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Photorealist Figurative Paintings

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
Untitled 22 (Lipstick Diptych)
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original diptych painting by American contemporary conceptual painter Bruce Adams from the artist's Untitled series. The “Untitled,” series draws from a variety of visual and his...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Garden s Flower" (2023) by Pegah Samaie, Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Pegah Samaie's (CA based) "Garden's Flower" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a garden plant with leaves that are purple and green variegated with white. About the...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Rebirth" (2023) by Pegah Samaie, Original Oil Painting, Female Portrait
Located in Denver, CO
Pegah Samaie's (CA based) "Rebirth" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a woman laying down on green foliage in a sleeping pose. About the Artist: Pegah Samaie is ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Toward the Light" (2025) Oil Portrait Painting on Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
This beautiful original photorealist oil painting is framed at 21 x 21 inches, and is ready to hang. About the Artist: Serge Marshennikov was born in 1971 in Ufa (Bashkiria, USSR). ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Butterfly Nebula 6" by Patrick Nevins Oil painting of Blue Butterfly in Space
Located in Denver, CO
Patrick Nevins (Charleston, SC, US based) "Butterfly Nebula" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a brilliant blue butterfly with stars as a backdrop. The piece is fram...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"The Box" (2025), Original Oil Still-Life by Megan Elizabeth Read
Located in Denver, CO
This painting is framed at 14.50 x 17.50 inches, ready to hang. Megan Elizabeth Read (b. 1982) is an American figurative artist living and working in Charlottesville, Virginia. Larg...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

"Study of Someone" Portrait Oil Painting 16" x 14" in by Casey Baugh
Located in Culver City, CA
"Study of Someone" Portrait Oil Painting 16" x 14" in by Casey Baugh Medium: oil and ash on linen panel ABOUT THE ARTIST: Baugh's work can be described as narrative impressionisti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Hannah s Mirror, Variation #3: The Expulsion from Eden
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ian Hornak Title: Hannah's Mirror, Variation #3: The Expulsion from Eden Year: 1977 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed, dated, and titled verso Size: 42 x 60 inches (106.68 x 152....
Category

1970s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fabulous Broadway, Photorealist Oil Painting by Joseph Michetti
By Joseph Michetti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Joseph Michetti, American (1934 - ) Title: Fabulous Broadway Year: 2003 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 30 in. x 40 in. (76.2 cm x 101.6 cm)
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Stream, Photorealist Oil on Canvas Painting by Lowell Nesbitt
Located in Long Island City, NY
This painting was created by American artist Lowell Blair Nesbitt. His most well known series, and perhaps his most beautiful and poetic, are the more than four hundred works he crea...
Category

1980s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"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 Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

Sorcerer Series: Beast Head, Spider Web
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Sorcerer Series: Beast Head, Spiderweb Year: February 1969 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 72 x 48 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Sign...
Category

1960s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Untitled 030 (Hammer and Iron)
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original diptych painting by American contemporary conceptual painter Bruce Adams from the artist's Untitled series. Each work measure 24" x 24' and comes framed in a silver meta...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Unbearable Lightness of Being. 2019, canvas, oil, 25x25 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Unbearable Lightness of Being. 2019, canvas, oil, 25x25 cm Abeltina Barbara (1988) graduated in 2017 from the Art Academy of Latvia with a Master’s degree in painting. She also hol...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Self portrait. 2019, canvas, oil, 40x30 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Self portrait. 2019, canvas, oil, 40x30 cm Abeltina Barbara (1988) graduated in 2017 from the Art Academy of Latvia with a Master’s degree in painting. She also holds a Master’s de...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Butterfingering" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Butterfingering" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a donut topped with butterfinger topping. Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri,...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Pure Gold" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Sheri Farabaugh's "Pure Gold" is a handmade, original oil painting that depicts the white and golden flowers of a yucca plant blossoming. Artist Stat...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Vaca", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Ali Ghassan's "Vaca" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a black and white cow with yellow and blue graffiti in the background. About the ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Agelada", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Ali Ghassan's "Agelada" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a orange cow with yellow ear tags licking its nose with green and blue graffiti ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Stack One (Parlor), " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Stack One (Parlor)" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a tall stack of five glazed donuts, with toppings, piled on top of each other. A...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Baker s Dozen", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Dianne L. Massey Dunbar's (US based) "Baker's Dozen" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts twelve glazed donuts in a white pastry box. About the artist: When Dianne Massey...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

