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.
$5,560Sale Price|20% Off
Exhale: Photorealistic Oil Painting, Contemporary, Framed
Located in Atlanta, GA
Photorealist painter, Miguel Nuñez was born in Uruguay, in the city of Maldonado in 1966. Maldonado is located on the banks of the Río de la Plata and th...
Canvas, Oil
Palace, Signed Photorealistic Oil Portrait by Di Li Feng
By Di Li Feng
Located in Long Island City, NY
Di Li Feng, born 1958, is a Chinese contemporary artist, now working as Professor in the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, in China. Born in a small Chinese town, he graduated from the Ch...
Canvas, Oil
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
"Locked, " Oil Painting
By Karen Offutt
Located in Denver, CO
Karen Offutt's "Locked" is an original, handmade painting that depicts a close up view of a feminine face at three quarters view, her brown hair frames her porcelain face. About th...
Oil, Canvas
"Glow, " Oil Painting
By Karen Offutt
Located in Denver, CO
Karen Offutt's "Glow" is an original, handmade painting that depicts a close up view of a feminine face with her eyes closed as her necklace and alabaster skin reflect brightly again...
Oil, Panel
"#1488" converse sneakers, still life, blue, orange, black, laces, rubber, shoes
Located in Edgartown, MA
The work of Santiago Garcia explores the wondrous, colorful and always intriguing world between figuration and abstraction. Through contextualization of reality, the Uruguayan artist...
Canvas, Acrylic
"The Last" Citrus Elegance Still Life Oil Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
"The Last," a 2013 oil on canvas by Victoria Novak, is a testament to the timeless beauty and elegance of still life painting. Measuring 19.70 x 39.40 i...
Canvas, Oil
Ricqlès pour une sorcière, Oil Painting, Figurative, Contemporary Realism
By Jade Boissin
Located in AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FR
Work : Original Oil Painting, Handmade artwork and Unique Work. Medium : Oil painting on naturel wood panel. Artist : Jade Boissin Subject : Ricqlès pour une sorcière (FR -Title) Ri...
Oil
"Coyote" Original Artwork, Pigment Print and Colored Pencil
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
Artist's Statement: This image was from a series made with a trail camera set up very close to my home in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. I've captured many desert creatures, bobcat, ...
Gold Leaf
Paris de Noche (Paris at Night): Photorealist Oil Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery setting. Size listed does not include the frame. Frame adds around 3 inches to each side to the posted ...
Canvas, Oil
Waves of Freedom
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Waves of Freedom" captures the moment when water washes away all constraints and expectations, allowing the soul to breathe freely. Each brushstroke symbolizes the journey toward in...
Oil, Wood Panel
"I always thought that records were meant to be Broken" (Ferrari F2004)
By Shan Fannin
Located in Denver, CO
About Painting: My husband and I photographed this gorgeous lady in 2018 when we took a trip to Maranello, Italy to visit Ferrari. It was such a treat to see this amazing vehicle tha...
Canvas, Acrylic
"1954 Ferrari 750 Monza" - Acrylic Automotive Painting on Canvas
By Shan Fannin
Located in Denver, CO
Story about Painting: I admit it, I'm a sucker for Ferraris. On our trip to Italy in 2018, we visited the Ferrari Maranello Museum. In one of the rooms was this gorgeous Monza. As I ...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,598Sale Price|20% Off
Farm in the Woods at Winter in the English Countryside with Warm Brown Colours
Located in Preston, GB
Farm in the Woods at Winter in the English Countryside with Warm Brown Colours by 20th Century British Artist, Christopher Osborne. Art measures 14 x 10 inches Frame measures 19 x 1...
Canvas, Oil
$7,000
"What's Behind You Doesn't Matter" - Acrylic Painting on Canvas of Ferrari F2000
By Shan Fannin
Located in Denver, CO
About this Painting: I was so fortunate to have traveled to Italy to visit the Ferrari factory and museum in 2018. I took so many photos of phenomenal Ferraris, like this F2000. I...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,000
"Summer Evening" (2024) By Michael Miller, Original Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Miller's beautiful original photorealist landscape barn painting "Summer Evening" (2024) depicts a Midwestern barn in the middle of the vast plains, with a large cloud loomin...
Canvas, Oil
DIVE
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Be like water, my friend" by Bruce Lee. When Lee said "be like water," he called upon people to embrace flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. He asserted ...
Canvas, Oil
"Triumph" - Realist Equine Portrait, Oil Painting on Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"Triumph" by Sarah van der Helm is an original, handmade oil painting on cradled panel. This piece measures 10 x 8 inches, but is framed at 11.5 x 9.5 inches ready to hang. Born in ...
