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
Vintage Limited Edition Nature Photograph Fish Still Life
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful and rare photograph by Henry Horenstein (b.1947). Limited edition of 35 pieces. Gallery label verso. Framed. Measuring 16 by 24 inches overall and 15.5 by 23.5 photo alone.
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
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
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
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
David Bowie portrait by Jake Chessum - 16x20" first print of the edition
By Jake Chessum
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
"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
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
"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960
Located in Soquel, CA
"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960
Photograph of a young ballerina circa 1950's by Photographer Richard Edwards (American,. The young girl is photographed p...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Debbie Harry Blondie 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Debbie Harry of Blondie by Michael Brennan, taken at the studio on East 45th in Manhattan, New York, USA, Febru...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Willie Nelson
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken outside the Pedernales Studio's in 1983 by Austin Texas based photographer Scott Newton
Signed limited edition print, printed on hea...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Previously unseen David Bowie 20x24" contact sheet. First print of the edition
By Jake Chessum
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
Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger hugging
Located in Austin, TX
IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging rock star Mick Jagger of ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Adele Collins for British Vogue
Located in Austin, TX
Norman Parkinson’s homage to a painting by Dutch artist Kees van Dongen entitled The Corn Poppy.
Adele Collins wearing an Otto Lucas velvet toque. British V...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Pamela Des Barres 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, TX
Miss Pamela by Baron Wolman, taken in Los Angeles in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine.
Limited edition number 2/1...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Stevie Ray Vaughan by Ebet Roberts
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
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
David Bowie "As I Ask You To Focus On" 1973 by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "As I Ask You To Focus On" by Masayoshi Sukita.
This print is also available as a 30x40" signed limited edition prin...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
The Cure by Ebet Roberts
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
Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman signed limited edition 16x20" print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix by iconic photographer, Baron Wolman. Taken at the Travelodge Motel, San Francisco, February 1968
One copy available
Signed limited edition #30/175
20x16” hand printed ...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Ivy Nicholson in New York for American Vogue, 1957
Located in Austin, TX
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
David Bowie 1969 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of David Bowie by Alec Byrne, taken at the Coventry Theatre, October 8th 1969, just before Bowie’s opening slot...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Gary Clark Jr Live album cover
By Ben Sklar
Located in Austin, TX
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
"Whitehouse Ruins - Canyon de Chelle" - Desert Landscape Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful desert landscape photograph of the Whitehouse Ruins at Canyon de Chelly National Monument by an unknown artist, 1984. Signed "CJB" in the lower right corner. Dated "April '...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
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
Rolling Stones Keith Richards by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith at the microphone at Olympic Studios, Barnes, London England, October, 1966.
Signed limited edition, signed and numbered by Bill Wyman and featur...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Pete Townshend of The Who. Signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, TX
Pete Townshend, guitarist from The Who, taken by photographer, Baron Wolman at a recording studio in London, 1968
One copy available
Limited edition number 6/150, signed and noted b...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Willie Nelson playing chess
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken at Willie's WHQ, Luck TX 2001 by Austin based photographer Scott Newton
Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight cotton ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Cramps "Cobwebs" by Simon Fowler
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
The Beastie Boys
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of the Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls ” This was from April 1994. I flew from London to shoot at Mike D’s ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
USA Boxer Steve Navarro, color photography, Boxing, Team Steve Navarro
Located in Houston, TX
The photograph of future Olympic boxing athlete by Mayumi Cabrera will be a HD c-print that is printed at 1200 dpi in New York. Ships in a tube if you ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary 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
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
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
The Beastie Boys
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of the Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls ” This was from April 1994. I flew from London to shoot at Mike D’s ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of English singer and songwriter Morrissey, of English rock band, The Smiths, photographed in Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester on Septemb...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The Ramones Jeans and Keds
By Norman Seeff
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
Open - underwater monochrome photograph - archival paper print 16.3 x 23.5"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater monochromatic photograph capturing a young woman in a light tulle dress and unbuckled bra turned away from the camera. The subdued tones create an ethereal tranquility...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Ronnie Wood and David Bowie by Rolling Stones Bill Wyman, signed framed print
Located in Austin, TX
Ready to ship immediately. Free domestic US shipping.
Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood and a camera- shy David Bowie at the Kellgren House in Los Angeles, September 3rd 1975 by...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
$2,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Iggy Pop "Lust For Life"
Located in Austin, TX
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
The Beatles live in Tokyo
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality print of The Beatles, taken on stage in Tokyo, Japan, by photographer Robert Whitaker.
