Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
German, b. 1954
Ellen von Unwerth is a director and photographer whose bold and erotic images of women have left an indelible mark on the visual landscape of the fashion world.
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, von Unwerth was a model in Paris for nearly a decade before turning to photography. Her 1989 images of Claudia Schiffer for a Guess jeans campaign, echoing the playfully feminine style of 1950s pinups, earned both Schiffer and von Unwerth wide attention. Over the years, her work has been featured regularly in magazines like Interview, Vanity Fair, Vogue, I-D and The Face, appearing on covers and in both editorial and commercial contexts. In 1991, she won first prize at the International Festival of Fashion Photography.
Von Unwerth’s 1995 photoshoot of Drew Barrymore for Playboy magazine is among her most popular work and, coupled with an array of album covers for such artists as Janet Jackson and Britney Spears, gave her standing as a celebrity photographer beyond the borders of the fashion world. Von Unwerth’s pictures have a distinctive look and feel, with saturated colors and dense compositions, while also, in certain cases, paying homage to great photographers of the 20th century.
The 2015 Tree of Love, Bavaria, in which a nude model reclines inside the heart-shaped hollow of an enormous decaying trunk, recalls Edward Weston’s sensuous use of the body’s geometry in his compositions. And the dramatically lit Tic Tac Toe from 2010, showing a scantily clad woman posing on a city street at night, evokes Helmut Newton’s atmospheric photograph of a model wearing Yves St. Laurent’s Le Smoking jacket, shot for French Vogue in 1975.
Von Unwerth has published several books of her photographs, including Revenge, in 2003, and Fräulein, in 2009. Those volumes have been joined by one showcasing the photos of her series “Heimat,” in which she playfully combines visual tropes of traditional Bavarian life with her signature eroticism and wit. She is represented by several dealers, including the Staley-Wise Gallery, in New York, and Galerie Trabant, in Kitzbühel, Austria.
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Artist: Ellen von Unwerth
Tete-à-Tete, Bavaria 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Munich, DE
2 girls in traditional bavarian dresses showing their cleavage.
In "Heimat" (german for homeland) invites viewers on a photographic journey through her childhood homeland of Bavaria...
Category
2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Invitation Only, Paris, 2007
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on a label of authenticity
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Carmin, Paris, 2003
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Bees Do It, Paris, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Boss Bitch, Berlin, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
The Pinch, Paris, 2008
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Swanky Panky, New York, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Danger Kitty!: Zoë Kravitz, New York, 2022
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Mardi Gras, New Orleans, 1998
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Games, New York, 2013
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Pigalle, Paris, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Parading, Paris, 2010
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Private Affair, Paris, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Château Marmont, Los Angeles, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Flush: Elle Macpherson, New York, 2004
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
In The Shower With Rihanna, New York, 2014
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Paint Them Black: Kate Moss, Paris, 1994
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Harp Lesson, Rouilly-Le-Bas, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Guardians, Paris, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Nudes at the Royalton, New York, 1992
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Playboy Bunnies, New York, 1995
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Legs Crossed: Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, Cannes, 1990
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Galliano, Paris, 1993
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Just Checking: Long Island, 1997
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Place des Vosges, Paris, 2023
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Invitation Only, Paris, 2007
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Unmasking: Demi Moore, New York, 1996
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Taste Test - Heimat, Model, traditional dress eating fondue fine art photography
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high-end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography, representing the most...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Squeeze & Shape from Heimat - nude Model washing herself, fine art photography
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high-end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography, representing the most...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Church Girls, Heimat - Models in traditional dress, fine art photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high-end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography, representing the most...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Fired Up from Heimat - Nude Model in Apron working, fine art photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high-end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography, representing the most...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The Spill - Models in a kitchen cleaning the floor, fine art photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bubbly
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Ed. 2/3, signed, titled, dated, numbered in ink. Includes black frame.
Ellen von Unwerth is a director and photographer who started out working as a fashion model. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and began modeling at the age of 20. After being noticed by a photographer on the street, she moved to Paris to begin a career as a fashion model. During her years as a model, she started to feel that the industry was missing an element of freedom.
