Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
American, b. 1940
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 24, 1940, Arthur Tress began his first camera work as a teenager in the surreal neighborhood of Coney Island where he spent hours exploring the decaying amusement parks. Later, during five years of world travel, mostly in Asia and Africa, he developed an interest in ethnographical photography that eventually led him to his first professional assignment as a U.S. government photographer recording the endangered folk cultures of Appalachia.
Seeing the destructive results of corporate resource extraction, Tress began to use his camera to raise environmental awareness about the economic and human costs of pollution. Focusing on New York City, he began to photograph the neglected fringes of the urban waterfront with a straight documentary approach. This gradually evolved into a more personal mode of “magic realism” combining improvised elements of actual life with stage fantasy that became his hallmark style of directorial fabrication. In the late 1960s Tress was inspired to do a series based upon children’s dreams that combined his interests in ritual ceremony, Jungian archetypes, and social allegory. Later bodies of work dealing with the hidden dramas of adult relationships and the reenactments of male homosexual desire evolved from this primarily theatrical approach.
Beginning in the early 1980s, Tress began shooting in color, creating room-sized painted sculptural installations out of found medical equipment in an abandoned hospital on New York’s Welfare Island. This led to a smaller scale exploration of narrative still life within a children’s toy theater and a portable nineteenth-century aquarium.
Around 2002, Tress returned to gelatin silver, exploring more formalist themes in the style of mid- century modernism, often combining a spontaneous shooting style with a constructivist’s sense of architectural composition and abstract shape. In addition to images of California skateboard parks, his recent work includes the round images of the series Planets and the diamond-shaped images of Pointers. Selected Arthur Tress Books and Publications
Open Space in the Inner City: Ecology and the Urban Environment. New York: New York State Council on the Arts, 1971. Arthur Tress: The Dream Collector. Text by John Minahan. Richmond: Westover, 1972, New York: Avon, 1974. Shadow. A Novel in Photographs. New York: Avon, 1975 Theater of the Mind. Text by Duane Michaels, Michel Tournier and A.D. Coleman. Dobbs Ferry: Morgan and Morgan, 1976. Reves. Text by Michel Tournier. Brussels: Complexe, 1979. Talisman. Edited by Marco Livingstone. Oxford: Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, 1986. The Teapot Opera. Photographs and text by Arthur Tress. Goro International, 1986, Abbeville, 1988. Male of the Species: Four Decades of Photography by Arthur Tress. Text by Michale Tournier. Fotofactory, 1999. Fish Tank Sonata. Bulfinch, 2000. Arthur Tress: Fantastic Voyage: Photographs 1956-2000. Bulfinch, 2001. Memories. Photographs by Arthur Tress, Poems by Guillaume Apollinaire. 21st,(Biography provided by Stone and Press Gallery)
to
1
11
7
2
2
8
3
Overall Height
to
Overall Width
to
6
10
7
4
4
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
11
2
5
3
20
1,325
1,156
905
643
11
Artist: Arthur Tress
Boy in Burnt Out Furniture Store, Newark, New Jersey
By Arthur Tress
Located in Carmel, CA
Purchased directly from artist.
Hand printed silver gelatin photograph,.
Mint Condition
Signed and titled in pen on recto.
Category
1960s Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Claire De Lune, Breezy Point, New York
By Arthur Tress
Located in Carmel, CA
Mint Condition
Purchased directly from artist.
Loose Print
Titled in Pen Left Hand Side
Signed in Pen Right Hand Side
Category
Late 20th Century Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Groom with the White Arabian, CA
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Groom and the White Arabian, CA
1996
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in ink, recto
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 50)
14.75 x 14.75 inches (37.5 x 37.5 cm), image
This work...
Category
1990s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Stormy Weather, Palm Springs
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Stormy Weather
Palm Springs, 1995
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in black ink, recto
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 50)
20 x 16 inches (50.8 x...
Category
1990s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Boy in Mickey Mouse Hat, Coney Island, New York
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Vintage gelatin silver print
Signed and dated twice, verso
Also inscribed in black ink, verso
Various studio stamps and printing instructions, verso
This artwork is offered by Clam...
