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Photorealist Art

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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Period: 20th Century
Period: 1930s
Style: Photorealist
Prayer Beads, Western Tibet
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Prayer Beads, Western Tibet" c.1998, is a photograph by American artist Lisa Kristine, b.1965. It is stamp signed and titled on the back. The photograph size is ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Other Medium

David Bowie "The First Time I Saw You" 1972 by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "The First Time I Saw You" by Masayoshi Sukita. Limited edition number 2/30 - signed and numbered by Sukita This pr...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Karen Seltenrich "Groupies", signed limited edition silver gelatin print
Located in Austin, TX
Karen Seltenrich by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1970 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition number 2/150, signed and noted...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Ramones perform at CBGB, 1977
Located in White Plains, NY
'The Ramones perform at CBGB,' 1977 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. ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Nirvana by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of grunge band Nirvana featuring Kurt Cobain, Chris Novoselic and Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, from acclaimed music photographer, Chris Cuffaro. Taken in March of 1991 in an alleyway in Seattle Signed limited edition 17x22" print, edition number 24/50 Chris Cuffaro has shot the best of the best in the music world including ground-breaking bands like Jane’s Addiction...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Pop Art Vintage Color Photograph Dye Transfer Print "Time to Save" Audrey Flack
Located in Surfside, FL
Hand signed and titled in ink by the artist from edition of 50 (plus proofs). Color Photo printed at CVI Lab by master printer Guy Stricherz. Published by Prestige Art Ltd. From the ...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print, Dye Transfer

David Bowie & Twiggy Pin-Ups Contact Sheet, 1973 by Justin De Villeneuve
Located in Austin, TX
English model Twiggy poses with David Bowie in Paris for the cover of his ‘Pin Ups’ album, 1973, by Justin de Villeneuve Justin recalls, "Twiggy and I were staying in the Bel Air Hotel in LA when Peter...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

The Peach Woman, Mexico, Photorealist Lithograph by Harry McCormick
Located in Long Island City, NY
Harry McCormick, American (1942 - ) - The Peach Woman, Mexico. Year: circa 1979, Medium: Lithograph [pencil-signed and numbered], Edition: A.P., Size: 20 x 25.5 in. (50.8 x 64.77 cm)
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

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 Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ferrari Berlinetta 563, circa 1964, Gouache Illustration by Jack Leynnwood
By Jack Leynnwood
Located in Long Island City, NY
This gouache painting on illustration board was created by American artist Jack Leynnwood. Fascinated by aviation from a young age, Leynnwood did kit illustrations of everything from military aircraft to rigged ships, Rat Finks, Flash Gordon, space ships and Ed “Big Daddy...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Gouache, Illustration Board

David Bowie Aladdin Sane by Brian Duffy framed
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie Aladdin Sane album cover print from Brian Duffy Taken from the original 1973 negative, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with the offic...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

New York Skyline 1980 Cityscape Signed Limited Edition Lithograph
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
H.N. Han Han Hsiang-Ning (Chinese b.1939) New York Skyline 1980 From the Cityscape Portfolio Pencil signed, dated and marked PP 4/25 in the margin Color lithograph on Somerset. Pape...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

La Bonna Violetta, Venice
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "La Bonna Violetta, Venice" 1983, Is a photographic print on paper by noted photographer Lydia Clarke Heston, 1923-2018. It is hand signed, titled, dated and insc...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Other Medium

The Rolling Stones "Sarum Chase Contact Sheet" Beggars Banquet
Located in Austin, TX
Sarum Chase Contact Sheet” by Michael Joesph from the famous photo shoot of The Rolling Stones for their Beggars Banquet album at Sarum Chase mansion, Ham...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

George Michael Contact Sheet Print by Chris Cuffaro
Located in Austin, TX
George Michael by Chris Cuffaro, taken in Los Angeles, California for CBS Records in 1987. Available in the following paper sizes 11 x 17” - Open edition, signed by Chris Cuffaro ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Giclée

Midtown Stillife
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The picture is a part of photographs which Kallay done in 1965 for a German book publisher about NYC.
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Rajah of Sarawak - Mid-Century Mens Magazine - Pulp Adventure Magazine
Located in Miami, FL
Male illustration Illustration - Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak, KCB (29 April 1803[1] – 11 June 1868), was a British adventurer whose exploits in the Malay Archipelago...
Category