Oil, Panel
"1965 Ford Mustang Grill - Dynasty Green" by Shan Fannin, Acrylic Painting
By Shan Fannin
Located in Denver, CO
"1965 Ford Mustang Grill - Dynasty Green" by Shan Fannin is an original acrylic painting depicting a close up view of a Mustang ornament cast in blue light. Born 1969 in California,...
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
$1,808Sale Price|25% Off
Elevated View of a Sussex Town in the Countryside of South England in Summer
Located in Preston, GB
Elevated View of Sussex Town in the Countryside of the South of England in Summer, by 20th Century British Artist, Christopher Osborne. Art measures ...
Canvas, Oil
"Nautilus Shell" Original Artwork, 24kt Gold on Museum Glass
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Dario Campanile, "Oggetti Semplici". Stunning still life featuring pink orchids
Located in Hollister, CA
"Oggetti Semplici" is a flawless limited edition giclée, on high quality canvas, artwork is stretched and ready for framing. Edition 39/75 Dario Campanile is an Italian-born artist...
Giclée
"Place" (2019) By Warren W. Kessler, Original Oil Painting on Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"Place" (2024) by Warren W. Kessler is an original, handmade oil painting on wood panel that depicts a handwritten note and a polaroid photo taped to an orange wooden wall. Warren W...
Oil, Panel, Wood, Wood Panel
$402Sale Price|26% Off
A man and his boat Spain oil on canvas painting seascape beach
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Signed Adolfo Perez Frame size 75x66 cm.
Canvas, Oil
Weightless, Timeless: Oil Painting of Two Women Swimming in Pool
Located in Hudson, NY
Horizontal figurative photo-realist painting of women swimming in an aqua blue pool "Weightless, Timeless," painted by Hudson Valley artist, Samantha French, is 2019 oil on canvas, 48 x 60 inches Sides are cleanly painted white so additional framing is optional Excellent condition and ready to hang as is This photorealist figurative painting captures a peaceful water scene of a women leisurely floating in a crisp, aqua blue pool. The sunlight reflecting off their sun kissed skin complements the cool color palette, making for a serene visual experience. The brush work is highly detailed with little texture (impasto) on the surface. The horizontal painting on canvas is currently unframed and has clean, white painted sides, so additional framing is optional. About the Artist: Born and raised in north central Minnesota, Samantha French graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2005. French’s current body of work explores the idea of escape, the tranquility and nostalgia for the lazy summer days of her childhood. The series is inspired by Samantha’s own reflections and memories of her childhood summers spent in the lakes of Northern Minnesota. French actively exhibits her paintings and is included in many private and public collections throughout the country while her work has garnered extensive international and national press. She is a full-time painter and keeps a studio in New York’s Hudson Valley. "My current body of work is focused on swimmers underwater and above. Using vague yet consuming memories from my childhood summers spent immersed in the tepid lakes of northern Minnesota, I attempt to recreate the quiet tranquility of water and nature; of days spent sinking and floating, still and peaceful. These paintings are a link to my home and continual search for the feeling of the sun on my face and warm summer days at the lake. They are my escape, a subtle reprieve from the day-to-day. At the same time, I am drawn to an idealistic time before my own, where swim caps and wool swimsuits were commonplace. This combination of memory, observation and photography has allowed me to preserve the transitory qualities of water and remembrance." Artist Resume: 2019 Winter Swim, Rubine Red...
Canvas, Oil
$360Sale Price|40% Off
Admiral Pinscher
By Y.m.Lo
Located in East Hampton, NY
A Doberman Pinscher dressed like an Admiral Satire in Art Original Paintings in series of 10 (inquire where it is in the edition) Comes rolled in a tube ready to be framed Y.m.Lo. ...
Oil
"Sky 54" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
James Van Fossan's "Sky 54" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a skyscape of grey and white clouds arching through a blue sky.
Oil, Panel
"Pink Package" - Oil Painting on Cradled Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"Pink Package" by Sarah van der Helm is an original, handmade oil painting on cradled panel. This piece measures 8 x 8 x 2 inches unframed and is ready to hang. Born in 1970, Sarah ...
Oil, Panel
Pecan Pie Giclee on Canvas, Signed, Photorealist, 17/150, 44x55 in.