Category
1960s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Making Leaves (a sexy still life where 2 rakes and some leaves turn up the heat)
By Arthur Tress
Located in New Orleans, LA
Tress uses a bed, the juxtaposition of two rakes and a scattering of fallen leaves to enter a sexy anthropomorphic world. Often men are called "rakes" to suggest amoral activity. In...
Category
1970s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Flood Dream
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Ocean City, New Jersey, 1971
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered, recto
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 50)
14 x 11 inches, sheet
10 x 10 inches, image
Contact gallery for price.
Literature:
John Minahan, The Dream Collector (Westover Publishing Company: Richmond, Virginia, 1972)
Michel Tournier...
Category
1970s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
University Tutorial
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Signed, titled, numbered, and dated, recto
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 50)
14 x 11 inches sheet
10 x 10 inches image
Contact gallery for price.
This work is offered by Clamp...
Category
1970s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The Burning Warehouse
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Signed, titled, and numbered, recto
This work is offered by ClampArt in New York City.
Category
1970s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Platonic Friendship
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Signed, titled, and inscribed “for Paul” in black ink, recto
Gelatin silver print
14 x 11 inches, sheet
7.5 x 7.5 inches, image
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New Y...
Category
1990s Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The Last Portrait of My Father, NYC
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 50)
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in black ink, recto
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
Arthur Tress is one of t...
Category
1970s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Related Items
The Bath #1 (Female nude squats near tub in an abandoned New Orleans row house)
By David Levy
Located in New Orleans, LA
David Levy created this vintage silver gelatin photograph in 1995. The image was taken in New Orleans, LA but not printed or editioned until 2010. It is signed in pencil, titled an...
Category
1990s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Jean Shrimpton and Terence Stamp Hand Signed Framed Print
By Terry O'Neill
Located in London, GB
Jean Shrimpton and Terence Stamp
photo by Terry O’Neill
1963
A close cropped portrait of British actor Terence Stamp and model Jean ‘The Shrimp’ Shrimpton, London 1963.
The couple ...
Category
1960s Modern Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Free Shipping
H 20 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Hepburn With Dove Hand Signed Framed Print
By Terry O'Neill
Located in London, GB
Hepburn With Dove
1966
by Terry O’Neill
Lifetime hand signed Limited Print
Paper size 12 x 16″ inches / 31 x 41 cm
Gelatin Silver Print
signed and numbered by artist
40/50
With...
Category
1960s Modern Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Free Shipping
H 23 in W 18.5 in D 1.5 in
Poplar Trees, Fucino, Abruzzo, Italy
By Michael Kenna
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Michael Kenna is a master of contemporary photography. Known for clean compositions, long exposures and minimalist aesthetics, Kenna’s signature style remains highly influential amon...
Category
2010s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Simon Le Bon
By Andy Warhol
Located in Belgravia, London, London
Gelatin Silver Print
Paper size: 10 x 8 inches
Framed size: 26.5 x 22.5 inches
Dated 'Apr 29 1982' on the reverse
Provenance: Private collection, New York
This work originates fr...
Category
20th Century Modern Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Jacques Lipchitz Bronze Sculpture Photo Signed
By Adolph Studly
Located in Surfside, FL
Adolph Studly, Swiss born American photographer. His work is kept in the Photographic Archive at The Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York. He was known for his gallery photographs of works by artists represented primarily by the Buchholz gallery, Curt Valentin, and Stephen Radich Galleries. Artists whose work he shot include Max Beckmann, Francis Bacon, Chaim Soutine, Allan Kaprow, Clyfford Still, Georges Braque, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Picasso, Auguste Rodin, Georges Rouault. He worked with Louis H. Dreyer, the pre-eminent architecture photographer in New York City.
Chaim Jacob Lipchitz, 1891-1973, was born in Lithuania and came of age in Paris during the early 20th century, where he was active in the avante-garde community of Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Diego Rivera, Chaim Soutine, and Juan Gris. Art historian H. H. Arnason, who ranked Lipchitz with Picasso and Marc Chagall, wrote, "Lipchitz, as a pure sculptor, is ...unquestionably one of the greatest sculptors of this century."
