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Black and White Photography For Sale
Period: 1930s
Period: 1940s
"Prince Alexander Of Yugoslavia At Eto" by Keystone-France
Located in London, GB
"Prince Alexander Of Yugoslavia At Eton College 1937" by Keystone-France UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 23: Prince Alexander Of Yugoslavia (2Nd From Left), The Son Of Regent Prince Paul...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Palm Trees
Located in London, GB
A peasant washes a cow in the pond of Mudichur, a village in south east India. Original Publication: Picture Post – 4325 – Peace Of An Indian Village: How Long Will It Last? – pub. 1...
Category

1940s Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"1st Class Travel" by Fox Photos
Located in London, GB
"1st Class Travel" by Fox Photos September 1934: Mrs C Wylds behind the wheel with her pet pig at Terling in Essex. Unframed Paper Size: 16" x 20'' (inches) Printed 2022 Silver Ge...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Bette Davis (1935) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized
Located in London, GB
Bette Davis Eyes (1932) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized (photo by Pictorial Press / Alamy Archives) 1935, Portrait of actress Bette Davis circa....
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

"Dining Out" by Kurt Hutton
Located in London, GB
"Dining Out" by Kurt Hutton 10th December 1938: Diners at the former Prince Edward Theatre, now the London Casino, where they enjoy a full course meal and entertainment. Original Pu...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

"Table Tennis Stars" by John Kobal Foundation
Located in London, GB
"Table Tennis Stars" by John Kobal Foundation American actors and friends Henry Fonda (1905 - 1982, left) and James Stewart (1908 - 1997) play a game of t...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Cecil Beaton - Ruth Ford
Located in Cologne, DE
Sir Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) is considered one of the most important society photographers of the 20th century. His brilliant portraits of world-famous personalities from the worlds ...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Woman drinking from well at Bad Cannstatt, Stuttgart Germany 1935, Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirtie...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Cary Grant And Grace Kelly In To Catch A theift(1932) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
Located in London, GB
Cary Grant And Grace Kelly In To Catch A thief (1932) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print (Photo by Paramount/Getty Images Archive London England). Cary Grant and Grace Kelly publicity por...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

Würzburg, Germany 1935, Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirtie...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Cologne, Germany 1935, Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirtie...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Würzburg, Germany 1935, Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirtie...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Greta Garbo "Two Faced Woman"
Located in Austin, TX
This stunning black and white silhouette features Greta Grabo in a publicity still for her role in "Two-Faced Woman". Greta Garbo was a Swedish-American film actress during the 1920s and 1930s. Garbo was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and received an Academy Honorary Award in 1954 for her luminous and unforgettable screen performances. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Garbo fifth on their list of the greatest female stars of classic Hollywood cinema. Two-Faced Woman is a 1941 American romantic comedy film directed by George Cukor and starring Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Constance Bennett, and Roland Young...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Mussolini Visits A Chemical Industry in Melegnano - Vintage Photo 1935
Located in Roma, IT
'Mussolini Visits A Chemical Industry' is a b/w photographic print on glazed paper, the stamp of agency Trampus, Paris and cliché applied on the back, here the Duce visits a chemical...
Category

1930s Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Lucille Ball: A Portrait of Elegance
Located in Austin, TX
This elegant black-and-white image features actress Lucille Ball in a full-length gown, looking upward and leaning on a side table. Lucille Ball was an American actress, comedienn...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Calvary - Original Gelatin Silver Photography, Hand Signed - c. 1940
Located in Paris, IDF
Josef Sudek Calvary Original gelatin silver photography Hand signed in pencil on the back (see picture) Printed in the 1940s 28.5 x 22.5 cm (c. 11 x 8.6 in) PROVENANCE : The Jan St...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Fill Her Up" by Bert Hardy
Located in London, GB
"Fill Her Up" by Bert Hardy 24th May 1947: Pit staff filling up Louis Chiron's (1899 - 1979) Maserati. Original Publication: Picture Post - 4364 - Road Racing In Jersey - pub. 1947 ...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Rail Freight Station in Wales, England 1930 Silver Gelatin B and W Photography
Located in Atlanta, GA
An original silver gelatin black and white photograph by Wide World Photos - New York Times in Paris. View of a railroad freight station in Wales, England circa 1930. Features: Orig...
Category

1930s Art Deco Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Tram at Karlstor gate inner city Munich, Germany 1937, Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirtie...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Carole Lombard (1932) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
Located in London, GB
Carole Lombard (1932) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print (photo by ScreenProd / Alamy Archives) 1932, Actress and fashion model Carole Lombard Additional I...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

Flooded Road (1939) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
Located in London, GB
Flooded Road (1939) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print (Photo by Alfred Hind Robinson/Getty Images Archive) A pedestrian attempts to leap across a flooded road near Hyde Park in London, ...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

