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Modern Black and White Photography

MODERN STYLE

The first decades of the 20th century were a period of artistic upheaval, with modern art movements including Cubism, Surrealism, Futurism and Dadaism questioning centuries of traditional views of what art should be. Using abstraction, experimental forms and interdisciplinary techniques, painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers and performance artists all pushed the boundaries of creative expression.

Major exhibitions, like the 1913 Armory Show in New York City — also known as the “International Exhibition of Modern Art,” in which works like the radically angular Nude Descending a Staircase by Marcel Duchamp caused a sensation — challenged the perspective of viewers and critics and heralded the arrival of modern art in the United States. But the movement’s revolutionary spirit took shape in the 19th century.

The Industrial Revolution, which ushered in new technology and cultural conditions across the world, transformed art from something mostly commissioned by the wealthy or the church to work that responded to personal experiences. The Impressionist style emerged in 1860s France with artists like Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas quickly painting works that captured moments of light and urban life. Around the same time in England, the Pre-Raphaelites, like Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, borrowed from late medieval and early Renaissance art to imbue their art with symbolism and modern ideas of beauty.

Emerging from this disruption of the artistic status quo, modern art went further in rejecting conventions and embracing innovation. The bold legacy of leading modern artists Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Piet Mondrian and many others continues to inform visual culture today.

Find a collection of modern paintings, sculptures, prints and other fine art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Modern
Orientation: Vertical
Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, Nods 1954
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, r25_4 – Audrey Hepburn looked incredible no matter what she was doing. This informal portrait out is an out take from the photo shoot for the cov...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn in White Blouse with Phone, Kneeling, Writing, 1953
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn, r11_5 -- Shot for the Dec. 7, 1953 issue of Life. Initially Audrey Hepburn did all she could to avoid Mark Shaw's cameras. When she realized they shared intense devot...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, John F. Portrait, Left Shoulder Front, Talking v1, 1959
Located in New York, NY
John F. Kennedy Portrait, 006b. Image size is 22" x 22" (for 24" x 36" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo rag paper. Each pri...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

1920's Backdrop, Three Black Gowns, 1961
Located in New York, NY
1920's Backdrop Three Black Gowns -- Models in 1920s style couture photographed for LIFE by Mark Shaw in 1961. Backdrop is from "The Crazy Years," a Parisian movie of that "fun-loving" time. THE 24” x 36” SIZE OF THIS IMAGE IS ONLY OFFERED IN AN EDITION OF 15. Image size is 22" x 22" (for 24" x 36" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo rag paper. Each print is Estate stamped on the back and signed and numbered by David Shaw, and accompanied by a letter of authenticity. Lead time is four to six weeks, but we often receive them sooner. *Please note this image is available in several sizes. Prices increase as editions sell out. Fashion photography in color of three models in black gowns. All three are standing in front of a 1920's backdrop. On the left, the model is wearing a black gown with silver hatched lines and a sheer black wrap. Her hair is in a short black bob. In the center, the model is wearing a black grey gown...
Category

1960s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn Under the Dryer Holding Cigarette, 1953
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn Under the Dryer Holding Cigarette, c10_10 – While working on the film Sabrina, Audrey Hepburn was shampooed every night -- She of...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn, Wally Westmore on the Set of Sabrina, 1953
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn, Wally Westmore on the Set of Sabrina, r1_12 – Audrey Hepburn, Wally Westmore on the Set of Sabrina, hepburn_03 – Audrey Hepburn gets a last minute touch up from the make up man on the set of Sabrina. Image size is 22" x 22" (for 24" x 36" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo rag paper. Each print is Estate stamped on the back and signed and numbered by David Shaw, and accompanied by a letter of authenticity. Lead time is four to six weeks, but we often receive them sooner. *Please note this image is available in several sizes. Prices increase as editions sell out. A black and white photograph of Audrey Hepburn getting her makeup touched up by Wally Westmore. Half of him appears into the shot. Audrey Hepburn is sitting facing away from the camera to face Wally Westmore. She leans towards him and puckers her lips. Her hair is short and tied behind. She has earrings with a hoop. She is also wearing a white blouse. This is an outdoor...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn Getting Shampooed and Reading, Close, 1953
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn Getting Shampooed and Reading, Close, c7_13 – Photographed for Life in 1953, part of Audrey Hepburn's nightly ritual was a shampoo given at the studio. Image size is 1...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn Getting Shampooed and Reading, Close, 1953
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn Getting Shampooed and Reading, Close, c7_13 – Photographed for Life in 1953, part of Audrey Hepburn's nightly ritual was a shampoo given at the studio. Image size is 1...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Jane Fonda Portrait, Unpublished, 1958
Located in New York, NY
Mark Shaw’s file of “test shots” was full of budding stars -- these December 1958 head shots of Jane Fonda were never published. Image size is 16" x 16" (for 17" x 22" paper size). A...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Male Illustrator Sitting at Work Table
Located in New York, NY
Male Illustrator Sitting at Work Table -- Mark Shaw's job often was to photograph people at work. This fashion illustrator appears to be in the middle of a big project! Image size is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Male Illustrator Sitting at Work Table
Located in New York, NY
Male Illustrator Sitting at Work Table -- Mark Shaw's job often was to photograph people at work. This fashion illustrator appears to be in the middle of a big project! Image size is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Male Illustrator Sitting at Work Table
Located in New York, NY
Male Illustrator Sitting at Work Table -- Mark Shaw's job often was to photograph people at work. This fashion illustrator appears to be in the middle of a big project! Image size is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

