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David LaChapelle Art

American, b. 1969

David LaChapelle's highly polished, saturated and intricately composed photographs possess the surreal wildness of fever dreams, concocted as they are out of the imagery of celebrity, eroticism and modern Americana, and spiked with religious allegory and forebodings of doom.

Such work has made him among the most influential art and celebrity photographers of his generation. You might say LaChapelle sprung straight from the head of Andy Warhol, whose campy silkscreen fusions of the glamorous, the transgressive and the everyday forever changed contemporary art.

Like so many young gay artists who came out of the 1980s downtown New York scene, LaChapelle’s escapist visions arose out of a lonely, bullied adolescence. Although born in Connecticut, the photographer spent his early childhood in North Carolina, the youngest of three children. Later, when LaChapelle was in his early teens, his family moved back to suburban Connecticut, but his cowboy costumes and gender-bending ways did not earn LaChapelle friends among his new preppy classmates.

By high school, LaChapelle felt terrorized and suicidal. He fled to New York, where his good looks got him a job bussing tables at Studio 54. It was there that he reputedly first met Warhol, who had been his favorite artist since he first gazed upon a Gold Marilyn, while on a fourth-grade field trip to a museum.

LaChapelle's parents eventually retrieved him from New York, and, sympathizing with his plight, sent him off to the North Carolina School of the Arts. Despite a more embracing atmosphere, he didn’t stay long. A sojourn in London followed. When he returned to New York, around 1983, the punk-inflected downtown culture was churning out gritty new art. Keith Haring’s gay-themed Pop-art graffiti was in everybody’s face, and Robert Mapplethorpe’s S&M photos were on gallery walls.

Having scored a show of his black-and-white photography — already vaguely campy and transfiguration-obsessed — at New York’s then-fledgling 303 Gallery in 1984, LaChapelle attracted the interest of Interview magazine. Warhol was then at the zenith of his influence in both the art world and the downtown scene. Recognizing LaChapelle’s potential as an eye-catching celebrity photographer, he put him on staff, providing him with the creative milieu where his distinctive talent might develop.

There were editorial assignments for i-D, The Face and later for Vanity Fair, Vogue Paris and Rolling Stone. He also made excursions into advertising. One of his most talked about campaigns was a provocative print ad for Diesel jeans inspired by the famous photograph of the V-J kiss in Times Square, but this time showing Tom of Finland–type sailors in passionate embrace.

After being without an editorial home for several years, LaChapelle finally found a base at Details, where he was again encouraged to let his freak flag fly. So arresting were his images that it wasn’t long before “the Fellini of photography,” as New York magazine dubbed him in 1996, was again working for Interview. One of his most emblematic pictures from this era was a Lil’ Kim cover for that magazine, featuring the rapper’s nude body emblazoned with Louis Vuitton insignia (one of the most famous logos in luxury fashion).

Such visually zany, socially astute portraits prompted Richard Avedon to liken LaChapelle to a photographic Magritte, while also winning him invitations to direct music videos for such talents as Christina Aguilera, Moby and Amy Winehouse.

Find a collection of original David LaChapelle photography today on 1stDibs.

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Artist: David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle American Jesus poster (Hand Signed by David LaChapelle)
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
This work was published for the exhibition, American Jesus, held 13 July - 18 September 2010 at Paul Kasmin, New York in cooperation with Fred Torres Colla...
Category

2010s Pop Art David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset, Ink

Vintage Untitled Beach Scene, 1987
By David LaChapelle
Located in Surfside, FL
Please ignore the glare on the glass. Rare, early, signed and dated (verso) 1987 vintage silver gelatin print. this is one of a kind and not editioned according to correspondence I have from his studio. this is one of three. one of them has a label from Triton gallery in NYC (on the others you can see where it was) Image size is 13 x 8.75 inches (33.02 x 22.23 cm.) paper is 14X11 inches David LaChapelle (born March 11, 1963) is an American commercial photographer, fine-art photographer, music video director, film director, and artist. He is best known for his photography, which often references art history and sometimes conveys social messages. His photographic style has been described as "hyper-real and slyly subversive" and as "kitsch pop surrealism." One 1996 article called him the "Fellini of photography," a phrase that continues to be applied to him. David LaChapelle's photography career began in the 1980's in New York City galleries. After attending the North Carolina School of Arts, he moved to New York where he enrolled at both the Art Students League and the School of Visual Arts. With shows at 303 GalleryLaChapelle which also exhibited artists such as Doug Aitken and Karen Kilimnik , Trabia McAffee and others, his work caught the eye of Andy Warhol and the editors of Interview Magazine, who offered him his first professional photography job. LaChapelle's friends during this period included Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat Working at Interview Magazine, LaChapelle quickly began photographing some of the most famous faces of the times. Before long, he was shooting for the top editorial publications of the world, and creating the most memorable advertising campaigns of a generation. LaChapelle cites a number of artists who have influenced his photography. In a 2009 interview, he mentioned the Baroque painters Andrea Pozzo and Caravaggio as two of his favorites.[23] Critics have noted that LaChapelle's work has been influenced by Salvador Dalí, Jeff Koons, Michelangelo, Cindy Sherman, and Andy Warhol. His striking images have appeared on and in between the covers of magazines such as Italian Vogue, French Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Rolling Stone and i-D. In his twenty-year career in publishing, he has photographed personalities as diverse as Tupac Shakur, Madonna, Amanda Lepore, Eminem, Philip Johnson, Lance Armstrong...
Category

