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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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Period: 20th Century
Period: 1930s
Style: Photorealist
The Bee Gees 20th Anniversary Party, 1975
Located in White Plains, NY
'The Bee Gees 20th Anniversary Party,' 1975 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment print, 10 x 15 inch photo on 17 x 22 inch on th...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Muhammed Ali modeling a fur coat, 1977
Located in White Plains, NY
'Muhammed Ali modeling a fur coat,' 1977 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment print, 15 x 10 inch photo on 20 x 16 inch on t...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

John and Yoko on a bench in Central Park, 1980
Located in White Plains, NY
'John and Yoko on a bench in Central Park,' 1980 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Silver gelatin print, 1982. 10 x 15 inch photo on 16 x...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob Dylan, "Bowling For Dollars" Liverpool, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan, mock Olympic curling tryouts, Liverpool, England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan "Licensed Betting Office" Sheffield, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan, leaving betting office, Sheffield, England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein. All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin of th...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan, The Royal Albert Hall, London 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan taken during his sound check at the Royal Albert Hall, London, England, 1966 All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan, Trying on boots, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan taken while trying on boots, in England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin of the pri...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan, Liverpool, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan by Barry Feinstein, taken on the cobbled streets of Liverpool, England, 1966 All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margi...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan "The Giant" Liverpool, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan “The Giant” by Barry Feinstein, Liverpool, England, 1966 All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin of the print recto...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan, "Kids On Steps" Liverpool, England 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan taken by Barry Feinstein, Liverpool, England, 1966 All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed in the margin of the print recto. The ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan "Fans Looking in Limo" The Royal Albert Hall, London, 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Musician Bob Dylan with fans looking into his limousine, London, England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein. All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Feinstein are embossed ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bob Dylan - "The Times They Are A-Changin'" cover
Located in Austin, TX
Barry Feinstein's iconic cover for Bob Dylan's 1964 album, The Times They Are A-Changin'. Take in New York City, 1963. All limited-edition prints released by the Estate of Barry Fei...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Solitaire (It's 3am), Photorealist Oil on Canvas Painting by Nicholas Maravell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Solitaire (It’s 3am) Nicholas Maravell, American Date: 1992 Oil on Canvas, signed, titled and dated in marker on verso Size: 78 x 54.5 in. (198.12 x 138.43 cm)
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

T-Series "After The Hunt" by Harnett, Photorealist Painting by John Clem Clarke
Located in Long Island City, NY
T-Series “After The Hunt” by Harnett John Clem Clarke, American (1937–2021) Date: 1983 Mixed Media on Canvas, titled and dated in marker on verso Size: 72.5 x 55.5 in. (184.15 x 140....
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media

Seated Figure
By John DeAndrea
Located in Long Island City, NY
John De Andrea was a leading proponent of the Hyper-Realism movement in the 1960's and 1970's. This extraordinarily detailed painted resin sculpture of ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Fiberglass, Polyester, Oil

Patti Smith
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of punk musician and poet, Patti Smith by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1977. This stunning portrait appeared on the cove...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Patti Smith
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of punk musician and poet, Patti Smith by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1977. "She loved Vogue magazine, especially the ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Patti Smith 1977
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of punk musician and poet, Patti Smith by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1977. "She loved Vogue magazine, especially the French version. Even though...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Patti Smith "Easter" cover
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of punk musician and poet, Patti Smith by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1977 for the Easter album cover. Lynn Goldsmith only produces 20 prints of ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Bruce Springsteen
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Bruce Springsteen by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken with his guitar in 1978. Lynn Goldsmith only produces 20 prints...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

