Photorealist 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
Steve Martin, Los Angeles 1974 “Let’s Get Small”
By Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of Steve Martin, taken in Los Angeles by Norman Seeff in 1974.
Norman recalls - “When I relocated to LA as Creative Director of United Artist ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Miss Sparky 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, TX
Miss Sparky by Baron Wolman, taken in Los Angeles in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine.
Limited edition number 2/150, signed and noted by Bar...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Jimi Hendrix at Monterey by Ed Caraeff
By Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Jimi Hendrix setting fire to his Fender Stratocaster guitar while performing at the Monterey Internat...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Rock and Roll Circus Group Portrait
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, archival pigment print from photographer Alec Byrne, taken during the Rock and Roll Circus taping on December 11th, 1968 featuring, ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Jimi Hendrix Experience 1967 Contact Sheet by Gered Mankowitz
Located in Austin, TX
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, London 1967 by Gered Mankowitz
Signed limited edition 16x20" print, signed and numbered by Gered Mankowitz featuring Gered's embossed stamp.
Also avai...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Kate Bush
Located in Austin, TX
Portrait of singer and dancer, Kate Bush by acclaimed photographer, Gered Mankowitz, taken in his London studio in 1978. Kate Bush has seen a huge resurgence...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
George Harrison by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
George Harrison of The Beatles taken by Robert Whitaker in Chiswick Park, London, 1965.
All limited edition prints in this collection are hand numbere...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
David Bowie portrait by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20" silver gelatin print of David Bowie, wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette, by Kevin Cummins, taken in November 1995
Edition number 5/50, signed and numbered by Kevin Cummins.
This David Bowie print...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Raquel Welch
By Eva Sereny
Located in Austin, TX
Modern edition, C-Type print estate stamped and authenticated on reverse by a representative of the Eva Sereny archive.
American film star and sex symbol Raquel Welch...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
The Beatles live in Tokyo
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality print of The Beatles, taken on stage in Tokyo, Japan, by photographer Robert Whitaker.
The Beatles ascend the steps to the stage at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan for a matin...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Eiffel Tower, Tokyo ( 1957 ) - Japan - Large size 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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
United States - New York, 1955 - Contemporary Black
White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork sold in perfect condition, print on baryta paper 310 grs pigment inks of museum quality, limited edition of 5 copies
New-York, January 1956. "United States" Docked at the wharf reserved for its company, the liner United States loads and unloads its passengers who use this means of transport to cross the Atlantic or reach South America. Born not yet knowing the competition of the plane, the liners, (United States, Queen Elizabeth, France), showcases prestigious in their country, fight to seduce a wealthy clientele.
During the 15 year period in which Fabrizio La Torre...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
$1,579 Sale Price
20% Off
Fratello
Sorella, 1961 Limited Edition Photorealist Black
White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Print called "Art 2014", format 42 x 60 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS + 2 AP
Artwork sold in perfect condition
During the 15 year period in which Fabrizio La Torre dedicated himself to phot...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Beatles 1963 by Norman Parkinson
Located in Austin, TX
The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr at the President Hotel, Russell Square, London, 12 September 1963 by Norman Parkinson
NORMAN PARKINSON POST...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Pavarotti, 1977
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after)
Title: Pavarotti, 1977
Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Year: 2004
Edition: 106/150
Signed: Sig...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
"Still Life of White Eggplants and Olive Oil" Modern Photography Still-Life Food
By Beth Galton
Located in Wellesley, MA
"I am a professional food and still life photographer with over 30 years experience based in New York City. My attention to detail and strong sense of composition has allowed me to ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
European Canal Fisherman Early Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Early black and white photograph of a fisherman fishing in what appears to be a European town setting. The photograph is matted to a board to prevent bendi...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Black_and_White_Ver4
By Bob Tabor
Located in New York, NY
Bob Tabor is a well-established, New York based, photographer best known for his exquisite large scaled portraits of subjects ranging from horses to seascapes. It is his unique appro...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Digital, Photogram, Archival Pigm...
Studio 54 Logo/Crowds
Located in White Plains, NY
Studio 54 Logo/Crowds, 1978 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. T...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Archival Pigment
George Barris, "In Her Car Montage, " photolithograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Photographed in her car at the Hollywood Hills home of Tim Leimert, this black and white photolithograph was created from the original negatives in 1962 and printed in 1987. Publishe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Iggy Pop and The Stooges
By Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print by Ed Caraeff of Iggy and the Stooges (L-R Dave Alexander, Iggy Pop in front, Scott Asheton in back and Ron Asheton) taken at ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
White Lady
Located in Kraków, Województwo małopolskie
"White Lady" is a limited-edition black
white photograph by contemporary artist Tadeusz Zych from the series entitled Gifts of the seas and oceans. Edition number 1/5.
