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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
Amy Winehouse at the laundromat
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Amy Winehouse taken at a laundromat in London by Jake Chessum. Jake recalls the session: “I travelled from NYC to London in February 2004 to do a press shoot with Amy Winehouse. It was a classic February day: cold, wet, foggy and dark by about 4pm. We met at her flat and went to a few of her local haunts: a cafe, a launderette, Primrose Hill. The record company were very hands off and didn’t pressure us to do any particular set ups. We just went with the flow. She was really entertaining: funny, smart and cooly indiscreet. I am a huge jazz fan and I remember we talked about music, London and New York.” Jake Chessum offers prints in multiple...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Sunset from Key Largo (Florida) - 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 8 ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Rotondità, 1963 - Roma - Framed Edition Contemporary Black & White Photography
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...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Piazza Navona, Roma - Italy 2019 - 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 12 shots digitaly edited and made in 2019 This panoramic montage is showing a detail from the Piazza Navona, the largest tourist square in Rome in Italy. Located in the northern part of the Champ de Mars, near the Pantheon, it is built on the ruins of the 1st century Domitian stadium, of which it retains the exact shape. It is, with its monumental architectural decoration (Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (known as Le Bernin...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sole d’inverno, 1962 - 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

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

Waar is da feestje ? Brussels 2018 - Contemporary Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef - Panoramic cityscape made from 16 pictures The red devils' triumphant return to the Grand Place in Br...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Her Majesty - underwater nude photograph - archival print 16.8” x 23.5”
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 2...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Fratello & Sorella, 1961 Limited Edition Photorealist Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Print called "Art 2014", format 42 x 60 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS + 2 AP Artwork sold in perfect condition During the 15 year period in which Fabrizio La Torre dedicated himself to phot...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

La ciminiera non è sua, Canada 1955 - Limited Edition Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition During the 15 years during which he gave himself to photography, Fabrizio La Torre traveled to Italy, Europe, North America and Asia. From everywhe...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Hot Water - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 52" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool in front of bright red background. There is no rules for luck. I was sure the new girl would need practice and prac...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bent Sound - underwater portrait of Njomza Vitia - archival pigment print 18x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Bent Sound" - An ethereal underwater fine art photograph that captures the intersection of music and movement through a portrait of singer Njomza Vitia. This submerged portrait tran...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bambini per la strada, New York, 1955 Limited Edition Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Bambini per la strada, New York décembre 1955 - Black and White Photography Artwork sold in perfect condition During the 15 year period in which Fabrizio La Torre dedicated himself t...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Al Riposo, Canada 1955 - Limited Edition Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition During the 15 years during which he gave himself to photography, Fabrizio La Torre traveled to Italy, Europe, North America and Asia. From everywhe...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

First Looks over Canada, 1955 - # 1 Limited Edition Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition Coffret Collector including 6 Fine Art Prints During the 15 years during which he gave himself to photography, Fabrizio La Torre traveled to Italy, Europe, North America and Asia. From everywhere he brought back photos that tell of the human, universal and soul-filled condition, to which he was so sensitive. Here is First Look at Canada, where Fabrizio La Torre stayed in November and December 1955, on a 6-month trip to North America which also took him to Canada and California. In Montreal, he could not resist the urge to travel aboard the "Canadian", the most modern and luxurious version of the Canadian Pacific train, inaugurated a few months earlier, on April 24, 1955. And even if the official story of this company claims that as from this inauguration the train was pulled by modern diesel locomotives, the heavy steam engines are still used, to the delight of the photographer who knows how to play with their big white plumes. In stations, on platforms, steam is everywhere; while the temperature is around - 30°C, steam is welcome to thaw the axles, often blocked by ice. 1 - "The Rex Hotel", Toronto, November 1955. A cold, grey day with snow not far away, silhouettes of men in...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimi Hendrix 1968
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Jimi Hendrix on stage at the Ackerman Union Ballroom at UCLA, Los Angeles, February 13, 1968. This stunning print is also available in the following sizes with a limited edition of 50. 20" x 24" 30" x 40" 40" x 60" Ed Caraeff is a photographer and art director. He has worked with, photographed, designed or art directed hundreds of album covers. His photography archive includes Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Iggy Pop and The Stooges...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Marc Bolan T-Rex, The Guru
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition prints of Marc Bolan of T-Rex by Masayoshi Sukita, limited edition number 3/30, taken at Logan International Airport, Bost...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

CHIARO DI LUNA - Fotografia bianco e nero su carta fotografica
Located in Napoli, IT
Fotografia analogica in bianco e nero su carta fotografica, autore ignoto
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Linda Ronstadt by Lynn Goldsmith, framed first print of the edition #1/20
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print country legend, Linda Ronstadt, taken by Lynn Goldsmith in 1978 Framed with a stylish metal frame and non-glare museum glass, signed lim...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Danae and Zeus - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 17.5x22"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in golden tulle. Her body position, her beautiful face, and golden reflection remind Ancient Greek myth about Zeus and Danae. ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Newport
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The NYU picture is a part of photographs done in 1965 for a German book publisher, lately a book with his photographs about NYC was published.
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Newport
Newport
$409 Sale Price
68% Off
The Beatles, Our World 1967
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of The Beatles by Alec Byrne, taken at Abbey Road Studios, London, Jun. 24, 1967 Alec recalls “This wasn’t just any band: It was the Beatles. Everyone w...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

The Cure portrait by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
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

