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
Period: 20th Century
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Abstract Textural Photograph
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete, with w...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
"Polk Street" Large Scale Textural Photograph San Francisco Abstract
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
"Polk" Large Scale Textural Photograph
Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete. The paint is bold yello...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Scratched Paint - Large Scale Textural Photograph
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of heavily painted concrete that ha...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Grand Teton National Park - Original 1988 Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Grand Teton National Park - Original 1988 Photograph
Original 1988 color photograph of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming in the Style of Steve Mattheis,
. The photograph show...
Category
1980s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Marilyn Monroe nude in Somethings Got To Give by Lawrence Schiller
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality print of Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller, taken on the set of Somethings Got To Give in 1962 during the famous naked swimming pool scene
Signed limited edition 16...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman rare signed platinum print
By Baron Wolman
Located in Austin, US
JIMI HENDRIX ON STAGE AT THE WINTERLAND BALLROOM IN SAN FRANCISCO, FEBRUARY 1968.
One copy available
Signed limited edition #7/150
Rare signed platinum print with deckled bottom edge
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Platinum
Eric Clapton "Shangri La"
By Ed Caraeff
Located in Austin, US
Guitar legend, Eric Clapton, taking a break from recording his album ‘No Reason To Cry’ at Shangri La recording studio in Malibu, CA, US, November 21, 1975. Limited edition number 2/...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Red Hot Chili Peppers by Ebet Roberts
By Ebet Roberts
Located in Austin, US
A classic, stunning shot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1985 by celebrated photographer, Ebet Roberts.
Signed limited edition, hand printed sil...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
12 Photos (Magenta and Yellow) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
12 Photos (Magenta and Yellow) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
Series of detailed macro photos by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). This set of photos shows several textured a...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
12 Photos (Graffiti and Stripes) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
12 Photos (Graffiti and Stripes) - Large Scale Textural Photographs
Series of detailed macro photos by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). This set of photos shows several textured...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Bob Dylan portrait by Guido Harari
By Guido Harari
Located in Austin, US
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. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Painted Concrete - Large Scale Textural Photograph
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
Painted Concrete - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of concrete that has been painted a few ...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Black Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
White Paint Splatters - Large Scale Textural Photograph
Detailed macro photo by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Clark has taken a photograph of white painted concrete with a sp...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Iconics by Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 2 - Roma - 1956 - Vintage Photographs
Located in Brussels, BE
Artworks sold in perfect condition : Set # 2 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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Moss Landing - 1965 Original Black and White Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
Moss Landing - 1965 Original Black and White Photograph
Original black and white photograph of Moss Landing in 1965 by Al Weber (American, 1930-2016). The photograph shows Moss Land...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper
REFLECTIONS - Photography in Black and White , Bjorn Wennerwald
Located in Napoli, IT
Bjorn Wennerwald was born in 1964 and lives in Scandinavia. He graduated as a photographer from Copenhagen Photo College in 1987. During his long career his talents have benefited a ...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Portrait of Nikita Khrushchev in Profile, Mid Century Black & White Photograph
By Yousuf Karsh
Located in Soquel, CA
Exquisite black and white photograph of Nikita Khrushchev, a portrait in profile of the former Premier of the Soviet Union, by Yousuf Karsh from his ...
Category
1960s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
A Course in Miracles
By Audrey Flack
Located in Fairlawn, OH
A Course in Miracles
Dye transfer photograph, 1978
From: 12 Photographs: 1973-1983, Plate 7 of 12
Signed in ink
Edition: 50, this example an Artist's Proof (7/10)
Printer: Guy Stri...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Dye Transfer
Time to Save
By Audrey Flack
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Time to Save
From: 12 Photographs: 1973-1983,
Plate 8 of 12
Dye transfer photograph, 1979
Signed in ink
Edition: 50, this example an Artist's Proof (7/10)
Printer: Guy Stricherz
Pu...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Dye Transfer
Henry Miller And Eve Miller On Partington Ridge - 1954 Original Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
"Henry And Eve Miller On Partington Ridge" - 1954 Original Photograph
1954 original black and white silver gelatin photograph of Henry and Eve Miller at their house on Partington Ri...
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Beastie Boys Adam Yauch MCA Vintage Darkroom Print by Jake Chessum
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Original hand-printed vintage print from photographer Jake Chessum of Beastie Boys Adam Yauch, know as MCA, playing double bass in the studio in 1994.
Printed by Jake back in the d...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Tori Amos Vintage Print 12"x16" by Jake Chessum
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
Original hand-printed vintage 12x16” darkroom 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 sessio...
