Photorealist 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
Financial time
Located in London, GB
artist: Anastasia Aureum
print oil on canvas
70x100cm
the painting will be shipped rolled
without stretcher bars.
Description:
This black-and-white photograph presents a striki...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, C Print, Color, Digital
George Barris, "In Her Car Montage, " photolithograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Photographed in her car at the Hollywood Hills home of Tim Leimert, this black and white photolithograph was created from the original negatives in 1962 and printed in 1987. Publishe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Water Sketch II - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper wi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor, framed signed print by Terry O'Neill.
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor at director George Cukor’s home in Los Angeles, 1975, signed Terry O'Neill, 8x10" print, custom framed with non-g...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Giclée
Blue Marilyn - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a nude model diving in blue light on a black background.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, furnish...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Trouble - underwater photograph - archival print 20" x 35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A passionate furious energy radiates in the ripples of red that overtake the reflection. Intense motion, stirring the water into an explosion of bubbles we encounter “The Trouble”. T...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Ann Richards and Dolly Parton in Austin Texas by Scott Newton
Located in Austin, US
Texan politician and former Texas governor, Ann Richards with Dolly Parton taken at the Driskill Hotel, Austin Texas in 1982 by photographer Scott Newto...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
“Dragonfly” Photography 16” x 12” in Edition of 20 Dragonfly Nature 2024
Located in Houston, TX
“Dragonfly” is a limited edition of 20. Printed on fine art paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the beauty of the original scenes. Each piece is hand-nu...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper
“Gulf Fritillary” Photography 12” x 16” in Edition of 20 Butterfly Nature 2024
Located in Houston, TX
“Gulf Fritillary” is a limited edition of 20. Printed on fine art paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the beauty of the original scenes. Each piece is h...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper
“The Queen” Photography 12” x 16” in Edition of 20 Butterfly Nature 2024
Located in Houston, TX
“The Queen” is a limited edition of 20. Printed on fine art paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the beauty of the original scenes. Each piece is hand-n...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Archival Paper
“Water Lilly” Photography 16” x 12” in Edition of 20 Floral Nature 2024
Located in Houston, TX
“Water Lilly” is a limited edition of 20. Printed on fine art photo paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the beauty of the original scenes. Each piece i...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper
Bob Dylan portrait by Guido Harari
By Guido Harari
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Bob Dylan by Guido Harari, taken in Sirmione, Italy, 1984.
Available in the following sizes:
A. 11” x 16” - Edition 50
B. 16” x 20” - Edition 50
C. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
“Love Birds” Photography 12” x 16” in Edition of 20 Bird Nature 2024 Garden
Located in Houston, TX
“Love Birds” is a limited edition of 20. Printed on fine art paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the beauty of the original scenes. Each piece is hand-...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper
Richard Blair Photograph "Shipwrecked Boat - Tomales Bay" c.2000
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Shipwrecked Boat - Tomales Bay" c.2000
Tomales Bay is North or San Francisco. An absolutely beautiful and pristine area of remote wilderness.
Fine black a...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Breakdance - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 35”x51"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a girl dancing in a swimming pool. The dark pool is filled with sharp sunbeams. Some mysterious light ornaments cover the pool bottom and inner water su...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
No Way - black & white nude photograph - print on paper 16" x 24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a perfect woman's buttocks and her handcuffed hands giving a finger.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Archival Paper
“Yellow Hibiscus” Photography 12” x 16” in Edition of 20 Floral Nature
Located in Houston, TX
Yellow Hibiscus is a limited edition of 20 by American photographer Jack Hart . Printed on archival Fine Art paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the bea...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Archival Paper
Mermaids - a book of underwater nude and ocean wildlife photographs
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The book “Mermaids” has the best of Alex Sher’s underwater photography for eight years (2010-2018). It blends human erotics with the beauty of the ocean wildlife - transforming the c...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Magazine Paper
"Cut Food - Sundae" Modern Photography Food Still-Life with Pop Sensibility
By Beth Galton
Located in Wellesley, MA
"I am a professional food and still life photographer with over 30 years experience based in New York City. My attention to detail and strong sense of composition has allowed me to ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Cross and the Old Tree (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Lovers Under a Tree (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Bird on the lake (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Duplex (Maldives)
Located in MADRID, ES
World - Manipulated photography
The artist Wei Xiang is an artist who usually travels to obtain sources of inspiration for his art pieces. In this series of photographs manipulated w...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Icelandic Landscapes 1 (Iceland)
Located in MADRID, ES
World - Manipulated photography
The artist Wei Xiang is an artist who usually travels to obtain sources of inspiration for his art pieces. In this series of photographs manipulated w...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Red Hot Chili Peppers by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
A classic, stunning shot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1985 by celebrated photographer, Ebet Roberts.