1980s Conceptual David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Nude Man and Woman in the Grass (White Rabbits)
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Vintage gelatin silver print Signed, inscribed, and dated in pencil, verso This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Hired by Andy Warhol as a photographer f...
Category

1980s Other Art Style David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

This is My House
By David LaChapelle
Located in Saint Louis, MO
David LaChapelle This is My House, 1997 Chromogenic print 17 x 20 1/2 inches (43.2 x 52.1 cm) Edition of 50
Category

1990s Contemporary David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

After the Deluge: Statue, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on a label of authenticity
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Archangel Uriel
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
David LaChapelle Archangel Uriel 1985/2022 Signed and numbered on label, verso Archival pigment print (Edition of 500) 16 x 12 inches Contact gallery for price.
Category

1980s Contemporary David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Diesel Jeans, Victory Day, 1945
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Golden Hour: David Hockney
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

My Own Liz
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

21st Century and Contemporary David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Elton John: Egg on His Face
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer Please inquire about additional limited sizes and editions
Category

21st Century and Contemporary David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

After The Deluge: Statue (The End of All We Knew)
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by photographer
Category

21st Century and Contemporary David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Elizabeth Taylor: National Velvet
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth Taylor: National Velvet 2002/2022 Signed and numbered on label, verso Archival pigment print (Edition of 500) 10 x 16 inches Contact gallery for price. This work is of...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Vulgar Tears, Paris, 1995
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Edition of 10 + 3 Artist's Proofs
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

David and Amanda, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Amanda Lepore’s birth name was Armand Lepore. In the early 1980’s, three decades before transgender rights became a social issue, she began her devotion to the plastic surgery that would transform her in to a downtown New York icon and frequent muse to photographer David LaChapelle. Filmmaker Joel Schumacher has called Lepore a “moving sculpture...
Category

Early 2000s Modern David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Fish Stick: Devon Aoki in Agent Provocateur, London
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Edition of 7 + 3 Artist’s Proofs Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s Modern David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Rebirth of Venus
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Sandro Botticelli’s iconic painting The Birth of Venus (click here) was created in the late 15th century and depicts the mythological origin of the goddess Aphrodite (known also as Venus, the goddess of love and sex), who was born an adult woman from sea foam. Although this myth was very popular with artists beginning in the 16th century, Botticelli’s painting...
Category

Early 2000s Modern David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Orange Crush
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Chromogenic Print in Artist’s Frame. Signed by the photographer.
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Amanda: My Own Marilyn, 2007
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Elizabeth Taylor: Act Up
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is in an edition of 7. Signed by the photographer.
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

David Hockney: Golden Hour
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer.
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

America
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Earth Laughs in Flowers: Springtime
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Whitney Houston: Closed Eyes
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Whitney Houston: But Now I See
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Uma Thurman: Beauties Bloom, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Tupac Shakur: To Begin Again 1
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

The Rock: The Bull, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Showtime at the Apocalypse, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Self-Portrait as House, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Rose McGowan: Sinless
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Pamela Anderson: He Aimed the Arrows of Love that Puncture My Aching Heart
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Nicki Minaj: Superbass
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Miley Ray Cyrus: Solitary
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Lil’ Kim: Luxury Item, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Leonardo DiCaprio: Unspoiled, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Lana Del Ray: Newly Weds, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Lana Del Ray: Free Love, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

It’s Not About Me, It’s About You, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Hillary Clinton: Politicians Paradox
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Faye Dunaway: Day of the Locust, Hollywood
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Eminem: About to Blow, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Elton John: Egg on His Face, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Elton John: Someone Save My Life Tonight
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Elizabeth Taylor: National Velvet, Burbank CA
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Dolly Parton: Dollywood, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

David Bowie: Self Preservation, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Courtney Love: Silent Screaming
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Cher
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Brittany Murphy with Pierrot, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Britney Spears: Portrait of a Young Pop Star on the Verge of Success, Louisiana
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

Brick

Bicentennial Birthday, Los Angeles
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Anna Nicole Smith: Rich Girl, Poor Girl, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Andy Warhol: “I’m A Deeply Superficial Person”, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1980s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

An Illuminating Path, New York
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

Amy Winehouse: Fallen Friend on the Walk of Stars
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

But Honeyed Looks Betray
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
This print is signed by the photographer and is in an edition of 7.
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

An Image of Some Bright Eternity
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
This print is signed by the photographer and is in an edition of 7.
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

My Own Liz
By David LaChapelle
Located in New York, NY
Availability is subject to change without notice.
Category

Early 2000s David LaChapelle Art

Materials

C Print

David Lachapelle art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David LaChapelle art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, orange, red and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by David LaChapelle in c print, paper, photographic paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large David LaChapelle art, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jill Greenberg, Robert Farber, and Michael Wolf. David LaChapelle art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,000 and tops out at $120,000, while the average work can sell for $4,875.

Artists Similar to David LaChapelle

Questions About David LaChapelle Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    The style of David LaChapelle's photography is unique and unable to fit into one category. Some people consider his photography a form of Surrealism, while others classify it as hyper-real. He is especially well known for photographing celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Amanda Lepore. Shop a collection of David LaChapelle art on 1stDibs.

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