Richard Estes

Richard Estes Biography

Richard Estes cofounded the Photorealist movement along with Chuck Close, Ralph Goings and Audrey Flack. Estes is renowned for his eccentric paintings of scenes from New York City, including the Staten Island Ferry, the Williamsburg Bridge’s beams, stores, and skyscraper atriums. Many have reflecting surfaces, such storefront windows and dazzling automobiles, which produce mirrored imagery and create doubts about perception. Estes, a School of the Art Institute of Chicago alum, first tried his hand at photography and illustration before settling on painting.