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
Pool Party II - underwater monochrome nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
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
La Rolls del Re - Bangkok - Thaïland - 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 1961, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical p...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Sweet Dream - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 18" x 24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white (sepia) photograph of a naked young woman covered with tulle.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist.
L...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Kate Moss at 16
By Jake Chessum
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
Sleeping Beauty - underwater nude ballet photograph - print on paper 18” x 24”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of topless ballerina dancing on the bottom of the pool in white tutu skirt.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment p...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Amy Winehouse portrait
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
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 February 2004 to do a press shoot...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
John Lee Hooker
By Guido Harari
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of John Lee Hooker by Guido Harari, taken in Redwood City, California, 1991.
Available in the following sizes:
A. 11” x 16” - Edition 50
B. 16” x 20” - Edition 50
C. 20” x 28” - Edition 25
D. 32” x 44” - Edition 10
E. 44” x 59” - Edition 5
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
Archival Pigment
Kate Moss at sixteen
By Jake Chessum
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
Courtney Love 1996
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Courtney Love by celebrated British photographer, Kevin Cummins, taken in Zurich Switzerland, 1996....
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Blood and Milk III - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 48 x 35"
By Alex Sher
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
Les Citrons 2 by Carol Descordes, Framed Lemon Food Still Life Photograph
Located in Atlanta, GA
We discovered Carol's mesmerizing work in Paris - and it took us about one second to decide we had to have her work here at Huff Harrington. Her stunn...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Cotton
Mick Jagger, Los Angeles 1972 “Exile?”
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of Mick Jagger, taken in LA by Norman Seeff in 1972.
I art directed the EXILE ON MAIN STREET album package. Mick was very hands-on and the final decision maker. One afternoon, we asked him to hand-write the liner notes, which we pasted on to layout. We created the album package design right there in that moment. - Norman Seeff.
This Mick Jagger print...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
TANNER, ALMOST SPRING
Located in New Orleans, LA
THIS VINTAGE SILVER GELATIN PRINT IS FROM AN EDITION OF 3. The photograph of Tanner were originally shot on a Polaroid Land 360 from my series ‘Diary Non Diary’.
Sebastian Perinotti...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Pacific Beach Horizon, Sunset Seashore in Black and White, Sugimoto Style Giclée
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 ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée
Woman with Hand on Chin, 42nd Street
By Paul Graham
Located in New York, NY
Paul Graham
Woman with Hand on Chin, 42nd Street, 2008
Pigment ink print with custom mount
13 7/8 x 10 1/2 x 1 1/4 inches
Edition 1 of 5, with 2 AP
Signed ...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Ink, Pigment
Fiesta Photography Mexico Stamped Karol Kállay
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography done for the publication Mexico/Volk und Welt Berlin 1968/stamped on the back with authors stamp.
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Morrissey Kill Uncle Tour 1991
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey by Kevin Cummins, taken standing in front of a sign reading ‘Penis Mightier Than The Sword’ during the Japanese leg of his ‘K...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The water carrier - Thailand 1959 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 of 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
The water carrier - Thailand
This photo was made in 1959, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Kate Moss at sixteen
By Jake Chessum
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
Gary Clark Jr backstage Troubadour portrait
By Ben Sklar
Located in Austin, US
Gary Clark Jr taken on backstage at The Troubadour, LA, by Ben Sklar
Available in the following sizes:
16" x 20" - Edition 20 - signed and numbered by Ben Sklar
20" x 24" - Edition ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Rolling Stones "Mick and Chick" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, US
“Mick and Chick” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, L...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Iggy Pop and The Stooges
By Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Iggy and the Stooges (L-R Dave Alexander, Iggy Pop in front, Scott Asheton in back and Ron Asheton) taken at ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
David Bowie "Pin Ups"
Located in Austin, US
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 Frampton...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
David Bowie
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls the session: “I shot David Bowie at a house in Fulham in May 1995. I grew up on ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
The Beastie Boys 1994
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
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
Natural Color Photograph, "Giant Kelp"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original color cyanotype color photograph by San Diego artist, Oriana Poindexter. Its dimensions are 56"x44"x2". It comes fra...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Color
The Beastie Boys
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
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
Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 16x20" print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, US
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
Wild Blood - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 24x18"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
There are no rules for luck. I was sure the new girl would need practice and practice - and was wrong. She was just perfect from the first second till the last one. Next month she g...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital
Il cuoco felice - Thailand 1959 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Il cuoco felice
This photo was made in 1959, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Kate Bush BIRDFISH
By Guido Harari
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Kate Bush “Birdfish” by Guido Harari
Kate Bush 'Birdfish' photograph taken during the officlal photo shoot for her album The Sensual World in 1989.