Infinity - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival paper 17"x22"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a topless female dancer in the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival pap...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Amy Winehouse
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Amy Winehouse taken in London by Jake Chessum in 2004. Jake recalls the session: “I travelled from NYC to London in Febr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

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

Blondie rooftop hammock by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24"" print of Blondie members, Chris Stein and Debbie Harry relaxing in a hammock on the rooftop of their New York City apartment in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith....
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Pink Flight - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 42" x 53"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater photograph of a naked young woman with broken umbrella. The photograph is artistically modified into a fantastic warm tinted picture. The piece looks quite abstract with c...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

'Kate Playboy #1I #6T #2'
Located in Brecon, Powys
Cotton thread sewn on Photo Rag matt paper plus 24 carat Gold Leaf
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Gold Leaf

Dolly Parton
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Dolly Parton taken during the cover session for her album ‘Here You Come Again’ in Los Angeles, CA, US, July ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, 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

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

PJ Harvey by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of PJ Harvey, taken by Simon Fowler in the UK in 1995 Available in the following sizes: 12 x 17” - open edition 15 x 22” - Edi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Beastie Boys
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of the Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum. Jake recalls ” This was from April 1994. I flew from London to shoot at Mike D’s ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Eric Clapton "Shangri La"
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

Willie Nelson playing chess
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken at Willie's WHQ, Luck TX 2001 by Austin based photographer Scott Newton Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight cotton ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

CONTRASTS - Black and white photograph on photographic paper
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white analog photograph on photographic paper, author unknown
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

ARCHITECTURE - Photograph on baryta paper, Bob De Masi, Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white photograph on baryta paper, title "Architecture" 1970s - Bob De Masi, with frame
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

'SCIMPANZE' WITH EYES - Black and white photograph Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Small Photograph on photographic paper titled "Chimpanzee with Glasses" on ivory paper passpartu' and a 1970s briar frame
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

MOSCOW - Black and white photograph on photographic paper, Sergio del Vecchio 1986
Located in Napoli, IT
Black and white analog photograph on photographic paper, signed Sergio del Vecchio. Sergio Del Vecchio: Neapolitan, born in 1961, enrolled in the Order of Journalists of Campania, in...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Cold Song III - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 16x23.5"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
'Cold Song III' exemplifies the avant-garde evolution of underwater fine art photography, merging contemporary conceptual art with technical mastery. This ethereal composition captur...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

David Bowie "I Saw You Again in the Rainbow Theater", 1972 by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "I Saw You Again in the Rainbow Theater", 1972 by Masayoshi Sukita Limited edition number 7/30 - signed and numbered ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Morrissey 1994 vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Morrissey, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1994, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment. The print is in perfect new condition ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

ROAD SIGNS - Black and white photograph on baryta paper
Located in Napoli, IT
Iconic black and white photograph on baryta paper of the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street.
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Amy Winehouse 12x16" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 12x16" print of Amy Winehouse taken in London by Jake Chessum in 2004. Limited edition number 7/20 Jake recalls the session: “I travelled from NYC to London in February 2004 to do a press shoot with Amy Winehouse. It was a classic February day: cold, wet, foggy and dark by about 4pm. We met at her flat and went to a few of her local haunts: a cafe, a launderette, Primrose Hill. The record company were very hands off and didn’t pressure us to do any particular set ups. We just went with the flow. She was really entertaining: funny, smart and cooly indiscreet. I am a huge jazz fan and I remember we talked about music, London and New York.” Jake Chessum offers prints in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

Raindancer - archival pigment print 24x18"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A young beautiful woman is dancing under the rain. Her dress is all wet. Some strange fishes are reflected in the window behind her. Original gallery quality print signed by the art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Fushimi Inari-taisha
Located in Kansas City, MO
Title: "Fushimi Inari-taisha" Medium: Custom Archival Pigment Print on Archival Paper Date: 2019 Dimensions: 8 x 10 in. Signed, dated and inscribed on la...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960
Located in Soquel, CA
"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960 Photograph of a young ballerina circa 1950's by Photographer Richard Edwards (American,. The young girl is photographed p...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Sketch - underwater b&w photograph - archival pigment print 24x16"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of perfect female legs in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on paper with metallic finish signed by the artist. . L...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Diana Ross
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Diana Ross, taken by Barrie Wentzell in 1975. This Diana Ross print is available in the following sizes. 16...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Debbie Harry Blondie 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Debbie Harry of Blondie by Michael Brennan, taken at the studio on East 45th in Manhattan, New York, USA, Febru...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie portrait by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of David Bowie, wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette, by Kevin Cummins, taken in November 1995 Edition number 5/50, signed and numbered by Kevin Cummins. This David Bowie print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

Willie Nelson by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson on his bus, Beverly Hills, CA 2004. 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 75 Signed on recto by photographer Ji...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 16x20" print
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix by iconic photographer, Baron Wolman. Taken at the Travelodge Motel, San Francisco, February 1968 One copy available Signed limited edition #30/175 20x16” hand printed ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Rolling Stones "Out Of Our Heads" by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones, taken in London back in 1965 by Gered Mankowitz. This image was used for the cover of Out Of Our Heads. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Tori Amos Vintage Print 12"x16" by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Original hand-printed vintage 12x16” darkroom print from photographer Jake Chessum of Tori Amos. Printed by Jake in the 90's, at the time of the photo shoot. Jake recalls the sessio...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey performing at Jones Beach, Long Island, New York, during his 'Kill Uncle' tour, July 10, 1991. This Morrissey print by Kevi...
Category

1990s 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, 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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