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
Ian Curtis of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Ian Curtis by Kevin Cummins. Edition number 38/75
This iconic shot of the Joy Division singer was taken at T...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Prince 1981 by Tony Mottram
Located in Austin, TX
Prince by photographer Tony Mottram. Taken at the Lyceum, London on 2nd June 1981, during Prince's first ever UK appearance.
Signed limited A2 size print, Edition number 11/100
Tony recalls - I got a call from Jill Furmanovsky saying she’d double booked herself. She had been booked to photograph Bruce Springsteen at Wembley, and some unknown guy at a small venue in The Strand. “She said she would go to the Wembley and asked me to go to photo the other gig. Well it turned out to be Prince at his first ever gig in the UK. Back then nobody was too sure about Prince’s sexuality so I went along to The Strand and assumed he’d be playing at Heaven – a gay venue. I got there, but my name wasn’t on the door which wasn’t too unusual. I talked the security guard around to let me in saying I had to photo this performer who was about to go on stage inside. I got in and realized Prince wasn’t performing there and it was just a normal night in the club. So I had a quick pint of Guinness and left. I had to sprint up the road to the Lyceum knowing that I’d probably miss the support act. I got there in time and got the photos of Prince...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Giclée
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones by Barrie Wentzell
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Keith Richards, taken by Barrie Wentzell in 1966 on the set of English TV show, “Ready Steady Go”
This print is available in the follo...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Patti Smith Fuck The Clock
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith wearing her “Fuck The Clock” t-shirt by Allan Tannenbaum, taken at CBGB in New York, New Years Eve 1977. Available in different ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Debbie Harry Blondie 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Debbie Harry of Blondie by Michael Brennan, taken at the studio on East 45th in Manhattan, New York, USA, Febru...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Mick Jagger with camera by Baron Wolman signed 11x14" limited edition print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, TX
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones by the legendary late photographer, Baron Wolman, Taken on the set of "Performance" in London, September 1968.
One copy available
Signed limited e...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Noel Gallagher by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art photograph of Noel Gallagher during his Oasis days by celebrated rock photographer, Jill Furmanovsky.
Location: Music G...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Patti Smith and John Belushi
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith and John Belushi taken backstage before their Saturday Night Live appearance in April 1976 by Allan T...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Led Zeppelin on the Starship 1973
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Led Zeppelin by Michael Brennan, taken aboard their Boeing 707 ‘Starship’, on their way to Detroit, US, January 31, 1975.
T...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Keith Richards, Marquee Sound Check 1971
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Keith Richards by Alec Byrne, taken at The Marquee Club, London, March 26th 1971, during a Rolling Stones soundcheck.
Alec recalls, “There was a classic moment during sound check when Jagger was watching Keith, then turned to Mick Taylor...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment
David Bowie 1977 Heroes session – Speak No Evil
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie, "Speak No Evil", 1977 by Masayoshi Sukita, taken during the photo shoot for the Heroes album cover - Signed limited edition 20" x 24" print ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
The Rolling Stones backstage by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones, featuring Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, taken backstage before a show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. June 12t...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Kate Moss at 16
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Kate Moss by Jake Chessum, taken when she was an unknown 16 year old model, just starting her career.
Jake recalls, "I had heard of Kate as she was...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20"" print of Bob Marley by Lynn Goldsmith, taken in 1980.
Limited edition number 6/20
Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping.
Lynn Goldsm...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
David Bowie 1978
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie live on stage in Canada by John R Rowlands.
Signed limited edition 17x22" print, number 17/25
Hand signed and number by the artist.
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Charlie Watts contact sheet by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition contact sheet print of Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, taken at the Halcyon Hotel in London in March 1991 by Jill Furmanovs...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Jimi Hendrix 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
Jimi Hendrix, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz taken during Gered's first phot shoot with Hendrix.
Signed limited edition 16x20" print, signed and numbered by Gered Mankowitz featuri...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The Rolling Stones "Swarkestone Contact Sheet" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, TX
“Swarkestone Contact Sheet” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, London, 1968. Featu...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
John Lennon 1968 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of John Lennon by Alec Byrne, taken during a 1968 party held at the Mayfair Hotel for new Apple Publishing act Grapefruit.
Alec Byrne si...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Chris Cornell
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Chris Cornell by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls the session: ” This was a brief and friendly shoot at the Toronto Internatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
The Rolling Stones "Mick and Chick" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, TX
“Mick and Chick” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Hampstead, L...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Dolly Parton and Mick Jagger
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Country music star Dolly Parton hugs rock star Mick Jagger backstage after her Bottom Line concert. NYC 5/14/77 ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Kate Moss at sixteen
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Kate Moss by Jake Chessum, taken when she was an unknown 16 year old model, just starting her career.
Jake recalls, "I had heard of Kate as she was...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Dolly Parton 1977 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Dolly Parton taken in New York City in 1977 by Allan Tannenbaum
This Dolly Parton print is available in th...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Courtney Love 1996
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of Courtney Love by celebrated British photographer, Kevin Cummins, taken in Zurich Switzerland, 1996....
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Amy Winehouse
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Amy Winehouse taken in London by Jake Chessum in 2004.
Jake recalls the session: “I travelled from NYC to London in Febr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Muhammad Ali Taping Fists
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of American professional boxer and activist Muhammad Ali during a training session at his training camp on 58 Sculps Hill Road, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Willie Nelson playing pool
Located in Austin, TX
Willie Nelson, taken playing pool at the Pedernales Studio's in 1983 by photographer Scott Newton
Signed limited edition print, printed on heavyweight co...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Pete Townshend of The Who. Signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, TX
Pete Townshend, guitarist from The Who, taken by photographer, Baron Wolman at a recording studio in London, 1968
One copy available
Limited edition number 6/150, signed and noted b...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Deborah Harry, 1986
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after)
Title: Deborah Harry, 1986
Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Year: 2004
Edition: Outside the edi...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The Beastie Boys
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of the Beastie Boys by Jake Chessum.