Prints ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence, Italy Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy. It is noted for the shops built alo...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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. of 35. Image: 13 x 18.5 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. From the set of the film 'Something's Got to Give', this colored photograph features Marilyn Monroe in a pool with her leg resting over the edge.
In 1962, Schiller received an assignment from Paris Match...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Digital Pigment
Jane Forth
Joe Dallesandro Andy Warhol Trash promo photo
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jack Mitchell, American Photographer (1925-2013).
Jane Forth & Joe Dallesandro, 1970.
11 x 14 inches; 12 x 15 inches framed.
Period print from artist's studio. The image was inte...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Black and White Perspective Photograph of Sidewalk with Trees
Located in Houston, TX
Landscape black and white perspective photograph of a sidewalk and trees. The photograph is matted onto a thick board to protect against bends. The photograph is not framed.
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Sculpture Street Scene Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white sculptural street scene photograph. The photograph is attached to the board to protect against bending.
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Neuschwanstein Castle in the Forrest Bavaria Germany Colored Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Colored photograph of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. The photograph is matted to a thick board to protect against bending. The wo...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
d
Este Eagles Among the Spouts in the Hundred Fountains in the Vill d
Este Photo
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph of d'Este Eagles among the spouts in the Hundred Fountains in the Vill d'Este. The photograph is attached to a board to protect against bending.
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
"Cut Food - Sundae" Modern Photography Food Still-Life with Pop Sensibility
By Beth Galton
Located in Wellesley, MA
"I am a professional food and still life photographer with over 30 years experience based in New York City. My attention to detail and strong sense of composition has allowed me to ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Pink Flight - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 17” x 22”
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This dreamy underwater fine art photograph captures a woman suspended in soft coral and rose-toned waters, creating a feeling of weightless freedom. The gentle pink palette ranges fr...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
The Great Republic, freighter on the Detroit River
Located in Chesterfield, MI
Freighter traffic on the Great Lakes is abundant and exciting to ride along side of!
This photograph is of the Great Republic.
It may also be ordered as a 5 x...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
1920s Photo of the Seawell Cushion Wheel Co. Baseball Team of Detroit
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1920s Detroit-based company baseball team gathered for this photo. The Sewell Cushion Wheel Company’s players wear uniform shirts bearing the timeless term “All Cush,” (frankly, wo...
Category
1920s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
John Lennon "Adoration" by Robert Whitaker
Located in Austin, TX
Iconic photo of John Lennon with a dandelion in his eye, fondly known as 'Adoration' by Robert Whitaker.
Photographed in the garden of his Weybridge h...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
"Cut Food - Donuts and Coffee" Modern Photography Food Still-Life Pop Art
By Beth Galton
Located in Wellesley, MA
"I am a professional food and still life photographer with over 30 years experience based in New York City. My attention to detail and strong sense of composition has allowed me to ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Rolling Stones visit Danceteria in New York City, 1980
Located in White Plains, NY
'The Rolling Stones visit Danceteria in New York City,' July 1980 by famed photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment print, 10 x 15 inch photo on 17 x 22 inch paper, Ed. of 50...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
"Still Life - Cheese and Crackers" Modern Still-Life Food Photography
By Beth Galton
Located in Wellesley, MA
"I am a professional food and still life photographer with over 30 years experience based in New York City. My attention to detail and strong sense of composition has allowed me to ...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Uomini dell’ombra, Roma - 1962 - Contemporary Black
White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 2 on 5 sold in perfect condition
Print called "Art 2014", format 42 x 60 cm. SERIES OF 5 PRINTS + 2 AP
In these dark and sometimes damp alleys, all kinds of petty trafficki...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
$1,579 Sale Price
20% Off
Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall nude contact sheet by Norman Parkinson
Located in Austin, TX
Contact sheet print featuring American model Jerry Hall with singer Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, photographed for Norman Parkinson’s exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
Marilyn Monroe . Wine on the bed . The last sitting (1962)
By Bert Stern
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Marilyn Monroe by Bert Stern (19642
wine on the bed
circa 2009
hand double signed and dated by Bert Stern
COA hand signed by bert stern
edition of 72
perfect condition
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
RON GALELLA - Michael Jackson and Muhammad Ali and wife, Veronica Parker.
By Ron Galella
Located in PARIS, FR
Muhammad Ali, his wife Veronica and Michael Jackson at the 6th annual Robert F. Kennedy Tennis Tournament Party at the Rainbow Room in New York City, August 26, 1977.
