Skip to main content

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.

to
348
231
615
68
156
256
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
718
606
1
26
13
5
111
97
64
36
21
46,988
17,298
3,023
2,911
800
575
280
213
122
117
96
46
26
668
593
65
816
365
363
305
225
223
151
123
123
104
97
89
81
77
70
70
62
60
60
59
646
588
375
278
204
177
48
34
29
26
260
583
981
341
Style: Photorealist
Mezzogiorno al Pantheon, 1958 - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Mezzogiorno al Pantheon, 1958. At noon, a fountain in the Pantheon Square, work of Giacomo della Porta, (such as so ma...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie by Terry O'Neill framed, signed silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
Ready to ship immediately. Free domestic US shipping. Framed 16x20" signed lifetime edition print by Terry O'Neill of David Bowie taken in Los Angeles in 1974, with Bowie wearing th...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

INDIVISIBLES - Black and white photograph on Kodak paper
Located in Napoli, IT
Photograph by photographer Federico Vacca Massaro signed and numbered 5/50, from the 2016 film "Indivisibili" by Edoardo De Angelis
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

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

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

The Cure by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
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

Previously unseen David Bowie 20x24" contact sheet. First print of the edition
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print, and the first print of the edition #1/15. David Bowie contact sheet from Jake Chessum. Jake recalls the session: “I ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

L'Attesa, 1962 (The wait) - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition She was there, leaning against a wall, she seemed to be waiting," says the photographer. I did not understand what she could expect, since few vehicles could have passed through this narrow passage. So I leaned against the wall almost in front of her, I also waited and this ray of sunshine came to play in the hanging linen...
Category

1950s 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

Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960 This photo was made in 1960, the negative was digitized dur...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Duran Duran by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Duran Duran taken in 1979 by Simon Fowler in the UK Simon recalls "This was my first shoot with the boys. These boys spent as much time around the mi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Due ruote abbandonate, 1956 - Roma - 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

100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 12 - By the sea - Vintage Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition Fabrizio La Torre’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (1921-2021) Set # 12 - By the sea Limited edition of 100 Coffrets for each themes, all artworks pr...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Paul Newman
Located in Austin, TX
Modern edition, C-Type print estate stamped and authenticated on reverse by a representative of the Eva Sereny archive. Paul Newman at his home in Connect...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Er Fusto, Roma Ciampino Airport (1953) 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 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (frami...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

A l'ombra del gigante - New York, 1956 - Contemporary Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition, print on baryta paper 310 grs pigment inks of museum quality, limited edition of 5 copies New York, January 1956. All’ombra del gigante, in the shadow of the giant, the Empire State Building seems to watch over the liners that connect the city to all the ports of the globe. Back to Genoa, Fabrizio La Torre...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 7 - Vaticano - Vintage Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition Fabrizio La Torre’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (1921-2021) Set # 7 - Vaticano Limited edition of 100 Coffrets for each themes, all artworks print...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 10 - Canada - Vintage Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition Fabrizio La Torre’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (1921-2021) Set # 10 - Canada Limited edition of 100 Coffrets for each themes, all artworks printe...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Patti Smith portrait, New York 1969
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of musician, poet and writer, Patti Smith, taken in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This Patty Smith...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20"" print of Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1980. Limited edition number 6/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Goldsm...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

The Clash
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 Cl...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Batman's view of the 1st Avenue of New York City - Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef Artwork # 7 on 12 sold in perfect condition from a limited edition - Composition from an assembly of...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Karen Seltenrich "Groupies", signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
Karen Seltenrich by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1970 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition number 14/150, signed and note...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Brussels Grand'Place - Summer 2013 - Contemporary Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Panoramic cityscape made from 12 pictures Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef Jean-Pierre De Neef came to photography like a new convert to religion, convinced that it would lend meaning to his life. His path took him first to a photographic laboratory, having once been a Cibachrome expert, regularly visited by French art photographers who made their way to Brussels to consult him. Well-versed in modern high performance techniques, nowadays Jean-Pierre De Neef produces art photos for several internationally known photographers whose works can be found in galleries and fairs the world over. Twelve years ago Jean-Pierre De Neef’s encounter with François Bayle, art critic and curator of the works of various photographers for Brussels Art Edition, enabled him to pursue his passion in new fields. He was at the side of the Italian photographer Fabrizio La Torre (Rome 1921, Brussels 2014) in the last few years of his life, who entrusted him with detailed instructions for digitising his archives and explained to him the results he was seeking. Jean-Pierre De Neef with his refined technical skills, and François Bayle with his creativity made up a team which was perfectly equipped to stage a number of well-received exhibitions of the work of Fabrizo La Torre - Museum of Ixelles (Brussels 2011), Principality of Monaco, an excellent Retrospective,(2014) and Bangkok (2019), which involved the presentation of the photos taken in Thailand between 1956 to 1961. Similar restoration work was performed on the photographic archives of the German photographer Jörg Krichbaum (d. 2002 in Brussels) and the remarkable photos of Rome...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The center of the city of Ghent - (BE)- Contemporary Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Panoramic cityscape made from 6 pictures Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef Capital of the former cou...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Amsterdam Flowers Market - 2016 - 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-...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Amsterdam Flowers Market - 2016 - 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-...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Canal of Damme (Bruges-Belgium) 2013 - Contemporary Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Panoramic landscape made from 7 pictures Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef Jean-Pierre De Neef came ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Un religioso ascolto, 1965 - Roma - Framed Contemporary Black & White Photograph
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork #1 / 5 sold in perfect condition printed on baryta heavyweight paper & framed (black metal border) From the collection called "Art 2014", format 30x42 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Lake of Barrea (Abruzzo) - 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 4 ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Wood Stock from Abruzzo - 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-...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Abstract Textural Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete, with w...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