Frank Sinatra "The House I Live In"
By Gaston Longet
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning portrait of a 30-year-old Frank Sinatra on the set of the 1945 film Step Lively. Step Lively is a 1944 American musical film directed by Tim Whelan and starring Frank Sina...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

"Martin And Sinatra" by J Wilds
Located in London, GB
"Martin And Sinatra" by J Wilds American singers and actors Dean Martin (1917 - 1995) (centre) and Frank Sinatra (right) arriving at London airport, their friend and famed Beverly H...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

"Bluebird Press Photos" by Central Press
Located in London, GB
"Bluebird Press Photos" by Central Press 9th January 1935: Cameramen filming British racing driver Malcolm Campbell as he poses with a new Bluebird whic...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Cologne, Germany 1935, Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirtie...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Business people, talking Moenckebergstrasse Hamburg Germany 1938 Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirties, Karl Heinrich Lämmel produced several photographic reports of cities, including Munich and Cologne. Photographs that have yet to be seen and appreciated. Lämmel's pictures show a different view of Germany. His documentation is an unparalleled and intriguing insight into the working and everyday life of the time. Impressive images of cities and their architecture before the destruction of WWII . The print is new, a Premium-FineArt-Print ( Hahnemühle 308g ), it comes in a secure role without passpartout and frame to reduce shipping cost. This sizes are limited to 25 copies per size. Description: Geschäftsleute unterhalten sich auf der Mönckebergstraße in Hamburg, Deutschland 1930er Jahre. Business people having a small...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Katharine Hepburn in "Holiday"
By Alexander Kahle
Located in Austin, TX
A classic film still of Kathrine Hepburn on the set of the classic 1938 film "Holiday". Katharine Hepburn was an American actress in film, stage, and television. Hepburn's career a...
Category

1930s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Carole Lombard Dramatic Portrait in Hat
Located in Austin, TX
This stunning black and white image features Carole Lombard in a dramatically lit portrait, posed profile in a large brimmed hat. Carole Lombard was an American film actress. She wa...
Category

1930s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Karstadt-Haus at Hermannplatz, Berlin, 1937, Mauritius Publishing
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Heinz Pollmann. His are an unparalleled and intriguing insight into the working and everyday life of the time. I...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Elizabeth Taylor Washing Face
Located in Austin, TX
A great candid capture of legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor at home washing her face in the bathroom. Elizabeth Taylor was an English-American actress, businesswoman, and humanita...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Virginia, Thanksgiving Turkey Diner Vintage Silver Gelatin Print FSA WPA
Located in Surfside, FL
Photo is 9X13.5 (image size), 16X20 is the mat. Mounted to original mat. Vintage photograph. Marion Post (June 7, 1910 – November 24, 1990), later Marion Post Wolcott, was a noted American photographer who worked for the Farm Security Administration during the Great Depression documenting poverty and deprivation. Marion Post was born in New Jersey on June 7, 1910. Her parents split up and she was sent to boarding school, spending time at home with her mother in Greenwich Village when not at school. Here she met many artists and musicians and became interested in dance. She studied at The New School. Post trained as a teacher, and went to work in a small town in Massachusetts. Here she saw the reality of the Depression and the problems of the poor. When the school closed she went to Europe to study with her sister Helen. Helen was studying with Trude Fleischmann, a Viennese photographer. Marion Post showed Fleischmann some of her photographs and was told to stick to photography. Marion Post Wolcott with Rolleiflex and Speed Graphic in hand in Montgomery County, Maryland. While in Vienna she saw some of the Nazi attacks on the Jewish population and was horrified. Soon she and her sister had to return to America for safety. She went back to teaching but also continued her photography and became involved in the anti-fascist movement. At the New York Photo League she met Ralph Steiner and Paul Strand who encouraged her. When she found that the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin kept sending her to do "ladies' stories," Ralph Steiner took her portfolio to show Roy Stryker, head of the Farm Security Administration, and Paul Strand wrote a letter of recommendation. Stryker was impressed by her work and hired her immediately. Post's photographs for the FSA often explore the political aspects of poverty and deprivation. They also often find humour in the situations she encountered. In 1941 she met Leon Oliver Wolcott, deputy director of war relations for the U. S. Department of Agriculture under Franklin Roosevelt. They married, and she continued her assignments for the FSA, but resigned shortly thereafter in February 1942. She found it difficult to fit in her photography around raising a family and a great deal of traveling and living overseas. In the 1970s, a renewed interest in Wolcott's images among scholars rekindled her own interest in photography. In 1978, Wolcott mounted her first solo exhibition in California, and by the 1980s the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art began to collect her photographs. The first monograph on her work was published in 1983. She was an advocate for women's rights; in 1986, Wolcott said: "Women have come a long way, but not far enough. . . . Speak with your images from your heart and soul" (Women in Photography Conference, Syracuse, N.Y.) She and other FSA WPA photographers, including Esther Bubley...
Category

