Photorealism is a style of painting that depicts realistic imagery so precisely that it appears photographic. It originated in the late 1960s as a reaction against Abstract Expressionism. Photorealistic paintings are often very large, photo-accurate depictions of common objects, landscapes, and portraits created using techniques like projecting photographs onto canvases. Some criticize photorealism as merely copying photographs rather than creating art, while supporters argue it captures moments frozen in time. Early influential American photorealists included Richard Estes, Chuck Close, and Don Eddy, who painted cityscapes, portraits, and everyday objects respectively.
4. Criticism
Some say they are not art
Considered masterful copying
Admitting to the use of
photographs
5. Style and Technique
Painting cannot exist without photo
Change and movement frozen in time
Artists can use a projector, the grid
method, or transfer paper
Paintings are usually very large
Usually done in oil or acrylic paint
Can be airbrushed or painted by hand
6. What is Painted?
Common objects or scenery
Landscapes, urban areas,
portraits, and still life's
Many artists wanted to capture
the “American way of life”
7. Artist
First generation of American
Artists include Richard Estes,
Ralph Goings, Chuck Close,
Charles Bell, Audrey Flack, Don
Eddy, Robert Bechtle, and Tom
Blackwell
8. Richard Estes
Paintings capture sites of American popular
culture
Early 1960s-Paintings focus on New York
street scenes
Late 1960s- Paintings changed direction,
also started to paint panoramic views
Painted major cityscapes. Always in daylight
and litter free.
14. Duane Hanson
Subjects are usually everyday, middle class
American people
Chose models carefully
Adds precise detail
making figural casts using fiberglass and vinyl.
While his early works dealt with physical violence
or social issues, his later work seems to portray
passive, isolated figures as victims of society and
negative values.
19. Known for his huge portrait art and self portraits
In 1970, Close had his first solo-exhibition
Close has devoted himself to the study of one single
subject - the human face
Initially he worked exclusively in black and white,
but after 1970 switched to color.
Suffered a damaged spinal blood vessel in 1988,
which left him severely paralyzed.
Chuck Close
24. Don Eddy
His images from 1970 to 1972 revolve around the
shapes and surfaces of cars.
1972, Eddy started painting everyday objects
through plate-glass storefronts.
In the 1980s, his work was more object oriented
He utilizes the airbrush painting and thousands of
dots of color.
Don Eddy uses multiple images for his paintings