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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
The Younger Generation, 1941 Gelatin Silver Print by Rowena Fruth
Located in Long Island City, NY
The Younger Generation Rowena Fruth American (1896–1983) Date: 1941 Gelatin Silver Print mounted on board Size: 20 in. x 16 in. (50.8 cm x 40.64 cm)
Category

1940s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Parrot, circa 1940 Gelatin Silver Print by Rowena Fruth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Parrot Rowena Fruth American (1896–1983) Date: circa 1940 Gelatin Silver Print Size: 10 in. x 8 in. (25.4 cm x 20.32 cm)
Category

1940s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mine, 1942 Chlorobromide Gelatin Silver Print by Rowena Fruth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mine Rowena Fruth American (1896–1983) Date: 1942 Chlorobromide Gelatin Silver Print Size: 20 in. x 16 in. (50.8 cm x 40.64 cm)
Category

1940s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Pony Power - Ford Mustang Emblem" (Original Acrylic Painting)
Located in Denver, CO
Shan Fannin's (US based) "Pony Power - Ford Mustang Emblem" is an acrylic painting that depicts a Ford Mustang Emblem. Born 1969 in California, artist Shannon “Shan” Fannin brings ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

Something New, 1941 Signed Gelatin Silver Print by Rowena Fruth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Something New Rowena Fruth American (1896–1983) Date: 1941 Gelatin Silver Print, signed in pencil on matting l.r. Size: 17.5 x 15.5 in. (44.45 x 39.37 cm)
Category

1940s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Double Trouble, 1941 Signed Gelatin Silver Print by Rowena Fruth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Double Trouble Rowena Fruth American (1896–1983) Date: 1941 Gelatin Silver Print, signed in pencil on matting l.r. Size: 11 x 13.5 in. (27.94 x 34.29 cm)
Category

1940s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Carn Gloose, Hot and Sunny Twinkly Seas By Maggie LaPorte Banks
Located in Deddington, GB
original Acrylic on linen Image size: H:50 cm x W:50 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:50 cm x W:50 cm x D:2cm Frame Size: H:53 cm x W:53 cm x D:5cm Sold Framed Please note ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Arcangelo, Interior Photography, Contemporary Artwork, Light Art Photography
Located in Deddington, GB
"An incredibly decorative villa from the 1700’s, which had been semi-restored to it’s former glory and is now awaiting it’s future. A very well known Italian composer was born nearby...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Digital Pigment

USA Boxer, Kurt Scoby, Pro boxer, Color photography, Mayumi Ramirez
Located in Houston, TX
Kurt Scoby : They said I wouldn’t amount to anything. So I let the words be spoken but I never listened to outside noise . I’m Kurt Scoby Pro boxer 2-0 From Duarte California with the vision of being undefeated in life , the beautiful struggle has brought me into the ring as I’m not only a fighter in the ring I’m a fighter outside the ring beating every obstacle that’s given to me . The color photograph of Kurt Scoby, a pro boxing athlete by Mayumi Cabrera...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Switzerland (Valais, Church of Rarogne) Photographic Travel Poster Mountains
By Philipp Giegel
Located in London, GB
To see our other original vintage travel posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find th...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Pink Iris, Photorealist Flower Print by Lowell Nesbitt
Located in Long Island City, NY
Date: 1981 Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 200, AP 40 Image Size: 34.5 x 23 inches Size: 38 x 26 in. (96.52 x 66.04 cm)
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

