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
Frank Zappa by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of Frank Zappa taken in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith
Signed limited edition #2/20 - signed, numbered and titled by Lynn Goldsmith
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Beastie Boys 1987 by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of The Beastie Boys taken in 1987 by Lynn Goldsmith
Signed limited edition #7/20 - signed, numbered and titled by Lynn Goldsmith
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Comfort Zone 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure
FREE Shipping Worldwide
Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria
This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art
Materials
Oil, Canvas
The Beastie Boys by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition print of The Beastie Boys taken in 1987 by Lynn Goldsmith
Signed limited edition #5/20 - signed, numbered and titled by Lynn Goldsmith
Category
Late 20th Century 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
"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
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
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
Red Hot Chili Peppers by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
A classic, stunning shot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1985 by celebrated photographer, Ebet Roberts.
Signed limited edition, hand printed sil...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Art
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Infinity - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival paper 28"x35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a topless female dancer in the pool.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival pap...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Archival 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
"California Bug" Original Oil Painting 16 in x 20 in
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"California Bug"
2021
Oil on Panel
16 in x 20 in
"California Bug" is all about the unbounded cheerfulness of the vintage Volkswagen Bug. A residential street in Southern Californi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Oil
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
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
"Park Bench on St.Clair River" by Deborah Benedic
Located in Clinton Township, MI
"Park Bench on the St.Clair River" is a photograph taken from the banks of Canada looking at Marine City in Michigan, USA.
The frame has an interesting mat made of metal. It is in...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Art
Materials
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper
The Vanity Ballroom- photo by Ted Fines
Located in Clinton Township, MI
Detroit's Art Deco Vanity Ballroom was once a popular venue for music beginning in the 1920's with Ellington, Goodman, the Dorsey Bros, and Cab Calloway. Later in the 70's, it beca...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Art
Materials
Photographic Paper
SPIDER WEB, Vija Celmins (screen print of spiderweb)
By Vija Celmins
Located in New York, NY
This screen print depicts one of Celmins' signature subjects, the spider web, which she has represented in various media, including charcoal, oil paint, and multiple printmaking tech...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Art
Materials
Screen
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
Signed Fabulous 19th Century Male Mustache Portrait Dutch Ripple Frame Drawing
Located in Buffalo, NY
Incredibly well executed and superb subject. A 19th century portrait of a handsome young man with a mustache. Framed in a Dutch ripple wood molding...
Category
1890s Photorealist Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Bubble Dance- underwater photograph - print on paper 26” x 35”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a dancer in short red dress dancing in air bubbles.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival pap...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
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
Fluid Cadi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The painting “Fluid Cadi” draws inspiration from a fusion of the artist’s travel recollections and dreamscapes. Captured during a trip to California, the artist encountered this Cadi...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Mermaid Angel - underwater photograph - print on paper 26" x 35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater photograph of a beautiful young woman in transparent dress on dark background.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Winter Fishing - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 25" x 35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater nude photograph of a young woman caught in fishing net.
Original gallery quality print signed by the artist.
Digital archival pigment print on archival paper with met...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Sketch - underwater b&w photograph - archival pigment print 35x23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of perfect female legs in the pool.
Original gallery quality archival pigment print on paper with metallic finish signed by the artist. .
L...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
12 Photos (Magenta and Yellow) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
12 Photos (Magenta and Yellow) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
Series of detailed macro photos by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). This set of photos shows several textured a...
Category
1990s Photorealist Art
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Self Portrait by Chuck Close
By Chuck Close
Located in New York, NY
Self Portrait, 2007
9 color screen print on Somerset Satin paper
38 x 30 inches
Edition of 118
Printed at Watanabe Press
Publisher: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Chuck Close was best known for the monumental heads...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Art
Materials
Lithograph, Screen
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
12 Photos (Graffiti and Stripes) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
12 Photos (Graffiti and Stripes) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
Series of detailed macro photos by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). This set of photos shows several textured...
Category
1990s Photorealist Art
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
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
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
Glare on the waves, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Glare on the waves. Blue water, ocean shine, glare on the water, small waves create an atmosphere of relaxation, romance. Made in the style of realism. Part of a permanent series of ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Shining horizon., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Shining horizon. Blue water, clear skies, waves, serene views, sun glare on the water create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. The blue and white palette, made in the style of...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Sounds of morning waves, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The sounds of the morning waves. The shining ocean, small waves, glare on the water, the beach, clear sky create an atmosphere of relaxation, romance. Made in the style of realism, L...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Landscape with a boat, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting. Landscape with a boat. A saturated palette of greenery, water, boats on the shore, forest, pine trees, cause a feeling of love and gratitude to nature. The picture has a go...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Oil
A magical sunrise at the sea, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A magical sunrise at the sea, the sound of coastal waves, sea foam, the reflection of the sun in the water, the sky, inspired me to create this picture. The atmosphere of relaxation,...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Dancing glare on the water., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Dancing glare on the water. Blue water, blue ocean, clear sky, reflections on the water create an atmosphere of relaxation, serenity, romance. Made in the style of realism, deep blue...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Gold sparks on the water., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Gold sparks on the water. Warm water, waves, serene views, ocean shine, evening sun glare on the water create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Made in the style of realism, a...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Black Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of white painted concrete with a sp...