Guido Harari recalls, "I collaborated with Kate for over ten years, doing her official press photos for “Hounds of Love”, “The Sensual World”, “The Red Shoes” and on set photography for her film “The Line, The Cross & The Curve”. She wanted me to avoid the iconizing of previous shoots, and find a different way of capturing her more naturally. Shooting in the studio for hours allowed for much improvisation as there were to be no props or fancy sets. I used different techniques more to entertain ourselves rather than to experiment! And it worked!"
Available in five sizes:
A. 11” x 16” - Edition 50
B. 16” x 20” - Edition 50
C. 20” x 28” - Edition 25
D. 32” x 44” - Edition 10
E. 44” x 59” - Edition 5
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
Archival Pigment
Trap Door / Swimming / Dive / Pool / Summer / Photography
By Eric Zener
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Trap Door"
12 x 41 inches
Unique
Photo transparency with resin, paint and silver or gold leaf, on a wood panel.
Eric Zener (b. 1966) is a self-taught photorealist artist recogni...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Foil, Silver
Tutu Skirt - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 14 x 24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a naked young female dancer in the pool. The dancer is putting on her tut skirt. The photograph depicts her beautiful naked butt - about t...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Gary Clark Jr Live album cover
By Ben Sklar
Located in Austin, US
Gary Clark Jr taken on stage during his ACL appearance in his hometown of Austin Texas, October 2012. This image, taken by Gary Clark Jr's old school friend, Ben Sklar, was used as t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Dolly Parton and John Belushi
Located in Austin, US
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
Two bellow a Tree Photography Paris Signed
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Original black-white photograph, photographer Karol Kállay, picture shooted in 1966 for a German publisher / book about Paris. Signed by the author on the back.
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Debbie Harry Blondie 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, US
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
Gary Clark Jr backstage
By Ben Sklar
Located in Austin, US
Gary Clark Jr taken in his dressing room, backstage at the Fillmore West, San Francisco by Ben Sklar
Available in the following sizes:
16" x 20" - Edition 20 - signed and numbered b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Ivy Nicholson in New York for American Vogue, 1957
Located in Austin, US
Model and future Factor Star, Ivy Nicholson in New York for American Vogue, 1957 by Norman Parkinson
NORMAN PARKINSON POSTHUMOUS LIMITED EDITION PRINTS ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Amy Winehouse
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
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
Iggy Pop Scala Cinema London 1972
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Iggy Pop by Alec Byrne, taken at the Scala Cinema, Kings Cross, London, July 15th 1972.
Alec Byrne signed ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment
The Rolling Stones "Stones Playing Cricket" London 1968
Located in Austin, US
“From the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Patti Smith in her apartment studio 1974
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith taken in her apartment studio by Allan Tannenbaum, New York City, 1974.
Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in the following s...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
FLORA ROYAL 3
Located in Deddington, GB
Allan Forsyth
FLORA ROYAL 3
Limited Edition Archival Chromagenic Photographic Print
Edition 12
Size: H 100cm x W 100cm x D 2cm
Diasec Framed
Size: H:100 cm x W:100 cm
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photogram, Archival Pigment
David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor signed Lifetime Edition
Located in Austin, US
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 ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The Rolling Stones "Smokey Stones On Grass" London 1968
Located in Austin, US
“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...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
The Trouble - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 15 x 23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A passionate furious energy radiates in the ripples of red that overtake the reflection. Intense motion, stirring the water into an explosion of bubbles we encounter “The Trouble...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Beastie Boys
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
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
Keith Richards, Marquee Sound Check 1971
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Keith Richards by Alec Byrne, taken at The Marquee Club, London, March 26th 1971, during a Rolling Stones soundcheck.
Alec recalls, “There was a classic moment during sound check when Jagger was watching Keith, then turned to Mick Taylor...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence”
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
As a renowned graphic designer (with 5 Grammy nominations), Norman Seeff has designed a number of large-scale composites and sequences. Signed limited edition sequence print of comedian Steve Martin...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Rolling Stones "Stones and Cows" London 1968
Located in Austin, US
“From the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Courtney Love
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Courtney Love by Kevin Cummins, taken in Zurich Switzerland, 1996. Edition 50
This print by Kevin Cummins...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Soft Dance - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on aluminum 60x40"
By Alex Sher
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
Metal
La sorella maggiore, Thailand (1959) - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
« La sorella maggiore », In a Méo village, Thaïland
This photo was made in 1959, printed later, the negative was digit...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Johnny Cash 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Johnny Cash, taken by Barrie Wentzell in London in 1968.
This Johnny Cash print is available in the following sizes.
16" x 20" - Edi...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Iggy Pop "Lust For Life"
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Iggy Pop, taken on stage during the tour to support the album ‘Lust for Life’ at the Manchester Apo...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
David Bowie Tea and Sympathy New York City
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken outside the Tea & Sympathy, the legendary British themed restaurant in NYC, 1996.
This David Bowie print...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Chris Cornell
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Chris Cornell by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls the session: ” This was a brief and friendly shoot at the Toronto Internatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
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.