James Galanos at the MET, 1954
Located in New York, NY
James Galanos at the MET, 1954 -- Photographed by Mark Shaw for the Nov. 22, 1954 issue of LIFE. The 29 year old fashion designer James Galanos is pictured in the Costume Institute o...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

James Galanos at the MET, 1954
Located in New York, NY
James Galanos at the MET, 1954 -- Photographed by Mark Shaw for the Nov. 22, 1954 issue of LIFE. The 29 year old fashion designer James Galanos is pictured in the Costume Institute o...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

James Galanos at the MET, 1954
Located in New York, NY
James Galanos at the MET, 1954 -- Photographed by Mark Shaw for the Nov. 22, 1954 issue of LIFE. The 29 year old fashion designer James Galanos is pictured in the Costume Institute o...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Guy Laroche Sketches Model, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Guy Laroche Sketches Model -- Fashion Designer Guy Laroche is shown sketching a model wearing one of his ensembles. Photographed by Mark Shaw for LIFE in 1954. Image size is 40" x 59...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Guy Laroche Sketches Model, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Guy Laroche Sketches Model -- Fashion Designer Guy Laroche is shown sketching a model wearing one of his ensembles. Photographed by Mark Shaw for LIFE in 1954. Image size is 10" x 15...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Guy Laroche Sketches Model, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Guy Laroche Sketches Model -- Fashion Designer Guy Laroche is shown sketching a model wearing one of his ensembles. Photographed by Mark Shaw for LIFE in 1954. Image size is 32" x 48...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn in White Blouse with Phone, Laying, Hands on Face, 1953
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn, r13_11 -- Shot for the Dec. 7, 1953 issue of Life. Initially Audrey Hepburn did all she could to avoid Mark Shaw's cameras. When she realized they shared intense devo...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn in White Blouse with Phone, Laying, Hands on Face, 1953
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn, r13_11 -- Shot for the Dec. 7, 1953 issue of Life. Initially Audrey Hepburn did all she could to avoid Mark Shaw's cameras. When she realized they shared intense devo...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy Campaign, Jackie in Car with Local Ladies, 1959
Located in New York, NY
The Kennedy Campaign 1959, nb_055 -- Jackie meets local ladies. Image size is 10" x 15" (for 11" x 17" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahn...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy Campaign, Jackie in Car with Local Ladies, 1959
Located in New York, NY
The Kennedy Campaign 1959, nb_055 -- Jackie meets local ladies. Image size is 13.75" x 20" (for 17" x 22" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on H...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Yves St. Laurent Leans on Bolts of Fabric, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Yves St. Laurent Leans on Bolts of Fabric -- Leaning against bolts of fabric in his Paris headquarters. Yves St. Laurent was photographed by Mark Shaw i...
Category

1960s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Yves St. Laurent Leans on Bolts of Fabric, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Yves St. Laurent Leans on Bolts of Fabric -- Leaning against bolts of fabric in his Paris headquarters. Yves St. Laurent was photographed by Mark Shaw i...
Category

1960s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Yves St. Laurent Leans on Bolts of Fabric, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Yves St. Laurent Leans on Bolts of Fabric -- Leaning against bolts of fabric in his Paris headquarters. Yves St. Laurent was photographed by Mark Shaw i...
Category

