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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
Antonio Lopez with Jerry Hall Vogue fashion shoot
Located in Austin, TX
Famed fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez with Jerry Hall by Norman Parkinson, taken in Jamaica on a shoot for Vogue, May 1975 issue. NORMAN PARKINSON POSTHUMOUS LIMITED EDITION PRINT...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Down on East River
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Black and White photograph, edition 50, part of book about NY, 1965.
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment

Dragon Mouth Trip - underwater black&white nude photograph - archival print
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...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dolly Parton and John Belushi
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging John Belushi backstage after her Bottom Line concert. NYC 5/14/77 by SoH...
Category

1970s 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 (2010-2018). It blends human erotics with the beauty of the ocean wildlife - transforming the c...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Magazine Paper

Un religioso ascolto, 1965 - Roma - Contemporary Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 2 on 5 sold in perfect condition Print called "Art 2014", format 42 x 60 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS + 2 AP Artwork printed later on fine art papers later (2014) from black & wh...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Led Zeppelin on the Starship 1973
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Led Zeppelin by Michael Brennan, taken aboard their Boeing 707 ‘Starship’, on their way to Detroit, US, January 31, 1975. T...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

A Course in Miracles
Located in Fairlawn, OH
A Course in Miracles Dye transfer photograph, 1978 From: 12 Photographs: 1973-1983, Plate 7 of 12 Signed in ink Edition: 50, this example an Artist's Proof (7/10) Printer: Guy Stri...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Dye Transfer

In the Hall of the Mountain King - underwater b&w nude photograph - paper 16x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a female dancer performing in a swimming pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Beatles Guitars backstage Tokyo 1966 by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
The Beatles Guitars, backstage in Tokyo Japan in 1966 by Robert Whitaker. All limited edition prints in this collection are hand numbered and authent...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

The Clash by Janet Macoska, framed 20x24" signed limited edition print
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 Cleveland, Ohio on February 13, 1979, by Janet Macoska Framed, signed limited edition number 2/25 Frame measures 32" x 25" x 1" Recently framed with an 8ply mat, in new, perfect condition Since 1974, Janet Macoska has been capturing rock’s greatest on film. Among the publications who have used her photos are Rolling Stone, People, Vogue, American Photo, Creem, MOJO, NY Times and London Times. VH1, Bravo, A&E and the BBC regularly use Macoska’s vast archive in their “rockumentaries.” Her work is in the permanent collection of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Smithsonian Museum of American History, The National Portrait Gallery in London and in Hard Rock Cafe restaurants, hotels and casinos all around the planet. David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, DEVO, Heart, Hall and Oates...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

The Source - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 24” x 36”
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of two naked women wrapped in red tulle. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

KEITH RICHARDS CIG IN MOUTH by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1989 by Jim Herrington 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 7...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

"Peapod Decapitated"
Located in Chesterfield, MI
Peapods after the big chop. Photograph by Deborah Benedic,
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Peapod Decapitated"
$56 Sale Price
20% Off
Whirlpool - underwater photograph - print on paper 19" x 17.5"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman wrapped in bright green tulle. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The old Forum, Roma - Italy - 2012 - Contemporary Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef Artwork sold in perfect condition from a limited edition of 12 ex- Composition from an assembly of 13...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The "Two of Us"
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. Stamped by the author on the back, certificate will be incl...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The "Two of Us"
$438 Sale Price
88% Off
In the Hall of the Mountain King - underwater b&w nude photograph - paper 24х35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a female dancer performing in a swimming pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Long Wave in Venice Beach, Black and White Giclée Print on Matte Cotton Paper
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 ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Rag Paper, Archival Pigment

Tutu Skirt - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 14 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater black and white nude photograph of a young female dancer in the pool. The dancer is putting on her tut skirt. The photograph depicts her beautiful naked butt about to hid...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Le Tre Vespe, Roma 1962 - Contemporary Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 3 on 5 sold in perfect condition Limited Edition of 5 + 2 AP The 3 Vespas but also the 3 buzzing and twirling “bees”, since this is the translation of this Italian brand...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Namaste
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Namaste" 2001, is a photograph (Cibachrome) by American artist Lisa Kristine, b.1965. It is hand signed, titled and dated in pencil by the artist. The photograph...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Other Medium

Water Sketch II - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment
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

Porcelain and Тurquoise - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 24x17"
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 ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

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

The GTO's 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
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

Sweet Champagne - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 18 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman with her face covered with air bubbles. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival p...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Chuck Berry by Lynn Goldsmith framed signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
Chuck Berry by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1987 Framed, signed limited edition 16x20" print, edition #5/20 Frame measures 28” high x 22.5” across x 1” thick ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Patti Smith portrait by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 16x20" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20"" print of Patti Smith taken in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith. Limited edition number 3/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Goldsm...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

