seltenrich "Groupies", signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
Karen Seltenrich by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1970 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition number 14/150, signed and note...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Charlie Watts contact sheet by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of British singer Ian Curtis performing with Joy Division at the Futurama One Festival at the Queen's Hall, Leeds, 8th September 1979. The...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Gary Clark Jr backstage Troubadour portrait
Located in Austin, TX
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

Duran Duran by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Duran Duran taken in 1979 by Simon Fowler in the UK Simon recalls "This was my first shoot with the boys. These boys spent as much time around the mi...
Category

Late 20th Century 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

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

Cher, 1974
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after) Title: Cher, 1974 Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Year: 2004 Edition: 150 Signed: Signed in pe...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie & Twiggy Pin-Ups album cover, 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

1970s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Clash
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 Cl...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Debbie Harry of Blondie, Hanging On The Telephone
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Debbie Harry of Blondie "Hanging On The Telephone", taken by Simon Fowler in the UK in 1979 Available in the following sizes: 12 x 17” - open editio...
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

Kate Bush Lionheart album back 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 back 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

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

The Cramps "Cobwebs" by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of The Cramps featuring Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, taken by Simon Fowler in the UK in 1979. Simon recalls - "Shot this at LFI’s Studio. I say Studio, ...
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

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 Beastie Boys
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

The Beastie Boys
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

Rolling Stones Charlie Watts by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie in the dressing room before a show in San Francisco. July 26th, 1966 Signed limited edition, signed and numbered by Bill Wyman and featuring the ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Rolling Stones backstage by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

Rolling Stones Keith Richards by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith at the microphone at Olympic Studios, Barnes, London England, October, 1966. Signed limited edition, signed and numbered by Bill Wyman and featur...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

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

Johnny Cash 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
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 Beastie Boys
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

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

Pete Townshend of The Who. Signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
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

George Harrison, from a 1966 concert in Cleveland Ohio
Located in Paonia, CO
This image of George Harrison was taken at a 1966 Cleveland Ohio live Beatles concert. Photographer Michael Chikeris had just gotten out of the Mari...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

David Bowie, Tokyo Restaurant by Denis O'Regan framed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie taken in a Tokyo restaurant in 1983 by photographer Denis O'Regan. Framed, signed limited edition 16x20" print. Edition number 1/5 Giclée print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Devo "Chili Dog Mac" Akron 1978
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Devo photographed outside Chili Dog Mac restaurant in Akron, Ohio on August 14, 1978 by Janet Macoska 16x20" signed limited edition, number 6/25 Ava...
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

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

The Black Keys Dan Auerbach "Mirror" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys “Mirror” taken on the Dropout Boogie Tour 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Black Keys "Shadow" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys “Shadow” taken in Tel Aviv Israel 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with Larry N...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Black Keys "Red Vision 2" Phoenix AZ 2022 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys “Red Vision 2” Phoenix AZ 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relatio...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Black Keys Recording with Beck Los Angeles 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, Recording with Beck, Los Angeles 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with Larry N...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Glasgow Scotland 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Glasgow Scotland 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Black Keys "Double Dan" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, “Double Dan” print taken in Kansas City, KS, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with L...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Marilyn Monroe . Marilyn Monroe in chinchilla coat
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Bert stern Marilyn Monroe in chinchilla coat Mythical photo of the last seance (1962) ink jet print by bert stern 2010 signed on both sides certificat...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The Human League "Mirror Man" 1982 single cover by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of The Human League taken by Simon Fowler in 1982. This shot was used for the cover of the single "Mirror Man" Available in the following sizes: 12 x ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie at The Dorchester Hotel 1972 - Artist Proof Print
Located in Austin, TX
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

Blur - Modern Life Is Rubbish by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of English band Blur, posing in front of the graffiti slogan 'Modern Life is Rubbish', the title of their 1993 album. Blur were the kings of Britpop and are from L-R: Damon...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Bernadette Peters, 1977
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after) Title: Bernadette Peters, 1977 Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Year: 2004 Edition: 106/150 Sig...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

John Lennon "Adoration" by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
Iconic photo of John Lennon with a dandelion in his eye, fondly known as 'Adoration' by Robert Whitaker. Photographed in the garden of his Weybridge h...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie holds a cassette player, 1974 by Terry O’Neill
Located in Austin, TX
Never before printed, a rare image from the Terry O’Neill archive, available now for the first time. An outtake from the iconic Freddie Burretti suit photoshoot in Los Angeles, 1974...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Kate Bush Lionheart outtake
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 back 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

Kate Bush BIRDFISH
Located in Austin, TX
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

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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