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 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 Tea and Sympathy New York City
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken outside the Tea & Sympathy, the legendary British themed restaurant in NYC, 1996.
This David Bowie print...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
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
Newport
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The NYU picture is a part of photographs done in 1965 for a German book publisher, lately a book with his photographs about NYC was published.
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Manhattan Rythm
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Black and White, 1965 NYC a part of book which Kallay prepared for a German publisher.
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
American Commander
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Black and White photo in limited edition, a part from a book about NYC, 1965, printed by a German publisher.
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan taken at The Big 60, Austin Texas in 1993 by photographer Scott Newton.
Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Amy Winehouse at the laundromat 20x24" print
By Jake Chessum
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
Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Ian Curtis of post-punk band Joy Division, photographed at Princess Parkway, Manchester, January 6, 1979.
T...
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
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
Mick Jagger in bed with Anita Pallenberg and Michèle Breton, Performance
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" print of Mick Jagger with Anita Pallenberg and Michèle Breton by Alec Byrne, taken at the film set of Nicolas Roeg’s “Pe...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
David Bowie "The Same Old Kyoto" by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "The Same Old Kyoto" by Masayoshi Sukita.
“Bowie had come to Japan to film a commercial for a...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
David Bowie portrait by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of David Bowie, wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette, by Kevin Cummins, taken in November 1995
Edition number 5/50, signed and numbered by Kevin Cummins.
This David Bowie print...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
David Bowie 1995 16x20" contact sheet. First print of the edition
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" print, and the first print of the edition #1/20. David Bowie contact sheet from Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls the sessi...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Giclée
Dolly Parton "Here You Come Again"
By Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Dolly Parton taken during the cover session for her album ‘Here You Come Again’ in Los Angeles, CA, US, July 7, 1977. Limited edition number 2/50
This stunning Dolly Parton 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, Elton John, Carly Simon,Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Tom Waits, Tim Buckley, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Neil Diamond...
Category
1970s 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
George Barris, "N5, " from The Last Photos, original photograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is an original photograph of Marilyn Monroe from the original negative by photographer, George Barris. This image was taken in 1962 at the North Hollywood home of Barris'...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
DER DEUSCHER VOLKE - Photograph on baryta paper, Nino La Rocca , Italy 1987
Located in Napoli, IT
Analog photograph on baryta paper in black and white titled "Der Deuscher Volke" , the photo depicts the German Parliament and the Berlin Wall before the fall . The photograph is by ...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
NAPOLI , MASCHIO ANGIOINO - Fotografia a colori su carta baritata, 1980s
Located in Napoli, IT
Bellissima fotografia di Piazza Municipio e Castello Maschio Angioino illuminata di sera, Napoli
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Rolling Stones Brian Jones by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones photographed in the back of a chauffeured car on
the way to the band’s concert at the Palazzo dello Sport in Milan, Italy. April 8th, 1967.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
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
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
Dolly Parton portrait by Ed Caraeff
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
Ranch Hands Oppenheimer - Rancho San Carlos Cattle Ranch, 1950's Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Rancho San Carlos Cattle Ranch, 1950's Photograph
1950's photograph of the San Carlos Cattle Ranch located south of Carmel Valley, California by James Ziegler (American). The ranch ...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Rolling Stones Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood by Brian Aris
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16.5" x 23" print of Rolling Stones guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Woods, taken in Paris.
Brian Aris limited edition prints, s...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Giclée
Led Zeppelin by Robert Knight 30x40” signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Led Zeppelin by legendary rock photographer, Robert M Knight, taken in Hawaii at Honolulu airport on 12th May 1969, holding the master tapes to Led Ze...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
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
Morrissey Kill Uncle Tour 1991
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey by Kevin Cummins, taken standing in front of a sign reading ‘Penis Mightier Than The Sword’ during the Japanese leg of his ‘K...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Blur - Modern Life Is Rubbish by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of English band Blur, posing in front of the graffiti slogan 'Modern Life is Rubbish', the title of their 1993 album. Blur were the kings of Britpop and are from L-R: Damon...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Dolly Parton "Heartbreaker"
By Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Dolly Parton taken during the cover session for her album ‘Heartbreaker’ on February 15, 1978 in Los Angeles, California. Available in d...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Miss Sparky 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, TX
Miss Sparky by Baron Wolman, taken in Los Angeles in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine.
Limited edition number 2/150, signed and noted by Bar...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Mick Jagger and his Aston Martin DB6, London 1966 by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones with his beloved Aston Martin DB6, taken outside his London apartment in 1966 by Gered Mankowitz.
"I shot a series of photographs of each member of...
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
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
Gary Clark Jr backstage Troubadour portrait
By Ben Sklar
Located in Austin, TX
Gary Clark Jr taken on backstage at The Troubadour, LA, by Ben Sklar
Available in the following sizes:
16" x 20" - Edition 20 - signed and numbered by Ben Sklar
20" x 24" - Edition ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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
"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
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
Richard Blair Photograph "Daily News - Chinatown" San Francisco c.1974
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Daily News - Chinatown" San Francisco c.1974
Fine black and white photograph by noted American photographer Richard Blair. Richard Blair has been in a phot...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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
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
The Rolling Stones backstage by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones, featuring Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, taken backstage before a show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. June 12t...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Marc Bolan T-Rex, The Guru
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition prints of Marc Bolan of T-Rex by Masayoshi Sukita, limited edition number 3/30, taken at Logan International Airport, Bost...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
"Peapod Decapitated"
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Peapods after the big chop.
Photograph by Deborah Benedic.
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
David Bowie holds a cassette player, 1974 by Terry O’Neill
Located in Austin, TX
Never before printed, a rare image from the Terry O’Neill archive, available now for the first time.
An outtake from the iconic Freddie Burretti suit photoshoot in Los Angeles, 1974...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Amy Winehouse limited edition 20x24" print
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of Amy Winehouse taken in London by Jake Chessum in 2004.
Limited edition number 2/15
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
Kate Bush Lionheart album back 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 back 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
Bob Marley 1972 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver print of Bob Marley, taken in the recording studio during the "I Can See Clearly Now" sessions with Johnny Nash, 1972
Alec Byrne...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Keith Richards, Marquee Sound Check 1971
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Keith Richards by Alec Byrne, taken at The Marquee Club, London, March 26th 1971, during a Rolling Stones soundcheck.
Alec recalls, “There was a classic moment during sound check when Jagger was watching Keith, then turned to Mick Taylor...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment
Amy Winehouse 12x16" print
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 12x16" print of Amy Winehouse taken in London by Jake Chessum in 2004.
Limited edition number 7/20
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 Chessum offers prints in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography
Materials
Giclée
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
Kate Bush
Located in Austin, TX
Portrait of singer and dancer, Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978. Kate Bush has seen a huge resurgence...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Raquel Welch on the cross signed Lifetime Edition
Located in Austin, TX
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
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
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
Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey performing at Jones Beach, Long Island, New York, during his 'Kill Uncle' tour, July 10, 1991.
This Morrissey print by Kevi...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Kate Moss at sixteen
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
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.