"Samsara" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Mia Bergeron's (US based) "Samsara" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the glow of a lit candle casting a halo on a blue background. Mia Bergeron's interest in art ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wax, Oil, Panel

"Chocolate Coconut" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Chocolate Coconut" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a chocolate donut covered with coconut shavings. Gregory was born in Kansas City, ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"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 Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Bicycles III", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Dianne L. Massey Dunbar's (US based) "Bicycles III" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts the layered view of red bicycles and gears, in profile, locked to a bike rack...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Rush Hour" Large 38x50" Super Realism painting of vintage Tin Toys PLUS toys
Located in Southampton, NY
This large Super realism painting by New York artist Cesar Santander Is one of his masterpieces. It is titled "Rush Hour," and measures 38 x50". Painted in 2001, it is signed, titled, and dated on the verso and is acrylic on canvas and wood panel. Making this listing very Special, we have also included in this offering, all of the tin toys that inspired this painting and they are in a clear box with mirrors on the 2 sides, the back and the bottom of the lucite box and can be displayed along side the painting just how the toys are featured in the painting. You can see an image of that mirrored box in this listing. Santander first sets up the layout of these vintage tin toys...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel

"I Believe in Ghosts" is a contemporary trompe l oeil painting
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"I Believe in Ghosts" is a contemporary trompe l'oeil painting of words scrambled with Casper the Friendly Ghost. The ghost in this case is not just Casper the Friendly Ghost, howe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Scraping", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Dianne L. Massey Dunbar's (US based) "Scraping" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a construction worker smoothing freshly poured cement in a developing urban landscape. About the artist: When Dianne Massey...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Transcendence" Figurative Narrative "Being Human" vs "Human Being"
Located in San Antonio, TX
Samuel Wilson (Born 1986) San Antonio, TX Image Size: 24 x 48 Medium: Oil on Canvas "Transcendence" When you see them in person you will say UNBELIEVEAB...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Arabella" (2024) Original Still Life Oil Portrait, Child Portrait
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Arabella" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a blurred portrait of a young girl. Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1986 and ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Violet" Figurative Oil Painting 55" x 32" inch by Yousra Hafad
Located in Culver City, CA
"Violet" Figurative Oil Painting 55" x 32" inch by Yousra Hafad Yousra Hafad is a young artist who excels in portraiture and particularly the meticulous art of drapery which she adorns her demure female figures in. Her works capture the ideals of female empowerment, and the feminine traits of motherhood, sisterhood, intuition, compassion and grace, all of which her carefully created subjects embody. Yousra Hafad is an Egyptian artist...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

"We the People" Figurative Narrative "Being Human" vs "Human Being"
Located in San Antonio, TX
Samuel Wilson (Born 1986) San Antonio, TX Image Size: 30 x 24 Medium: Oil on Board "WE THE PEOPLE" When you see them in person you will say UNBELIEVEABL...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Tribal Indochine Woman II
Located in Rye, NY
‘Tribal Indochine Woman 2’ is a large photorealist oil on canvas painting created by Vietnamese artist Nguyen Quang Huy in 2008. Featuring a captivating white, grey and black palette...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pecan Pie (large signed giclee on canvas)
Located in Aventura, FL
Giclee on canvas. Hand signed lower right by Doug Bloodworth. Hand numbered 17/150 lower right. Canvas size 44 x 55 inches. Canvas is not stretched. Artwork is in excellent co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Tourists in Rome
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
Tourists in Rome is a large-scale painting capturing a contemporary scene aboard an open-top tour bus navigating the streets of the Eternal City. The viewer’s gaze is drawn toward th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Sandía / Watermelon". Contemporary, Realism, food, figurative
Located in MADRID, ES
"Sandía / Watermelon". Contemporary, Realism, food, figurative, hyperrealism, photorealim
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

