Photorealism is a genre of art, primarily painting, that emerged in the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is defined by its accurate reproduction of a photograph in another medium with a high degree of realism. Photorealist artists work directly from photographs, often using techniques like projecting an image onto the canvas or applying a grid system to ensure precise translation of form and detail.

As a reaction against the dominance of abstract movements like Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism , Photorealism re-engaged with representational imagery, but unlike traditional realism, its source was the camera's lens, not direct observation. The subjects are typically mundane aspects of American life, including cars, diners, storefronts, and portraits, as seen in the work of key figures like Richard Estes, Chuck Close, and Ralph Goings. Beyond just technical skill, the movement explores the relationship between painting, photography, and human perception, questioning the nature of reality by creating a handmade copy of a mechanical reproduction.

While Photorealism was primarily done through painting, there were several sculptors who also participated in this movement.