Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world.
Work that involves illusionistic techniques of realism dates back to the classical world, such as the deceptive trompe l’oeil used since ancient Greece. Art like this became especially popular in the 17th century when Dutch artists like Evert Collier painted objects that appeared real enough to touch. Realism as an artistic movement, however, usually refers to 19th-century French realist artists such as Honoré Daumier exploring social and political issues in biting lithographic prints, while the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painting people — particularly the working class — with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history.
By the turn of the 20th century, European artists, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, were experimenting with nearly photographic realism in their work, as seen in the attention to every botanical attribute of the flowers surrounding the drowned Ophelia painted by English artist John Everett Millais.
Although abstraction was the guiding style of 20th-century art, the realism trend in American modern art endured in Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and other artists’ depictions of the complexities of the human experience. In the late 1960s, Photorealism emerged with artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes giving their paintings the precision of a frame of film.
Contemporary artists such as Jordan Casteel, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Aliza Nisenbaum are now using the unvarnished realist approach for honest representations of people and their worlds. Alongside traditional mediums, technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive installations are helping artists create new sensations of realism in art.
Find authentic realist paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.
Family Pool, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1960s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Mrs A. Watson Armour III (Jean Schweppe) with friends and family enjoying the pool on their estate at...
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To Any Lengths, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features photographer Slim Aarons photographing film starlet Mara Lane from the top of an extending ladder by th...
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Monocled Miss, Estate Edition (German model Renata Boeck in 1960s New York)
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German fashion model Renata Boeck (wearing a monocle) enjoying breakfast in bed at the Regency Hotel in New York, 1964. She is wearing a black monocle and a fur-lined turquoise robe as she reads the morning paper, propped up against sumptuous yellow pillows. Morning light pours through the sheer curtains...
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Zermatt Skiing, Switzerland, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late 1960s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features skiers in Zermatt, in March 1968. This is an estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with ...
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$1,800
Backgammon In Haiti, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a close-up of a woman playing backgammon in Haiti in January 1975. This is an estate-stamped and hand-...
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The Bahamas, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1960s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a swimming pool, seen through the fronds of a palm tree, with two people swimming and a group of people...
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$3,600
Saint-Tropez, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features holidaymakers on the deck of a yacht in Saint-Tropez, France. This is an estate-stamped and hand-num...
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$4,200
Beach at St Tropez, Midcentury Modern French Riviera Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sunbathers on the beach at St. Tropez, France, 1977. Slim Aarons Beach at St Tropez Slim Aarons Estate Edition Stamped and hand numbered by the Slim Aarons Estate. Certificate of Au...
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Arrival or Departure Photographic Series (After Hitchcock) by Betty Hahn
By Betty Hahn
Located in Soquel, CA
Rare Photographic series of five photographs by Betty Hahn titled, "Arrival or Departure (After Hitchcock), 1987, a series of five gelatin silver photographs" 17" by 24 each". A copy...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin, Archival Paper
Japan – Deshima, Nagasaki – Hand-colored Meiji Period photograph
Located in Middletown, NY
Yokohama, Japan: 1890s. Hand-tinted albumen print, 7 7/8 x 10 1/4 inches (200 x 260 mm), captioned in negative at lower right. Unmounted; housed in an archival mat with clear mounti...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
Japan, Girls Playing on Konkonchiki Game, original photograph
Located in Middletown, NY
Hand-tinted albumen print, 7 7/8 x 10 1/4 inches (200 x 260 mm), numbered B 1085 and captioned in negative at lower right. Tiny in-negative defects creating white spots. Unmounted;...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
The Ferragamo Family, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1990s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the Ferragamo family sitting on a terrace before their residence overlooking Tuscany, Italy. This is...
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The Ferragamo Family, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1990s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the Ferragamo family sitting on a terrace before their residence overlooking Tuscany, Italy. This is...
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The Ferragamo Family, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1990s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the Ferragamo family sitting on a terrace before their residence overlooking Tuscany, Italy. This is...
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The Ferragamo Family, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1990s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the Ferragamo family sitting on a terrace before their residence overlooking Tuscany, Italy. This is...