The Beatles ascend the steps to the stage at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan for a matin...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
John Lennon "Adoration" by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
Iconic photo of John Lennon with a dandelion in his eye, fondly known as 'Adoration' by Robert Whitaker.
Photographed in the garden of his Weybridge h...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Rolling Stones Charlie Watts by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie in the dressing room before a show in San Francisco. July 26th, 1966
Signed limited edition, signed and numbered by Bill Wyman and featuring the ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Muhammad Ali Taping Fists
Located in Austin, TX
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
Jimi Hendrix live 1968
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Jimi Hendrix taken by Barrie Wentzell, live at the Woburn Music Festival, Woburn UK, 6th July 1968.
The July 1968 Woburn festival was ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
“Love Birds” Photography 12” x 16” Individual Print Edition of 20 Birds Nature
Located in Houston, TX
“Love Birds” is a limited edition of 20 prints. Printed on fine art paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the beauty of the original scenes. Each piece i...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper
1960's Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller 'Marilyn Monroe'
Located in White Plains, NY
'Marilyn Monroe, 1962' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Digital pigment, Ed. of 35. Image: 13 x 18.5 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. From the set of the film 'Something's Got to Give', this colored photograph features Marilyn Monroe in a pool with her leg resting over the edge.
In 1962, Schiller received an assignment from Paris Match...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
David Bowie "Loves to be Loved" by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie, "Loves to be Loved", 1973 by Masayoshi Sukita - Signed limited edition 16" x 20" print .
This print is also available as a 20" x 24" an...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
David Bowie 1977 Heroes session – Speak No Evil
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie, "Speak No Evil", 1977 by Masayoshi Sukita, taken during the photo shoot for the Heroes album cover - Signed limited edition 20" x 24" print ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
The Beastie Boys
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of the Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls ” This was from April 1994. I flew from London to shoot at Mike D’s ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Johnny Cash 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
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
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
Colored Photograph St. Mark's Square Venice Plaza Scene
Located in Houston, TX
Colored photograph of the St. Marks Square in Italy. The photograph is matted to a thick board to protect against bending. The photograph is not framed.
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
George Harrison, from a 1966 concert in Cleveland Ohio
Located in Paonia, CO
This image of George Harrison was taken at a 1966 Cleveland Ohio live Beatles concert. Photographer Michael Chikeris had just gotten out of the Mari...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper
Striking Photographic Landscape of a Cactus , "Beautiful Danger" 2023
Located in San Diego, CA
These are photographic prints done on sheets of metal by the Southern California artist Doug Dolde. There are three available sizes, 18" x 24", 24" x 32", 30" x 40". They are 1 of 30...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Color
Blue Marilyn - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a nude model diving in blue light on a black background.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, furnish...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Early 20th Century Hand Colored Portraits of a Young Couple C.1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th Century Hand Colored Portraits of a Young Couple C.1900
Handsome young couple. Hand tinted photos.
American portraits. Victorian period...
Category
Early 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
Pop Art Color Photograph Dye Transfer Print Audrey Flack "Skull & Roses" Photo
By Audrey Flack
Located in Surfside, FL
Hand signed and titled in ink by the artist from edition of 50 (plus proofs). Color Photo printed at CVI Lab by master printer Guy Stricherz. Published by Prestige Art Ltd. From the ...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, C Print, Dye Transfer
Western Lullabys N°4, Statement Floral Art, Dramatic Realist Still Life Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Diasec® mounting is a time proven system that has set the benchmark for face mounting photographic and fine art prints. Developed in the late 1960’s Diasec® was the first system that...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Metal
Pop Art Vintage Color Photograph Dye Transfer Print Audrey Flack Fruits Photo
By Audrey Flack
Located in Surfside, FL
Hand signed and titled in ink by the artist from edition of 50 (plus proofs). Color Photo printed at CVI Lab by master printer Guy Stricherz. Published by Prestige Art Ltd. From the ...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, C Print, Dye Transfer
Pop Art Vintage Color Photograph Dye Transfer Print "Time to Save" Audrey Flack
By Audrey Flack
Located in Surfside, FL
Hand signed and titled in ink by the artist from edition of 50 (plus proofs). Color Photo printed at CVI Lab by master printer Guy Stricherz. Published by Prestige Art Ltd. From the ...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, C Print, Dye Transfer
Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence, Italy Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy. It is noted for the shops built alo...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Grand Place of Brussel - 2013 - Full Framed color panoramic photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Panoramic cityscape made from 15 pictures
Pigment photographic paper - photography & fine art print © Jean Pierre De Neef -
This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwor...
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.