Ken Orton "Camwal", Bottle Still Life Photorealistic Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
Ken Orton's "Camwal" is a 54x36 original oil painting on canvas. This painting depicts a still life setting featuring multiple antique bottles. The bottles range in size, color and shape, the most prominent of is the middle Camwal bottle. The window in the background adds depth and interest to the composition, and the rusty orange bottle color compliments the subtle soft blues and greens within the clear glass. The artist chooses to paint larger than life still lives, cropping in closely for more impact. Every detail from the reflections on the table, to the illusion of the raised letters on the bottles, is painted masterfully. About the artist: Ken Orton has dedicated his life to painting. His childhood was spent drawing the urban, industrial surroundings of Birmingham, England. At the Birmingham and then Manchester Colleges of Art he studied Art Education and after six years teaching in England accepted an offer to head the arts program at the Joan Miro Centro de Arte of the Baleares International School in Mallorca, Spain. For the next twenty years he would introduce the concepts of pictorial composition, color theory and draftsmanship to his students. Many of these students would go on to achieve great success in the many branches of the arts, architecture and music and remain close friends with their teacher to this day. An integral part of Orton’s perspective training for his students was the study of the ellipse. He often used glass cylinders to demonstrate how the perceived ellipses generated by variations in the circle's relationship to the eye-line could be used as a powerful tool in creating the appearance of a third dimension on a two dimensional surface. Later, after he had moved to America in 1999, he discovered a treasure trove of antique mason jars...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Downtown Houston, Photorealist Screenprint by CJ Yao
Located in Long Island City, NY
Liquor Store Reflection by C.J. (Ching-Jang) Yao, Taiwanese (1941–2001) Date: 1981 Screenprint, Signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 250 Size: 22 in. x 30 in. (55.88 cm x 76.2 cm)
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

Wrapped Christmas Goat
Located in Malmo, SE
Unframed. Edition of 375 ex. Free shipment worldwide. Reality or fantasy? What is the difference between fantasy and fact, between night and day, between torment and transports of d...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

"Old Dirty Bastard" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Old Dirty Bastard" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a donut topped with chocolate and peanut butter. Gregory was born in Kansas City,...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

"Botanicals No. 1", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's "Botanicals No. 1" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a still life of yellow and white blooms with a blue and clear bottle. About the artist: Greg...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Blue Beacon Diner, Photorealist Silkscreen by John Baeder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: John Baeder, American (1938 - ) Title: Blue Beacon Diner Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

Submerge, Interior Photography, Derelict Building Artwork, Light Art Photography
Located in Deddington, GB
Submerge by Gina Soden [2020] Please note that insitu images are purely an indication of how a piece may look "I photographed this in an abandoned manor in the south of France. The ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Digital Pigment

"Magnitude" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Magnitude" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a masculine face with shadows and white thinning hair. Mia Bergeron's interest in art was c...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil

Pomegranate, photorealist fruit still life drawing, colored pencil
Located in New York, NY
David Morrison’s new series of drawings are regal in their naturalism. Morrison uses his extreme attention to detail to give equal weight to both the fruit's delicate features and si...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Color Pencil

Richard Blair Photograph "Shipwrecked Boat - Tomales Bay" c.2000
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Shipwrecked Boat - Tomales Bay" c.2000 Tomales Bay is North or San Francisco. An absolutely beautiful and pristine area of remote wilderness. Fine black a...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Fillys with Trailer, Photorealist Screenprint by Richard McLean
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fillys with Trailer Richard McLean, American (1934–2014) Date: 1979 Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 250 Image Size: 13.5 x 18 inches Size: 22.5 in. x 30 in. (57....
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

Merle Haggard by Jim Herrington
Located in Austin, TX
Merle Haggard in Temecula, CA, 2000 by Jim Herrington 17x22" Archival pigment print on baryta 315 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-fiber paper. Edition 75 S...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie, Tokyo Restaurant by Denis O'Regan framed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie taken in a Tokyo restaurant in 1983 by photographer Denis O'Regan. Framed, signed limited edition 16x20" print. Edition number 1/5 Giclée print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

