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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
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

Gary Clark Jr backstage Troubadour portrait
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

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

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 1995 16x20" contact sheet. First print of the edition
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

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Patti Smith Fuck The Clock
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith wearing her “Fuck The Clock” t-shirt by Allan Tannenbaum, taken at CBGB in New York, New Years Eve 1977. Available in different ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

George Barris, "Chilly Wind", photolithograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This image is from the last photoshoot of Marilyn Monroe taken by George Harris, 2 1/2 weeks before her death in August, 1962 in Santa Monica, California. Photolithograph taken from ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

David Bowie & Twiggy Pin-Ups Contact Sheet, 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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

Dolly Parton and John Belushi
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugging John Belushi backstage after her Bottom Line concert. NYC 5/14/77 by SoH...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Second World War photograph, Lancaster bomber - G for George
Located in London, GB
Charles E. Brown Lancaster bomber, G for George Silver gelatine photograph 21 x 14 cm This striking black and white photograph by Charles E. Brown showcases the magnificent Lancast...
Category

1940s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

Debbie Harry of Blondie, Hanging On The Telephone
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Debbie Harry of Blondie "Hanging On The Telephone", taken by Simon Fowler in the UK in 1979 Available in the following sizes: 12 x 17” - open editio...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Richard Blair "Tom Dunphy aka General Waste-More-Land" Berkeley 1969 / 2001
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Tom Dunphy aka General Waste-More-Land" Berkeley, c.1969 Thomas Michael Dunphy (born 1944 in East Los Angeles, California) is best known for portraying General Waste-more-land, a character based on General William Westmoreland, at anti-Vietnam War protests in the 1960s. Dunphy is also a poet and is involved in other political activities including working with the Hopi Indians...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The Clash
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Bassist Paul Simonon and lead singer Joe Strummer of British punk rock band The Clash backstage at the Agora Theatre in Cl...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

The Cramps 1979 by Simon Fowler
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of The Cramps featuring Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, taken by Simon Fowler in the UK in 1979. Simon recalls - "Shot this at LFI’s Studio. I say Studio, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Muhammad Ali
Located in Austin, TX
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

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

Abstract Color Conceptual Photographic Print, "Floating" 2014
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an original photographic print from Southern California artist Michal Greenboim. It is a close up color print that is 13" x 19" x 0.5" (HxLxD) and is edition 5 of 10. It is u...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Color

Kate Bush BIRDFISH
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Kate Bush “Birdfish” by Guido Harari Kate Bush 'Birdfish' photograph taken during the officlal photo shoot for her album The Sensual World in 1989. Guido Harari recalls, "I collaborated with Kate for over ten years, doing her official press photos for “Hounds of Love”, “The Sensual World”, “The Red Shoes” and on set photography for her film “The Line, The Cross & The Curve”. She wanted me to avoid the iconizing of previous shoots, and find a different way of capturing her more naturally. Shooting in the studio for hours allowed for much improvisation as there were to be no props or fancy sets. I used different techniques more to entertain ourselves rather than to experiment! And it worked!" Available in five 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 Beastie Boys
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

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

Kate Bush BIRDFISH
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Kate Bush “Birdfish” by Guido Harari Kate Bush 'Birdfish' photograph taken during the officlal photo shoot for her album The Sensual World in 1989. Guido Harari recalls, "I collaborated with Kate for over ten years, doing her official press photos for “Hounds of Love”, “The Sensual World”, “The Red Shoes” and on set photography for her film “The Line, The Cross & The Curve”. She wanted me to avoid the iconizing of previous shoots, and find a different way of capturing her more naturally. Shooting in the studio for hours allowed for much improvisation as there were to be no props or fancy sets. I used different techniques more to entertain ourselves rather than to experiment! And it worked!" Available in five 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

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

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

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

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 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

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

Devo Energy Dome
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

Devo Grey Suits
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

Iggy Pop and The Stooges
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Iggy and the Stooges (L-R Dave Alexander, Iggy Pop in front, Scott Asheton in back and Ron Asheton) taken at ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

C Print

The Beastie Boys
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

Aretha Franklin 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Aretha Franklin by Alec Byrne, taken in London, 1968 16x20" signed limited edition #2/75 Alec Byrne signed...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

Pete Townshend of The Who. Signed limited edition silver gelatin print
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

