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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

Pousada dos Buzios, 1975 - Nude Sunbathing Swimming Pool Brazilian Resort
Pousada dos Buzios, 1975 - Nude Sunbathing Swimming Pool Brazilian Resort

Pousada dos Buzios, 1975 - Nude Sunbathing Swimming Pool Brazilian Resort

By Slim Aarons

Located in Brighton, GB

Pousada dos Buzios, 1975 - Nude Sunbathing Swimming Pool Brazilian Resort by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'Pousada dos Buzios' is a Limited Edition Estate Stamped Digital C-Type print by 20th Century American photographer Slim Aarons. Friends and acquaintances lying by the swimming pool at Pousada dos Buzios in Brazil are photographed by Slim Aarons. The man pictured is Italian restaurateur Stefano Monti. Just east of Rio de Janiero city is Buzios, formerly a quiet little fishing village and since the 1960s a bustling, animated, and absolutely upscale seaside resort, littered with fine restaurants, boutiques, and posh pousadas. Pictured here is one such pousada. Also found in Portugal, pousadas offer a blend between luxury hotel and intimate family-run inn. Slim Aarons also photographed "Buzios" which is available in the gallery. Both "Pousada dos Buzios" and "Buzios" were taken in the same place, but spaced years apart. Both 'Buzios' and 'Pousada dos Buzios' were taken in this location. The similarities between 'Buzios' and 'Pousada dos Buzios' are most evident in the subjects: the female sunbather wearing a black and white swimsuit with the straw sunhat appears to be in both scenes, and the female sunbather with short hair wearing the leopard print bikini appears similarly in both scenes. This image from August 1975...

Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital

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

Captivated Audience by Arthur Steel
Captivated Audience by Arthur Steel

Captivated Audience by Arthur Steel

By Arthur Steel

Located in London, GB

Captivated Audience by Arthur Steel SURREY 1979 All prints are hand signed limited editions, no further prints are produced once sold. paper size - 16 x 12" / 41 x 31 cm signed a...

Category

1970s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

"Ali Versus Moptops" by Chris Smith

"Ali Versus Moptops" by Chris Smith

Located in London, GB

"Ali Versus Moptops" by Chris Smith American heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) takes on the Beatles (from left to right, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon ...

Category

1960s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Black and White

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

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

Tiffanys - New York City - Signed Limited Edition

Tiffanys - New York City - Signed Limited Edition

By Stuart Möller

Located in London, GB

'Tiffanys' by Stuart Möller limited edition to 10 only this size - signed & numbered by the artist A young woman passes by the infamous diamond and jewellery store, Tiffany's in Ne...

Category

2010s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Aluminum

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

Slim Aarons 'Jazz Scooter'
Slim Aarons 'Jazz Scooter'

Slim Aarons 'Jazz Scooter'

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

Slim Aarons Jazz Scooter 1949 (printed later) Silver gelatin print estate signature stamped edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity Lucille Brown takes control of the Vespa...

Category

1940s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Laszlo Willinger, "Pin Up, " original photograph of Marilyn Monroe
Laszlo Willinger, "Pin Up, " original photograph of Marilyn Monroe

Laszlo Willinger, "Pin Up, " original photograph of Marilyn Monroe

By Laszlo Willinger

Located in Chatsworth, CA

This piece is an original silver gelatin print from the original negative, shot by Laszlo Willinger in 1948, and printed at a later date. It depicts a young Marilyn Monroe in a pin ...

Category

1940s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

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

Swim, Bear Lake, Utah, 1998

Swim, Bear Lake, Utah, 1998

By Lance Clayton

Located in Hudson, NY

Each year, Robin Rice celebrates a Salon style exhibition to showcase her gallery artists and invite new ones. With Robin’s extensive experience as a gallery curator, all Robin Rice Gallery endeavors are superbly managed. Whether working with corporate clients, interior designers or established collectors, the Robin Rice Gallery guides patrons throughout the selection process, inspiring them to build a stylish collection or striking décor. The Robin Rice Gallery offers a bevy of styles that Robin has procured with her own signature school of artists. Figurative, black and white, water, swim, swimming, lake, Bear lake...

Category

1990s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Verbier Skier, 1964 - Blonde Skier Polishes Skis on Snowy Mountain Photograph
Verbier Skier, 1964 - Blonde Skier Polishes Skis on Snowy Mountain Photograph

Verbier Skier, 1964 - Blonde Skier Polishes Skis on Snowy Mountain Photograph

By Slim Aarons

Located in Brighton, GB

Verbier Skier, 1964 - Blonde Skier Polishes Skis on Snowy Mountain Ski Slopes by Slim Aarons 16" x 20" print Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'V...

Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print, Digital, Photographic Paper, Color

Slim Aarons, Harbour Island (Midcentury Modern Photography)
Slim Aarons, Harbour Island (Midcentury Modern Photography)

Slim Aarons, Harbour Island (Midcentury Modern Photography)

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

Harbour Island in the Bahamas, 1970 Harbour Island, 1970 Chromogenic Lambda Print Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity from the estate. ...

Category

1970s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Lambda

Sports During Fascist Period in Italy - Vintage b/w Photo - 1934 ca.

Sports During Fascist Period in Italy - Vintage b/w Photo - 1934 ca.

Located in Roma, IT

Vintage Photo from the Fascist period. Photo by Studio Gherlone, Torino. Photo dimensions 17 x 23 cm. Includes passepartout. Very good condition.

Category

1930s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

JFK and Dr. Max Visit with hikers Stash and the boys, 1963

JFK and Dr. Max Visit with hikers Stash and the boys, 1963

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

February 1963, JFK warns Americans that they need to toughen up by taking up the newest fad, the 50 mile Hike. In this instance Stash Radziwill along with Chuck Spalding and Agent Cl...

Category

1960s Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Giclée

Catch Up by the Pool, 1970 - Poolside Conversation, Kaufmann House Palm Springs
Catch Up by the Pool, 1970 - Poolside Conversation, Kaufmann House Palm Springs

Catch Up by the Pool, 1970 - Poolside Conversation, Kaufmann House Palm Springs

By Slim Aarons

Located in Brighton, GB

Catch Up by the Pool, 1970 - Poolside Conversation, Kaufmann House Palm Springs by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. ...

Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital

Mathew 2 Archival Pigment Print, Signed, Limited Edition, Contemporary
Mathew 2 Archival Pigment Print, Signed, Limited Edition, Contemporary

Mathew 2 Archival Pigment Print, Signed, Limited Edition, Contemporary

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...

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

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

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.