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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
The Rolling Stones "Stones Playing Cricket" London 1968
Located in Austin, TX
“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

Young Ballerina In Pose San Francisco Richard Edwards
Located in Soquel, CA
Young Ballerina In Pose San Francisco Richard Edwards Photo of a young ballerina posing. She is holding her right hand above her head, while her left hand is posed in front of her. ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

The B-52s by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24"" print of The B-52s by Lynn Goldsmith, shot in 1980. Limited edition number 3/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Goldsmit...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Elvis Presley, Lincoln Continental Mark II in Miami Florida, 1956
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley "Lincoln Continental Mark II in Miami, Florida 1956" from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith These prints are 16x20" open editi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie portrait by Jake Chessum - 16x20" first print of the edition
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Jake Chessum taken in 1995. 16x20" - first print of the edition, #1/20 Jake recalls the session: “I shot David Bowie at a house in Fu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

Stevie Ray Vaughan by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
Stevie Ray Vaughan backstage at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis,TN on August 26, 1986, taken by photographer, Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Fiona Apple vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Fiona Apple, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1996, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment. The print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob Marley
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Bob Marley by Guido Harari, taken in 1980 in Milan, Italy. 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

The Ramones Jeans and Keds
Located in Austin, TX
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

Devo
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

The Black Keys Dan Auerbach "Mirror" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys “Mirror” taken on the Dropout Boogie Tour 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging rock star Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, backstage after her Bottom ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Glasgow Scotland 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Glasgow Scotland 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Dolly Parton portrait by Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Dolly Parton, taken in Los Angeles, September 24th 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

The Black Keys Recording with Beck Los Angeles 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, Recording with Beck, Los Angeles 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with Larry N...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Beatles Dolls 1966 contact sheet print by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
The Beatles "Dolls" contact sheet by Robert Whitaker from the photo session that ended up giving the band the controversial cover for the 1966 release "Yesterday and Today". On March 25, 1966, The Beatles visited 1 The Vale, Chelsea, London, a top-floor studio leased by Oluf Nilssen and frequently used by renowned photographer Robert Whitaker. Before the photo session with Robert Whitaker, The Beatles posed for a more conventional session at the studio with Nigel Dickson of The Beatles Book...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Jack Nicholson
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Jack Nicholson at the Carlisle Hotel, March 1981 by Allan Tannenbaum. Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie and William Burroughs, framed signed print by Terry O'Neill
Located in Austin, TX
Framed, 20x24" signed lifetime edition print by Terry O'Neill of David Bowie with William Burroughs, taken for an interview published at Rolling Stone magazine in February 28, 1974. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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 Black Keys, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines IA 2023 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines IA 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black K...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Film

Framed 30x30" David Bowie & Twiggy Pin-Ups album cover by Justin de Villeneuve
Located in Austin, TX
Framed 30x30" print of English model Twiggy poses with David Bowie in Paris for the cover of his ‘Pin Ups’ album, 1973, by Justin de Villeneuve Justin recalls, "Twiggy and I were staying in the Bel Air Hotel in LA when Peter Frampton...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

The Rolling Stones "Between The Buttons" outtake by Gered Mankowitz framed
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones, taken in London back in 1965 by Gered Mankowitz. An outtake from the shoot for the front cover of the 1967 Rolling Stones album, Between The Buttons . The photog...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

The Cramps by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
The Cramps at CBGB in New York City on December 10, 1993 by Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition print. Ebet Roberts began her career in 1977 when she began documenting the evolvin...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

Snoop Dogg by Jake Chessum, framed 9x12" print
Located in Austin, TX
Framed, 9x12" signed open edition print of Snoop Dogg by Jake Chessum Jake recalls the session: “I photographed Snoop at Milk studios in LA. Everybody on the shoot was so excited to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

Hangyaku No
Located in New York, NY
“Ink Stories”, which was introduced at Nyari’s very first solo gallery exhibit, consists of large-scale nude photographs that explore the concept of self-identity and female empowerm...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Pho...