Category
1990s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Tori Amos 1994 Vintage 12"x16" Darkroom Print by Jake Chessum
By Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, US
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 Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
'SCIMPANZE' WITH EYES - Black and white photograph Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Small Photograph on photographic paper titled "Chimpanzee with Glasses" on ivory paper passpartu' and a 1970s briar frame
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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 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 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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Gwen Stefani No Doubt 1997 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Gwen Stefani and Ska band No Doubt, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1997, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
"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 Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
John Lennon and Yoko Ono naked in bed 1980 vintage print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of John Lennon and Yoko Ono taken in New York , naked in bed, November 26th 1980. This print is an original, hand printed darkr...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Gwen Stefani and No Doubt 1997 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Gwen Stefani with Ska band No Doubt, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1997, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Andy Warhol on roller skates vintage silver gelatin print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of Andy Warhol on roller stakes at The Roxy in New York City in March 1980. This print is an original, hand printed darkroom pr...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Fiona Apple 1996 vintage print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Singer 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.
Th...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix 1967 silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition, silver gelatin print of Mick Jagger with Jimi Hendrix by Alec Byrne, taken at the Top Of The Pops TV studios, London, May 1967.
Alec recalls, “I got a late p...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1994, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is in perfec...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
John Lennon and Yoko Ono "Starting Over" 1980 vintage print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of John Lennon and Yoko Ono taken in New York on the set of "Starting Over" November 26th 1980. This print is an original, hand...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein Blondie vintage print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie taken on the rooftop of their New York City. apartment in 1980. This print is an ori...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Morrissey 1994 vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Morrissey, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1994, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is in perfect new condition ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Fiona Apple vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
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 Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Morrissey vintage silver gelatin print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, US
Morrissey, 8”x10” Hand-printed darkroom print, made at the time of the shoot in 1994, and stored flat in a temperature-controlled environment.
The print is in perfect new condition ...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
BABY- Black and white photography Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Beautiful b/w photo depicting a little Peruvian girl
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
John Lennon and Yoko Ono Dakota Building vintage print by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Vintage darkroom print of John Lennon and Yoko Ono taken outside the Dakota Building on November 21st 1980. This print is an original, hand printed da...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Elton John Dodger Stadium
Located in Austin, US
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 photographic print by Terry O'Neill. Elton John performs at Dodger Stadium...
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
C Print
'Vintage Golden Gate Bridge, ' by Unknown, Black & White Photography
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 15.5" x 12.5" black and white vintage photograph depicts a dramatic bird's-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. The composition shows the bridge vert...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
EASY RIDER - Black and white photography Italy 1970s
Located in Napoli, IT
Beautiful black and white photograph on photographic paper.
he shipment is expected without the frame.
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor by Terry O'Neill - rare signed artist proof
Located in Austin, US
Rare, signed artist proof print of David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor by Terry O'Neill
David Bowie and actress Elizabeth Taylor meet for the first time at George Cukor’s house in Beve...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Dolly Parton 1977 portrait by Allan Tannenbaum
Located in Austin, US
Signed limited edition 20x24" print of Dolly Parton taken in New York City in 1977 by Allan Tannenbaum.
Edition number 5/25
This Dolly Parton print is also available in the follow...
Category
Late 20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
George Barris, "Chilly Wind", photolithograph, hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This image is from the last photoshoot of Marilyn Monroe taken by George Harris, 2 1/2 weeks before her death in August, 1962 in Santa Monica, California. Photolithograph taken from ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Mike Tyson - Stampa su carta in bianco e nero
Located in Napoli, IT
Stampa su carta in bianco e nero del pugile Mike Tyson, con cornice
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Paper, Monoprint
ESERCITO AL FRONTE - Fotografia bianco e nero , Vittorio Buonanno 1950
Located in Napoli, IT
Fotografia in bianco e nero alla gelatina ai sali d'argento, Titolo "Esercito al fronte" di Vittorio Buonanno
Category
1950s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
CHIARO DI LUNA - Fotografia bianco e nero su carta fotografica
Located in Napoli, IT
Fotografia analogica in bianco e nero su carta fotografica, autore ignoto
Category
1970s Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
George Barris, "Feeling the Surf, " hand signed
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Taken at the beach in Santa Monica, California 2 1/2 weeks before her death, this photograph is from the last ever photo shoot of Marilyn Monroe by the photographer George Barris. P...
Category
Mid-20th Century Photorealist Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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.