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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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Photorealist
La Vie Est Belle. 2023, oil on canvas, 80x70 cm
Located in Riga, LV
La Vie Est Belle. 2023, oil on canvas, 80x70 cm Works of Liene Liepina are full of life and joy because of photography-like, realistic details on the one hand, and intense and slight...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

REFLECTIONS - Photography in Black and White , Bjorn Wennerwald
Located in Napoli, IT
Bjorn Wennerwald was born in 1964 and lives in Scandinavia. He graduated as a photographer from Copenhagen Photo College in 1987. During his long career his talents have benefited a ...
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Nude Figure Breast & Hand Platinum Palladium Print on Wove by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Nude Figure with Breast & Hand, Platinum Palladium Print on Wove by Contemporary British Artist, Malcolm Pasley (Born 1956) Art measures 14 x 11 inches...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Platinum

Mourning Quinces - Photorealist Pastel Still Life Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Mourning Quinces 15.75 x 11.8 x 0.4, 0.6 lbs Pastel on Pastelmat Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "When this pastel painting was finished, I suddenly realised that it ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Pastel

Ribes Rubrum - Photorealist Pastel Still Life Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Ribes Rubrum 19.70 x 15.75 x 0.4, 0.6 lbs Pastel on Pastelmat Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "The red currant is widespread in almost all of Europe. It occurs wild o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Pastel

Three Canberries - Photorealist Pastel Still Life Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Three Cranberries 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4, 0.4 lbs Pastel on Pastelmat Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "The cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon, in German named Moosbeere, but...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Pastel

Il passo sospeso del pedone, Roma 1962 - Full Framed Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in perfect condition Limited Edition of 5 + 2 AP This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork : The Fine Art print on Baryta paper is mounted o...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

The water carrier - Thailand 1959 - Full Framed Black & White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 of 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition The water carrier - Thailand This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork : The Fine Art print on Baryt...
Category

1950s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Gita in famiglia, Thaïland (1957) - 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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

The two booksellers, Roma 1968 - Full Framed Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in perfect condition Limited Edition of 5 + 2 AP This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork : The Fine Art print on Baryta paper is mounted o...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Perso nell'immensità - New York, 1955 - Full Framed Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Perso nell'immensità, 1955. Men and hats, in the streets of New York. Work sold in perfect condition, print on baryta paper 310 grs pigment inks of museum quality, limited edition of...
Category

1950s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Er Fusto, Roma Ciampino Airport (1953) 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 dibo...
Category

1950s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

San Bernardino alle Ossa
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the San Bernardino alle Ossa church - Milan (Italy). Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives an...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

Chapa 100
Located in MADRID, ES
Chapa 100, 2013. Photography, printed on Luster paper, glued to Dibond aluminium. 12 Photographs. 11 Photographs 40 x 34,3cm + 1 Photography 40 x 42 cm. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment, Luster

Woodland Farm in Winter with Horse & Cart and Farmer in the English Countryside
Located in Preston, GB
Woodland Farm in the Winter with Horse & Cart and Farmer in the English Countryside with Warm Brown Colours, Small Lake in the foreground, by 20th Century British Artist, Christopher...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Comfort in Chaos by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 "Another conversation with no destination, another battle never won. Each side is a loser, so who cares who fired...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, Pigment

"Reels" acrylic on canvas Dark Academia retro tech reel to reel grey black white
Located in Hamburg, HH
A painting by Amanda Andersen from a larger body of work created in the early 2010s which explored vintage technologies and materials including VHS cassette tape, reel-to-reel tape machines...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Graphite

Contemporary Photography Batman Wild Spirits by Sebastian Magnani
Located in BARCELONA, ES
FRAME INCLUDED WITH THE PICTURE. Edition of 7 Hand-signed by artist Includes certificate of authenticity All Artworks are Signed & Numbered in Front with COA included Sebastian Magnani...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Comfort in Chaos by Josephine Cardin Contemporary Fashion photography
Located in DE
Artist: Josephine Cardin Medium: Photography Limited edition of 30 "Another conversation with no destination, another battle never won. Each side is a loser, so who cares who fired...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Pigment, Photographic Paper

Sant'Alessandro
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the Sant'Alessandro church - Milan (Italy). Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works b...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

Dove of peace. Limited edition no. I/V
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
"Peace Dove" is a limited edition of a black and white photograph by the contemporary artist Tadeusz Zych from the Black and White States series. The photo was taken during a trip to...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital Pigment

Bowl with Spices-original modern realism still life painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
Heidi von Faber's original painting showcases a hyper-realistic interpretation of a contemporary still life, reminiscent of the precision and style seen in the works of early Dutch m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Muddy Waters in NY
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
"Muddy Waters in NY" is a limited-edition black & white photograph by contemporary artist Tadeusz Zych from the series entitled Black and white States. The photo was taken during a t...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital Pigment