Through these p...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Red Cardinal Printed on Aluminum Dibond Photograph. Limited Edition Cardinal
Located in Houston, TX
“Red Cardinal” is a limited edition of 25 prints. Printed on Aluminum Dibond, these limited-edition photographs are designed to preserve the beauty of the original scenes. Each piece...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Film
Down on East River
By Karol Kallay
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Black and White photograph, edition 50, part of book about NY, 1965.
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment
$574 Sale Price
56% Off
Marilyn Monroe . Passed out on the bed . The last sitting
By Bert Stern
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Marilyn Monroe by Bert Stern (1964)
passed out on the bed
circa 2009
hand double signed and dated by Bert Stern
COA hand signed by bert stern
edition of 72
perfect condition
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Hollywood Photography from 1970 by Lawrence Schiller
Clint Eastwood
Located in White Plains, NY
Available at Madelyn Jordon Fine Art. 'Clint Eastwood, 1970' by American photographer, Lawrence Schiller. Archival digital print, EP 2/5. Image: 12.5 x 19 in. / Paper: 16 x 20 in. Fr...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Mid Century Vintage -- Arab Couple - Palestine
By Eva Korn
Located in Soquel, CA
Stunning black and white photograph of Arab couple by photographer Eva Korn (German, 20th c.), circa 1951. Eva Koran studio stamp on verso. Presented in black metal frame and mat. Im...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
Steve Martin, On Fifth Avenue, 1977
Located in White Plains, NY
'Steve Martin, On Fifth Avenue,' 1977 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment print, 10 x 15 inch photo on 16 x 20 inch on the ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Led Zeppelin by Robert Knight 30x40” signed limited edition 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 Photography
Materials
C Print
Liam Gallagher Oasis Slane Castle 1995 by Jill Furmanovsky
Located in Austin, TX
Signed, limited edition print of Liam Gallagher by Jill Furmanovsky. Taken on stage performing with Oasis at Slane Castle in 1995 as the support for REM. Liam argued with the crowd r...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The GTO
s 1968 Groupies, signed limited edition silver gelatin print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, TX
The GTO's by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1968 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine.
Limited edition number 6/150, signed and noted by Baron Wolman
11x14” hand printed silver gelatin print.
The GTOs (Girls Together Outrageously) were an all-girl group from the Los Angeles area, specifically the Sunset Strip scene. Featuring Miss Pamela...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Pink Flight - underwater nude photograph - print on paper 42" x 53"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This dreamy underwater fine art photograph captures a woman suspended in soft coral and rose-toned waters, creating a feeling of weightless freedom. The gentle pink palette ranges fr...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
$1,520 Sale Price
20% Off
Early Black and White Photograph of a Large Cat Lounging in a Zoo Enclosure
Located in Houston, TX
Early black and white photograph of a large cat lounging in a zoo enclosure. The photograph is matted to a board to prevent bending. The photograph is not framed, but options are ava...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
European Architectural Bridal Shop Black and White Photograph
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white photograph with a European setting. The building appears to be a bridal or dress shop. The photograph is attached to a board to protect a...
Category
20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Icelandic Landscapes 1 (Iceland)
Located in MADRID, ES
World - Manipulated photography
The artist Wei Xiang is an artist who usually travels to obtain sources of inspiration for his art pieces. In this series of photographs manipulated w...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
$3,446 Sale Price
20% Off
James Brown Jumps on Broadway, New York City, 1979
Located in White Plains, NY
'James Brown Jumps on Broadway, New York City,' 1979 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment print, 15 x 10 inch photo on 20 x 16 inch on the finest satin ...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Archival Pigment
The lake in winter (Hungary)
Located in MADRID, ES
Hungary - Manipulated photography.
As the country where Wei Xiang has lived for more than 30 years, Hungary has become a continuous source of inspiration for the artist. Evocative la...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
$3,446 Sale Price
20% Off
The Bee Gees 20th Anniversary Party, 1975
Located in White Plains, NY
'The Bee Gees 20th Anniversary Party,' 1975 by famed American photographer, Allan Tannenbaum. Archival pigment print, 10 x 15 inch photo on 17 x 22 inch on th...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Blue Mirror - underwater nude photograph - archival pigment print 17.5 x 23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Blue Mirror" - A haunting underwater fine art photograph capturing a solitary figure suspended in deep azure waters. The minimalist composition presents a nude form diving through c...
Category
2010s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Sting, 1984
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Francesco Scavullo (after)
Title: Sting, 1984
Portfolio: A Photographic Retrospective, Volume I: Song
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Year: 2004
Edition: AP 7/50 (aside from the...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Photorealist photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist 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 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 Alex Sher, Allan Tannenbaum, Lynn Goldsmith, and Jake Chessum. 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 photography, so small editions measuring 5.5 inches across are also available. Prices for 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 $1,930.