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Photorealist Black and White Photography

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
Flame - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 18 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This intimate monochromatic underwater photograph captures a naked woman in a moment of quiet contemplation, her elegant form rising from the grainy bottom like a slender tongue of f...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Escape - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 26 x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This contemplative monochromatic nude photograph captures a naked woman suspended in minimalist gray waters, surrounded by a constellation of air bubbles ascending toward an unseen s...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Apriel - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment 18 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This underwater nude photograph showcases delicate interplay between light, shadow, and movement as hair cascades weightlessly around the topless subject's contemplative profile. The...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

The Slope - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 18 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Resting against the gentle gradient of sand, a naked figure finds repose where water transforms gravity and perception. The slope becomes both support and metaphor—a study in balance...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

No Way - black white nude photograph - archival pigment print 22x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a perfect woman's buttocks and her handcuffed hands giving a finger. Museum-quality archival pigment print on archival paper, personally signed by th...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

Escape - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 18 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This contemplative monochromatic nude photograph captures a naked woman suspended in minimalist gray waters, surrounded by a constellation of air bubbles ascending toward an unseen s...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Fiesta Photography Mexico Stamped Karol Kállay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography done for the publication Mexico/Volk und Welt Berlin 1968/stamped on the back with authors stamp.
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

No Way - black white nude photograph - archival pigment print 43 x 68"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a perfect woman's buttocks and her handcuffed hands giving a finger. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment p...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

Two cigarettes Photography Mexico Signed Karol Kállay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography done for publication Mexico/Volk und Welt, signed by the author on the back.
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Joe Dallesandro Andy Warhol Trash promo photo
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jack Mitchell, American Photographer (1925-2013). Joe Dallesandro, ca. 1973. 11 x 14 inches; 12 x 15 inches framed. Period print from artist's studio. The image was intended for ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence” 1974 by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, TX
As a renowned graphic designer (with 5 Grammy nominations), Norman Seeff has designed a number of large-scale composites and sequences. Signed limited edition sequence print of comed...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Apriel - underwater black white nude photograph - archival pigment 35 x 43"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Apriel" captures a serene underwater moment in striking black and white. This fine art underwater photograph showcases delicate interplay between light, shadow, and movement as hair cascades weightlessly around the topless subject's contemplative profile. The monochromatic palette enhances the dreamlike quality, creating an ethereal atmosphere that transcends conventional portraiture. This evocative image continues the tradition of underwater fine art photography that explores themes of transformation and liminality. The composition's intimate perspective invites viewers to experience the boundary between worlds—a visual poetry of submersion and emergence that resonates within contemporary underwater portraiture. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, furnished with certificate of authenticity. Limited edition of 24 Paper size: 36x44...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Slow Time - underwater black white nude photograph - archival pigment 16"x23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude photograph of a young woman in a swimming pool and her shadow on the bottom of the pool. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigme...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

David Bowie The Archer
Located in Austin, TX
This iconic image of David Bowie as The Thin White Duke was taken by renowned Rock photographer, John Rowlands, on February 26th, 1976, at Maple Leaf Gar...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor signed Lifetime Edition
Located in Austin, TX
Lifetime prints are the last remaining prints available, signed by Terry O’Neill and obtained from the Terry O’Neill Archive in London. Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Filled with Light
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture belongs to. a set of photographs, done by Kallay in NYC in 1965 for a German book publisher.
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

No Way - black white nude photograph - print on paper 15" x 23"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a perfect woman's buttocks and her handcuffed hands giving a finger. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

On Broadway, New York, 1955 Framed Edition Contemporary Black White Photograph
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork #1 / 5 sold in perfect condition printed on baryta heavyweight paper & framed (black metal border) From the collection called "Art 2014", format 30x42 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS + 2 AP Artwork printed later on fine art papers later (2014) from black & white negatives processed in 1962 During the 15 year period in which Fabrizio La Torre...
Category

