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.
$420
Greek Beach Bliss, Handmade Cyanotype on Watercolor Paper, Swimming Body in Blue
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Greek Beach Bliss" is a cyanotype of a woman's feet in the fresh water of a sandy beach shore in Greece. Details: + Tit...
Handmade Paper, Monotype
Intimate Perspective by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 “From this new and intimate perspective, she learned a simple, obvious thing she had always known, and everyone k...
Photographic Paper, Pigment
Comfort in Chaos by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 "Another conversation with no destination, another battle never won. Each side is a loser, so who cares who fired...
Photographic Paper, Pigment
The Beatles 1963 by Norman Parkinson
Located in Austin, TX
The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr at the President Hotel, Russell Square, London, 12 September 1963 by Norman Parkinson NORMAN PARKINSON POST...
C Print
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor signed Lifetime Edition
Located in Austin, TX
Lifetime prints are the last remaining prints available, signed by Terry O’Neill and obtained from the Terry O’Neill Archive in London. Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print ...
Silver Gelatin
Willie Nelson at the 4th July Picnic 1979
By Scott Newton
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken at the 4th July Picnic in 1979 in Austin Texas by photographer Scott Newton Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight cotton photo rag with a matte f...
Archival Pigment
$399Sale Price|68% Off
On the Downtown Shore, Photorealist Black and White Photograph, 1965
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture of NYU was done in 1965 as a collection of photographs for a German book editor. Later a phonebook about NYU was published.
Photographic Paper
$427Sale Price|88% Off
1960s Black and White Photorealistic Car Photography, Signed, 58x34 cm
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The photography belongs to a cycle of photographies of NY, published in the book "New York", Verlag und Volk, Berlin 1967. Signed by the author on the back, certificate will be inclu...
Photographic Paper
$349Sale Price|72% Off
1965 NYC Shopping Couple, Black and White Photorealist Photograph
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture is an edition ( Edit. of 50) and part of a book about NYC, which Kallay done in 1965 for a German book publisher.
Photographic Paper
MAN RAY (1890-1976), SURREAL MODERNIST ABSTRAC, 1934 Photogravure, FIRST EDITION
By Man Ray
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Man Ray (American born, 1890 - 1976) Title: SURREAL MODERNIST ABSTRACT Date Of Negative: 1934 Type Of Print: Authentic Vintage Sheet Fed Photogravure/Heliogravure. Date Of Pr...
Photogravure
"5I" Original Photograph of Marilyn Monroe, Hand Signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
GEORGE BARRIS 5I FROM "THE LAST PHOTOS" ORIGINAL PHOTO FROM ORIGINAL NEGATIVE 20 X 16 INCHES HAND SIGNED BY ARTIST PRINTED IN 1987 This piece is an original photograph of Marilyn Mo...
Photographic Paper
Kate Bush
Located in Austin, TX
Portrait of singer and dancer, Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978. Kate Bush has seen a huge resurgence...
C Print
$374Sale Price|70% Off
Filled with Light, Photorealist Black and White Photograph, 1965, New
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture belongs to. a set of photographs, done by Kallay in NYC in 1965 for a German book publisher.
Photographic Paper
Joe Dallesandro Andy Warhol Trash promo photo
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jack Mitchell, American Photographer (1925-2013). Joe Dallesandro, ca. 1973. 11 x 14 inches; 12 x 15 inches framed. Period print from artist's studio. The image was intended for ...
Photographic Paper
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...
C Print
$920Sale Price|20% Off
Original Marilyn Monroe Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Original Marilyn Monroe Photograph Original photograph of Marilyn Monroe posing in her dressing room on the film of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" by photographer Milton Gold (American,...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
1920s Photo of the Seawell Cushion Wheel Co. Baseball Team of Detroit
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1920s Detroit-based company baseball team gathered for this photo. The Sewell Cushion Wheel Company’s players wear uniform shirts bearing the timeless term “All Cush,” (frankly, wo...
Photographic Paper
Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Silhouette portrait of Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis taken in London in September of 1995 by Jill Furmanovsky during a break in the making of the Wonderwall video. Signed and n...
Archival Pigment
Taking Flight by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 Cardin uses a mix between photography and painting to develop her contemporary figurative art, inspired by music...
