Photorealism in Focus

Photorealism in Focus brings together a dynamic selection of works by pioneering Photorealist artists—Richard Estes, Charles S. Bell, Audrey Flack, and Ralph Goings—alongside contemporary figures. Emerging in the late 1960s, Photorealism redefined the relationship between painting and photography, embracing technical precision to create images that blur the boundary between illusion and reality. The exhibition highlights the movement’s continued relevance and evolution, showcasing a range of subjects from urban landscapes to psychologically charged portraits.

Organized thematically around distinctive genres, Photorealism in Focus explores how artists have used meticulous detail and observational rigor to transform the everyday into compelling visual narratives. Through diverse approaches and media, the featured works, including highlights from the museum’s holdings, examine perception, memory, and the constructed nature of realism in contemporary visual culture.

Photorealism in Focus is curated by Dr. Gannit Ankori, Henry and Lois Foster Director and Chief Curator, Rose Art Museum, and Professor of Fine Arts and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Brandeis University.

Special thanks to media partner WBUR.