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Photorealist Art

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
Red Hot Chili Peppers by Ebet Roberts

Red Hot Chili Peppers by Ebet Roberts

By Ebet Roberts

Located in Austin, TX

A classic, stunning shot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1985 by celebrated photographer, Ebet Roberts. Signed limited edition, hand printed silver gelatin print. Ebet Roberts bega...

Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Willie Nelson at the 4th July Picnic 1979

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 photo rag with a matte f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

NYC Shopping Couple
NYC Shopping Couple

NYC Shopping Couple

Located in Slovak Republic, SK

The picture is an edition ( Edit. of 50) and part of a book about NYC, which Kallay done in 1965 for a German book publisher.

Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

DIVE
DIVE

DIVE

Located in Zofingen, AG

"Be like water, my friend" by Bruce Lee. When Lee said "be like water," he called upon people to embrace flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. He asserted ...

Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Waves of Freedom
Waves of Freedom

Waves of Freedom

Located in Zofingen, AG

"Waves of Freedom" captures the moment when water washes away all constraints and expectations, allowing the soul to breathe freely. Each brushstroke symbolizes the journey toward in...

Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Joe Dallesandro Andy Warhol Trash promo photo
Joe Dallesandro Andy Warhol Trash promo photo

Joe Dallesandro Andy Warhol Trash promo photo

By Jack Mitchell

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Jack Mitchell, American Photographer (1925-2013). Joe Dallesandro, ca. 1973. 11 x 14 inches; 12 x 15 inches framed. Period print from artist's studio. The image was intended for ...

Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Paris de Noche (Paris at Night): Photorealist Oil Painting
Paris de Noche (Paris at Night): Photorealist Oil Painting

Paris de Noche (Paris at Night): Photorealist Oil Painting

By Jesus Navarro

Located in Atlanta, GA

This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Size listed does not include the frame. Frame adds around 3 inches to each side to the posted ...

Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Walking along the Amalfi Coast: Photorealist Oil Painting
Walking along the Amalfi Coast: Photorealist Oil Painting

Walking along the Amalfi Coast: Photorealist Oil Painting

By Jesus Navarro

Located in Atlanta, GA

This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Size listed does not include the frame. Frame adds around 3 inches to each side to the posted ...

Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Filled with Light

Filled with Light

Located in Slovak Republic, SK

The picture belongs to. a set of photographs, done by Kallay in NYC in 1965 for a German book publisher.

Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Original Marilyn Monroe Photograph
Original Marilyn Monroe Photograph

Original Marilyn Monroe Photograph

Located in Soquel, CA

Original Marilyn Monroe Photograph Original photograph of Marilyn Monroe posing in her dressing room on the film of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" by photographer Milton Gold (American,...

Category

1950s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Art about Food Pizza Stromboli Mezzalluna - Mezzogiorno - New York, NY (Plate)
Art about Food Pizza Stromboli Mezzalluna - Mezzogiorno - New York, NY (Plate)

Art about Food Pizza Stromboli Mezzalluna - Mezzogiorno - New York, NY (Plate)

By Ralph Goings

Located in New York, NY

Ralph Goings Pizza Stromboli Mezzalluna - Mezzogiorno - New York, NY, 1996 Ceramic Plate Artist signature fired into the plate on the front and back and numbered 105 from an edition of 510. 10 1/5 inches diameter by 1/4 inch height Unframed This beautiful, limited edition, signed and numbered bowl...

Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Ceramic, Screen, Mixed Media

David Bowie "Watch That Man IV" by Sukita
David Bowie "Watch That Man IV" by Sukita

David Bowie "Watch That Man IV" by Sukita

By Masayoshi Sukita

Located in Austin, TX

16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie by Masayoshi Sukita. Taken at RCA Studios, New York, 1973. As featured in the new movie, Moonage Daydream. This print is also ...

Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Kate Bush

Kate Bush

By Gered Mankowitz

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 Art

Materials

C Print

David Bowie The Archer
David Bowie The Archer

David Bowie The Archer

Located in Austin, TX

This iconic image of David Bowie as The Thin White Duke was taken by renowned Rock photographer, John Rowlands, on February 26th, 1976, at Maple Leaf Gar...

Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Life belt-original hyperrealism modern water oil painting-contemporary Art
Life belt-original hyperrealism modern water oil painting-contemporary Art

Life belt-original hyperrealism modern water oil painting-contemporary Art

Located in London, Chelsea

We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

1920s Photo of the Seawell Cushion Wheel Co. Baseball Team of Detroit
1920s Photo of the Seawell Cushion Wheel Co. Baseball Team of Detroit

1920s Photo of the Seawell Cushion Wheel Co. Baseball Team of Detroit

Located in San Francisco, CA

A 1920s Detroit-based company baseball team gathered for this photo. The Sewell Cushion Wheel Company’s players wear uniform shirts bearing the timeless term “All Cush,” (frankly, wo...

Category

1920s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Kate Bush Lionheart album cover

Kate Bush Lionheart album cover

By Gered Mankowitz

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 Art

Materials

C Print

Red Stripes Still Life: Photorealist Oil Painting
Red Stripes Still Life: Photorealist Oil Painting

Red Stripes Still Life: Photorealist Oil Painting

By Jesus Navarro

Located in Atlanta, GA

This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Size listed does not include the frame. Frame adds around 3 inches to each side to the posted ...

Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fiesta Photography Mexico Stamped Karol Kállay

Fiesta Photography Mexico Stamped Karol Kállay

By Karol Kallay

Located in Slovak Republic, SK

Photography done for the publication Mexico/Volk und Welt Berlin 1968/stamped on the back with authors stamp.

Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Glass and Lemons, ORIGINAL Realism Still Life Oil Painting 40X40cm, Signed
Glass and Lemons, ORIGINAL Realism Still Life Oil Painting 40X40cm, Signed

Glass and Lemons, ORIGINAL Realism Still Life Oil Painting 40X40cm, Signed

Located in London, Chelsea

We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sunset
Sunset

Sunset

By Mimi Jensen

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Sunset' by artist Mimi Jensen, who uses bold colors to depict theatrically lit objects. The painting measures 30 x 40 inches and is professionally framed in a contemporary ebonized ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

‘Cowboy, 1968’
‘Cowboy, 1968’

‘Cowboy, 1968’

By Richard McLean

Located in Rochester Hills, MI

Richard McLean ‘Cowboy, 1968’ Framed 30 x 27 inches Pencil on paper 27½” x 22½ inches Richard McLean is one of the most highly regarded American photo-realists. His paintings l...

Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Graphite

Plums - Still Life Original Oil Painting
Plums - Still Life Original Oil Painting

Plums - Still Life Original Oil Painting

By Stuart Dunkel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stuart Dunkel has spent decades refining his hyper-realistic style. He paints realistic imagery based on real world inspirations. His paintings show that the everyday object can be f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

FADED - contemporary photorealistic acrylic painting
FADED - contemporary photorealistic acrylic painting

FADED - contemporary photorealistic acrylic painting

By Lynette Cook

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Faded' depicts Chinese immigrant woman looking out from the window of her Chinatown home. The building is covered with cascading shadows that are created from the building's metal...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Louis Vuitton in Barcelona: Photorealistic Oil Painting
Louis Vuitton in Barcelona: Photorealistic Oil Painting

Louis Vuitton in Barcelona: Photorealistic Oil Painting

By Jesus Navarro

Located in Atlanta, GA

This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Size listed does not include the frame. Frame adds around 3 inches to each side to the posted ...

Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sold
Sold

Sold

By Lynette Cook

Located in Burlingame, CA

Original acrylic photorealist architectural painting in full and dazzling color, where a "SOLD" sign hangs on a San Francisco Chinatown building for sale. The complex scene features ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Harmony  / oil on canvas
Harmony  / oil on canvas

Harmony / oil on canvas

By Mimi Jensen

Located in Burlingame, CA

Sophisticated shades of grey and white still life with vases, shell, box and marble. Wonderful complex patterns throughout the oil painting on canvas. In excellent condition. Signed ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Jill I, Photorealist Lithography by John Kacere

Jill I, Photorealist Lithography by John Kacere

By John Kacere

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: John Kacere, American (1920 - 1999) Title: Jill I Year: 1979 Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 300, 10 HC, 45 AP Image Size: 25.5 x 19 inches Size: 2...

Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Lotus No. 35 (Photorealist Still Life Painting of Green & Brown Lotus Plant)
Lotus No. 35 (Photorealist Still Life Painting of Green & Brown Lotus Plant)

Lotus No. 35 (Photorealist Still Life Painting of Green & Brown Lotus Plant)

By Frank DePietro

Located in Hudson, NY

Photorealist still life painting of green lotus flower petals and a brown lotus pod against a light blue background oil on canvas, 16 x 16 inches, 17 x 17 inches in dark wood moulding Signed lower left Painted with the exactness of a still life photograph, this hard edge realist painting by artist Frank DiPetiro features a brown lotus pod with lush green leaves on a pale grey-blue background. Inspired by close observations of the natural world and encounters with still moments that give us pause. Lines, shapes and colors encountered in nature, reveal the cycles of decay and regeneration that are life’s constant state of change. The work has a quiet, meditative quality. The subject is portrayed in a manner true to their existence in a specific time and place and selected based on considerations of visual relationships to formal elements of painting. Aspects of photo realism, hard edge and color field techniques are utilized to isolate the uniqueness of the subject’s detail, as well as emphasize flatness and illusion of depth within the two-dimensional space of the painting. About the artist: Frank DiPietro was born and raised in Scranton PA. He received a Bachelor of Art from Bloomsburg University in 1997, majoring in both Painting and Ceramics with a minor in Art History. In 2000 he earned a degree in Art Education from Moore College of Art and Design while continuing his studies in painting. Frank lived in Philadelphia for twelve years painting and teaching at several museums, art centers and schools in the region. In 2010 he and his family moved to Chester County PA, where he currently resides. Frank currently teaches painting classes and workshops at the Delaware Art Museum and Longwood Gardens...

Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Photorealist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist art 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 art 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, purple, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Alex Sher, Gregory Block, Lowell Nesbitt, and Ian Hornak. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint 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 art, so small editions measuring 0.79 inches across are also available. Prices for art 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 $585,000, while the average work sells for $2,404.