David Bowie 1973
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of David Bowie by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith. Lynn Goldsmith only produces 20 prints of her images, regardless of size with the prints being made from th...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Debbie Harry, Blondie 1978
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Debbie Harry from Blondie wearing a sailor hat and giving a salute, by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith. Lynn Goldsmith only produces 20 prints of her image...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Bob Dylan, Aust Ferry, Bristol, England, 1966
Located in Austin, TX
Bob Dylan , Aust Ferry, Bristol, England, 1966 by Barry Feinstein. "11 May, waiting at the Aust Ferry Terminal near Bristol to go to Cardiff in Wales. They chose this shot for the cover of Scorsese’s No Direction Home CD and DVD. It’s one that Bob likes as it told it all. It has depth, he looked cool. I guess he felt it represented the moment to him. Just waiting for the ferry...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Soccer Players in Central Park
Located in Long Island City, NY
An oil painting by Hilo Chen from 1973. A photo-realistic scene of a park in midday overlooking a soccer field from a sidewalk vantage point. Signed and dated verso, framed in a natural wood frame. Artist: Hilo Chen Title: Soccer Players...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Staged landscape photograph by Gregory Crewdson, Untitled (Natural Wonder)
Located in White Plains, NY
'Untitled (Natural Wonder Series)' by Gregory Crewdson, 1995. C-print, Ed. 6, 30 x 40 in. Best known for staging complex, cinematic scenes to dramatic effect, the featured color C-pr...
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Studio 54 Portfolio, 1977-1981 (36 prints)
Located in White Plains, NY
'Studio 54 Portfolio, 1977-1981' by American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment prints, Ed. 11/30, 36 prints. Image: 6 x 9 in. / Paper: 11 x 14 in. This rare 36-print portfolio features photographs taken between 1977-1981 at the famed nightclub, Studio 54. Images of well-known celebrities include such luminaries as Liz Taylor, Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger, and Michael Jackson. Allan Tannenbaum's career in photography spans more than four decades. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1945, he received a B.A. in Art from Rutgers University in 1967, where he photographed for The Targum – the campus newspaper – and made films for his art courses. In 1973, when the SoHo Weekly News commenced publication, Tannenbaum became the Photo Editor and Chief Photographer. The newspaper started out as an eight-page free paper, but soon became a popular newsstand seller that rivaled the established Village Voice. Tannenbaum relentlessly covered the art world, music scene, politics, show business, and nightlife until 1982 when the SoHo News folded. Tannenbaum has also done documentary and feature photography in places like Thailand, Indonesia, Palau, Jordan, Bahrain, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Brazil, Israel, Iceland, and Mexico. He has covered numerous political campaigns, nominating conventions and news stories in the U.S. such as the Oklahoma City bombing and the Columbine massacre. His work has appeared in many photo books and exhibitions, as well as appearing regularly in NEWSWEEK, TIME, LIFE, ROLLING STONE, PARIS MATCH, and STERN. His photographs have graced the covers of TIME three times, and NEWSWEEK five times. He now works as an international photojournalist contributing to various noted publications including Time, Life, and Newsweek. He is the author of three other books of his photography, including New York in the 70s (Feierabend, 2003), New York (Feierabend, 2004), and John and Yoko: A New York Love Story...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dandelions Suite
Located in London, GB
The complete set of six mezzotints. Each signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 24 in pencil. Printed on mold-made Hahnemüller paper. Published by Pace Editions, Inc., New...
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Mezzotint

Untitled
By Albert Ranger-Patzsch
Located in New York, NY
RENGER-PATSCH, Albert. Untitled 1925-30.Gelatin Silver print, 8 7/8 x 6 3/8";. Printed on Verso: Upper right hand corner: Stamped A. RENGER-PATSCH, Wamel-Dorf Ober Sest I.W.Bo...
Category

1920s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

untitled
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Yrjo Edelmann, Finnish (1941 - ) Title: Untitled Year: 1993 Medium: Oil on Canvas Size: 44 in. x 44 in. (111.76 cm x 111.76 cm)
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil

Lace Glove.
By Ervin Marton
Located in New York, NY
MARTON, Ervin. Lace Glove. Ca 1930. Vintage photogram. Artist and copyright on verso. Ervin Marton was a Hungarian artist and photographer who became an...
Category

1930s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photogram

Life
By Linda Rosenzweig Prince
Located in Long Island City, NY
An oil painting by Linda Rosenzweig Prince from 1981. A photo-realistic painting of of news stand magazines piles forming a layered landscape. Signed and dated verso, framed in cherr...
Category

1980s 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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