Category
1990s Photorealist Art
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
JAPANESE KIMONO Signed Lithograph, Blonde Woman White Silk Kimono Gold Cranes
Located in Union City, NJ
Japanese Kimono by the American photorealist artist Douglas Hofmann is an original hand drawn lithograph(not a photo reproduction or digital print) printed using hand lithography techniques on Arches paper, 100% acid free.
Print size - 31.25" x 24", unframed, excellent condition, pencil signed by Douglas Hofmann
Image size - 24.25" x 18.25"
Edition size - 300, plus proofs
Year published - 1990
Printer - JK Fine Art Editions Co.
Japanese Kimono is a remarkable rendering of a young blonde woman, hair in a chignon, modeling a white Japanese silk kimono, embellished with red edging and elegant gold cranes...
Category
1990s Photorealist Art
Materials
Lithograph
Warm sunset over the ocean., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Warm sunset over the ocean. Blue water, sea, ocean, waves, sun glare on the water, clear warm sky, warm sand, beach create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Light flickers on ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
"For the Shear Fun of it" Charcoal Painting 29" x 21" inch by Casey Baugh
By Casey Baugh
Located in Culver City, CA
"For the Shear Fun of it" Charcoal Painting 29" x 21" inch by Casey Baugh
Medium: Charcoal on paper
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Baugh's work can be described as narrative impressionistic re...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art
Materials
Charcoal, Paper
Painted Concrete - Large Scale Textural Photograph
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
Painted Concrete - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of concrete that has been painted a few ...
Category
1990s Photorealist Art
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Music of the ocean 2., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Music of the ocean 2. Blue water, ocean, shimmering sun glare on the water, clear sky, small waves, create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Made in the style of realism, ligh...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Raindancer - archival pigment print - 35х24"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A young beautiful woman is dancing under the rain. Her dress is all wet. Some strange fishes are reflected in the window behind her.
Original gallery quality print signed by the art...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Silver of the ocean 2., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Silver of the ocean 2. Power of nature. The ocean ... deep, mysterious. He beckons you to unravel his secrets. ... Silver water, ocean, sun glare on the water, clear sky create an...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
'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
Bridgehampton, Photorealist Screenprint by Arne Besser
Located in Long Island City, NY
Bridgehampton
Arne Besser, American (1935–2012)
Portfolio: Cityscapes
Date: 1981
Screenprint, Signed and numbered in pencil
Edition of 250, 30 AP
Size: 30 in. x 22 in. (76.2 cm x 55....
Category
1980s Photorealist Art
Materials
Screen
Sea 22., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Sea 22. Light blue water, sea, ocean, small waves, glare on the water, clear sky create an atmosphere of relaxation and romance. Made in the style of realism, light blue, white p...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Scratched Paint - Large Scale Textural Photograph
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete that ha...
Category
1990s Photorealist Art
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
The Game of Life, Jacque
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In her painting entitled “The Game of life, Jaque”, Eva Carzul captures life’s complexities, portraying it as a chess game, all the while adorned in a top that ironically expresses g...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
Unstable Affection
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In Eva Carzul’s painting, “Unstable Affection,” a comedic portrayal unfolds, vividly illustrating the visual representation of emotional fragility and instability. Perched atop a box...
Category
2010s Photorealist Art
Materials
Acrylic
(Male Nude) Untitled, 1977, Original Drawing—Lowell Nesbitt
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993)
Title: (Male Nude) Untitled
Year: 1977
Medium: Graphite on Artist's Board
Size: 48.5 x 38.75 inches
Condition: Excellent
Inscription: Signed & date...
Category
1970s Photorealist Art
Materials
Graphite
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
(Male Nude) Untitled, 1973, Original Drawing—Lowell Nesbitt
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993)
Title: (Male Nude) Untitled, 1973
Year: 1973
Medium: Graphite on Artist's Board
Size: 38.5 x 26.75 inches
Condition: Excellent
Inscription: Signed ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Art
Materials
Graphite
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
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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