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Photorealist Portrait 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
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

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 Portrait 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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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 Portrait 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 Portrait 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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Led Zeppelin by Robert Knight 30x40” signed limited edition black white print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Led Zeppelin by legendary rock photographer, Robert M Knight, taken in Hawaii at Honolulu airport on 12th May 1969, holding the master tapes to Led Ze...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Early 20th Century Hand Colored Portraits of a Young Couple C.1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th Century Hand Colored Portraits of a Young Couple C.1900 Handsome young couple. Hand tinted photos. American portraits. Victorian period...
Category

Early 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Watercolor, Photographic Paper

Elton John Takes Flight, special co-signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
Elton John by photographer Ed Caraeff, taken on-stage at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in California, November 15, 1970. This special edition. print is co-signed by Elton John a...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Light Keeper
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
The Light Keeper, is a black and white photograph printed on Canvas and presented on stretcher bars, ready for installation or further framing. This work has a serene, meditative quality and evokes, peace and calm. Delicate, spiritual yet powerful work. Created by world renowned photographer, Robert Salisbury Knight...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Canvas, Photographic Paper

Bill Carroll/George Barris, "First and Last Diptych, " original photographs
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is comprised of two original photographs, from the original negatives, by George Barris and Bill Carroll, framed side by side. These photographs represent the first and l...
Category

1940s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

1960 s Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller Barbara Streisand
Located in White Plains, NY
'Barbara Streisand, 1969' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Digital pigment, Ed. 10/35. Image: 13.75 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. This bl...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Laszlo Willinger, "Katharine Hepburn, " orig. photograph from orig.negative
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is an original photograph from the original negative taken by Laszlo Willinger circa 1940 and printed in 1989. It depicts the iconic actress Katharine Hepburn during the p...
Category

1940s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Bent Sound - underwater portrait of Njomza Vitia - archival pigment print 18x24"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Bent Sound" - An ethereal underwater fine art photograph that captures the intersection of music and movement through a portrait of singer Njomza Vitia. This submerged portrait tran...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Contemporary Modern The Hilton Brothers Portraits of Andy Warhol, 2007
Located in Madrid, MD
Andy Dandy (TEN), 2007 The Hilton Brothers (Christopher Makos y Paul Solberg). Pigmented inks on photographic paper. 5/5 Edition. The Hilton Brothers latest collaboration, ANDYDANDY, is a portfolio of 20 digital pigment prints. All are diptychs that combine images from Makos "Altered Image" portraits of Andy Warhol with flower images from Solberg's "Bloom" series. The images of Andy Warhol in "Andy Dandy" are the result of a 1981 collaboration between Makos and Warhol called "Altered Image", through which the photographer and his subject used unexpected combinations of simple elements to explore Identity, as did Man Ray (Makos' mentor) and Duchamp decades earlier. Warhol slightly altered his appearance with make-up and a wig, otherwise remaining in his street clothes. It was all the outward change Warhol felt he needed. Andy said, "I'm not trying to look beautiful like Elizabeth Taylor, I'm trying to show what it feels like to be beautiful like Elizabeth Taylor." Solberg's photographs of single flowers, exquisitely composed and lit, pare the images down to the intensity of color and form. Solberg undertook his study of flowers as an exercise in using light...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The Who with children by Art Kane
Located in Austin, TX
The Who under a Union Jack flag, 1968 by Art Kane Shot in 1968 in NYC in Morningside Park near Columbia University, Art Kane had plenty of fun with The Who. Kane described them as “...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Cream 1968 by Art Kane
Located in Austin, TX
British psychedelic rock group, Cream, taken in 1968 by Art Kane, featuring Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. Cream was a new kind of blues band. British of course, but put...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Bette Midler Film Set Backstage Baby Daughter Vintage b&w Print Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Bette Midler Film Set Backstage Baby Daughter Vintage b&w Print Contemporary Roddy McDowall (British-American, 1928-1998)m "Bette Midler & Daughter Sop...
Category

1980s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée

Marilyn Monroe . Marilyn Monroe in chinchilla coat
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Bert stern Marilyn Monroe in chinchilla coat Mythical photo of the last seance (1962) ink jet print by bert stern 2010 signed on both sides certificat...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The Black Keys "Shadow" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys “Shadow” taken in Tel Aviv Israel 2023, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with Larry N...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Black Keys "Double Dan" by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
The Black Keys, “Double Dan” print taken in Kansas City, KS, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with L...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dan Auerbach "Ride" San Francisco 2022 by Larry Niehues
Located in Austin, TX
Dan Auerbach “Ride”, San Francisco 2022, signed limited edition prints by The Black Keys official photographer Larry Niehues. The Black Keys relationship with Larry Niehues began t...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film