Signed limited edition, hand printed sil...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The lake in winter (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Canvas
Spring (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Flock of sheep (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Breakdance - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 24”x 35”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a girl dancing in a swimming pool. The dark pool is filled with sharp sunbeams. Some mysterious light ornaments cover the pool bottom and inner water su...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
George Barris, "N5, " from The Last Photos, original photograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is an original photograph of Marilyn Monroe from the original negative by photographer, George Barris. This image was taken in 1962 at the North Hollywood home of Barris'...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Lama 2 (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Sunset on the Lake (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Canvas, Oil
Chinese Chess (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Lama 1 (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Her Majesty - underwater nude photograph - archival print 35” x 49”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in bright tulle.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist.
Limited edition of 1...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The horses (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Canvas
Hot Spring - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 25"x35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a beautiful young woman on red background.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist.
Limited edition of 1...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Lama 3 (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Lama 4 (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Oil, Mixed Media, Cardboard
Motorbiker (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Breakdance - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 16” x 23.5”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a girl dancing in a swimming pool. The dark pool is filled with sharp sunbeams. Some mysterious light ornaments cover the pool bottom and inner water su...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Comunal Meal (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Play Chess (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Eric Clapton "Shangri La"
By Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, US
Guitar legend, Eric Clapton, taking a break from recording his album ‘No Reason To Cry’ at Shangri La recording studio in Malibu, CA, US, November 21, 1975. Limited edition number 2/...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
La Bonna Violetta, Venice
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "La Bonna Violetta, Venice" 1983, Is a photographic print on paper by noted photographer Lydia Clarke Heston, 1923-2018. It is hand signed, titled, dated and insc...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Other Medium
Farmer’s Market (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Chilled Champagne - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 16” x 23.5”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater photograph of a topless model dressed in tulle and air bubbles.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist.
Paper size: 18x24"...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Reverent (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Uncle Mao 1 (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Prayers (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
A Game of Cards (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Hundred-Year Teahouse (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Procession Sheep (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Sleeping Swan - underwater nude ballet photograph - print on paper 16.5” x 23.5”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater ballet. An underwater photograph of topless ballerina in white tutu skirt on a bottom of a pool.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Her Majesty - underwater nude photograph - archival print 25” x 35”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in bright tulle.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist.
Limited edition of 1...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Ferry (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Going Home (China)
Located in MADRID, ES
China - Manipulated photography.
A series of photographs manipulated with oil paint in which the artist Wei Chiang shows us different aspects of life in China, some of them surprisin...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Oil, Mixed Media, Cardboard
White Swan - underwater nude ballet photograph - print on paper 24.5” x 35”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater ballet. An underwater photograph of topless ballerina in white tutu skirt on a bottom of a pool.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Photorealist photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist 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 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 Alex Sher, Allan Tannenbaum, Lynn Goldsmith, and Jake Chessum. Frequently made by artists working with Pigment Print, and Archival 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 photography, so small editions measuring 5.5 inches across are also available. Prices for 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 $11 and tops out at $200,247, while the average work sells for $1,930.