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Photorealist Paintings

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
Hold My Peace
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Hold...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic

Serenity with Tea-original impressionism portrait painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Serenity with Tea" by James Zamora invites viewers into a world of tranquil elegance, where the artist's mastery of impressionism breathes life into a timeless scene. This original ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Reels" acrylic on canvas Dark Academia retro tech reel to reel grey black white
Located in Hamburg, HH
A painting by Amanda Andersen from a larger body of work created in the early 2010s which explored vintage technologies and materials including VHS cassette tape, reel-to-reel tape machines...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Graphite

Turps - Silver Can with on Paint Palette with Brushes in Oil on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
Turps - Silver Can with on Paint Palette with Brushes in Oil on Canvas Vibrant, realistic composition by an unknown artist (20th Century). A silver colored can of paint thinner (al...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars

The Call of the Mountains by K. Husslein Hyperrealistic Still life
Located in DE
Katharina Husslein's textural and abstract paintings vividly encapsulate the vibrancy and movement found in a bouquet of flowers. This series differs from Husslein’s more controlled...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hold Infinity in the Palm of your Hands by K. Husslein Hyperrealistic Still life
Located in DE
Katharina Husslein's textural and abstract paintings vividly encapsulate the vibrancy and movement found in a bouquet of flowers. This series differs from Husslein’s more controlled...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Live by Love by K Husslein Botanical Hyperrealistic Still life
Located in DE
This is a beautiful oil painting of an array of flowers in a vase in front of a dark background. Reminding us of old master paintings, this is a brand new painting full elegance and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Oh my Love is like a Melody by K Husslein Botanical Hyperrealistic Still life
Located in DE
This is a beautiful oil painting of an array of flowers in a vase in front of a dark background. Reminding us of old master paintings, this is a brand new painting full elegance and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Echoes
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery. Here oil on canvas images are photorealistic and gorgeous.
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Easy Listening
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery. Here oil on canvas images are photorealistic and gorgeous.
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Allure
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery. Here oil on canvas images are photorealistic and gorgeous.
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Neptune Rising
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery. Here oil on canvas images are photorealistic and gorgeous.
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cherries in Glass Bowl -original realism oil painting for sale- contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
“Cherries in Glass Bowl” by Ann Goldberg is a stunning example of contemporary realism that showcases the artist’s exceptional precision and ability to transform everyday objects int...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Canadian Perennials -original realism oil painting for sale- contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
“Canadian Perennials” by Ann Goldberg is a masterful display of contemporary realism that captures the timeless beauty of nature’s floral bounty. This painting features a terracotta ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

At the Edge of Reality V - original, modern realism seascape-still life painting
Located in London, Chelsea
In the twin piece, "At the Edge of Reality V," the canvas size remains a constant, but the narrative deepens with the addition of a second buoy. This pair, set against the complex we...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

At the Edge of Reality IV- original, modern realism seascape-still life painting
Located in London, Chelsea
This oil on linen creation measures 40x40 cm and bears the title "At the Edge of Reality IV." It serves as a reflective exploration of tranquility and the subtle movements of water. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Golden Hour at The harbour-original realism seascape-still life oil painting-art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Golden Hour at The Harbour" by Alina Hubarenko is a captivating original seascape painting that transports viewers to a moment of serene beauty and tranquility. Crafted with precisi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

At the Edge of Reality VII-original, modern realism seascape-still life painting
Located in London, Chelsea
The concluding artwork in the series, "At the Edge of Reality VII," maintains its size at 70x70 cm, wherein the orange and red buoys now cast elongated, profound reflections on the w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