La Bataille de Fibonacci
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives in Montpelier, France Classic Painting for Contemporary History He defines his painting as " The world as a representation " His oil on canvas paintings are born ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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 adorned with cautionary tape proclaiming “Fragile,” the figure dons mismatched shoes and, in a comical twist, manages to ensnare herself with her own fishing line. The true essence of instability emanates from the exaggerated facial features...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"Engine 101" Dalmatian NYFD Super realism Oil on Canvas, 2020 Fantasy painting
Located in Southampton, NY
When viewing a painting by Matthew Grabelsky you can immediately see the great technical skill required, the sense of humor and the concept of the pa...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Beacon" Figurative Narrative
Located in San Antonio, TX
Samuel Wilson (Born 1986) San Antonio, TX Image Size: 24 x 60 Medium: Oil "Beacon" When you see them in person you will say UNBELIEVEABLE. From his series "Being Human" vs. "Human B...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Oystering at First Light
Located in Greenwich, CT
Michael Harrell was born in Florida in 1964. He began painting nautical scenes at a young age and created his first published work at age 7. After rece...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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 Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"Mariposa Monarca / Monarch butterfly". Contemporary, Realism, animal, figurativ
Located in MADRID, ES
"Mariposa Moarca / Monarch butterfly". Contemporary, Realism, animal, figurative
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

"Last Night" Figurative Oil Painting 43" x 39" inch by Yousra Hafad
Located in Culver City, CA
"Last Night" Figurative Oil Painting 43" x 39" inch by Yousra Hafad Yousra Hafad is a teacher at the Faculty of Art Education in her native Luxor. Her pa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Ciruelas / Plums". Contemporary, Realism, food, figurative
Located in MADRID, ES
"Ciruelas / Plums". Contemporary, Realism, food, figurative, hyperrealism, photorealim
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Suitcase with teddy bears
Located in CAMPO REAL, ES
This landscape-oriented painting is an intriguing work that stands out for its grisaille technique and its focus on tonal play. On the left, there is a painting within the painting: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Flowers with Vessel 5" (2024), Original Oil Portrait by Megan Elizabeth Read
Located in Denver, CO
Megan Elizabeth Read's "Breath" is an original, handmade oil painting created in 2024 depicts a still-life of dark red carnations balanced in a small vase, cast in shadows. Megan El...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

NYC Kid
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives and works in Montpelier, France He defines his painting as Classic Painting for Contemporary History " The world as a representation " His oil on canvas painting...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Afternoon Light - Looking Through the Parking Lot, Oil Painting by Mickey Frome
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Mickey Frome Title: Afternoon Light - Looking Through The Parking Lot Year: 2002 Medium: Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, Signed lr Size: 34 x 44 inches
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Mickey Frome, "Westbound Across the Early Morning Sky, " Oil on Canvas, 2003
Located in Long Island City, NY
This photorealistic oil painting on canvas was created by self-taught American artist Mickey Frome. Frome is greatly interested in hyperrealistic representations of cars, trucks, mot...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Se faire les ongles
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives in Montpelier, France Classic Painting for Contemporary History He defines his painting as " The world as a representation " His oil on canvas paintings are born ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

La Grande Parade
Located in Paris, FR
Jerome Romain lives and works in Montpelier, France He defines his painting as Classic Painting for Contemporary History " The world as a representation " His oil on canvas painting...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Untitled 21 (Cocktail Diptych)
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original diptych painting by American contemporary conceptual painter Bruce Adams from the artist's Untitled series. The “Untitled,” series draws from a variety of visual and his...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

In These Shoes
Located in London, GB
In These Shoes A super sexy oil on linen provocative BDSM painting of a sexy woman wearing Louboutin heels. Martin Allen is a London based artist. Marti...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Cover of Newsweek, Kruschev, Russia March 16th 1959
Located in Miami, FL
Cover of Newsweek, Kruschev, March 16th 1959 Works on Paper (Drawings, Watercolors etc.), Gouache on board 12 x 12 in. (30.5 x 30.5 cm.) Signed Lower left Powerful study of Russian ...
Category

1950s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gouache

"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 Figurative Paintings

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 Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wax, Oil, Panel

"Coconut Cream" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Coconut Cream" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a pastry dotted with a textured topping. Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Powdered Sugar" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Powdered Sugar" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a powdered donut with a white background. Gregory was b...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Sticky Bun" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Gregory Block's (US based) "Sticky Bun" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a pastry topped with candied pecans and sticky glaze. Gregor...
Category

2010s Photorealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Photorealist figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist figurative paintings 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 figurative paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Gregory Block, Bruce Adams, James Van Fossan, and Mia Bergeron. 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 figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative paintings 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 $228 and tops out at $100,000, while the average work sells for $3,000.