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Sports Car Couple, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features John Bryant with his AC sports car in Kinnerton Place, London SW1. His passenger is Margaret McAulay. ...
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Palm Beach Palace, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the house of builder Robert Gottfried, overlooking Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida, 1985. Designed by J...
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Palm Beach Palace, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the house of builder Robert Gottfried, overlooking Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida, 1985. Designed by J...
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Palm Beach Palace, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the house of builder Robert Gottfried, overlooking Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida, 1985. Designed by J...
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Palm Beach Palace, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the house of builder Robert Gottfried, overlooking Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida, 1985. Designed by J...
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Palm Beach Palace, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the house of builder Robert Gottfried, overlooking Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida, 1985. Designed by J...
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Palm Beach Palace, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the house of builder Robert Gottfried, overlooking Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida, 1985. Designed by J...
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Palm Beach Palace, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the house of builder Robert Gottfried, overlooking Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida, 1985. Designed by J...
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Kasuga at Nara – Original hand-colored Meiji Era photgraph, Japan
Located in Middletown, NY
Tokyo, Japan: c 1890. Hand-tinted albumen print, 7 5/8 x 10 inches (200 x 255 mm), pasted on light album board, numbered 956 and captioned in negative at lower right; housed in an a...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
$2,400
Swimming In Bermuda, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1970s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features guests on Sidney Gould's 'Sea Quest' boat take a dip in the ocean, Bermuda. This is an estate-stamp...
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Portrait of Imogen Cunningham - Black & White Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
A stunning black and white photographic portrait of Imogen Cunningham (1883-1976) by California photographer, Robert Werling (b. 1946). Signed and dated by the artist on the mat, low...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Harbour Isle Beach, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features holidaymakers on the beach at Harbour Isle in the Bahamas. This is an estate-stamped and hand-number...
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Nagasaki Post Office – Original hand-colored Meiji era photograph, Japan
Located in Middletown, NY
Original Photograph / Photographer Unattributed Yokohama, Japan: c1890 Hand-tinted albumen print, 7 7/8 x 10 1/4 inches (192 x 260 mm). Unmounted; housed in an archival mat with cle...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
Theater House, Kobe – Original hand-colored Meiji era photograph, Japan
Located in Middletown, NY
Yokohama, Japan: 1890s. Hand-tinted albumen print, 7 7/8 x 10 1/4 inches (200 x 260 mm), captioned in negative at lower right. Unmounted; housed in an archival mat with clear mounti...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
Japan – Inland Sea at Bingo
Located in Middletown, NY
Yokohama, Japan: c 1880. Hand-tinted albumen print, 7 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches (200 x 260 mm), numbered A 425 and titled at lower right; very light toning on the edges. Unmounted; housed...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
Vane's Villa, Majorca, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1980s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features guests at Vane Ivanovic's villa in Cap de Formentor, Majorca, Spain. This is an estate-stamped and...
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Town view of Corleone from the series "Poverty Has Chased the Mafia Away"
Located in Middletown, NY
Vintage gelatin silver print. Image dimensions 7 1/4 x 9 3/8 in. (180 x 238 mm), printed to edge. Photographer's copyright stamp and credit sticker on verso, with typewritten title: ...
Photographic Paper
$1,450
Omicidio nella zona di Partinico (Homicide in the area of Partinico / Palermo)
Located in Middletown, NY
Vintage gelatin silver print. Image dimensions 7 3/4 x 9 1/2 in. (197 x 242 mm), printed to edge, bottom left corner stlightly bent Photographer's copyright stamp and credit sticker ...
Photographic Paper
Horse-Drawn Carriages in Front of the Caltagirone City Museum
Located in Middletown, NY
Vintage gelatin silver print on baryta paper, 11 3/4 x 9 in. (300 x 228 mm), printed to edge. Photographer's credit sticker on verso, with penciled title "Caltagirone" and negative n...