At the Edge of Reality VI -original-still life painting, modern realism seascape
Located in London, Chelsea
Expanding the canvas to a generous 70x70 cm for "At the Edge of Reality VI," Hubarenko introduces a contrast that is both striking and introspective. An orange buoy, accompanied by a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Fisherman's Toys-original Hyper realism seascape oil painting- contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
Alina Hubarenko's "Fisherman's Toys" stands as an original Impressionist painting seamlessly blending the essence of the seaside with a contemporary flair. The artwork presents a mes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Still life with citrus-original realism oil painting for sale- contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
Step into a moment frozen in time with "Still Life with Citrus," an original oil painting by the talented artist Irina Trushkova. Executed on canvas in the style of contemporary real...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Illumination
Located in Burlingame, CA
The subtle and brilliant work of art is meticulously hand painted by Lynette Cook, who realistically depicts scenes that she sees during her morning walks through the city, yet her p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Radiance
Located in Burlingame, CA
The subtle and brilliant work of art is meticulously hand painted by Lynette Cook, who realistically depicts scenes that she sees during her morning walks through the city, yet her p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Resplendence
Located in Burlingame, CA
The subtle and brilliant work of art is meticulously hand painted by Lynette Cook, who realistically depicts scenes that she sees during her morning walks through the city, yet her p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Friedrich‘s Window: Variation # 4 (Water and Mist) 1981, Ian Hornak — Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Friedrich‘s Window: Variation # 4 Year: 1981 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: 12.5 x 10 inches Condition: Good Provenance: Fischbach Gallery, New...
Category

1980s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Rigging the Line
Located in Burlingame, CA
The subtle and brilliant work of art is meticulously hand painted by Lynette Cook, who realistically depicts scenes that she sees during her morning walks through the city, yet her p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"Last of the Season", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Heather Neill's (US based) "Last of the Season" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a suspended tomato with the hand of a gardener with glove. A yellow bird is hoverin...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Calling All Muses", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Heather Neill's (US based) "Calling All Muses" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a whimsical still life featuring a porcelain tea cup, b...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Reflections on Forest Pond in the English Countryside with Warm Yellows & Browns
Located in Preston, GB
Reflections on Forest Pond in the English Countryside with Warm Yellows & Browns, by 20th Century British Artist, Christopher Osborne. Art measures 12 x 10 inches Frame measures 18 ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Six Robes (75 x 117 inches), Lowell Nesbitt - Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993) Title: Six Robes Year: 1974 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 74 x 117 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed, dated, titled by the artist, verso Pro...
Category

1970s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lotus (Shar Pei) in the Studio (75 x 90 inches), Lowell Nesbitt - Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993) Title: Lotus in the Studio Year: 1978 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 75 x 90 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed, dated, titled by the artist,...
Category

1970s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

(Hudson River Landscape) Untitled, 1985, Ian Hornak — Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: (Hudson River Landscape) Untitled Year: 1985 Medium: Acrylic on illustration board Size: 12.5 x 10 inches Condition: Good Provenance: Estate of ...
Category

1980s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Illustration Board

Vegetable Triptych II (100 x 80 inches), Lowell Nesbitt - Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993) Title: Vegetable Triptych II Year: 1977-1978 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 100 x 80 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed, dated, titled by the ...
Category

1970s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Work Clothes On Studio Floor (70 x 90 inches), Lowell Nesbitt - Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993) Title: Work Clothes On Studio Floor Year: 1974 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 70 x 90 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed, dated, titled by the...
Category

1970s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Yellow and Blue Jumpsuits (57.5 x 100 inches), Lowell Nesbitt - Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993) Title: Yellow and Blue Jumpsuits Year: 1974 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 57.5 x 100 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed, dated, titled by th...
Category

1970s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Vegetable Triptych I (100 x 80 inches), Lowell Nesbitt - Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993) Title: Vegetable Triptych I Year: 1977-1978 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 100 x 80 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed, dated, titled by the a...
Category

1970s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Fruit on Romanian Rug IV (100 x 80 inches), Lowell Nesbitt - Painting
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Lowell Nesbitt (1933-1993) Title: Fruit on Romanian Rug IV Year: 1977-1980 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 100 x 80 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed, dated, titled by t...
Category

1970s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

A wet November
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I sought to capture the reflective mood of an urban evening, emboldening the canvas with the vibrant contrast of city lights against the brooding blues of a rai...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Daffodil Fields English Landscape Painting by Contemporary Photorealist Artist
By Nicholas Smith
Located in Preston, GB
Daffodil Fields English Landscape Painting by Contemporary Photorealist Artist, Nicholas Smith. Art measures 8.5 x 3.5 inches Frame measures 11.5 x 6....
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

