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Modern Figurative 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
New York City Skyscrapers, July 1931, Silver Gelatin B and W Photography Framed
New York City Skyscrapers, July 1931, Silver Gelatin B and W Photography Framed

New York City Skyscrapers, July 1931, Silver Gelatin B and W Photography Framed

By Press Agency Keystone View Company

Located in Atlanta, GA

An original silver gelatin black and white photograph by Press Agency Keystone View Company. New York City skyscrapers view, taken on July 7th, 1931, with the Empire State Building ...

Category

1930s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Yesteryear's Wire Walker (Unidentified) – original circus photograph, 1950s

Yesteryear's Wire Walker (Unidentified) – original circus photograph, 1950s

Located in Middletown, NY

Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (190 x 241 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Roland...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Man Ray, Pablo Picasso, Picasso 1930-1935, Cahiers d'Art (after)
Man Ray, Pablo Picasso, Picasso 1930-1935, Cahiers d'Art (after)

Man Ray, Pablo Picasso, Picasso 1930-1935, Cahiers d'Art (after)

By Man Ray

Located in Southampton, NY

Lithograph on vélin paper. Stamp-signed and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the album, Picasso 1930-1935, 1936. Published and printed by Éditions des Cahiers d'Art...

Category

1930s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Lithograph

Cortina d'Ampezzo Fashion
Cortina d'Ampezzo Fashion

Cortina d'Ampezzo Fashion

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

Isa Genolini and Maria Antonia in the main street of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, March 1982. Cortina d'Ampezzo Fashion 1972 c print Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 wi...

Category

1980s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Lambda

Vintage Photo of Painting - Early 20th Century

Vintage Photo of Painting - Early 20th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Vintage Photo of Painting is a vintage photograph realized in the early 20th Century.  The photo belongs to Albumen of historical painting, photographs, meticulously captured. Good...

Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Women Working at Italtel -New Technologies - 1970s

Women Working at Italtel -New Technologies - 1970s

Located in Roma, IT

Women Working Italtel -New Technologies in the 1970s is a vintage black and white photograph realized in the 1970s in Italy Good conditions an aged.

Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Skiing Waiters, 1955
Skiing Waiters, 1955

Skiing Waiters, 1955

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

Three skiing waiters on a ski slope, with the man in the foreground carrying a bird on a tray, the second man carring a wine in an ice bucket and the third carrying a menu, Stowe, Ve...

Category

1960s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Lambda

Slim Aarons 'Backgammon in Haiti'
Slim Aarons 'Backgammon in Haiti'

Slim Aarons 'Backgammon in Haiti'

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

Backgammon By The Pool, 1975 Chromogenic Lambda Print Estate edition of 150 Women playing backgammon while sunbathing at the Habitation Leclerc pool in Haiti, January 1975. Estate ...

Category

1960s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Lambda

Donna Summer 1979
Donna Summer 1979

Donna Summer 1979

By Michael Putland

Located in London, GB

Donna Summer performing, USA 19 November 1979 Donna Summer was a legendary American singer-songwriter known as the "Queen of Disco," celebrated for her powerful vocals and iconic hi...

Category

1970s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Queen Elizabeth - Vintage Photo - 1950s
Queen Elizabeth - Vintage Photo - 1950s

Queen Elizabeth - Vintage Photo - 1950s

Located in Roma, IT

Queen Elizabeth - Vintage Photo realized in the 1950s. Good conditions and aged.

Category

1950s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Ormond Gigli 'Girls in the Windows'
Ormond Gigli 'Girls in the Windows'

Ormond Gigli 'Girls in the Windows'

By Ormond Gigli

Located in New York, NY

Ormond Gigli Girls in the Window, 1960 (printed later) Color coupler print 16 x 16 inches Signed, dated and numbered edition of 100 Ormond Gigli: The Visionary Behind the "Girls in...

Category

1960s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Keep Your Cool - Backgammon Players Swimming Pool France
Keep Your Cool - Backgammon Players Swimming Pool France

Keep Your Cool - Backgammon Players Swimming Pool France

By Slim Aarons

Located in Brighton, GB

Keep Your Cool - Backgammon Players Swimming Pool France by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. Keep Your Cool is a Lim...

Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital

Darth Vader - Oversize Getty Archive Print

Darth Vader - Oversize Getty Archive Print

Located in London, GB

31st March 1980: Darth Vader and two stormtroopers from the film ‘Star Wars’ stand menacingly over some road works in London’s Oxford Street to promote the franchise’s second release The Empire Strikes Back. The sequel is regarded by many as the finest in the series of George Lucas's space opera - and outdid the original in worldwide takings, paving the way for Return Of The Jedi shortly after and the Star Wars 'prequels' as well as the recent The Force Awakens...

Category

1980s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Black and White, Archival Pigment

George Barris, "4D" from The Last Photos, photograph from original negative
George Barris, "4D" from The Last Photos, photograph from original negative

George Barris, "4D" from The Last Photos, photograph from original negative

By George Barris

Located in Chatsworth, CA

This photograph of Marilyn Monroe was taken by photographer, George Barris, in 1962 on Santa Monica Beach in California. It is from a collection entitled "The Last Photos", which is ...

