Photorealism

Photorealism is an art genre involving painting, drawing, and other graphic media. An artist studies a photograph to reproduce the image as realistically as possible. This style is more than just a technique for making things look real. It is also a specific art movement of American painters. It began in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Photorealists aim to capture a frozen moment in time with extreme precision.

Unlike trompe-l'œil, which tries to fool the eye into seeing a real object, viewers of Photorealism always know they are looking at a painting.

The process of creating Photorealist art follows a very specific mechanism. First, the artist uses a camera or several photographs to gather visual information. This use of the camera represents an acceptance of Modernism. Once the photograph is developed, often onto a photographic slide, the artist transfers the image to a canvas. They might use a projector to cast the slide onto the surface. Other artists use traditional grid techniques to maintain accuracy. The final result is often a direct copy of the photo, but it is frequently much larger than the original. This scale allows for a focus on technical virtuosity, such as reflections on specular surfaces or geometric man-made environments.

Louis K. Meisel coined the term "Photorealism" in 1969. The name first appeared in print in 1970 within a Whitney Museum catalogue. Meisel later developed a strict five-point definition for the movement's originators. To be a central Photorealist, an artist had to use a camera for information and a mechanical or semi-mechanical way to transfer it. They also needed the technical ability to make the work appear photographic. Finally, they had to have exhibited work as a Photorealist by 1972 and devoted at least five years to the style. This movement is sometimes known by other names, such as Super-Realism, New Realism, Sharp Focus Realism, or hyperrealism.

Historically, Photorealism evolved from Pop Art. It also served as a counter to Abstract Expressionism and Minimalist art movements. During the mid-20th century, the abundance of photographic media was a massive phenomenon. Pop artists reacted to this by pointing out the absurdity of commercial imagery. Photorealists took a different path by trying to reclaim and exalt the value of the image. While realism had reemerged in the 1930s, modernist critics had previously minimized it. Photorealists wanted to set themselves apart from both traditional realists and Abstract Expressionists.

Many significant artists defined the first generation of this movement. This group included painters like Richard Estes, Ralph Goings, Chuck Close, and Audrey Flack. Other notable names were Charles Bell, Don Eddy, Denis Peterson, Robert Bechtle, Ron Kleemann, Richard McLean, John Salt, and Tom Blackwell. The movement also included sculptors known as Verists. Artists like Duane Hanson and John DeAndrea created lifelike sculptures of average people. These sculptures often used real clothes and simulated hair to achieve their effect.

The movement has changed significantly over the decades. In 2002, only eight of the original thirteen Photorealists were still creating work. As of September 2020, Richard Estes is the only remaining original Photorealist actively working in the style. Many others, such as Chuck Close and Robert Bechtle, have passed away. However, the movement has expanded internationally. Since the mid-1990s, European artists like Clive Head and Roberto Bernardi have emerged. Events like The Prague Project bring American and international painters together to work in various cities.

Today, the evolution of technology continues to push the boundaries of the genre. Newer paintings that exceed previous possibilities are sometimes called "Hyperrealism." Modern artists use advanced digital equipment and cameras to achieve even greater precision. Some artists even use unconventional materials to build their images. For example, Bill Fink uses soil, pollen, human hair, and cremated human remains in his work. This shows how Photorealism remains connected to both technological progress and the physical world. The influence of original masters like Richard Estes and Ralph Goings can still be seen in the work of contemporary artists.