Photographic Paper, Pigment
The Cure 1980 by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of The Cure on the road in Holland and Belgium during their 1980 'Seventeen Seconds' tour. Signed and numbered by Jill Furmanovsky in pencil an...
Archival Pigment
Steve Martin, Los Angeles 1974 “Let’s Get Small”
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of Steve Martin, taken in Los Angeles by Norman Seeff in 1974. Norman recalls - “When I relocated to LA as Creative Director of United Artist ...
Archival Pigment
The Cure 1980 by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of The Cure on the road in Holland and Belgium during their 1980 'Seventeen Seconds' tour. Signed and numbered by Jill Furmanovsky in pencil an...
Archival Pigment
The Who with children by Art Kane
By Art Kane
Located in Austin, TX
The Who under a Union Jack flag, 1968 by Art Kane Shot in 1968 in NYC in Morningside Park near Columbia University, Art Kane had plenty of fun with The Who. Kane described them as “...
C Print
The Cure, New York 1980 by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Robert Smith and The Cure taken on Columbus Ave, NYC, April 1980 by Allan Tannenbaum 17" x 22" Paper - Edition 50 Printed to the highest quality on...
Archival Pigment
$4,750
The Rolling Stones "Mick Feeding Goat" Beggars Banquet by Michael Joseph framed
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones "Mick Feeding Goat" - Outtake from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968, si...
C Print
Muhammad Ali
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Muhammad Ali by Michael Brennan, taken in 1977. A copy of this Iconic photograph is held in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery...
C Print
$2,128Sale Price|20% Off
Batman's view of the 1st Avenue of New York City - Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef Artwork # 7 on 12 sold in perfect condition from a limited edition - Composition from an assembly of...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
The Rolling Stones
By Art Kane
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones, taken in 1966 by Art Kane Originally photographed in London by Art Kane for McCall’s Magazine’s 1966 photo essay‘ Teen Idols’, Kane lay on his back and had the b...
C Print
BABY- Black and white photography Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Beautiful b/w photo depicting a little Peruvian girl
Photographic Paper
$1,292Sale Price|20% Off
On Broadway, New York, 1955 Framed Edition Contemporary Black & White Photograph
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork #1 / 5 sold in perfect condition printed on baryta heavyweight paper & framed (black metal border) From the collection called "Art 2014", format 30x42 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS + 2 AP Artwork printed later on fine art papers later (2014) from black & white negatives processed in 1962 During the 15 year period in which Fabrizio La Torre...
Archival Pigment
Raquel Welch
By Eva Sereny
Located in Austin, TX
Modern edition, C-Type print estate stamped and authenticated on reverse by a representative of the Eva Sereny archive. American film star and sex symbol Raquel Welch...
C Print
$2,500
Pamela Des Barres 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
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...
Silver Gelatin
$1,747Sale Price|20% Off
The Super Constellation Lockheed - Full Framed Fine Art Museum Quality Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This photo was made in the 50's, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (...
Archival Pigment
Dolly Parton 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Dolly Parton taken in New York City in 1977 by Allan Tannenbaum This Dolly Parton print is available in th...
Archival Pigment
Red Hot Chili Peppers by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
A classic, stunning shot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1985 by celebrated photographer, Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print. Ebet Roberts bega...
Silver Gelatin
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...
Silver Gelatin
Long Wave in Venice Beach, Black and White Giclée Print on Matte Cotton Paper
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive limited edition black and white giclée print, on 100% cotton Hahnemühle Photo Rag Fine Art matte paper. This series of black and white photographs captures the ...
Rag Paper, Archival Pigment
Muhammad Ali Taping Fists by Michael Brennan.
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of American professional boxer and activist Muhammad Ali during a training session at his training camp on 58 Sculps Hill Road, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, ...
C Print
Black Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of white painted concrete with a sp...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$409Sale Price|20% Off
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Archival Pigment
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Archival Pigment
Ann Richards and Dolly Parton in Austin by Scott Newton
By Scott Newton
Located in Austin, TX
Texan politician and former Texas governor, Ann Richards with Dolly Parton taken at the Driskill Hotel, Austin Texas in 1982 by photographer Scott Newton Photographers notes: We wer...