1940s American Realist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Dangerous Perch" by Fox Photos
Located in London, GB
"Dangerous Perch" by Fox Photos Evacuee Barrie Peacop enjoys an ice cream as he sits on a mine washed up on the beach at Deal in Kent, 7th February 1940. U...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Citizen Kane Iconic Scene
By Alexander Kahle
Located in Austin, TX
Iconic scene from the influential film "Citizen Kane"..Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film produced by, directed by, and starring Orson Welles. He also co-wrote the screenplay...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Rockefeller Center (1945) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
Located in London, GB
Rockefeller Center (1945) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print (Photo by George Enell/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) circa 1945: The Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan, New York City. ...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

"Rockefeller Center" by George Enell
Located in London, GB
"Rockefeller Center" by George Enell circa 1945: The Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan, New York City. Designed by Raymond Hood, it was completed in May 1933. Unframed Paper ...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

"Jeannette Altwegg" by Chris Ware
Located in London, GB
"Jeannette Altwegg" by Chris Ware February 1948: British figure skater Jeannette Altwegg at the Winter Olympics in St Moritz, Switzerland, the winner of the bronze medal that year, ...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

"Pride And Joy" by Fox Photos
Located in London, GB
"Pride And Joy" by Fox Photos A driver polishes his new streamlined lorry upon its arrival at Wembley, London. The lorry is mounted on a 'Commer' two-ton chassis. Unframed Paper Si...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Bette Davis Eyes (1932) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized
Located in London, GB
Bette Davis Eyes (1932) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized (photo by Pictorial Press / Alamy Archives) 1932, Portrait of actress Bette Davis. Addi...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

Wintertime at river Pregel with ship, Germany 1934 Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirtie...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Marlene Dietrich: Stunning Glamour
By A.L. Whitey Schafer
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely glamour portrait of the impeccable Marlene Dietrich in an elegant sequined dress. Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer, who remained popular throughout ...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

'Art Deco Greta Garbo' Giant Oversize print
Located in London, GB
'Art Deco Greta Garbo' Greta Garbo in 'Mata Hari,' 1931. (Photo: Clarence Sinclair Bull) Beautiful mint condition Giant Archival Pigment print measuring a very large 60 x 40 inches / 152 x 101 cm's Edge Prints...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Archival Pigment

Dangerous Perch (1940) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
Located in London, GB
Dangerous Perch (1940) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Archive London) Evacuee Barrie Peacop enjoys an ice cream as he sits on a mine ...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

The Moon and Mars
Located in Austin, TX
Carly Anne Amos, in collaboration with Globe Photos, brings you a new collection of gorgeous twists to classic icons from our archives. Carly Anne is a streetwear designer (The Colo...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Orson Welles Filming Citizen Kane
By Alexander Kahle
Located in Austin, TX
This rare image was taken behind the scenes of the cast working on a scene in the 1941 film "Citizen Kane". Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film by Orson Welles, its producer...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Orson Welles Filming Citizen Kane
By Alexander Kahle
Located in Austin, TX
This rare image was taken behind the scenes of the cast working on a scene in the 1941 film "Citizen Kane". Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film by Orson Welles, its producer...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Veronica Lake: Glamour in Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely capture of elegant actress Veronica Lake posed with her reflection in the mirror. Veronica Lake was an American film, stage, and television actress. Lake won both popular and...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Marlene Dietrich in Feathers
By A.L. Whitey Schafer
Located in Austin, TX
This elegant portrait features the elegant Hollywood legend, Marlene Dietrich, posed in a tall feathered hat. Marie Magdalene "Marlene" Dietrich was a German-American actress and s...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Elizabeth Taylor Classical Elegance
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning elegant studio portrait of Elizabeth Taylor, 1957. Elizabeth Taylor was an English-American actress, businesswoman, and humanitarian. She began her career as a child actre...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Marilyn Monroe Poolside Glamour
Located in Austin, TX
This captivating pinup features actress Marilyn Monroe standing poolside in a bathing suit and heels. Marilyn Monroe was one of the most popular sex symbols in the early 1950s and ...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Montego Bay Fisherman 1940s Toni Frissell Limited Signature Stamped Edition
Located in London, GB
Montego Bay Fishermen 1940s Toni Frissell Limited Signature Stamped Edition Fishermen at work on a beach in Montego Bay Jamaica circa 1940. by Toni Frissell 30 x 30" inches / 76 x...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Clark Gable Posed on Sound Stage
Located in Austin, TX
This black and white portrait features Clark Gable pose on a sound stage, circa 1931. Clark Gable was an American film actor and military officer, often referred to as "The King of...
Category