Sant'Eufemia
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the Santa Eufemia church - Milan (Italy). Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works bet...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

Sommer’s Glow -original realism modern seascape oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Sommer's Glow" captures the essence of a tranquil seaside moment, rendered in the vibrant strokes of impressionism by the talented Lia Madsen. This diptych masterpiece consists of t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Daffodil Fields English Landscape Painting by Contemporary Photorealist Artist
By Nicholas Smith
Located in Preston, GB
Daffodil Fields English Landscape Painting by Contemporary Photorealist Artist, Nicholas Smith. Art measures 8.5 x 3.5 inches Frame measures 11.5 x 6....
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Azure Tempest -original modern realism seascape oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
In "Azure Tempest," Lia Madsen presents a breathtaking vista of the ocean in all its tumultuous beauty, expertly rendered in realistic detail. This original seascape painting invites...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Green Glow of the Sea-original realism seascape oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
In "Green Glow of the Sea," Lia Madsen transports viewers to the mesmerizing realm where land meets water, capturing the essence of the ocean's verdant embrace in stunning realism. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

'A Moment rest' Photorealist painting of a Kingfisher in the wild, blue, orange
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
'A Moments Rest' by Ben Waddams is a Contemporary Realist Wildlife oil painting of a Kingfisher perched on a branch. With such incredible detail you can almost feel feathers and exp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

The Worship of this Love by K Husslein Botanical Hyperrealistic Still life
Located in DE
This is a beautiful oil painting of an array of flowers in a vase in front of a dark background. Reminding us of old master paintings, this is a brand new painting full elegance and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Traditional English Farm with Horses, Figures, Trees & Lake by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
English Farmhouse with Horses, Figures, Fields, Trees & Lake entitled 'Winters Morn' by 20th Century British Artist. Art measures 36 x 24 inches Frame measures 41 x 30 inches Ch...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Softer Notes for Love by K Husslein Botanical Hyperrealistic Still life
Located in DE
This is a beautiful oil painting of an array of flowers in a vase in front of a dark background. Reminding us of old master paintings, this is a brand new painting full elegance and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

San Satiro Bramante
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the Santa Maria church - San Satiro. Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

HMS Nairana. Royal Navy Seaplane Carrier. Float Plane.Tasmania & Melbourne Ferry
By Vincenzo D'Esposito
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Vincenzo D’Esposito. Italian ( b.1886 - d.1946 ). HMS Nairana, Royal Navy Seaplane Carrier. Gouache on Paper. Signed. Image size 7.7 inches x 12.2 inches ( 19.5cm x 31cm ). Frame si...
Category

Early 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 1
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 8
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 5
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photographic project - still in process - about the conditions in which some part of the Magoanine “A” neighborhood has been living in recent years, after repeated rainfall. From the initial visits, I decided to document photographically certain areas, every available Thursday. Magoanine "A" is a suburban neighborhood, located a few kilometers from Maputo City, Capital of Mozambique. Rainwater forced the withdrawal of the inhabitants who, for several decades, have been settling on the banks of what was once a river. From the beginning of the establishment (or restoration) of the rise in water levels, the population demanded compensation from the Government for what had happened. However, after several attempts to study the case, experts came to the conclusion that the waters did not invade people's homes, but only resumed their course and space (habitat). Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 5
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 7
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 1
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 2
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photographic project - still in process - about the conditions in which some part of the Magoanine “A” neighborhood has been living in recent years, after repeated rainfall. From the initial visits, I decided to document photographically certain areas, every available Thursday. Magoanine "A" is a suburban neighborhood, located a few kilometers from Maputo City, Capital of Mozambique. Rainwater forced the withdrawal of the inhabitants who, for several decades, have been settling on the banks of what was once a river. From the beginning of the establishment (or restoration) of the rise in water levels, the population demanded compensation from the Government for what had happened. However, after several attempts to study the case, experts came to the conclusion that the waters did not invade people's homes, but only resumed their course and space (habitat). Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 3
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mike Tyson - Stampa su carta in bianco e nero
Located in Napoli, IT
Stampa su carta in bianco e nero del pugile Mike Tyson, con cornice
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Monoprint

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 2
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

San Carlo
Located in Milano, MI
Photo taken inside the San Carlo Church of Milan. Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He l...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 8
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 4
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 6
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 7
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 3
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Bilhete de identidade, Untitled 4
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Bilhete de Identidade series In this series, Félix Mula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

Magoanine Verde, Untitled 6
Located in MADRID, ES
Analogue photo. Photography, printed on Aluminium Dibond. Edition of 3 + 1 artist proof. Walnut wood frame, 35 mm depth, 4 mm thickness. Magoanine Verde started in 2023 as a photogr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Digital

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.

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