1960s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, Lips Parted, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, r25_6 -- Informal portrait of Audrey Hepburn taken at home. Out take from the cover shoot for the April 19, 1954 international issue of Life. Ima...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, Lips Parted, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, r25_6 -- Informal portrait of Audrey Hepburn taken at home. Out take from the cover shoot for the April 19, 1954 international issue of Life. Ima...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, Lips Parted, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, r25_6 -- Informal portrait of Audrey Hepburn taken at home. Out take from the cover shoot for the April 19, 1954 international issue of Life. Ima...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Grace Kelly, Head Resting in Hands, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Grace Kelly, Head Resting in Hands -- Grace Kelly as photographed by Mark Shaw in December of 1954. Image size is 22" x 22" (for 24" x 36" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made ...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Grace Kelly, Head Resting in Hands, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Grace Kelly, Head Resting in Hands -- Grace Kelly as photographed by Mark Shaw in December of 1954. Image size is 10" x 10" (for 11" x 17" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made ...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Grace Kelly, Head Resting in Hands, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Grace Kelly, Head Resting in Hands -- Grace Kelly as photographed by Mark Shaw in December of 1954. Image size is 16" x 16" (for 17" x 22" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made ...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, John F. Portrait, Left Shoulder Front, Smiling, 1959
Located in New York, NY
John F. Kennedy Portrait, 006d. Image size is 22" x 22" (for 24" x 36" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo rag paper. Each pri...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, John F. Portrait, Left Shoulder Front, Smiling, 1959
Located in New York, NY
John F. Kennedy Portrait, 006d. Image size is 16" x 16" (for 17" x 22" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo rag paper. Each pri...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, John F. Portrait, Left Shoulder Front, Smiling, 1959
Located in New York, NY
John F. Kennedy Portrait, 006d. Image size is 10" x 10" (for 11" x 17" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo rag paper. Each pri...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Cary Grant Seated Looks Left, 1955
Located in New York, NY
Cary Grant Seated Looks Left -- Photographed by Mark Shaw for a 1955 issue of Mademoiselle. Cary Grant was called one of the "Charm Boys." Image size is 22" x 22" (for 24" x 36" pape...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, Jackie in the Old Senate Office Building
Located in New York, NY
Jackie in the Old Senate Office Building, nb_044. Image size is 13.75" x 20" (for 17" x 22" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in lim...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, Caroline, John Jr. and David Shaw
Located in New York, NY
David Shaw with J.J. and Caroline, kb_104 -- Caroline, John Jr., and Mark Shaw's son, David in the White House nursery. Image size is 13.75" x 20" (for 17"...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, John Jr. on the White House Nursery Balcony
Located in New York, NY
John Jr. on the White House nursery balcony nb_103. Image size is 13.75" x 20" (for 17" x 22" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle ph...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, John Jr. on the White House Nursery Balcony
Located in New York, NY
John Jr. on the White House nursery balcony nb_103. Image size is 10" x 15" (for 11" x 17" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedy, John Jr. on the White House Nursery Balcony
Located in New York, NY
John Jr. on the White House nursery balcony nb_103. Image size is 22" x 32" (for 24" x 36" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Yves St. Laurent with Bolts of Fabric, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Yves St. Laurent with Bolts of Fabric -- Fashion Designer Yves St. Laurent in his studio as photographed by Mark Shaw. Image size is 40" x 59" (for 44" ...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Yves St. Laurent with Bolts of Fabric, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Yves St. Laurent with Bolts of Fabric -- Fashion Designer Yves St. Laurent in his studio as photographed by Mark Shaw. Image size is 13.75" x 20" (for 1...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Yves St. Laurent with Bolts of Fabric, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Yves St. Laurent with Bolts of Fabric -- Fashion Designer Yves St. Laurent in his studio as photographed by Mark Shaw. Image size is 10" x 15" (for 11" ...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Yves St. Laurent with Bolts of Fabric, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Yves St. Laurent with Bolts of Fabric -- Fashion Designer Yves St. Laurent in his studio as photographed by Mark Shaw. Image size is 32" x 48" (for 36" ...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Eileen Ford Poses with Models, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Ford Poses with Models -- Eileen Ford with some of her top models as photographed by Mark Shaw. Image size is 32" x 40" (for 36" x 48"paper size). A...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Eileen Ford Poses with Models, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Ford Poses with Models -- Eileen Ford with some of her top models as photographed by Mark Shaw. Image size is 22" x 28" (for 24" x 36" paper size). ...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Eileen Ford Poses with Models, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Ford Poses with Models -- Eileen Ford with some of her top models as photographed by Mark Shaw. Image size is 16" x 20" (for 17" x 22" paper size). ...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Coco Chanel Arranges Jewels on her Assistant, 1957
Located in New York, NY
Coco Chanel Arranges Jewels on her Assistant, 1957 -- Coco Chanel arranges jewels on her assistant. Mark Shaw's informal, grainy, black and white images of Coco Chanel were created u...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn Applies Makeup in Mirror, Backstage at Ondine, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn Backstage at Ondine, 54_0330b_a, 1954 – Backstage at Ondine, Audrey Hepburn was photographed for Mademoiselle in 1954. After years of perfect blondes, Audrey's look wa...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, Glances Down, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, r24_2 -- Informal portrait of Audrey Hepburn. Out take from the cover shoot for the April 19, 1954 international issue of Life. Image size is 10"...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