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Nick Cave
Located in Austin, TX
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

Dan Auerbach "Ride" San Francisco 2022 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
Dan Auerbach “Ride”, San Francisco 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with Larry Niehues began t...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Film

Tori Amos 1994 Vintage 12"x16" Darkroom Print by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Oginal hand-printed 12x16” darkroom vintage 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 session...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Pavarotti, 1977
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after) Title: Pavarotti, 1977 Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Year: 2004 Edition: 106/150 Signed: Sig...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Gwen Stefani No Doubt 1997 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Gwen Stefani and Ska band No Doubt, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1997, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment. The print is ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Willie Nelson at the 4th July Picnic 1979
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken at the 4th July Picnic in 1979 in Austin Texas by photographer Scott Newton Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight cotton ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Kate Bush Lionheart album cover
Located in Austin, TX
Portrait of singer and dancer, Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978 for the cover of her album, Lionheart. Gered recalls, "The cover series of portraits that I shot for Lionheart in August 1978. I art directed the album cover and my assistant at the time, Richard Grey...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Kate Moss at 16 by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
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

Jimi Hendrix 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz taken during Gered's first phot shoot with Hendrix. Signed limited edition 16x20" print, signed and numbered by Gered Mankowitz featuri...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders by Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, TX
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders taken backstage at Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, 26th March 1980 by Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin prin...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

Rock and Roll Circus Group Portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, archival pigment print from photographer Alec Byrne, taken during the Rock and Roll Circus taping on December 11th, 1968 featuring, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey, former frontman of rock band The Smiths, wearing a plaster on his forehead, September 5, 1991. This Morrissey print by Kevi...
Category

1990s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Patti Smith by Lynn Goldsmith, framed signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of punk musician and poet, Patti Smith by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in New York City in 1977. Framed, signed limited edition 16x20" print, edition...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Ian Curtis by Kevin Cummins. Edition number 38/75 This iconic shot of the Joy Division singer was taken at T...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Joni Mitchell vintage 8x10" Print by Norman Seeff from 1983
Located in Austin, TX
Original vintage 8x10” work print from Norman Seeff of Joni Mitchell. Hand printed in 1983 at the time of the photoshoot, featuring Norman Seeff's official studio stamp on the back. In excellent condition having been stored flat in a climate controlled room These Norman Seeff vintage...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Mick Giving Keith The Boot" signed limited edition print by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
"Mick Giving Keith The Boot", signed limited edition print by Rolling Stones bassist, Bill Wyman. Mick Jagger helping Keith Richards with his snake-skin boots on the second day of ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Amy Winehouse at the laundromat 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of Amy Winehouse taken at a laundromat in London by Jake Chessum. Limited edition number 3/15 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 grew...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Giclée

Noel Gallagher by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art photograph of Noel Gallagher during his Oasis days by celebrated rock photographer, Jill Furmanovsky. Location: Music G...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Contemporary Modern The Hilton Brothers Portraits of Andy Warhol, 2007
Located in Madrid, MD
Andy Dandy (TEN), 2007 The Hilton Brothers (Christopher Makos y Paul Solberg). Pigmented inks on photographic paper. 5/5 Edition. The Hilton Brothers latest collaboration, ANDYDAN...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of British singer Ian Curtis performing with Joy Division at the Futurama One Festival at the Queen's Hall, Leeds, 8th September 1979. The...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

Charlie Watts contact sheet by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition contact sheet print of Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, taken at the Halcyon Hotel in London in March 1991 by Jill Furmanovs...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Willie Nelson portrait by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24"" print of Willie Nelson taken in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith. Limited edition number 5/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Gold...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Paul McCartney
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Paul McCartney by Alec Byrne, taken in London in 1970. This Alec Byrne signed limited edition prints is available in. the f...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Tammy Mackay, Gone, Dodo Art, Contemporary Print, Affordable Art, Monochrome Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Tammy Mackay Gone Limited Edition Photopolymer Print with Chine Collé Edition of 40 Image size: H:71cm x W:52cm Sheet size: H:75.3cm x W:57cm x D 0.1cm Sold Unframed Please note that...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Paper, 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

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

Laszlo Willinger, "Katharine Hepburn, " orig. photograph from orig.negative
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is an original photograph from the original negative taken by Laszlo Willinger circa 1940 and printed in 1989. It depicts the iconic actress Katharine Hepburn during the p...
Category

1940s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Canyon de Chelle" #1 - Desert Landscape Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Iconic desert landscape photograph of Canyon de Chelly National Monument by an unknown artist (American, 20th Century), 1984. Signed "CJB" in the lower right corner. Dated "April '84...
Category

1980s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

David Bowie & Twiggy Pin-Ups album cover, 1973 by Justin de Villeneuve
Located in Austin, TX
English model Twiggy poses with David Bowie in Paris for the cover of his ‘Pin Ups’ album, 1973, by Justin de Villeneuve Justin recalls, "Twiggy and I were staying in the Bel Air Hotel in LA when Peter...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

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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