1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Infinity - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival paper 28"x35"
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 Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Piercing Light - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 18 x 24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This breathtaking monochromatic photograph captures a naked woman of striking grace ascending through the darkness. Her soft, elegant form rising to meet the sharp, aggressive beams ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Joe Dallesandro Andy Warhol Trash promo photo
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jack Mitchell, American Photographer (1925-2013). Joe Dallesandro, ca. 1973. 11 x 14 inches; 12 x 15 inches framed. Period print from artist's studio. The image was intended for ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Bob Dylan portrait by Guido Harari
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Bob Dylan by Guido Harari, taken in Sirmione, Italy, 1984. Available in the following sizes: A. 11” x 16” - Edition 50 B. 16” x 20” - Edition 50 C. 20” x 28” - Edition 25 D. 32” x 44” - Edition 10 E. 44” x 59” - Edition 5 Guido Harari has photographed many music legends in his prolific career in Italy. Lou Reed said about him: "I'm always happy when Guido takes my picture because I know it will be a musical picture. And it will also have some poetry and feeling to it. The things that Guido captures with his portraits are generally speaking ignored by other photographers. I consider Guido a friend, not a photographer". Guido started out in the early Seventies as a music photographer and journalist, also exploring reportage, fashion, advertising and corporate photography. He’s produced record covers for Kate Bush, David Crosby...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Soft Dance II - underwater black white nude photograph - archival print 23х17"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print signed by the artist. Limited edition of 24 Paper size: 24x18"...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Ann Richards and Dolly Parton in Austin Texas by Scott Newton
Located in Austin, TX
Texan politician and former Texas governor, Ann Richards with Dolly Parton taken at the Driskill Hotel, Austin Texas in 1982 by photographer Scott Newton Photographers notes: We wer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Manhattan Rythm
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Black and White, 1965 NYC a part of book which Kallay prepared for a German publisher.
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Manhattan Rythm
$382 Sale Price
70% Off
Fiat Lux, Roma 1962 - Contemporary Black White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in perfect condition Limited Edition of 5 + 2 AP : Fiat Lux. Religiously parked under the watchful gaze of the Blessed Virgin, the ca...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Soft Dance - underwater black white nude photograph - archival pigment 23"х16"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a naked young woman diving in a pool. The woman is coming from the depth up toward the surface and her body reflects in the internal water surface. O...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Jack Nicholson
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Jack Nicholson at the Carlisle Hotel, March 1981 by Allan Tannenbaum. Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Piercing Light - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 26 x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This breathtaking monochromatic photograph captures a naked woman of striking grace ascending through the darkness. Her soft, elegant form rising to meet the sharp, aggressive beams ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Apriel - underwater black white nude photograph - archival pigment 43"x52"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Apriel" captures a serene underwater moment in striking black and white. This fine art underwater photograph showcases delicate interplay between light, shadow, and movement as hair...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Bianca and Mick Jagger, 1976
Located in White Plains, NY
'Bianca and Mick Jagger,' 1976 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment print, 10 x 15 inch photo on 17 x 22 inch on the finest satin photo paper, Ed. of 50...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Pigment

No Way - black and white nude photograph - print on aluminum 39" x 62"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a perfect woman's buttocks and her handcuffed hands giving a finger. Original digital print on aluminum plate signed by the artist. Limited edition o...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Metal

No Way - black white nude photograph - archival pigment print 35x55"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A black and white photograph of a perfect woman's buttocks and cuffed hands giving a finger. Original gallery quality print signed by the artist. Digital archival pigment print. P...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

Infinity - underwater black and white nude photograph - archival paper 17"x22"
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 Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Foundry - Black and White Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
High contrast photo by Peter Stackpole (American, 1913-1997). The photo shows a hot bar of metal on a large machine, about to be worked. The metal is g...
Category

1930s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

The Slope - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 25" x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Resting against the gentle gradient of sand, a naked figure finds repose where water transforms gravity and perception. The slope becomes both support and metaphor—a study in balance...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Ripples - underwater black white nude photograph - archival pigment print
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude black and white photograph of a perfect female torso wrapped in sunlight. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, fur...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

"Monument Valley" Black and White Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
"Monument Valley" Black and White Photograph Stunning photograph of Monument Valley, Utah, by an unknown artist (20th Century). A gnarled, ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality print of Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller, taken in 1960 Signed limited edition 16x20" print, edition number 15/75
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mezzogiorno al Pantheon, 1958 - Roma - Large size Black White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 2 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition Mezzogiorno al Pantheon, 1958. At noon, a fountain in the Pantheon Square, work of Giacomo della Porta, (such as so ma...
Category

1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Co-signed Raquel Welch on the cross by Terry O Neill
Located in Austin, TX
Co-signed by both Raquel Welch and photographer Terry O'Neill, 20x24" silver gelatin print. Actress Raquel Welch in a photo conceived by photographer Terry O'Neill after Welch noted that she was afraid that the press would "crucify" her for her film choices, taken on the Fox Lot in the late 1960s. Originally deemed too scandalous for promotional use at the time, the photo wasn't published until 30 years later, on the cover of The Sunday Times...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie Diamond Dogs by Terry O Neill
Located in Austin, TX
Rare, signed silver gelatin print of David Bowie with a large barking dog for publicity shots for his 1974 album ‘Diamond Dogs’ in London. 12x16" silver gelatin darkroom print, sign...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie The Archer - New special XL edition - 70x40"
Located in Austin, TX
Special XL limited edition series - paper size 70" wide x 40" high This iconic image of David Bowie as The Thin White Duke was taken by renowned Rock photographer, John Rowlands, o...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Page Led Zeppelin live on stage 1975
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Jimmy Page, lead guitarist of British rock band Led Zeppelin on stage at the Olympia stadium in Detroit, US, January 31, 1975, taken by Michael Brenna...
Category

