2002
Like the cowboys who were often the focus of his work, Kurt Markus’s photographs are imbued with a quiet strength. The acclaimed contemporary American lensman was universally known for his poignant black and white images, each one an intimate glimpse into the lives of their subjects.
Markus was born in 1947 in Whitefish, which is in rural Montana. Though his early childhood was spent outside, he knew that he didn't want to be a rancher. He attended the United States military academy West Point and served in the Army Rangers, but he realized the military was also not for him. Instead, he taught himself photography and fell in love with the craft.
Markus is best known for his moving photography of American cowboys. One of his books of cowboy photography, Cowpuncher, was named the best art book of the year by the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2002. Markus also trained his lens on the sport of boxing, photographing world champions like Mike Tyson in addition to lesser-known competitors all around the world, from Havana to Dublin.
Markus was a successful and distinguished fashion photographer as well, working with publications like GQ, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Elle, Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. His long list of clients included the names Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne and Armani. One of the most influential images of his career, Young Man, Y’s for Living, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1988, was initially used in a fashion advertisement for Japanese design icon Yohji Yamamoto.
No matter what he was photographing, Markus was resolutely traditional in his technique. Even as digital photography became more common, he remained in the darkroom developing silver gelatin prints. He strove to keep the process simple and free of gimmickry.
Markus received numerous accolades over the course of his career, including Life magazine’s Alfred Eisenstaedt Award and several Clio Awards. His work has been exhibited at the Staley-Wise Gallery in New York City, the Obscura Gallery in Santa Fe and the Peter Fetterman Gallery in Santa Monica.
In 2013, Markus settled with his wife in Santa Fe, where he focused more on landscape photography. He died in 2022.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of original Kurt Markus photography.
Dunes, Namibia
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Silver Gelatin
Dunes, Namibia, Africa
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Silver Gelatin
Dunes, Namibia
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Silver Gelatin
Dunes, Namibia, Africa
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Silver Gelatin
Dunes, Namibia
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
Dunes, Namibia, Africa, 2002
Silver Gelatin
Dunes, Namibia, Africa
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Silver Gelatin
Abstract Study of Shapes and Patterns on Sand Dunes, Namibia, Africa, Horizontal
By Drew Doggett
Located in US
"Layers of Light" In this award-winning image, Drew was interested in the way the light hit the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, Namibia creating this breathtaking, ethereal scene. The p...
Archival Pigment
Abstract Study of Shapes and Patterns on Sand Dunes, Namibia, Africa, Horizontal
By Drew Doggett
Located in US
"Layers of Light" In this award-winning image, Drew was interested in the way the light hit the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, Namibia creating this breathtaking, ethereal scene. The p...
Archival Pigment
The beautifully soft sand dunes of Namibia form their own private city
By Drew Doggett
Located in US
The beautifully soft sand dunes of Namibia form their own private city A large swath of curvaceous sand dunes forming a wall The print series Dunes: Landscapes Evolving documents t...
Archival Pigment
A sand dune in Namibia with a pattern of ripples in it from the wind
By Drew Doggett
Located in US
A sand dune in Namibia with a pattern of ripples in it from the wind A delicate texture appears where the wind whips the sand dunes. This ornate pattern will disappear when the wind...
Archival Pigment
Ombre expanse of sand dunes in the desert of Namibia
By Drew Doggett
Located in US
Ombre expanse of sand dunes in the desert of Namibia The sand dunes of Namibia appear to extend forever, unfolding in patterns never-to-be repeated The print series Dunes: Landscap...
Archival Pigment
Light on the sand dunes in Sossusvlei, Namibia, with one mysterious pocket of sh
By Drew Doggett
Located in US
Light on the sand dunes in Sossusvlei, Namibia, with one mysterious pocket of shadow The dunes created valleys and peaks and delicate compositions of light and dark The print serie...
Archival Pigment
The image, shot for a designer's ad campaign, feels like a scene from a real-life Alice in Wonderland tea party.
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