Tori Amos 1994 Vintage 12"x16" Darkroom Print by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Oginal hand-printed 12x16” darkroom vintage print from photographer Jake Chessum of Tori Amos. Printed by Jake in the 90's, at the time of the photo shoot. Jake recalls the session...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Fiona Apple vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Fiona Apple, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1996, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment. The print...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Willie Nelson portrait by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 20x24" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 20x24"" print of Willie Nelson taken in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith. Limited edition number 5/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Gold...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

David Bowie at The Dorchester Hotel 1972 - Artist Proof Print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed artist proof 20x24" print of David Bowie by Alec Byrne, taken at the Dorchester Hotel, July 1972 Signed by photographer, Alec Byrne and marked "AP" ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Blur - Modern Life Is Rubbish by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of English band Blur, posing in front of the graffiti slogan 'Modern Life is Rubbish', the title of their 1993 album. Blur were the kings of Britpop and are from L-R: Damon...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of Morrissey, former frontman of rock band The Smiths, wearing a plaster on his forehead, September 5, 1991. This Morrissey print by Kevi...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rolling Stones Brian Jones by Bill Wyman
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones photographed in the back of a chauffeured car on the way to the band’s concert at the Palazzo dello Sport in Milan, Italy. April 8th, 1967. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

1960 s Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller Marilyn Monroe
Located in White Plains, NY
'Marilyn Monroe, 1962' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Archival digital pigment, Ed. 9/25. Image: 13.25 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. From the set of the film 'Something...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

John Lee Hooker
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of John Lee Hooker by Guido Harari, taken in Redwood City, California, 1991. 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...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Gary Clark Jr backstage Troubadour portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Gary Clark Jr taken on backstage at The Troubadour, LA, by Ben Sklar Available in the following sizes: 16" x 20" - Edition 20 - signed and numbered by Ben Sklar 20" x 24" - Edition ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Muhammad Ali
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Muhammad Ali shadow boxes at his Deer Lake, PA, training camp. Taken by Allan Tannenbaum in 1977. Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in t...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Amy Winehouse
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

The Beastie Boys
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 Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Patti Smith in her apartment studio 1974
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition archival print of Patti Smith taken in her apartment studio by Allan Tannenbaum, New York City, 1974. Allan Tannenbaum prints are available in the following s...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

El Patriarch
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Digital, Photogram, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

Nina Linda
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment, Digital P...

1960 s Hollywood Photography by Lawrence Schiller Barbara Streisand
Located in White Plains, NY
'Barbara Streisand, 1969' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Digital pigment, Ed. 9/35. Image: 13 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. This black ...
Category

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

La Madre
Located in New York, NY
Steve Schlackman is a lawyer by profession and a photographer by choice. Fascinated by the magical world of photography since his youth, he honed this...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Digital, Photogram, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

Woman with Hand on Chin, 42nd Street
By Paul Graham
Located in New York, NY
Paul Graham Woman with Hand on Chin, 42nd Street, 2008 Pigment ink print with custom mount 13 7/8 x 10 1/2 x 1 1/4 inches Edition 1 of 5, with 2 AP Signed ...
Category

Early 2000s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Ink, Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

1960s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Incognito
Located in Singapore, SG
Handmade resin domes on board with unparalleled craftsmanship by Nemo Jantzen. Every inch of this piece is made by hand, with careful attention to detail. "Paradise" is a stunning pi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Epoxy Resin

Incognito
Incognito
Price Upon Request
The Bride
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Photographic Film

The Bride
Price Upon Request
Sight Unseen
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Sight Unseen
Price Upon Request
Empire
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Empire
Price Upon Request
Mosaic
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram

Mosaic
Price Upon Request
Nomad
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram

Nomad
Price Upon Request
Children of God II
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram

Porcelain Alliance
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category

2010s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram

Farewell
Located in New York, NY
With his works included in the permanent collection at the Norton and the New Britain Museum, Drew Tal’s successful career has been nothing but a soaring ascension into the global ar...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Photogram

Farewell
Price Upon Request

Photorealist portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist portrait 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. If you’re looking to add portrait photography 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, pink, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Lynn Goldsmith, Jake Chessum, Drew Tal, and Kevin Cummins. Frequently made by artists working with C Print, and 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 portrait photography, so small editions measuring 6.25 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait 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 $210 and tops out at $28,800, while the average work sells for $2,250.

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