1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Big Car
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The photography belongs to a cycle of photographies of NY, published in the book "New York", Verlag und Volk, Berlin 1967. Signed by the author on the back, certificate will be inclu...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Big Car
$436 Sale Price
88% Off
John Lennon and Yoko Ono by Barrie Wentzell
Located in Austin, TX
John Lennon & Yoko Ono taken outside the white room of their home in Tittenhurst, Ascot, UK in 1971. Barrie Wentzell recalls, "I visited John and Yoko one afternoon accompanying a f...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Marianne Faithfull by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
English singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull, photographed at The Salisbury pub in London, 1964. Available in the following sizes. All prints signed and numbered by Ger...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

John and Yoko at the Dakota, 1980
Located in White Plains, NY
'John and Yoko at the Dakota,' 1980 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Silver gelatin print, 1982. 15 x 10 inch photo on 22 x 17 inch on t...
Category

1980s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Kelp Nymph - underwater ocean black white photograph print on paper 26" x 36"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of a beautiful young woman diving in kelp forest. The picture is taken in Pacific Ocean near Palos Verdes, Califor...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Double Trouble - underwater black white nude photograph - paper print 24 x 35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An underwater black and white photograph of two naked young women in the pool. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist. Limited editio...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Steve Martin, “Let’s Get Small Sequence”, framed 24x48" print by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 24" x 48" print, edition number 26/50. Custom frames with 8 ply matte and non-glare museum glass Frame dimensions: 56” wide x 30” high x 1” deep As a renowne...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ripples - underwater black white nude photograph - archival pigment print
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater nude black and white photograph of a perfect female torso wrapped in sunlight. Original gallery quality archival pigment print on archival paper signed by the artist, fur...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

1960 s Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller Marilyn Monroe
Located in White Plains, NY
'Marilyn Monroe, 1962' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Digital pigment, Ed. 26/35. Image: 13.5 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. From the set of the film 'Something's Got to...
Category

1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Apriel - underwater black white nude photograph - archival pigment 29x35"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Apriel" captures a serene underwater moment in striking black and white. This fine art underwater photograph showcases delicate interplay between light, shadow, and movement as hair...
Category

2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

The Beatles "Yesterday and Today" contact sheet print by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
The Beatles contact sheet by Robert Whitaker from the photo session that ended up being the controversial cover for the 1966 release "Yesterday and Today". On March 25, 1966, The Beatles visited 1 The Vale, Chelsea, London, a top-floor studio leased by Oluf Nilssen and frequently used by renowned photographer Robert Whitaker. Before the photo session with Robert Whitaker, The Beatles posed for a more conventional session at the studio with Nigel Dickson of The Beatles Book...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

The water carrier - Thailand 1959 - Large size 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 photo was made in 1959, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist...
Category

1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie Ohio 1976 by Janet Macoska
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of David Bowie, photographed performing live on stage in Ohio, 1976 by Janet Macoska Available in various sizes: 16x20" Lambda C-Type Edition: 25 20x24...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Acqua e fantasia, 1956 - Limited Edition Photorealist Black White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition Print called "Art 2014", format 42 x 60 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS + 2 AP An impressive flood of the Tiber had already battered the pontoons of the few ...
Category

1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Beatles on the set of HELP! by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
The Beatles having fun at Cliveden House whilst taking a break from filming the 1965 comedy, Help! Taken by Robert Whitaker. All limited edition print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Led Zeppelin by Barrie Wentzell
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Led Zeppelin by Barrie Wentzell, taken in 1972. This print is available in the following sizes. 16" x 20" - Edition 50 20" x 24" - Edition 50 30" x ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Photorealist black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist black and white photography 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. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Alex Sher, Allan Tannenbaum, Jake Chessum, and Kevin Cummins. Frequently made by artists working with Pigment Print, and Archival Pigment Print 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 black and white photography, so small editions measuring 5.5 inches across are also available. Prices for black and white photography 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 $200,247, while the average work sells for $1,815.

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