1950s Photorealist Art

Materials

Gouache

Frank Zappa by Lynn Goldsmith
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Frank Zappa taken in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith Signed limited edition #2/20 - signed, numbered and titled by Lynn Goldsmith
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Landmark Tavern II, Photorealist Lithograph by Harry McCormick
Located in Long Island City, NY
Harry McCormick, American (1942 - ) - The Landmark Tavern II. Year: circa 1985, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: AP 60, Size: 26 x 31 in. (66.04 x 78.74 cm)
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Time ², 1989, NYC Vintage New York City, Time Square Painting, Photorealism
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Don Jacot (American, 1949 - 2021) Signed: DJacot ' 89 (Lower, Right) " Time ² ", 1989 (Titled, In Pencil, Center) (Time Squared) Gouache on Paper Painti...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Gouache

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

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

David Bowie Scary Monsters Clown Contact Sheet by Duffy
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original negatives from the Scary Monsters and ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Blues (The Original Edition)
Located in New York, NY
Robert Cottingham Blues (The Original), 1989 Color aquatint on wove paper Edition 31/45 Pencil signed and numbered by Robert Cottingham on the front Framed This is the original, stri...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Aquatint

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

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 Art

Materials

C Print

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 Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Muhammad Ali
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition print of Muhammad Ali by Michael Brennan, taken in 1977. A copy of this Iconic photograph is held in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

David Bowie "A Day in Kyoto 2 - Hankyu Train" by Sukita
Located in Austin, TX
16" x 20", signed limited edition print of David Bowie, titled "A Day in Kyoto 2 - Hankyu Train" by Masayoshi Sukita This print is also available as a 30x40" signed limited edition...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

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 Art

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 Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Raquel Welch
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 Art

Materials

C Print

Patti Smith by Lynn Goldsmith, framed signed limited edition print
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art print of punk musician and poet, Patti Smith by acclaimed photographer. Lynn Goldsmith, taken in New York City in 1977. Framed, signed limited edition 16x20" print, edition...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Market Day, Guatemala
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Market Day, Guatemala" c.1998, is a photograph by American artist Lisa Kristine, b.1965. It is stamp signed and titled on the back. The photograph size is 6.5 x ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Other Medium

Shatzi, Photorealist Screenprint on Masonite by Tom Blackwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Tom Blackwell, American (1938 - ) - Shatzi, Year: 1978, Medium: Screenprint on masonite, signed, dated and numbered in ink, Edition: 100, Size: 47.25 x 60.75 in. (120.02 x 154....
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

David Bowie Smoking Clown Contact Sheet by Duffy
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality contact sheet print of David Bowie smoking a cigarette in the Scary Monsters Clown costume from the official Duffy Archive. Taken from the original negatives, these o...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

'Vintage 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 an unknown bridge. The composition shows the bridge vertically, as the bridge continues fu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Boat Race at Hammersmith, 1912, original vintage albumen print
Located in London, GB
Messrs Stearn The 69th Boat Race at Hammersmith, 1912 Albumen print 16 x 21 cm This photograph depicts Oxford and Cambridge neck and neck at Hammersmith in the 1912 Oxford-Cambridg...
Category

1910s Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Namaste
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Namaste" 2001, is a photograph (Cibachrome) by American artist Lisa Kristine, b.1965. It is hand signed, titled and dated in pencil by the artist. The photograph...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Other Medium

ANCIENT STUFA - Sepia effect photograph, illegible shape, Italy 1990s
Located in Napoli, IT
Photograph on analog and photographic paper, signed and dated on back 1992. It depicts an antique stove, and the photo has been antiqued with a beautiful sepia effect,
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

MAN RAY (1890-1976), PAUL ELUARD, 1930 Photogravure, FIRST EDITION
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Man Ray (American born, 1890 - 1976) Title: PAUL ELUARD Date Of Negative: 1930 Type Of Print: Authentic Vintage Sheet Fed Photogravure/Heliogravure. Date Of Print: 1934 1st E...
Category

1920s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photogravure

The Rolling Stones 1964 by Terry O'Neill
Located in Austin, TX
Rare, signed silver gelatin print, an early portrait of the Rolling Stones outside the Donmar rehearsal theatre, London, 1964 12x16" silver gelatin darkroom print, signed and number...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