1930s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Ascari At Silverstone (1949) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
Located in London, GB
Ascari At Silverstone (1949) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images) 25th August 1949: Italian motor racing driver Alberto Ascari (left) approaching St...
Category

1940s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

At the old university of Koenigsberg, East Prussia, Germany 1934 Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirties, Karl Heinrich Lämmel produced several photographic reports of cities, including Munich and Cologne. Photographs that have yet to be seen and appreciated. Lämmel's pictures show a different view of Germany. His documentation is an unparalleled and intriguing insight into the working and everyday life of the time. Impressive images of cities and their architecture before the destruction of WWII . The print is new, a Premium-FineArt-Print (Hahnemühle 308g), it comes in a secure role without passpartout and frame to reduce shipping cost. This sizes are limited to 25 copies per size. Description: An der alten Universität von Königsberg, im Hintergrund die Schloßkirche, Ostpreußen, 1930er Jahre. At the old university of Koenigsberg, the Schlosskirche in the background, East Prussia...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

Second World War photograph, Lancaster bomber - G for George
Located in London, GB
Charles E. Brown Lancaster bomber, G for George Silver gelatine photograph 21 x 14 cm This striking black and white photograph by Charles E. Brown showcases the magnificent Lancast...
Category

1940s Photorealist Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

'Sun Beams into Grand Central Station' Limited Edition Photograph 16 X 20
Located in San Rafael, CA
Beams of sunlight streaming through the windows at Grand Central Station, New York City, circa 1930. (Photo by Hal Morey/Getty Images) As an authorized Get...
Category

1930s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Fountain behind Heiliggeist church Heidelberg, Germany 1936, Printed Later
Located in Cologne, DE
One of the photographers at Mauritius Publishing based in Berlin was Karl Heinrich Lämmel. Born on 30 July 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, he has been missing since April 1945. In the thirtie...
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White

View on the city of Sandakan - Vintage Photo 1938
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage View on the city of Sandakan is a b/w photographic print on polished paper, taken very likely in 1938 by Press Photo, Berlin. Stereotype on the back. In very good conditions....
Category

1930s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The Graf Zeppelin, Framed Black and White Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Repairing the hull of the Graf Zeppelin during the flight over the Atlantic, 1934 by Alfred Eisenstaedt" The Graf Zeppelin Alfred Eisenstaedt, German (1898–1995) Date: 1934 (Printe...
Category

1930s Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Shop Black and White Photography

There’s a lot to love about black and white photography.

The unique and timeless quality of a black and white photograph accentuates any room. Some might argue that we’re naturally drawn to color photography because it’s the world we know best. This is a shared belief, particularly in the era of camera-phone photography, editing apps and the frenetic immediacy of sharing photos on social media. But when we look at black and white photography, we experience deep, rich shadows and tonal properties in a way that transfixes us. Composition and textures are crisp and engaging. We’re immediately drawn to the subjects of vintage street photography and continue to feel the emotional impact of decades-old photojournalism. The silhouettes of mountains in black and white landscape photography are particularly pronounced, while portrait photography and the skylines of urban cityscapes come to life in monochrome prints.

When decorating with fine photography, keep in mind that some color photographs may not be suitable for every space. However, you can be more daring with black and white photos. The gray tones are classic, sophisticated and generally introduce elegance to any corner of your home, which renders black and white prints amazingly versatile.

Black and white photography adapts to its surroundings like a chameleon might. A single large-scale black and white photograph above the sofa in your living room is going to work with any furniture style, and as some homeowners and designers today are working to introduce more muted tones and neutral palettes to dining rooms and bedrooms, the integration of black and white photography — a hallmark of minimalist decor — is a particularly natural choice for such a setting.

Another advantage to bringing black and white photography into your home is that you can style walls and add depth and character without worrying about disrupting an existing color scheme. Black and white photographs actually harmonize well with accent colors such as yellow, red and green. Your provocative Memphis Group lighting and bold Pierre Paulin seating will pair nicely with the black and white fine nude photography you’ve curated over the years.

Black and white photography also complements a variety of other art. Black and white photos pair well with drawings and etchings in monochromatic hues. They can also form part of specific color schemes. For example, you can place black and white prints in colored picture frames for a pop of color. And while there are no hard and fast rules, it’s best to keep black and white prints separate from color photographs. Color prints stand out in a room more than black and white prints do. Pairing them may detract attention from your black and white photography. Instead, dedicate separate walls or spaces to each.

Once you’ve selected the photography that best fits your space, you’ll need to decide how to hang the images. If you want to hang multiple photos, it’s essential to know how to arrange wall art. A proper arrangement can significantly enhance a living space.

On 1stDibs, explore a vast collection of compelling black and white photography by artists such as Mark Shaw, Jack Mitchell (a photographer you should know), Berenice Abbott and David Yarrow.

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