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
John Lennon 1967 portrait
Located in Austin, US
John Lennon relaxing at Brian Epstein's house in London whilst at the launch party for The Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' in May 1...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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
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
Muhammad Ali
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Muhammad Ali shadow boxes at his Deer Lake, PA, training camp. Taken by Allan Tannenbaum in 1977.
Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in t...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Ramones Jeans and Keds
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of The Ramones, taken in Los Angeles by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1977.
The Ramones we...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Roof of San Francesco di Paola Naples - Contemporary Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef
Artwork sold in limited edition of 12 pieces in perfect condition - Composition from an assembly of several shots made in August 2018.
The technique of assembling several images allows the production of a new very heavy file, the large number of pixels obtained offers a very detailed image
And precise in the nuances of colors. We get an effect close to 3D and clarity giving a striking transparency effect.
San Francesco...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Diana Ross
Located in Austin, US
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
Devo
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Signed limited edition print of Devo posing for SoHo Weekly News, NYC, 10/78 by Allan Tannenbaum. Available in different sizes. Limited edit...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Tradizioni scomparse, Hong Kong 1958 - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Tradizioni scomparse, Hong Kong
This photo was made in 1958, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime an...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Muhammad Ali training
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of American professional boxer and activist Muhammad Ali during a training session at his training camp on 58 Sculps Hill Road, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Tribute to Baroco Art - Napoli (IT) - Contemporary Panoramic Color Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef
Artwork # 3 sold in perfect condition from a limited edition of 12 ex- Composition from an assembly ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Muhammad Ali Taping Fists
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of American professional boxer and activist Muhammad Ali during a training session at his training camp on 58 Sculps Hill Road, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Morrissey
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Morrissey by Kevin Cummins, taken at Rochdale Canal, Manchester England, 5th September 1989. Limited edition number 36/50
This ...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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
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
Devo Energy Dome
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Signed limited edition print of Devo posing for SoHo Weekly News, NYC, 1981 by Allan Tannenbaum. Available in different sizes. Limited editi...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Rolling Stones "Stones Into Camera" London 1968
Located in Austin, US
“Stones Into Camera” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968. Featuring Mi...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Drinking Air - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 16" x 24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a young woman playing with a wine glass in the pool.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print signed by the artist.
Limited edition of 24.
The art...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Nick Cave
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Nick Cave by celebrated British photographer, Kevin Cummins, taken for the British music publication, N...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Muhammad Ali Shadow Boxing
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of American professional boxer and activist Muhammad during a training session at his training camp on 58 Sculps Hill Road, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, USA,...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Dancing Flowers - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 48" x 36"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young woman wrapped in cyan tulle dancing with the bougainvillea flowers on deep black background.
Original gallery quality print signed by the a...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
David Bowie "Pin Ups" cover
Located in Austin, US
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 st...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Patti Smith portrait, New York 1969
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
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
Ballet - underwater black and white nude photograph - print on paper 18 x 24"
By Alex Sher
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 print signed by the ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Abyss - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 18" x 24"
By Alex Sher
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 around Palos Verdes Peninsu...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
Tutu Skirt - underwater black & white nude photo - print on aluminum 24" x 36"
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
Metal
David Bowie Tin Machine
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken in a studio during rehearsals for the It’s My Life Tour with his band Tin Machine, Dublin, Ireland, August 4, 1991. Edition 50
This David Bowie print...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 20x24" print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, US
Jimi Hendrix by iconic photographer, Baron Wolman. Taken at the Travelodge Motel, San Francisco, February 1968. Having served as Rolling Stone magazine’s first Chief Photographer, Ba...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Patti Smith and John Belushi
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith and John Belushi taken backstage before their Saturday Night Live appearance in April 1976 by Allan T...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Steve Martin, Los Angeles 1974 “Let’s Get Small”
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition fine art print of Steve Martin, taken in Los Angeles by Norman Seeff in 1974.
Norman recalls - “When I relocated to LA as Creative Director of United Artist ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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
Led Zeppelin on the Starship 1973
Located in Austin, US
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
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
Acqua e Fantasia, 1962 - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
An impressive flood of the Tiber had already battered the pontoons of the few rowing clubs in the city. The raging wav...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Cold Song III - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 16x23.5"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a man diving in the pool with bouquet of flowers
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper w...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Le tre Vespe, 1962 - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
The 3 Vespas but also the 3 buzzing and twirling “bees”, since this is the translation of this Italian brand. Omnipres...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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
Rotondità 1963 (Rondeurs) - Roma - Large size Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
On Via del Tritone, an elegant exit from the small underground passage which made it possible to avoid automobile traff...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Devo Grey Suits
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Signed limited edition print of Devo posing for SoHo Weekly News, NYC, 1981 by Allan Tannenbaum. Available in different sizes. Limited editi...
Category
1980s 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
Black and White Portrait of an Elderly Woman - Imogen Cunningham
Located in Soquel, CA
Portrait of a seated elderly woman by Imogen Cunningham (American, 1883). Presented in a new white mat. Tag from the studio of Imogen Cunningham affixed ...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper
Devo
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition archival print of Signed limited edition print of Devo posing for SoHo Weekly News, NYC, 1981 by Allan Tannenbaum. Available in different sizes. Limited editi...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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
Raquel Welch on the cross 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.
American actress Raquel Welch being crucified in an oddly anachronistic publicity still for the Hammer Films production 'One Million Years BC...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Black and White Portrait of an Elderly Gentleman - Imogen Cunningham
Located in Soquel, CA
Portrait of a seated elderly man by Imogen Cunningham (American, 1883). Presented in a new white mat with black accent. Tag from the studio of Imogen Cunningham affixed to verso of m...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper
Die Loreley - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a naked young women diving in a pool. The realistic photograph is taken with red background.
Original gallery quality print s...
Category
2010s 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
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
Golden Fish - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 24” x 18”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of young woman with beautiful blond hair.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Gita in famiglia, Thaïland (1957) - 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 1960, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical p...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Tutu Skirt - underwater black & white nude photograph - print on paper 36" x 60"
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
Honey Pot II - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 18" x 24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a girl relaxing in the pool. The photograph was taken with terra-cotta background and with green trees and bright blue sky visible thorough the water...
Category
2010s 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
Sotto l'ala - Ciampino Airport (Roma)
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 (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Kelp Nymph - underwater ocean black & white photograph print on paper 18" x 24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a beautiful young woman diving in kelp forest. The picture is taken in Pacific Ocean near Palos Verdes, California.
Original gallery qu...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Verticalità, New York (1955) - 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 1955, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Mermaid Angel - underwater photograph - print on paper 17" x 24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a beautiful young woman in transparent dress on dark background.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
D...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Reflection - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white nude photograph of a young woman in the pool. The photograph depicts part of the body and reflection.
Original gallery quality print signed by the arti...
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.