Lotus MK 9
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Photograph titled "Lotus MK 9" c.1960, is a gelatin silver print by noted photographer Richard Stacks, 1930-2015. It has the stamp of the Baltimore Sunpapers and the name of the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Amur Maple Bonsai, photorealist floral still life drawing
Located in New York, NY
Ever-interested in delicate and often toiling labor, David Morrison’s newest body of work stems from his practice as a master gardener. David’s methodical cultivation of irises and bonsai plants...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Color Pencil

"Yosemite Falls, " Black and White Photograph signed by Thomas Ferderbar
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Yosemite Falls" is a black and white photograph signed by Thomas Ferderbar. This view of the waterfall is from the side, not a center view. One can see how far the water falls down and where it creates mist as well. An evergreen tree balances the piece. Archival inkjet print on archival Epson Premium Luster paper. Camera that was used was an 8x10 Ansco View with a Goerz lens. And was scanned in the early 2000's with a drum scanner prior to achivally digitally printed. Signed by artist in lower left corner. Paper: 50 x 40 in Frame: 54 x 44 in Interview with the Artist: I wanted to become a photographer at the age of 12, when my sister Grace gave me a Kodak Box...
Category

1950s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, Luster, Archival Ink, Digital

Western Lullabys N°4, Statement Floral Art, Dramatic Realist Still Life Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Diasec® mounting is a time proven system that has set the benchmark for face mounting photographic and fine art prints. Developed in the late 1960’s Diasec® was the first system that...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Metal

David Morrison, Stick Series No. 13, Photorealist colored pencil drawing, 2015
Located in New York, NY
Artist David Morrison creates hyperrealistic, yet abstracted, finely detailed pencil drawings of found natural objects, both by observing the object itself under magnification, and a...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Color Pencil

"Sleepyhead" Graphite Drawing
Located in Denver, CO
Tammy Liu-Haller's "Sleepyhead" is an original, handmade charcoal and graphite drawing that depicts a cow sleeping on the ground.
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Graphite

"King's Highway Deep", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Heather Neill's (US based) "King's Highway Deep" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a dirt trail leading into the forest where fall has s...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil

Bluebird, Photorealist Floral Lithograph by Lowell Nesbitt
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Lowell Blair Nesbitt, American (1933 - 1993) Title: Bluebird Year: 1981 Medium: Serigraph, Signed and Numbered in Pencil Edition: AP 5/25 Image Size: 27.5 x 35.5 inches Fram...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Roxy
Located in New York, NY
Color offset lithograph. Signed and numbered 2/100 in pencil by Cottingham. This work is based on the same-titled color screenprint by Cottingham.
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Art

Materials

Color, Lithograph, Offset

Straight Shot, Screenprint by Ron Kleeman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ron Kleemann, American (1937 - ) Title: Straight Shot Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint on Somerset Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Paper Size: 22 x 30 inches
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

Bridge, Screenprint on Canvas by Larry Stark
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Larry Stark, American (1940 - ) Title: Vancouver Bridge Year: circa 1971 Medium: Photosilkscreen on Canvas Size: 66 in. x 46 in. (167.64 cm x 116.8...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Screen

Close Up Nature Color Photographic Print, "Butterflies" 2015
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 Art

Materials

Color

The Window
Located in Burlingame, CA
Mimi Jensen uses bold colors to depict theatrically lit objects. Her paintings invite speculation into possible metaphors – California Home+Design magazine Ms. Jensen is a Still Li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Flora Odyssey N°3
Located in Deddington, GB
Diasec® mounting is a time proven system that has set the benchmark for face mounting photographic and fine art prints. Developed in the late 1960’s Diasec® was the first system that...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Elvis Presley, Lincoln Continental Mark II in Miami Florida, 1956
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of Elvis Presley "Lincoln Continental Mark II in Miami, Florida 1956" from the collection of acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith These prints are 16x20" open editi...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Rolling Stock for Armyn by Robert Cottingham
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Robert Cottingham, American (1935 - ) Title: Rolling Stock Series: For Armyn Year: 1992 Medium: Aquatint Etching, signed, numbered and titled in pencil Edition: 43/60 Im...
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Iridescence, super realistic oil painting of colorful iridescent ribbons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
colorful ribbons Oil on canvas Doug Newton’s hyper-real paintings observe reality, explore translucency, reflections and luminosity, and dazzle the viewer with all the ways light can...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Becoming" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Becoming" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a blue fish leaping from dark water as a lit candle appears in its mouth. Mia Bergeron's int...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Heart Cut Sapphire, A Drawing A Best Friend, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on P
Located in Yardley, PA
This image plays with the viewer, imaginatively taking a drawing of a Sapphire rendered in pencil and playfully making a statement about humanity, are we really as important as we th...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Pencil