1920's Backdrop, Three Black Gowns, 1961
Located in New York, NY
1920's Backdrop Three Black Gowns -- Models in 1920s style couture photographed for LIFE by Mark Shaw in 1961. Backdrop is from "The Crazy Years," a Parisian movie of that "fun-loving" time. THE 24” x 36” SIZE OF THIS IMAGE IS ONLY OFFERED IN AN EDITION OF 15. Image size is 16" x 16" (for 17" x 22" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are made to order in limited editions on Hahnemuhle photo rag paper. Each print is Estate stamped on the back and signed and numbered by David Shaw, and accompanied by a letter of authenticity. Lead time is four to six weeks, but we often receive them sooner. *Please note this image is available in several sizes. Prices increase as editions sell out. Fashion photography in color of three models in black gowns. All three are standing in front of a 1920's backdrop. On the left, the model is wearing a black gown with silver hatched lines and a sheer black wrap. Her hair is in a short black bob. In the center, the model is wearing a black grey gown...
Category

1960s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn in White Blouse with Phone, Kneeling, Writing, 1953
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn, r11_5 -- Shot for the Dec. 7, 1953 issue of Life. Initially Audrey Hepburn did all she could to avoid Mark Shaw's cameras. When she realized they shared intense devot...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Kennedys, Caroline Feeds Flower to John, Jackie Looks on, 1959
Located in New York, NY
Caroline Feeds Flower to JFK, JBK Looks on -- Jackie, JFK and Caroline relax in Hyannis Port in 1959. Image size is 10" x 15" (for 11" x 17" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints are mad...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Yves St. Laurent in Studio, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Yves St. Laurent in Studio -- Fashion Designer Yves St. Laurent in his studio as photographed by Mark Shaw. Image size is 22" x 32" (for 24" x 36" paper size). All Mark Shaw prints a...
Category

1960s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

William Holden Portrait, 1954
Located in New York, NY
William Holden Portrait, 1954 -- This image of William Holden is an outtake from a photo shoot for the May 31, 1954 cover of LIFE. Holden was deemed the...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Coco Chanel Demonstrates Her Clothes, 1957
Located in New York, NY
Chanel Demonstrates Her Clothes, 1957 -- Coco Chanel demonstrates why her clothes are NOT for the buxom. Mark Shaw's informal, grainy, black and white images of Coco Chanel were crea...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, Nods 1954
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn White Shirt Portrait, r25_4 – Audrey Hepburn looked incredible no matter what she was doing. This informal portrait out is an out take from the photo shoot for the cov...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Coco Chanel Sits on Her Mirrored Stairs, 1957
Located in New York, NY
Coco Sits on Her Mirrored Stairs, 1957 -- Chanel sits on her famous mirrored stairs observing the crowd below. Mark Shaw's informal, grainy, black and white images of Coco Chanel wer...
Category

1950s Modern Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée

Modern black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Modern black and white photography available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add black and white photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of purple, blue, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mark Shaw, Slim Aarons, Kevin Westenberg, and Terry O'Neill. Frequently made by artists working with Silver Gelatin Print, and Digital Print and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Modern black and white photography, so small editions measuring 0.63 inches across are also available. Prices for black and white photography made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $22 and tops out at $152,896, while the average work sells for $1,500.

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