Category

1960s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Prince 1986
Prince 1986

Prince 1986

By Michael Putland

Located in London, GB

© Michael Putland Prince Prince performs at small London club gig after show at Wembley Arena, London 1986 Limited edition Estate print. Edition 20 only this size. Limited edi...

Category

1980s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ambone Cosmatesco Cathedral - Vintage Photo - Early 20th century

Ambone Cosmatesco Cathedral - Vintage Photo - Early 20th century

Located in Roma, IT

Ambone Cosmatesco Cathedral-  Vintage Photo is a black and white photograph realized in the early 20th century by Alinari. Good conditions, aged with foxing.

Category

Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Dasha & Mari - Tennis - limited edition
Dasha & Mari - Tennis - limited edition

Dasha & Mari - Tennis - limited edition

By Dasha & Mari

Located in London, GB

Dasha & Mari - Tennis - limited edition 30x30" inches oversize C print - numbered and stamped limited to 100 only. Sumptuous, sensual with erotic undertones, this is a beautiful fine art image from the twin artists duo from Kiev. Steeped in fashion iconography and with more than a dash of Helmut Newton - these works are fast becoming collectable. About the artists : DASHA & MARI are award-winning photographers, twin sisters from Kiev, Ukraine. Specialise in Fashion, Art Nude and Psychological Portrait. They have an extensive experience in fashion industry in London, Paris, Milan and Berlin. Art photography they create has a cinematic feel, it is original and storytelling. HEARST Magazines UK have selected them for the Master's Photography program in Cambridge, UK. Artists have received a Masters Degree from Kingston University, London, UK in 2018. HONORS & AWARDS PARIS PHOTO 2018, Fashion Nude Expo. Collective exhibition. Paris, France MA Art + Design Exhibition The Brick Lane Gallery, London UK 2018 13th Annual Black & White Spider Awards 2018 - Nominee in Fine Art The Game 12th Annual Black & White Spider Awards 2017, Beverly Hills, CA - Winner in Fashion category 11th Annual International Color Awards , Beverly Hills, CA 2017 - Nominee in Fashion category HOME GALLERY, Personal Photography Exhibition 'FUTURO EROICO'. Salerno, Italy 2017 10th Annual INTERNATIONAL COLOR AWARDS 2017, Beverly Hills, CA - Winner, Honorable Mention in Fashion category FASHION 2ND PLACE WINNER (PROFESSIONAL), FAPA 2016 FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS PHIFEST Exhibition of Photography, Milan, Italy 2016 Photography Exhibition at SALONE DEL MOBILE 2016 - Milan, Italy Photography Exhibition at 55th annual week of Design in Milan in co-operation with SM Samuele Mazza Outdoor Collection and Ipe Cavalli. Exhibition at The ART BOWL GALLERY, Amsterdam 2016 10th Annual Black & White Spider Awards 2015, Beverly Hills, CA - Nominee in Fashion MONOCHROME AWARDS 2015 - Honorable Mention (Professional) in Fashion / Beauty Finalists of the HASSELBLAD MASTERS AWARDS 2014 8th Annual INTERNATIONAL COLOR AWARDS, Beverly Hills, CA - Nominee in Fashion category International Color Awards 2014 Sony World Photography Awards - Shortlisted in the Fashion category 2012, London, United Kingdom. Solo Exhibition in Russia 2011 Art Nude Photography Exhibition 'SECRET GARDEN', Ryazan city, Russia. PUBLICATIONS & PROJECTS NORMAL magazine (France), OPENEYE magazine (France), ELLE Magazine UK, THE COMMISSION LONDON (UK), THE HUFFINGTON POST (US), PH Magazine (Canada), INSIDE BRACKETS (Paris), IDOLL Magazine (USA), Professional Photographer (UK), CHIC LIFESTYLE Magazine (Mexico), BOREALIS (Canada), PORTFOLIOS Magazine (Spain), The View Magazine (Netherlands), ZEPHYR Magazine (US), NOCTIS Magazine (UK), VOGUE ITALIA (Italy), HOLISTIC FASHIONISTA (LA, US), TARTARUS Magazine (US), IT-MAGAZINE (Switzerland), AFTER NYNE Magazine (UK), ARCHIDESART Magazine (UK), NIF Magazine, WHY NOT Magazine, POLISART Magazine (Portugal), PLAYBOY Photo Awards (Ukraine), BIZZARE Magazine (UK), Sensual Photography...

Category

2010s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Beneath the Setting Sun - Color gold photo, Limited edition print, Sunset Shower
Beneath the Setting Sun - Color gold photo, Limited edition print, Sunset Shower

Beneath the Setting Sun - Color gold photo, Limited edition print, Sunset Shower

By Ian Sanderson

Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona

Beneath the Setting Sun - Limited edition pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 gsm, 2008 - Limited Editions of 15 Shower after a swim in the ocean, in the light of th...