Star sequins a smattering, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
This hyperrealist pencil drawing presents something familiar, nostalgic and humble as a jewel, something noteworthy bringing attention to and highlighting the beauty of the seemingly...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Pencil

Still Life with Grapes, Photorealist Screenprint by Lowell Nesbitt
Located in Long Island City, NY
A silkscreen print by Lowell Nesbitt from 1975. A colorful still life that combines both organic and geometric elements. Artist: Lowell Blair Nesbitt, American (1933 - 1993) Title: Still Life with...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

David Bowie smoking portrait by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of David Bowie by Kevin Cummins, taken in a studio during rehearsals for the It’s My Life Tour with his band Tin Machine, Dublin, I...
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ora Sorensen, "White Rose", Photorealistic Flower Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This hyperrealist floral "White Rose" by artist Ora Sorensen is a 36x36 original oil painting on canvas. Depicted is a portrait of a blooming white rose ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Contemporary figurative acrylic painting macabre female subjects dark signed
By Yonder Castillo
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Two sisters wrapped in webbings and covered in spiders. This artist has dove deep into the fear of arachnophobia. When looking at this piece people at first spot the dew on the webbi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Board

"Cut Food - Cereal" Modern Photography Food Still-Life with Pop Sensibility
Located in Wellesley, MA
"I am a professional food and still life photographer with over 30 years experience based in New York City. My attention to detail and strong sense of composition has allowed me to ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

"Cool and Calm", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Pegah Samaie's (CA based) "Cool and Calm" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a woman holding a pink ice-cream cone with a pink background....
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Ritual" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Ritual" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the glow of a lit candle glowing red against a dark background. Mia Bergeron's interest in art...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Wax, Oil, Panel

Bulldozing International, Photorealist Lithograph by Ralph Goings
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ralph Goings, American (1928 - 2016) Title: Bulldozing International Year: 1981 Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 300; 40 AP's Image Size: 17 x 24 i...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Light on the water 2., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Light on the water 2. The shining of the ocean, small waves, the glare of the sun on the water create an atmosphere of relaxation, romance. Made in the style of realism. Part of a pe...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Trash Can, Photorealist Lithograph by Paul Sarkisian
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Paul Sarkisian, American (1928 - ) Title: Trash Can (From Documenta, The Superrealists, New York) Year: 1972 Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 300 P...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Vast" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Vast" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the faint glow of a candle cast in blue darkness. Mia Bergeron's interest in art was cultivated ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Wax, Oil, Panel

"Return" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Return" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the glow of a lit candle glowing black and blue. Mia Bergeron's interest in art was cultivated early on, beginning with continuous exposure to visual works through her parents' graphic design firm in New York City. In 1998, Mia studied at the Rhode Island School of Design. After taking foundational courses at RISD, Mia decided to pursue a more traditional education. In 2002-2005, Mia studied and taught at The Charles H...
Category

2010s Photorealist Art

Materials

Wax, Oil, Panel

Coca-Cola, City Reflection Silkscreen by CJ Yao
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ching Jang (C.J.) Yao, Taiwanese (1941 - 2001) Title: Coca-Cola Year: 1981 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Paper Size: 22 x 23 in. (55.88 x 58....
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Screen

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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