Archival Pigment
Antique Signed Original Rare Humphrey Bogart Portrait Photograph
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage signed and extremely rare photograph of Humphrey Bogart by Philippe Halsman (1906 - 1979). Signed. Framed. Measuring 17 by 21 inches overall and 10.25 by 13.25 photograph a...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Willie Nelson running a marathon, Austin TX 1977
By Scott Newton
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken in 1977 during a running race in Austin Texas. Taken by photographer, Scott Newton Scott Newton recalls, "Willie Running Race (For Stehlin Foundation Cancer Benefit-Run For Your Life) outside the Austin Opry House entrance on Academy Drive, Austin TX...
Archival Pigment
Dolly Parton 1977 portrait by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of Dolly Parton taken in New York City in 1977 by Allan Tannenbaum. Edition number 5/25 Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in the following ...
Archival Pigment
Patti Smith Fuck The Clock 1977 by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, TX
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith wearing her “Fuck The Clock” t-shirt by Allan Tannenbaum, taken at CBGB in New York, New Years ...
Archival Pigment
$1,375Sale Price|20% Off
Gita in famiglia, Thaïland (1957) - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork : The Fine Art print on Baryta paper is mounted on a 2mm dib...
Archival Pigment
Bridges. Chicago I
By Tadeusz Zych
Located in Kraków, Województwo małopolskie
"Chicago I" is a limited-edition black & white photograph by contemporary artist Tadeusz Zych from the series entitled Black and white States. The photo was taken during a trip t...
Digital Pigment
Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith, New York 1969 by Norman Seeff
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, taken in her kitchen in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This P...
Archival Pigment
Harlem 1958 by Art Kane
By Art Kane
Located in Austin, TX
The most famous photograph in Jazz? Entirely possible, and considered as such by jazz and photography fans and scholars alike. Shot for Esquire Magazine in August 1958 , it was Art Kane’s first major assignment as a photographer. Kane pitched the idea of a huge group portrait to be shot on location in Harlem. No one knew, with the early call hour of 10:00 am whether anyone would show up, but they did. 58 legendary giants of jazz including Lester Young...
C Print
$2,128Sale Price|20% Off
Paeseggio Urbano, New York City (1955) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This photo was made in 1956, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Archival Pigment
$760Sale Price|20% Off
"Polk Street" Large Scale Textural Photograph San Francisco Abstract
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
"Polk" Large Scale Textural Photograph Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete. The paint is bold yello...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$2,128Sale Price|20% Off
On Broadway, New York City (1955) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This photo was made in 1955, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (framing, contrast, light, etc.) was approved by him. This is a very high quality fine art prints on 310 gr/m² Fine Art paper with museum quality pigment inks. “ On Broadway, near Trinity Church”, New York December 1955. A rainy Sunday morning, a solitary pedestrian seems to be falling over on the slippery surface. As is always the case with Fabrizio La Torre’s photographs, quite apart from the artistic merit, this picture invites us to speculate what is the story behind it: why this deserted avenue at 11:10 on that particular morning, what was the man in the rain doing, why is that car defiantly parked right underneath a no parking sign...
Archival Pigment
Sonny and Cher
By Art Kane
Located in Austin, TX
Sonny and Cher, taken in the pool in 1966 by Art Kane Photographed at Sonny and Cher’s Beverly Hills residence in 1966 for the McCall’s magazine photo essay ‘Teen Idols’, Art Kane s...
C Print
Intimate Perspective by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 “From this new and intimate perspective, she learned a simple, obvious thing she had always known, and everyone k...
Photographic Paper, Pigment
$2,128Sale Price|20% Off
Tornando con le spese, New York (1955) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This photo was made in 1955, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Archival Pigment
Black and White Seascape of Pacific Beach Horizon, Limited Edition Photo Rag
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive limited edition black and white giclée print, on 100% cotton Hahnemühle Photo Rag Fine Art matte paper. This series of black and white photographs captures the ...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée
The Rolling Stones "Smokey Stones On Grass" London 1968
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...
C Print
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Dragon Mouth Trip - underwater black&white nude photograph - archival print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater black and white nude photograph of a model diving in a swimming pool Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival pa...
Archival Pigment
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 20x24" print
By Baron Wolman
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...
Silver Gelatin