Located in Aventura, FL
Giclee on canvas. Hand signed lower right by Doug Bloodworth. Hand numbered 17/150 lower right. Canvas size 44 x 55 inches. Canvas is not stretched. Artwork is in excellent co...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Secluded Bridge" (2024), Original Photorealist Jungle Village Painting
By Diego Glazer
Located in Denver, CO
About the Artist: For as long as I can remember, I have been on a quest to convincingly represent on canvas what I see in the physical world, what I see in my mind and what I feel. M...
Oil, Panel
$1,200
"Two Red Onions" - Realist Still-Life of Fine China and Onions, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Two Red Onions" by Sarah van der Helm is an original, handmade oil painting on cradled panel. This piece measures 8 x 10 inches, but is framed at 9 x 11 inches ]ready to hang. Born...
Oil, Panel
Serenity with Tea-original impressionism portrait painting-contemporary Art
By James Zamora
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Panel
$3,000
"Camp Road" (2024) By Michael Miller, Original Midwestern Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Miller's beautiful original photorealist Midwestern landscape painting "Camp Road" (2024) depicts a Midwestern barn lying at the end of a dirt road, surrounded by forestry an...
Canvas, Oil
$10,000
"Spring Morning" - Contemporary Realist Oil Painting of Rural Barns, 2024
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Miller’s "Spring Morning" (2024) captures the serene beauty of rural America in a masterfully executed oil on panel. This contemporary realist work depicts a timeworn red bar...
Canvas, Oil
"Blooming Days II" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Wood Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"The Dance" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on wood panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame and is read...
Oil, Wood Panel
$4,145
Mono-Poli III - Realism, Photorealistic Oil Painting, Colorful, Hyperrealism
Located in Hallein, AT
„He is a declared painter with full awareness of his conceptual past. His works, near to photo-realism, show objects in a garish intense coloristic. It is the process of painting, the transition from the idea to a perfect canvas, which is most important for Toman. The object is just a pretext, the valuable is the studio and the picturesque amatory, which makes it possible to copy the material fragments of life.“ (Panteon) Born 1966, studied 1986-87 at the Institute of Artistic Education UMCS Lublin/studio Prof. Mieczysław Herman, 1988-93 at the Faculty for Painting/Academy of Fine Arts, Cracow, diploma in the studio of Prof. Włodzimierz Kunz; 1995-97 Ecole Regionale des beaux-arts in Rennes/France, diploma with distinction under direction of Prof. Gerard Baldet...
Canvas, Oil
The Walk - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Sea, Beach View, Realism, Woman
Located in Hallein, AT
Artodyssey "Julita Malinowska's paintings belong to those, which once seen - are never forgotten. The open spaces, sometimes cool and bright, at other times heavily saturated with co...
Canvas, Oil
"Orange and Green" - Surrealist Still-Life, Oil Painting on Panel
By Scott Fraser
Located in Denver, CO
"Orange and Green" is an original photorealist painting by American painter Scott Fraser, depicting a variety of vine ripened tomatoes. This piece rests at 5 x 11, and is framed at 1...
Oil, Panel
$2,000
"Preserving Memories" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Aluminum Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"Preserving Memories" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on wood panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame a...
Oil, Wood Panel
Spanish Photorealist Fishing Boat in Mediterranean Harbor, Oil on Canvas
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Spanish Photorealist Fishing Boat in Mediterranean Harbor, Oil on Canvas Artist: Domingo Álvarez Gómez Born: Barcelona, Spain, 1942 Title: Fishing Boat in a Spanish Harbor Date: cir...
Canvas, Oil
$240Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany Stained Glass - Original Book Art on Canvas
By Carl Smith
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Smith is an American artist who has been living in Berlin, Germany, since 2001. He works with a combination of silkscreen printing, collage, and painting to create his urban ins...
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic, Screen
"Running the Rapids" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Sheri Farabaugh's "Running the Rapids" is a handmade, original oil painting that depicts a kayaker braving the whitewater current. Artist Statement a...
Canvas, Oil
$936Sale Price|20% Off
Framed Saint Bernard Oil Painting on Canvas, 21st Century Photorealism
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stuart Dunkel is an artist, a musician and an author. He has studied music at Boston University, Mannes College of Music, the Juilliard School (Doctorate), and art at the Boston Mus...
Canvas, Oil
$1,819Sale Price|20% Off
Farm in the Woods at Winter in the English Countryside with Warm Brown Colours
Located in Preston, GB
Farm in the Woods at Winter in the English Countryside with Warm Brown Colours by 20th Century British Artist, Christopher Osborne. Art measures 12 x 8 inches Frame measures 16 x ...