Photographic Paper
Vintage Silver Gelatin Signed Print Old Jew in Jerusalem Pious Craftsman
Located in Surfside, FL
Rare vintage signed and dated silver gelatin black & white framed photograph. This photo is signed but I cannot make out the signature. It is from the aftermath of the six day w...
Silver Gelatin
On The Coast Of Brazil, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a general view of a jetty and a speedboat beside a residence on the coast of Brazil. This is an estat...
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On The Coast Of Brazil, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a general view of a jetty and a speedboat beside a residence on the coast of Brazil. This is an estat...
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On The Coast Of Brazil, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograp
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a general view of a jetty and a speedboat beside a residence on the coast of Brazil. This is an estat...
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On The Coast Of Brazil, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a general view of a jetty and a speedboat beside a residence on the coast of Brazil. This is an estat...
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On The Coast Of Brazil, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a general view of a jetty and a speedboat beside a residence on the coast of Brazil. This is an estat...
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On The Coast Of Brazil, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a general view of a jetty and a speedboat beside a residence on the coast of Brazil. This is an estat...
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Volleyball In Santa Barbara, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a group of young people playing volleyball, Santa Barbara, California. This is an estate-stamped and h...
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Volleyball In Santa Barbara, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a group of young people playing volleyball, Santa Barbara, California. This is an estate-stamped and h...
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Volleyball In Santa Barbara, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a group of young people playing volleyball, Santa Barbara, California. This is an estate-stamped and h...
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Volleyball In Santa Barbara, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a group of young people playing volleyball, Santa Barbara, California. This is an estate-stamped and h...
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Japan – Two young geishas in flower garden, studio photograph, hand-colored
Located in Middletown, NY
Yokohama, Japan: c 1890. Hand-tinted albumen print, 10 1/2 x 8 inches (266 x 203 mm), numbered B334 in negative, right side of image printed somewhat lighter than left, tiny in-nega...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
Henry Fonda, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Henry Fonda (1905 - 1982) on a rubber dinghy during the filming of Mister Roberts, in which he starred....
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Henry Fonda, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Henry Fonda (1905 - 1982) on a rubber dinghy during the filming of Mister Roberts, in which he starred....
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Peter And Britt, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1960s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features film stars Peter Sellers (1925 - 1980) and his wife Britt Ekland sharing a lilo during their holiday on...
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Peter And Britt, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1960s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features film stars Peter Sellers (1925 - 1980) and his wife Britt Ekland sharing a lilo during their holiday on...
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$3,000
The Butlers, Bahamas, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Allan and Shirley Butler beside the pool at their home 'Jacaranda' in the Bahamas. His wife is the da...
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$3,600
The Butlers, Bahamas, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Allan and Shirley Butler beside the pool at their home 'Jacaranda' in the Bahamas. His wife is the da...
Lambda
$5,400
The Butlers, Bahamas, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Allan and Shirley Butler beside the pool at their home 'Jacaranda' in the Bahamas. His wife is the da...
Lambda
$1,800
The Butlers, Bahamas, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Allan and Shirley Butler beside the pool at their home 'Jacaranda' in the Bahamas. His wife is the da...
Lambda
$2,400
The Butlers, Bahamas, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Allan and Shirley Butler beside the pool at their home 'Jacaranda' in the Bahamas. His wife is the da...
Lambda
$3,900
The Butlers, Bahamas, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Allan and Shirley Butler beside the pool at their home 'Jacaranda' in the Bahamas. His wife is the da...
Lambda
$4,200
The Butlers, Bahamas, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Allan and Shirley Butler beside the pool at their home 'Jacaranda' in the Bahamas. His wife is the da...
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Japan – Geisha, Kago Travelling Chair
Located in Middletown, NY
Original Photograph / Photographer unattributed Yokohama, Japan: c 1885. Hand-tinted albumen print, 7 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches (197 x 260 mm), numbered B 86 and captioned caption on lowe...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
$1,800
Party Preparations, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1970s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features guests Nelda Linsk (in yellow), wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk, and other guests at the Kaufmann ...
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Poolside Poodle, Palm Springs, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features former fashion model Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur (in white lace), Nelda Linsk (in yellow), wife of art dealer Jose...
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