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.

1. Photorealism
Taj Kooner and Miranda Toal

2. What is Photorealism?
Paintings that appear to be
photos
Coined by Louis K. Meisel
Considered an originator if fell
into a certain defintion

3. Origin
Counter Abstract Expressionism/
Minimalist art movements
Evolved from Pop Art but still
different
Started in late 1960s and early
1970s in the US

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.

9. Telephone Booths 1968

10. Downtown 1978

11. Broadway and 68th St. 2012

12. Machapuchare 2009

13. Accademia, Venice 1980

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.

15. Motorcycle Accident 1967

16. Tourists II 1988

17. Young Shopper 1973

18. Queenie II 1988

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

20. Phil 1969

21. Keith 1970

22. Mark 1978-1979

23. Self Portrait 1997

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

25. Two Volkswagens, 1971

26. Bumper Section VI 1970

27. Gorevic Silver I, 1975-76

28. Dreamreader's Harvest I, 1989

29. THE END