Open - underwater monochrome photograph - archival paper print 16.3 x 23.5"
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

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

Rare Silver Gelatin Photograph "Jewish Deli, Poland" c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
Silver Gelatin Photograph "Jewish Deli, Poland" c.1930 Rare photograph of a group of men standing in the doorway of a Jewish Deli in Poland in the 1930s....
Category

Early 20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Film

“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

Yasumasa Morimura – An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Fairy Tale), 2001
Located in Madrid, MD
Yasumasa Morimura – An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Fairy Tale), 2001 C-print on canvas, signed and numbered 3/5 on label affixed to the reverse. Measurements (with frame): W 124...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Cotton Canvas

Bruce Springsteen E Street Trio, 1976
Located in White Plains, NY
'Bruce Springsteen E Street Trio,' 1976 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment print, 2017. 10 x 15 inch photo on 16 x 20 inch on the finest satin photo p...
Category

1970s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960 - Full Framed 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 during the artist's lifetime and...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Eiffel Tower, Tokyo ( 1957 ) - Japan - Full Framed 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

Fratello e Sorella - Thailand 1961 - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork : The Fine Art print on Baryta paper is mounted on a 2mm dib...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bill Carroll/George Barris, "First and Last Diptych, " original photographs
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is comprised of two original photographs, from the original negatives, by George Barris and Bill Carroll, framed side by side. These photographs represent the first and l...
Category

1940s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

“Dragonfly” Photography 16” x 12” in Edition of 20 Dragonfly Nature 2024
Located in Houston, TX
“Dragonfly” is a limited edition of 20. Printed on fine art paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the beauty of the original scenes. Each piece is hand-nu...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper

Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category

1950s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bette Midler Film Set Backstage Baby Daughter Vintage b&w Print Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Bette Midler Film Set Backstage Baby Daughter Vintage b&w Print Contemporary Roddy McDowall (British-American, 1928-1998)m "Bette Midler & Daughter Sop...
Category

1980s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Pop Art Vintage Color Photograph Dye Transfer Print Audrey Flack Fruits Photo
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

Covid-Free Cardboard-Photograph
Located in Chesterfield, MI
Photo taken at Eastern Market in Detroit during Covid, 2020--just before the lockdown. Measures 8 x 10 inches and is Unframed. Also available: 5 x 7 inches.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

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

Pop Art Vintage Color Photograph Dye Transfer Print "In My Life" 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 color saturated 1980's. "In My Life" featuring flowers, a lit candle, dice, an Oriental rug, music notes. a pocket watch and a small porcelain box...
Category

1980s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print, Dye Transfer

Close Up Nature Color Photographic Print, "Dancers" 2014
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an original photographic print from Southern California artist Michal Greenboim. It is a close up color print that is 13" x 19" x 0.5" (HxLxD) and is edition 5 of 10. It is u...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Animal Skin, Color

"Equinox", photography by Dimitri Bourriau (31x47'), 2016
Located in Paris, France
Print mounted on aluminum with plexiglas, framed. Edition of 15. Dimitri Bourriau is a French photographer, he has always been interested in history...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Color

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

"Atlantis Theatro", photography by Dimitri Bourriau (31x47'), 2020
Located in Paris, France
"Atlantis Theatro", photography by Dimitri Bourriau. Print mounted on aluminum with plexiglas, framed. Edition of 15. Dimitri Bourriau is a French ph...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Color

“Yellow Hibiscus” Photography 12” x 16” in Edition of 20 Floral Nature
Located in Houston, TX
Yellow Hibiscus is a limited edition of 20 by American photographer Jack Hart . Printed on archival Fine Art paper, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the bea...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper

"Flying Carousel, photography by Dimitri Bourriau (39x59), 2023
Located in Paris, France
"Flying Carousel", photography by Dimitri Bourriau. Print mounted on aluminum with plexiglas, framed. Edition of 15. Dimitri Bourriau is a French pho...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Color

Merlot 2017 - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 35"x25"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a red dress repeating the shape of the woman's body. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print on archival pap...
Category

2010s Photorealist Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Colored Piccadilly Circus Plaza Street Scene London, England
Located in Houston, TX
Colored photograph of a Plaza street scene in London. The photograph is matted to a thick board to protect against bending. The work is not framed.
Category

20th Century Photorealist Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

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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