'Historic European Bridge', by Unknown, Black & White Photograph
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 20" x 16" framed black and white photographic print depicts a European bridge, river and landscape. The bridge disappears into the left side of the canvas and leads to what appe...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rolling Stones Mick Jagger by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1989 by Jim Herrington 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 75 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Double Trouble - underwater nude photograph - print on aluminum 24" x 36"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of two naked young women in the pool. Original digital print on aluminum plate signed by the artist. Limited edition of 12 The artwork is fu...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Metal

Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 35"х51"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan Contact Sheet Print
Located in Austin, TX
Contact sheet of Bob Dylan, taken at the BBC TV Studios, London 1965 by Barrie Wentzell Barrie recalls : On the first of June, 1965, Bob came to the BBC Studios in London, to do a live concert. I went along to rehearsals but the studio was empty, so I headed off to the canteen bar where I ran into some musicians I knew from The Pretty Things. Sitting a few tables away were Bob Dylan and his chum Bobby Neuwirth. I sat and chatted with the Pretty Things, who later would be immortalized in a line in one of Bob’s songs, “The Sweet Pretty Things are in bed now, of course. This Bob Dylan print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

Мalachite Cave - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 24x18"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a young woman dancing in the pool. The photograph has bright green background. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper wit...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

HANK WILLIAMS III by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Hank Williams III, Nashville, Tennessee, 1998. On August 17, 1952, Hank Williams was jailed overnight in Alexander City, Alabama for drunken and disorderly behavior. 46 years, 2 months and 10 days later in 1998. photographer Jim Herrington paid homage to that moment whilst photographing his grandson Shelton Williams, aka Hank III, in the stench-y alley behind the Ryman Auditorium. The “jail door...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Famiglia numerosa, Bangkok 1958 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Famiglia numerosa, Bangkok This photo was made in 1958, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and th...
Category

1950s 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

David Bowie Smoking Clown by Duffy
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original negatives, these offici...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist 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 Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Elvis Presley "The Early King" 1956
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley "The Early King" from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1956 These prints are 16x20" open edition and come with full...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Red Fish on Blue Glitter, Contemporary Still Life, Green Color Field Background
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Sexy Miami Futuristic Cocktail Lounge" is a series of photographs by Ryan Rivadeneyra inspired by the Art Deco colors of Miami that show beautiful objects and textures arranged meti...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée

Sky Dance - underwater black& white photograph - archival pigment print 18x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Soft Dance - underwater black & white nude photograph - archival pigment 35"х23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool. The woman is coming from the depth up toward the surface and her body reflects in the internal water surface. O...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Ballet - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival pigment 36" x 48"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a young female dancer diving in pool. The naked dances is covering herself with tutu skirt. Original gallery quality archival pigment pri...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

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

Abyss - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 18" x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a girl diving in the ocean in kelp forest. This is an extremely rare photograph taken in Pacific Ocean at the California Coast ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Ballet - underwater black and white nude photograph - print on paper 17 x 23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a young female dancer diving in pool. The naked dances is covering herself with tutu skirt. Original gallery quality archival pigment pri...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Beastie Boys Adam Yauch MCA Vintage Darkroom Print by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Original hand-printed vintage print from photographer Jake Chessum of Beastie Boys Adam Yauch, know as MCA, playing double bass in the studio in 1994. Printed by Jake back in the d...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Led Zeppelin by Robert Knight 30x40” signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
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

The Piazza di Spagna, Roma - Italy - Contemporary Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef Artwork sold in perfect condition from a limited edition of 12 ex- Composition from an assembly of 16 shots digitaly edited and made in 2012 The Spanish Steps (piazza di Spagna...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Tom Waits, Mantello, 1992
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Tom Waits, taken in Paris 1992 by Guido Harari 16x20" giclee print 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 Photography

Materials

Giclée

Blood and Milk V - underwater nude photograph - print on aluminum 36" x 24"
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 aluminum plate signed by the...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Metal

Fiat Lux, Roma 1962 - Contemporary Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in perfect condition Limited Edition of 5 + 2 AP : Fiat Lux. Religiously parked under the watchful gaze of the Blessed Virgin, the ca...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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 Photography

Materials

C Print

Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence”, framed 24x48" print by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 24" x 48" print, edition number 26/50. Custom frames with 8 ply matte and non-glare museum glass Frame dimensions: 56” wide x 30” high x 1” deep As a renowne...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Page Led Zeppelin live on stage 1975
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Jimmy Page, lead guitarist of British rock band Led Zeppelin on stage at the Olympia stadium in Detroit, US, January 31, 1975, taken by Michael Brenna...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Eiffel Tower, Tokyo ( 1957 ) - Japan - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Eiffel Tower, Tokyo - Japan This photo was made in 1957, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and th...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ballet - underwater black and white nude photograph print on paper 42" x 56"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a young female dancer diving in pool. The naked dances is covering herself with tutu skirt. Original gallery quality archival pigment pri...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, 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

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.

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