Category

Early 2000s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...

Palm Beach Idyll, 1955 - Relaxing by Palm Trees in Palm Beach by Atlantic Ocean
Palm Beach Idyll, 1955 - Relaxing by Palm Trees in Palm Beach by Atlantic Ocean

Palm Beach Idyll, 1955 - Relaxing by Palm Trees in Palm Beach by Atlantic Ocean

By Slim Aarons

Located in Brighton, GB

Palm Beach Idyll, 1955 - Relaxing by Palm Trees in Palm Beach by Atlantic Ocean by Slim Aarons 16 x 16" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. ...

Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital

A French Young Model - Photo by Gunnar Larsen - 1970s

A French Young Model - Photo by Gunnar Larsen - 1970s

Located in Roma, IT

A French young model is a black and white vintage photo, realized in 1970s, by the photographer Gunnar Larsen.  Good conditions and aged. It belongs to a historical and nostalgic a...

Category

1970s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Queen Elizabeth - Vintage Photo - 1950s

Queen Elizabeth - Vintage Photo - 1950s

Located in Roma, IT

Queen Elizabeth - Vintage Photo realized in the 1950s. Good conditions and aged.

Category

1950s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Signed limited edition Figurative photo, Black white man, Homoerotic - Mathew 2
Signed limited edition Figurative photo, Black white man, Homoerotic - Mathew 2

Signed limited edition Figurative photo, Black white man, Homoerotic - Mathew 2

By Ian Sanderson

Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona

An original signed archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 gsm paper by Scottish artist Ian Sanderson (1951- 2020) titled ‘ Mathew 2 ‘ who was captured on film in...

Category

1980s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Paper, Black and White, Giclée, Pigment, Arc...

Lou Jacobs World Famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown

Lou Jacobs World Famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown

Located in Middletown, NY

Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (241 x 190 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Ro...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Xie Kitchin as Dane - Vintage b/w Photograph by Lewis Carroll - 1873
Xie Kitchin as Dane - Vintage b/w Photograph by Lewis Carroll - 1873

Xie Kitchin as Dane - Vintage b/w Photograph by Lewis Carroll - 1873

By Lewis Carroll

Located in Roma, IT

Xie Kitchin as Dane is an original vintage photograph realized in 1873 by Lewis Carroll (Daresbury, January 27, 1832 - Guildford, January 14, 1898). Original albumen print on postcard; dimensions: 14 x 10 cm. N° 2132 "The Dane manuscript" was written by the author in pencil on the back. Provenance: Jeffrey Stern Bookseller York UK. Certificate of Athenticity: provided by the Original Gallery. Framed in a coeval frame. Mint conditions. Lewis Carroll (Daresbury, January 27, 1832 - Guildford, January 14, 1898) in 1873. This work depicts the figure of Xie (Alexandra) Kitchin as "Dane", a standing children with an elegant dress and headgear. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English writer of children's fiction, notably Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass. He was noted for his facility with word play, logic, and fantasy. The poems "Jabberwocky" and The Hunting of the Snark are classified in the genre of literary nonsense. He was also a mathematician, photographer, inventor, and Anglican deacon. Carroll came from a family of high-church Anglicans, and developed a long relationship with Christ Church, Oxford, where he lived for most of his life as a scholar and teacher. Alice Liddell, daughter of the Dean of Christ Church, Henry Liddell, is widely identified as the original for Alice in Wonderland, though Carroll always denied this. Scholars are divided about whether his relationship with children included an erotic component. In 1982, a memorial stone...

Category

1870s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Alas Tres, Acto Uno, Series. Male Nude  Black and White Photograph
Alas Tres, Acto Uno, Series. Male Nude  Black and White Photograph

Alas Tres, Acto Uno, Series. Male Nude Black and White Photograph

By Ricky Cohete

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Cohete's ritual with movement and the male dancer formations, inhabits his black and white theater-like habitat. Like light; always in motion. The harsh lights and shadows in the wa...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Black and White, Pigment, Archival Pigment

Palm Springs Party, 1970 - Kaufmann House Swimming Pool Palm Springs Villa
Palm Springs Party, 1970 - Kaufmann House Swimming Pool Palm Springs Villa

Palm Springs Party, 1970 - Kaufmann House Swimming Pool Palm Springs Villa

By Slim Aarons

Located in Brighton, GB

Palm Springs Party, 1970 - Kaufmann House Swimming Pool Palm Springs Villa by Slim Aarons This Portrait by Swimming Pool at Kaufmann House is a sister image to the now SOLD OUT edit...

Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital

Modern figurative photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Modern figurative 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 figurative photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Slim Aarons, Mark Shaw, Alain Le Garsmeur, and Terry O'Neill. Frequently made by artists working with Digital Print, and Paper 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 figurative photography, so small editions measuring 0.79 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative 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 $115,000, while the average work sells for $1,800.