After receiving a camera as a gift from her boyfriend, she began to take her own pictures, which eventually led to an improvised photo-shoot in Africa of her model colleagues. Von Unwerth developed a passion for photography after seeing the published photos of her colleagues. She became famous for her work when she was hired by Guess to shoot an up-and-coming model named Claudia Shchiffer. This photo-shoot created a huge demand for her services in the industry. Since then, von Unwerth has gone on to photograph numerous celebrities and entertainers and has worked for leading magazines like Vogue, Interview, Vanity Fair, The Face, L’Uomo Vogue...
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Thirsty - Milk dripping out of a Model's Mouth, b&w fine art photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
Ellen von Unwerth is one of the most famous and influential photographers in the world. Her artistic achievements have been honored with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Adriana Lima Wicked - the supermodel naked with halo and silk gloves
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful black & white fine art print of topmodel Adriana Lima with a cat. The Victoria's Secret star is posing from behind in sexy lingerie and black hi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Milla Jovovich - the actress with devil horns and hand with gloves in b&w
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists.
El...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Follow Me, Paris, 2004
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Edition of 15
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Bunny on Leash - models in dessous with bunny ears and stockings
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists.
El...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Playboy Bunny - model with mask
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists.
El...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Playboy Bunnies, NYC - Models in front of a mirror, fine art photography, 1995
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request.
All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certific...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bunny on pedestal - nude model with bunny ears
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists.
El...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
White Bunny II - model looking in the mirror
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists.
El...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
White Bunny - Model with crystalised bunny Mask, b&w fine art photography, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request.
All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certific...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Pamela Anderson - in a playboy bunny costume, fine art photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request.
All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certific...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Pamela Anderson - the superstar in a bunny outfit and sexy pose
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists.
El...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Guess’ 30th Anniversary Campaign III
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
“Claudia symbolizes everything that the Guess-woman stands for,” stated Paul Marciano when doing the anniversary photo shoot for GUESS. “Thanks to her timeless, highly personal style...
Category
2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Guess’ 30th Anniversary Campaign II
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
“Claudia symbolizes everything that the Guess-woman stands for,” stated Paul Marciano when doing the anniversary photo shoot for GUESS. “Thanks to her timeless, highly personal style...
Category
2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Guess' 30th Anniversary Campaign I
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
“Claudia symbolizes everything that the Guess-woman stands for,” stated Paul Marciano when doing the anniversary photo shoot for GUESS. “Thanks to her timeless, highly personal style...
Category
2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Claudia Schiffer: Guess’ 30th Anniversary Campaign
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
“Claudia symbolizes everything that the Guess-woman stands for,” stated Paul Marciano when doing the anniversary photo shoot for GUESS. “Thanks to her timeless, highly personal style...
Category
2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Filmstar Monica Bellucci in a small black dress with a man in a bathroom
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Filmstar Monica Bellucci in a bathroom with a small black dress on and curlers in her hair
Other sizes and high end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leadin...
Category
2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Monica Bellucci, New York - the filmstar opening her bustier with a necklace on
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Monica Bellucci, New York - the filmstar opening her bustier with a cross necklace on
Other sizes and high-end framing on request.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading gal...
Category
2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Claudia Schiffer - portrait of the supermodel looking like Brigitte Bardot
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Supermodel Claudia Schiffer in corset in Brigitte Bardot style. The artwork is framed high-end with a black wooden box, mat and 99% UV-resistant acrylic glass. It is made and signed ...
Category
1990s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
David Bowie and Kate Moss - portrait of the icons of music and fashion
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
David Bowie and Kate Moss - portrait of the icons of music and fashion
Legendary portrait of the supermodel Kate Moss and music superstar David Bowie together
The artwork is made and...
Category
2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bonheur (Happiness), Nice
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Dog Walkers, Cannes
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Diane Kruger "Blue Angel" portrait of the moviestar inspired by Marlene Dietrich
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Diane Kruger "Blue Angel" portrait of the movie star and model inspired by Marlene Dietrich.
The artwork is made and signed by the artist in a limited edi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Undercover, Warsaw - semi nude on a stairwell, fine art photography, 2019
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request.
All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certific...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Crash, Elle Macpherson - nude model with newspaper, fine art photography, 2004
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request.
All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certificate of authenticity from the gallery.
The famous australian Model Elle Macpherson...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Black and White Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Ellen Von Unwerth black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Ellen von Unwerth black and white photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ellen von Unwerth in archival pigment print, pigment print, silver gelatin print 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 contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Ellen von Unwerth black and white photography, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Guido Argentini, Joachim Schmeisser, and Ricky Cohete.