71_mg_0355
Located in New York, NY
Bob Tabor is a well-established, New York based, photographer best known for his exquisite large scaled portraits of subjects ranging from horses to seascapes. It is his unique appro...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment, Digita...

Ponte Vittorio Emmanuel II - Roma - 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 4 shots digitaly edited and made in 2012 The bridge, commemorating Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy, consists of three arches spanning a distance of 108 meters. It is decorated at the ends with high plinths supporting statues of...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Siouxsie Sioux by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Siouxsie Sioux taken by Simon Fowler in the UK Available in the following sizes: 12 x 17” - open edition 15 x 22” - Edition 35 24 x 33” - Edition 25
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

L'Attesa, 1962 - Roma - IT - Contemporary Photorealist Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 4 on 5 sold in perfect condition Print from the collection 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 & white negatives processed in 1962 She was there, leaning against a wall, she seemed to be waiting," says the photographer. I did not understand what she could expect, since few vehicles could have passed through this narrow passage. So I leaned against the wall almost in front of her, I also waited and this ray of sunshine came to play in the hanging linen...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Le Tre Vespe, Roma 1962 - 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

George Harrison by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
George Harrison of The Beatles taken by Robert Whitaker in Chiswick Park, London, 1965. All limited edition prints in this collection are hand numbere...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Beastie Boys and Run DMC by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
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

Her Soul, I Saw -by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 Cardin uses a mix between photography and painting to develop her contemporary figurative art, inspired by music...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Pigment

Antique Signed Original Rare Humphrey Bogart Portrait Photograph
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage signed and extremely rare photograph of Humphrey Bogart by Philippe Halsman (1906 - 1979). Signed. Framed. Measuring 17 by 21 inches overall and 10.25 by 13.25 photograph a...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Gli Elegantoni, 1956 - 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 On a cart in the street, the complicated choice of a tie, an essentia...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Uomini dell’ombra, Roma - 1962 - 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 In these dark and sometimes damp alleys, all kinds of petty trafficki...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Tropea no. 1
Located in Burlingame, CA
Large-scale photographer Troy House celebrates people’s primordial attraction to the beach. He travels the world capturing iconic, breathtaking scenes – often from a bird’s-eye view ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Digital Pigment

100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 5 - Charms - 1956 - Vintage Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition Fabrizio La Torre’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (1921-2021) Set # 4 - Charms Limited edition of 100 Coffrets for each themes, all artworks printed...
Category

1950s 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

Robert & Patti, New York 1969 “Vertical II”
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, taken in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This Patty Smith...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Seduti sul Pulcino, 1956 - Contemporary 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 Very close to the Pantheon, a marble work by Bernini (1667) to support a small...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

'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

David Bowie Tea and Sympathy New York City, framed signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
Ready to ship immediately. Free domestic US shipping. Signed limited edition, framed 20x24" print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken outside the Tea & Sympathy, the legendary Br...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Brussels Grand'Place - Summer 2013 - Contemporary Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Panoramic cityscape made from 15 pictures Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef - Jean-Pierre De Neef came to photography like a new conver...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Chris Cornell by Jake Chessum, framed 9x12" print
Located in Austin, TX
Framed, 9x12" signed open edition print of Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and Audioslave by Jake Chessum Jake recalls the session: ” This was a brief and friendly shoot at the Toronto International Film...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

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

Frida in her Rebozo
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Fritz Henle Title: Frida Kahlo in her Rebozo Medium: Original Silver Gelatin Photograph Edition: 16/25 Signature: Estate Stamped on Back Year of Work: 1936 Dimensions: 14 x 1...
Category

1930s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Cramps by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of Poison Ivy and Lux Interior from influential 1970s and 1980s punk band The Cramps taken by Jill Furmanovsky in 1981...
Category

Late 20th Century 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.

Recently Viewed

View All