MAN RAY (1890-1976), ARNOLD SCHOENBERG, 1934 Photogravure, FIRST EDITION
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Man Ray (American born, 1890 - 1976) Title: ARNOLD SCHOENBERG Date Of Negative: 1934 Type Of Print: Authentic Vintage Sheet Fed Photogravure/Heliogravure. Date Of Print: 1934...
Category

1920s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photogravure

Waiting in the Wings, Photorealist Ballet Screenprint by Douglas Hofmann
By Douglas Hoffman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Douglas Hofmann, American (1945 - ) Title: Ballerinas Year: Circa 1990 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Image Size: 33.5 x 20 inches Frame Size...
Category

1990s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

AJ Foyt Cartwheel, Photorealist Screenprint by Ron Kleemann
Located in Long Island City, NY
Ron Kleemann, American (1937 - 2014) - AJ Foyt Cartwheel, Year: 1977, Medium: Screenprint, signed, numbered and dated in pencil, Edition: 175, Image Size: 20 x 29.75 inches, Si...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Screen

Le Tre Vespe, Roma 1962 - Contemporary Black & White Photography
Located in Brussels, BE
Artwork # 3 on 5 sold in perfect condition Limited Edition of 5 + 2 AP The 3 Vespas but also the 3 buzzing and twirling “bees”, since this is the translation of this Italian brand...
Category

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith, New York 1969 by Norman Seeff
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition fine art print of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, taken in her kitchen in New York by celebrated photographer and filmmaker, Norman Seeff in 1969. This P...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Patti Smith portrait by Lynn Goldsmith signed limited edition 16x20" print
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition 16x20"" print of Patti Smith taken in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith. Limited edition number 3/20 Modern C-type print. Available for immediate shipping. Lynn Goldsm...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

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

1960s Photorealist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Untitled (Scottish Pastoral Landscape), circa 1982, Ian Hornak — Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Scottish Pastoral Landscape) Year: 1982 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: 16 x 20 inches Condition: Good Provenance: Estate of Ian Horna...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

David Bowie - Scary Monsters Remastered Color Contact Sheet by Duffy
Located in Austin, TX
David Bowie - Scary Monsters Remastered Color Contact Sheet Taken from the original negatives, these official Duffy Archive prints are open edition, authenticated with the official ...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

C Print

Light Lavender Iris, Lowell Nesbitt
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993) Title: Light Lavender Iris Year: 1984 Medium: Oil on linen Size: 40 x 30 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Signed, dated, titled by the arti...
Category

1980s Photorealist Art

Materials

Canvas, Linen, Oil

MAN RAY (1890-1976), MRS ROWELL, 1930 Photogravure, FIRST EDITION
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Man Ray (American born, 1890 - 1976) Title: MRS ROWELL Date Of Negative: 1930 Type Of Print: Authentic Vintage Sheet Fed Photogravure/Heliogravure. Date Of Print: 1934 1st Ed...
Category

1920s Photorealist Art

Materials

Photogravure

'Outdoor Street Scene', by Sonya Terpening, Watercolor on Paper
By Sonya Terpening
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Sonya Terpening's framed watercolor on paper painting titled 'Outdoor Street Scene' captures a calm scene outside of a cafe. The dining table depicted in the work becomes the focal point when observing this piece, as it is placed in the foreground and captures the eye with a vivid blue table cloth; on the table are four glasses placed upside-down and what appears to be a sugar and salt shaker. Terpening's realistic style is exemplified in her depiction of the table; the blue cloth's folds and wrinkles, and the heavy use of shadows and lighting on the table cloth, chairs, and glasses all contribute to the realistic qualities of the piece. The table is positioned on a red brick sidewalk/street directly outside of the cafe, which is also brick but painted white. The cafe door...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

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 Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Peter Max (Portrait of the Pop Artist)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Theo Wujcik (1936-2014): Peter Max, 1970. Etching in black on wove paper. Unsigned. 3.5 x 4.25 in. (sheet), 10 x 9 in. (frame). Custom welded brass frame with resolved corners and ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Art

Materials

Etching

Photorealist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist art 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 art 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, purple, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Alex Sher, Gregory Block, Lowell Nesbitt, and Ian Hornak. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint 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 art, so small editions measuring 0.79 inches across are also available. Prices for art 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 $585,000, while the average work sells for $2,404.

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