Who were the Photorealists and what was their contribution to the art world?

The Photorealists were a group of artists who emerged in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were known for creating paintings that were so realistic that they looked like photographs. The movement was a reaction against the abstract expressionism that had dominated the art world in the 1950s and 1960s.

Photorealism was influenced by Pop Art and emerged at a time when photography was becoming an increasingly popular medium. The artists would often use photographs as a reference for their paintings and would try to reproduce the images as accurately as possible, sometimes even including flaws such as dust or scratches.

The Photorealists' contribution to the art world was significant in that they challenged traditional notions of what art could be. By creating works that were almost indistinguishable from photographs, they forced viewers to question their perceptions of reality and the nature of art itself. They also helped to elevate the status of realism in the art world and paved the way for future artists to explore the possibilities of the medium.