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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
Eric Clapton "Shangri La"
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

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman rare signed platinum print
Located in Austin, US
JIMI HENDRIX ON STAGE AT THE WINTERLAND BALLROOM IN SAN FRANCISCO, FEBRUARY 1968. One copy available Signed limited edition #7/150 Rare signed platinum print with deckled bottom edge
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Platinum

The Bather - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 35x53"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a model in floating petals Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with metallic fin...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

No Way - black & white nude photograph - archival pigment print 35x55"
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 print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment p...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

ABSORTION by ELLA BATS, Inkjet Printing on Fine Art Paper Mounted on Aluminum
Located in PARIS, FR
In this series titled ‘Adam and Adam’, I return to the genesis of love. The ambivalence of intertwined bodies manifests different states of love within this couple of men. Love t...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Metal

Looking For Answers 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Ola...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Paper

Looking For Answers 2
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Ola...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Paper

Marilyn Monroe nude in Somethings Got To Give by Lawrence Schiller
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality print of Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller, taken on the set of Somethings Got To Give in 1962 during the famous naked swimming pool scene Signed limited edition 16...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimi Hendrix 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
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 Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Marilyn Monroe nude in Somethings Got To Give by Lawrence Schiller EP5/6
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality print of Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller, taken on the set of Somethings Got To Give in 1962 during the famous naked swimming pool scene Signed limited edition ar...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kate Moss at 16
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Kate Moss by Jake Chessum, taken when she was an unknown 16 year old model, just starting her career. Jake recalls, "I had heard of Kate as she was...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimi Hendrix Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
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 Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Marilyn Monroe nude in Somethings Got To Give by Lawrence Schiller artist proof
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality print of Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller, taken on the set of Somethings Got To Give in 1962 during the famous naked swimming pool scene Signed limited edition ar...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan portrait 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

Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence” 1974, signed limited edition 24x48"
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 24" x 48" print, edition number 24/50 As a renowned graphic designer (with 5 Grammy nominations), Norman Seeff has designed a number of large-scale composites...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Robert Redford and Paul Newman playing Ping-Pong, printers proof print
Located in Austin, US
20x24" printers proof print, edition "PP 5/5" making it the last print available in this size. Robert Redford and Paul Newman playing ping-pong during a break in filming of Butch Ca...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimi Hendrix Experience 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, US
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 Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Pool Party II - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 35х60
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of two naked young women in the pool. The minimalistic photograph partially depicts bodies in blue color schema. Original gallery quality print signed by th...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mermaids - a book of underwater nude and ocean wildlife photographs
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The book “Mermaids” has the best of Alex Sher’s underwater photography for eight years (2010-2017). It blends human erotics with the beauty of the ocean wildlife - transforming the c...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Magazine Paper

David Bowie with Scottie Dog by Duffy
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality print of David Bowie from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original 1980 negative, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie The Archer - New special edition
Located in Austin, US
NEW - Special limited edition series produced for the 2023 David Bowie Worldwide Fan Convention in June 2023. This iconic image of David Bowie as The Thin White Duke was taken by re...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Bather - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 23” x 35”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a model in floating petals Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with metallic fin...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Pool Party II - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 20x35
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of two naked young women in the pool. The minimalistic photograph partially depicts bodies in blue color schema. Original gallery quality print signed by th...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

George Barris, "Hollywood Hills " photolithograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This photograph of Marilyn was taken at the Hollywood Hills home of Tim Leimert 2 1/2 weeks before Marilyn's death. Photolithograph taken from original negative. Published by Edward ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

George Barris, "Warm Up", hand signed, photolithograph
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Taken just two and a half weeks before her untimely death "Warm Up" is considered to be the last photo taken of the last photo shoot of Marilyn Monroe by George Barris at Santa Monic...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Mick Jagger Parka by Terry O'Neill signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition photographic print of The Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger posing in a fur parka, with a fur trimmed hood, 1964, by Terry O'Neill Signed limited edition "Lif...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

George Barris, "Feeling the Surf, " hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Taken at the beach in Santa Monica, California 2 1/2 weeks before her death, this photograph is from the last ever photo shoot of Marilyn Monroe by the photographer George Barris. P...
Category

Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Jack Nicholson 1961 portrait by Monte Hellman. Signed silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Jack Nicholson, 1961 portrait by film director Monte Hellman Silver gelatin print 16x20 Signed au verso in pencil by the artist Monte Hellman (1929-2021) was an American film direc...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie Aladdin Sane by Brian Duffy framed
Located in Austin, US
David Bowie Aladdin Sane album cover print from Brian Duffy Taken from the original 1973 negative, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with the offic...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

John Lennon 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, US
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 Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

"Tree & Half Dome (Yosemite National Park, CA)" Photograph signed by T Ferderbar
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Tree & Half Dome (Yosemite National Park, CA" is a black and white photograph signed by Thomas Ferderbar. This photo shows a vista in the Yosemite National Park in California. The center of the piece is a evergreen with asymmetrical limbs. In the distance, one can see the mountains, valley, and clouds...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

No Way - black & white nude photograph - archival pigment print 22x35"
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 signed by the artist. Limited e...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Waylon Jennings at The Armadillo, Austin 1974
Located in Austin, US
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 Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Boy and Hawk by Keith Carter. Signed limited edition 16 x 20" print
Located in Austin, US
Boy and Hawk by Keith Carter Signed limited edition 11/35, 2005 Silver gelatin, vintage print made by the artist Signed au verso in pencil by the artist Printed image 15" x 15" Pap...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Led Zeppelin by Robert Knight 30x40” signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Led Zeppelin by legendary rock photographer, Robert M Knight, taken in Hawaii at Honolulu airport on 12th May 1969, holding the master tapes to Led Ze...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Mountain Lake - Black and White Figurative - Landscape Photography
Located in Soquel, CA
Mountain Lake - Black and White Landscape Photography Skillful black and white photograph of a lake in the mountains by by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Dramatic rock format...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Blood and Milk III - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 60x43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a topless young woman with white tulle scarf taking off her red skirt on bright red background. Original digital print on archival paper signed by the a...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Missouri Highway
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
Missouri Highway 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 ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

The Cure 1980 by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, US
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...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Red Hot Chili Peppers 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

Porcelain and Тurquoise - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 35x26"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young women diving next to the bright turquoise dress she just took off. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy taken by photographer, Ebet Roberts in Austin TX 1983 Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Beastie Boys and Run DMC by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
The Beastie Boys and Run DMC on the roof of B. Smith's restaurant at 47th St. and 8th Avenue in New York City on May 11, 1987, taken by Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, hand pr...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders taken backstage at Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, 26th March 1980 by Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin prin...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

Blood and Milk III - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 35 x 25"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a topless young woman with white tulle scarf taking off her red skirt on bright red background. Original digital print on archival paper signed by the a...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Elvis Presley 1960 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Fine art print of Elvis Presley from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1960 These prints are open edition and come with full certification. Availab...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Keith Richards and Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones, 1983 by Ebet Roberts Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print. Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when she be...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Elvis Presley 1956 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Fine art print of Elvis Presley from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1956 These prints are open edition and come with full certification. Availab...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Miss Trixie 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Miss Trixie by Baron Wolman, posing topless with her bass guitar, taken in San Francisco in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited editio...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Elvis Presley 1957 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Fine art print of Elvis Presley from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1957 These prints are open edition and come with full certification. Availab...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

The Sanchez Twins 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
The Sanchez Twins by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Willie Nelson by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
Willie Nelson at The Palladium in NYC on December 11, 1980 by Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print. Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when sh...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Cramps by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
The Cramps at CBGB in New York City on December 10, 1993 by Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition print. Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when she began documenting the evolvin...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

"A Perkiomen October" Hand-Colored Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
"A Perkiomen October" Hand-Colored Photograph Brightly oil paints colored black and white photograph of a pond by Wallace Nutting (American, 1861 - 1941). The viewer looks out acros...
Category

Early 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Oil, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The GTO's 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
The GTO's by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition number 6/150, signed and noted by Baron Wolman 11x14” hand printed silver gelatin print. The GTOs (Girls Together Outrageously) were an all-girl group from the Los Angeles area, specifically the Sunset Strip scene. Featuring Miss Pamela...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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, Jean-Michel Rousvoal, and Bob Tabor. 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 $100 and tops out at $202,680, while the average work sells for $2,000.

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