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
Nievis
By Fritz Henle
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Fritz Henle
Title: Nievis
Medium: Silver Gelatin Print from film
Edition: 19/25
Year: 1943
Size: 14" x 14" Framed, 9.5" x 9.5" Unframed
Provenance: Direct from the Henle Fa...
Category
1940s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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 "Tour Life, somewhere on the road 2022" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, “Tour Life”, somewhere on the road 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black Keys relationship with Larry...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Black Keys, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines IA 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines IA 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues.
The Black K...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Photographic Film
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
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
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
Jimi Hendrix Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz
A portrait of Jimi looking serious while in an embroidered jacket. "Shot during my first session with Jimi at my Studio in early 1967."
...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Waylon Jennings at The Armadillo, Austin 1974
Located in Austin, TX
Waylon Jennings, taken at the Armadillo WHQ, Austin TX in 1974 by photographer Scott Newton.
20x28" signed limited edition print.
Scott Newton recalls, "In 1974 Waylon was ornery...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bill Carroll/George Barris, "First and Last Diptych, " original photographs
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is comprised of two original photographs, from the original negatives, by George Barris and Bill Carroll, framed side by side. These photographs represent the first and l...
Category
1940s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Human League "Mirror Man" 1982 single cover by Simon Fowler
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
Debbie Harry of Blondie, Hanging On The Telephone
By Simon Fowler
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
"Kingston Trio" Iconic American Folk Music Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph of the iconic American folk and pop music group that launched in the late 1950's to the late 1960's. The photograph is not fram...
Category
1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Kate Bush Underwater Tryptich
By Guido Harari
Located in Austin, TX
Underwater triptyc of Kate Bush captured during a photo shoot in London in 1989
Signed limited edition print, number 4/50
Guido Harari revealed during an i...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Giclée
Laszlo Willinger, "Katharine Hepburn, " orig. photograph from orig.negative
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is an original photograph from the original negative taken by Laszlo Willinger circa 1940 and printed in 1989. It depicts the iconic actress Katharine Hepburn during the p...
Category
1940s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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
By Guido Harari
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
Kate Bush BIRDFISH
By Guido Harari
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
Chris Cornell
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Chris Cornell by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls the session: ” This was a brief and friendly shoot at the Toronto Internatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
C Print
Jimi Hendrix live 1968
Located in Austin, TX
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
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
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
1960's Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller 'Barbara Streisand'
Located in White Plains, NY
'Barbara Streisand, 1969' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Digital pigment, Ed. 9/35. Image: 13 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. This black ...
Category
1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
1960's Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller 'Barbara Streisand'
Located in White Plains, NY
'Barbara Streisand, 1969' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Digital pigment, Ed. 10/35. Image: 13.75 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. This bl...
Category
1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
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
Nina Linda
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment, Digital P...
La Madre
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Digital, Photogram, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
El Patriarch
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Digital, Photogram, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
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
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
SILVER DOLLAR (COLOR)
Located in Aventura, FL
Dye-transfer print, flush-mounted. The photographer's copyright stamp, signed and dated in ink, and with title, date, and edition 'A. P. #D' in ink on the reverse. Frame size 30 x 33...
Category
1980s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Dye Transfer
Bob Dylan, "Bowling For Dollars" Liverpool, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan, mock Olympic curling tryouts, Liverpool, England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan "Licensed Betting Office" Sheffield, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan, leaving betting office, Sheffield, England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein.
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin of th...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan, The Royal Albert Hall, London 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan taken during his sound check at the Royal Albert Hall, London, England, 1966
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margi...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan, Trying on boots, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan taken while trying on boots, in England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin of the pri...
Category
1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan, Liverpool, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan by Barry Feinstein, taken on the cobbled streets of Liverpool, England, 1966
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margi...
Category
1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan "The Giant" Liverpool, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan “The Giant” by Barry Feinstein, Liverpool, England, 1966
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin of the print recto...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan, "Kids On Steps" Liverpool, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan taken by Barry Feinstein, Liverpool, England, 1966
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin of the print recto. The ...
Category
1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan "Fans Looking in Limo" The Royal Albert Hall, London, 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Musician Bob Dylan with fans looking into his limousine, London, England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein.
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Dylan - "The Times They Are A-Changin'" cover
Located in Austin, TX
Barry Feinstein's iconic cover for Bob Dylan's 1964 album, The Times They Are A-Changin'. Take in New York City, 1963.
All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Fei...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Incognito
By Nemo Jantzen
Located in Singapore, SG
Handmade resin domes on board with unparalleled craftsmanship by Nemo Jantzen. Every inch of this piece is made by hand, with careful attention to detail. "Paradise" is a stunning pi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Epoxy Resin
The Bride
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film
Sight Unseen
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper
Empire
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper
Mosaic
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Nomad
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Children of God II
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Porcelain Alliance
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Farewell
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Tell no one
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Silence
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Monarchy
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Princess Song
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Longing
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Desert Wanderer
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
Three Pearls
By Drew Tal
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category
2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography
Materials
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram
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.