Canvas, Oil
"Convergence" by David Cheifetz, Surreal Oil Painting (2025)
Located in Denver, CO
David Cheifetz's "Convergence" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a woman converging with a city. About the Artist: David is an internationally acclaimed and collec...
Oil
$2,500
"Running Filly" Original Artwork, Pigment Print and Colored Pencil on Cotton Rag
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
$616Sale Price|20% Off
Mr Leno - Framed Original Painting Cat Hiding inside Tent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stuart Dunkel has spent decades refining his hyper-realistic oil paintings. He paints realistic imagery based on real-world inspirations. His original artworks show that everyday obj...
Oil, Board
"California" (2025) Oil Cityscape Painting on Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
"California" by Greg Gandy is an original, handmade oil painting on canvas that measures 33.5 x 49.5 inches framed and is ready to hang. Greg Gandy is a realist painter from central...
Oil, Canvas
"A Willing Spirit #4" - Photorealist Miniature Animal Painting
By Barbara Fox
Located in Denver, CO
Statement: I crave beauty, peace, and order, and paint subjects and settings that reflect this idyllic view of the world. My creative work conveys a sense of calm beauty with captiv...
Linen, Oil
"Pear II" Original Artwork, 24kt Gold on Museum Glass
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
About the artist: Kate Breakey is internationally known for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs including her acclaimed series of luminous portraits of birds, flowers a...
Gold Leaf
"F105G Thunderbird" (Original Acrylic Painting)
By Shan Fannin
Located in Denver, CO
Shan Fannin's (US based) "F105G Thunderbird" is an acrylic painting that depicts a F-105G Thundercheif. Born 1969 in California, artist Shannon “Shan” Fannin brings vehicles to lif...
Acrylic, Linen
"After Hours (1990 Ferrari F40)" - Acrylic Automotive Painting on Canvas
By Shan Fannin
Located in Denver, CO
About this Painting: I originally painted this Pebble Beach awarding winning car back in 2017. The painting sat on my walls for several years, and in 2021 I recreated it on a much la...
Acrylic, Canvas
"Sky 40" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
James Van Fossan's "Sky 40" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a skyscape of rays of sunshine breaking through stormy grey clouds in a blue sky.
Linen, Oil
"Fruits on Paper" (2025) Oil Still-Life Painting on Canvas Panel
Located in Denver, CO
Carlos Bruscianelli's "Fruits on Paper" is an original, handmade oil painting on canvas panel that measures 10.25 x 24.25 inches framed and is ready to hang. About the Artist: Carlo...
Canvas, Oil, Panel
$2,500
"Live Oak, Winter, Texas" Original Artwork, Pigment Print and Colored Pencil
By Kate Breakey
Located in Denver, CO
Artist's Statement: I made this image on my friend's ranch called 'Plum Creek', in East Texas. It is a majestic tree that I photographed many times in different seasons. I particular...
Gold Leaf
"White Package with Stargazer" - Oil Painting on Cradled Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"White Package with Stargazer" by Sarah van der Helm is an original, handmade oil painting on cradled panel. This piece measures 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches unframed and is ready to hang. ...
Oil, Panel
"Apricity", Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Lindsey Kustusch’s (US based) "Apricity" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a Great blue Heron bird with fall colored leaves and designs in the background. Artist S...
Oil, Panel
"Study of Someone" Portrait Oil Painting 16" x 14" in by Casey Baugh
By Casey Baugh
Located in Culver City, CA
"Study of Someone" Portrait Oil Painting 16" x 14" in by Casey Baugh Medium: oil and ash on linen panel ABOUT THE ARTIST: Baugh's work can be described as narrative impressionisti...
Oil, Linen
$4,500
"Anonymous Collaborators", Hyper-Realistic Oil Painting of Graffiti Landscape
By Jessica Hess
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Original oil painting on canvas by Jessica Hess measuring 30in x 30in. About Jessica Hess: Oakland, CA-based artist Jessica Hess is a hyperreal landscape painter. A graduate of the ...
Canvas, Oil
Abundance, Oil painting on Canvas, Leafs, Forest, Realistic Nature
By Deniz Bayav
Located in AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FR
Work : Original Oil Painting, Unique Work. Handmade artwork. Ready to Hang. Medium : Oil and Acrylic painting on Canvas. Artist : Deniz Bayav Subject : Foisonnement (Title / FR) Si...
Canvas, Oil
Birds - Contemporary, Blue, 21st Century, Figurative Painting
Located in Baden-Baden, DE
Birds, 2007 Acrylic on canvas (signed on reverse) 39.37 H x 6.69 W in. 100 H x 17 W cm
Canvas, Acrylic