La Vie Est Belle. 2023, oil on canvas, 80x70 cm
Located in Riga, LV
La Vie Est Belle. 2023, oil on canvas, 80x70 cm Works of Liene Liepina are full of life and joy because of photography-like, realistic details on the one hand, and intense and slight...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Coney Island, New York
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Jesús Navarro was born in Jerez, (Cadiz), located in southern Spain, in 1952. By the age of tw...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Window
Located in Burlingame, CA
Mimi Jensen uses bold colors to depict theatrically lit objects. Her paintings invite speculation into possible metaphors – California Home+Design magazine Ms. Jensen is a Still Li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Mourning Quinces - Photorealist Pastel Still Life Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Mourning Quinces 15.75 x 11.8 x 0.4, 0.6 lbs Pastel on Pastelmat Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "When this pastel painting was finished, I suddenly realised that it ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Signed Fabulous 19th Century Male Mustache Portrait Dutch Ripple Frame Drawing
Located in Buffalo, NY
Incredibly well executed and superb subject. A 19th century portrait of a handsome young man with a mustache. Framed in a Dutch ripple wood molding...
Category

1890s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ribes Rubrum - Photorealist Pastel Still Life Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Ribes Rubrum 19.70 x 15.75 x 0.4, 0.6 lbs Pastel on Pastelmat Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "The red currant is widespread in almost all of Europe. It occurs wild o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Notre Dame, Paris
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. The last image features a painting of Cafe de Flore and a NYC Subway painting- these are two of ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Three Canberries - Photorealist Pastel Still Life Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Three Cranberries 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4, 0.4 lbs Pastel on Pastelmat Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "The cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon, in German named Moosbeere, but...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Pequena Italia (Little Italy) NYC
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Jesús Navarro was born in Jerez, (Cadiz), located in southern Spain, in 1952. By the age of tw...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ventian Gondolier
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Jesús Navarro was born in Jerez, (Cadiz), located in southern Spain, in 1952. By the age of tw...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Linen, Oil

Vague
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Wprldwide Ships in a well-protected tube This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Comfort Zone 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

"California Bug" Original Oil Painting 16 in x 20 in
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"California Bug" 2021 Oil on Panel 16 in x 20 in "California Bug" is all about the unbounded cheerfulness of the vintage Volkswagen Bug. A residential street in Southern Californi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Bowl with Spices-original modern realism still life painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
Heidi von Faber's original painting showcases a hyper-realistic interpretation of a contemporary still life, reminiscent of the precision and style seen in the works of early Dutch m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"A City Upon a Hill" trompe l'oeil oil painting of comic clip taped on grey wall
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"A City Upon a Hill" is a trompe l'oeil oil painting of comic clipping taped on a grey wall. Framed Dimensions: 19 x 25 inches The arts have been an integral part of Anthony Mas...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Traditional English Farm with Horses, Figures, Trees & Lake by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
English Farmhouse with Horses, Figures, Fields, Trees & Lake entitled 'Winters Morn' by 20th Century British Artist. Art measures 36 x 24 inches Frame measures 41 x 30 inches Ch...
Category

Late 20th Century Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"For the Shear Fun of it" Charcoal Painting 29" x 21" inch by Casey Baugh
Located in Culver City, CA
"For the Shear Fun of it" Charcoal Painting 29" x 21" inch by Casey Baugh Medium: Charcoal on paper ABOUT THE ARTIST: Baugh's work can be described as narrative impressionistic re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Charcoal, Paper

Fluid Cadi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The painting “Fluid Cadi” draws inspiration from a fusion of the artist’s travel recollections and dreamscapes. Captured during a trip to California, the artist encountered this Cadi...
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Photorealist paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Photorealist paintings 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 paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, green, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Gregory Block, James Zamora, Ian Hornak, and Kathleen Keifer. 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 paintings, so small editions measuring 3.5 inches across are also available. Prices for paintings 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 $125 and tops out at $585,000, while the average work sells for $3,772.

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