Jake recalls ” This was from April 1994. I flew from London to shoot at Mike D’s ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
C Print
Gary Clark Jr backstage
By Ben Sklar
Located in Austin, TX
Gary Clark Jr taken in his dressing room, backstage at the Fillmore West, San Francisco by Ben Sklar
Available in the following sizes:
16" x 20" - Edition 20 - signed and numbered b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
David Bowie 1969 portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of David Bowie by Alec Byrne, taken at the Coventry Theatre, October 8th 1969, just before Bowie’s opening slot...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Diana Ross
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Diana Ross, taken by Barrie Wentzell in 1975.
This Diana Ross print is available in the following sizes.
16...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Richard Blair Photograph "Daily News - Chinatown" San Francisco c.1974
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Blair Photograph "Daily News - Chinatown" San Francisco c.1974
Fine black and white photograph by noted American photographer Richard Blair. Richard Blair has been in a phot...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Duomo
Located in Milano, MI
Marcelo Soulé (Buenos Aires, 1958) trained at the Artistic Lyceum and the Brera Academy in Milan. He lives and works between Milan and Barcelona. He bega...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Inkjet, Pigment
"Incredible Rocks #6, Kangaroo Island, Australia" Black and White Photograph
By Elaine Ling
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph of the natural rock formations along the shores of Kangaroo Island, Australia by Canadian photographer Elaine Ling. Titled by artist on the reverse. Currently hung in a black frame with a complimentary white matting.
Dimensions Without Frame: H 18.25 in. x W 23.88 in.
Artist Biography: Elaine Ling (DECEMBER 19, 1946 – AUGUST 1, 2016) was an exuberant adventurer, traveler, and photographer who was most at home backpacking her view camera...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Super Constellation Lockheed - Full Framed Fine Art Edition
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
$1,401 Sale Price
20% Off
The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser (CIA-Roma) - Full Framed Fine Art Edition
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This photo was made in 1953, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and the technical parameters (fram...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Famiglia numerosa, Bangkok 1958 - Full Framed Black
White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Famiglia numerosa, Bangkok
This photo was made in 1958, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and th...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
$1,401 Sale Price
20% Off
Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960 - Full Framed Black
White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Purezza, Miyajima - Japan 1960
This photo was made in 1960, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
$1,401 Sale Price
20% Off
Il cuoco felice - Thailand 1959 - Full Framed Black
White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Il cuoco felice
This photo was made in 1959, printed later, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
La sorella maggiore, Thailand (1959) - Full Framed Black
White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
« La sorella maggiore », In a Méo village, Thaïland
This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork :
The F...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Eiffel Tower, Tokyo ( 1957 ) - Japan - Full Framed Black
White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
Eiffel Tower, Tokyo - Japan
This photo was made in 1957, the negative was digitized during the artist's lifetime and th...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Mick Jagger, 1973
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after)
Title: Mick Jagger, 1973
Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Year: 2004
Edition: 99/150
Signed: Si...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Gita in famiglia, Thaïland (1957) - Full Framed Black
White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork :
The Fine Art print on Baryta paper is mounted on a 2mm dib...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The water carrier - Thailand 1959 - Full Framed 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 is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork :
The Fine Art print on Baryt...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Er Fusto, Roma Ciampino Airport (1953) Full Framed Black
White Fine Art Print
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 1 on 5 sold in limited edition in perfect condition
This is a Minimalist framing & presentation of the artwork :
The Fine Art print on Baryta paper is mounted on a 2mm dibo...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Sensu - underwater black
white photograph - archival paper 35x51"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Underwater black and white photograph of a young woman gracefully poised beneath the dark water surface. Her tulle dress merging with her reflection on the underside of the water for...
Category
2010s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 - New York - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 1 composed of 5 Gallery Print 30x40 cm
This is an exceptional offer that we are presenting today. For almost four years, here on 1stdibs, a...
Category
1950s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Liam Gallagher Oasis hotel bed by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed, limited edition print of Liam Gallagher of Oasis by Jill Furmanovsky. Taken relaxing in his hotel room in Rhode Island whilst Oasis were touring the USA in March 1996.
"I lo...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
"Kingston Trio" Iconic American Folk Music Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph of the iconic American folk and pop music group that launched in the late 1950's to the late 1960's. The photograph is not fram...
Category
1960s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Bernadette Peters, 1977
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after)
Title: Bernadette Peters, 1977
Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Year: 2004
Edition: 106/150
Sig...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Ravi Skankar, 1977
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after)
Title: Ravi Skankar, 1977
Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Year: 2004
Edition: 106/150
Signed: ...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Lena Home, 1982
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after)
Title: Lena Home, 1982
Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Year: 2004
Edition: 106/150
Signed: Sig...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Second World War photograph, Lancaster bomber - G for George
Located in London, GB
Charles E. Brown
Lancaster bomber, G for George
Silver gelatine photograph
21 x 14 cm
This striking black and white photograph by Charles E. Brown showcases the magnificent Lancast...
Category
1940s Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Rare Silver Gelatin Photograph "Jewish Deli, Poland" c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
Silver Gelatin Photograph "Jewish Deli, Poland" c.1930
Rare photograph of a group of men standing in the doorway of a Jewish Deli in Poland in the 1930s....
Category
Early 20th Century Photorealist Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Film
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 Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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.