The architect Philip Johnson asked Lipchitz to make a wall sculpture to be placed on the brick chimney over a fireplace of a guest house owned by Mrs. John D. Rockefeller III on West 53rd Street in New York. Lipchitz decided to develop the piece from his Pegasus designs and call it Birth of the Muses in honor of the Rockefellers' interest in the arts. In 1950 he completed the work as a bronze relief five feet high. It was installed as planned and later was acquired by Lincoln Center. He participated in the Flight portfolio...
Category
1940s Modern Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Ali In Training (1966) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
Located in London, GB
Ali In Training (1966) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
(Photo by R. McPhedran/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
American heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali throws bare-handed punches in the ri...
Category
1960s Modern Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
Free Shipping
H 40 in W 60 in
Titter, Scantily Clad Woman Viewing Titter Magazine, 1950 Vintage Photograph
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
“Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20...
Category
1950s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Photograph of Georgia O'Keeffe and Juan Usle
By Andy Warhol
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Georgia O'Keeffe is one of the most celebrated American modernist painters, best known for her paintings of flowers and New Mexico landscapes.
This photograph is published in "America Andy Warhol...
Category
1980s Pop Art Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Man Ray, Échiquier Surréaliste: 1934/1991, Silver Gelatin Print, Dada
By Man Ray
Located in Hamburg, DE
Man Ray (1890-1976)
Échiquier Surréaliste (Surrealist Checkerboard), 1934/1991
Medium: Silver Gelatin Print (later print)
Dimensions: 30.5 x 23.7 cm
Stamped: "Copie d'une épreuve...
Category
20th Century Surrealist Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Photograph of Keith Haring and Juan Rivera in the Park
By Andy Warhol
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Keith Haring was an American artist and activist known for his iconic paintings and street art. After moving to New York City in the late 1970s he became immersed in the city's stree...
Category
1980s Pop Art Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali - CHAMPS Edition
By Jeff Koons
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist 1: Jeff Koons, American (1954 - )
Artist 2: Howard L. Bingham, American (1939 - )
Title: GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali - CHAMPS Edition
Book: Hardcover Book in Clamshell Box, signed and numbered on Frontispiece by Artists and Muhammad Ali
Koons Sculpture Title: Radial Champs
Sculptures: Blow Up Dolphin, Tire Sculpture...
Category
Early 2000s Pop Art Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Wood, Acrylic Polymer
Previously Available Items
Teenage Runners
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered
20 x 16 inches
(Edition of 50)
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
Arthur Tress is one of the m...
Category
1970s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Bike Lovers, NY
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 50)
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in black ink, recto
14 x 11 inches, sheet
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
A...
Category
1970s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Stephen Brecht, Bride/Groom
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print
Signed, titled, and numbered in black ink, recto
14 x 11 inches, sheet
10 x 10 inches, image
(Edition of 50)
20 x 16 inches, sheet
15 x 15 inches, image
(Editi...
Category
1970s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Teenage Runners
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered
14 x 11 inches, sheet
10 x 10 inches, image
(Edition of 50)
20 x 16 inches, sheet
15 x 15 inches, image
(Edition of 50)
24...
Category
1970s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Masked Children, 110th Street
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print
Signed in black ink, l.l.
20 x 16 inches, sheet
19 x 15 inches, image
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
Arthur Tress is one of th...
Category
1960s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Bike Fantasy
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 50)
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered
14 x 11 inches, sheet
10 x 10 inches, image
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
...
Category
1970s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Groom with Arabian
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 50)
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered, recto
14 x 11 inches, sheet
10 x 10 inches, image
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York...
Category
1990s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Kent on Slide
By Arthur Tress
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 25)
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered
20 x 16 inches, sheet
15 x 15 inches, image
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
...
Category
1970s Other Art Style Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Bride and Groom
By Arthur Tress
Located in Dallas, TX
Edition of 50
Signed, titled, dated and numbered.
Category
1970s Contemporary Arthur Tress Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Arthur Tress black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Arthur Tress black and white photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Arthur Tress in silver gelatin print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Arthur Tress black and white photography, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jeffrey Silverthorne, Barry Feinstein, and Edward Steichen. Arthur Tress black and white photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,280 and tops out at $24,400, while the average work can sell for $5,500.