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Portrait Photography For Sale
Ferocious I
Located in New York City, NY
Leandro Franco Ferocious I, 2019 16 x 12 inches (Photograph size) Archival Pigment Print Edition of 20 Framed Suggested framed size 24 x 20 inches. Ask us about framing details and...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Ice Bar in Lech, Estate Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Customers at the Ice Bar at the Hotel Krone in Lech, Austria, 1960. Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aarons Estate C...
Category

1960s Realist Portrait Photography

Materials

Lambda

Poolside Scenery, Palm Springs, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970 portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Nelda Linsk (left, in yellow), wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk with guests by the pool at the Li...
Category

1970s Realist Portrait Photography

Materials

Lambda

Insatiable (Wastelands) - Contemporary, Polaroid, 21st Cetury, Polaroid
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Insatiable - he came to my Valley (Wastelands) Edition 2/5 , 57x56cm, 2003, analog C-Print, hand-printed by the artist on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper, based on a Polaroid. Artist i...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Greta Garbo
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Clarence Sinclair Bull was one of the great masters of the Hollywood portrait. As head of the stills department at MGM for over thirty years, he helped to pioneer the art and craft o...
Category

1930s Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Stallion Portrait: Slickly - Mane - Champion Horse's hair portrait print
Located in London, GB
Slickly was a world champion miler and leading French sire. Series: Studio Portraits, Slickly - 'Mane', 2009 by John Reardon Archival Pigment Print on Ha...
Category

Early 2000s Conceptual Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Col...

Warhol with Corn Flakes
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A photograph by Andy Warhol. "Warhol with Corn Flakes" is a Polaroid, Polacolor by pop American artist Andy Warhol. The artwork is signed in the lower righ...
Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Portrait Photography

Materials

Polaroid

Norman Parkinson 'Deborah Harris in a mermaid's tail, 1990'
Located in New York, NY
Deborah Harris is photographed on location in Malaysia wearing a custom-designed mermaid’s tail by Bob Mackie for Town & Country in February of 1990. This story was photographer Norm...
Category

1990s Modern Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Africa, Ethiopia, Omo Valley, Color Photography of Tribal Children, Tree
Located in New york, NY
A contemporary color photograph by Jean-Michel (JM) Voge, Tree, 1996 is a portrait of Surma Tribe boys from the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, Africa. This is a si...
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Digital, Digital Pigment, Archi...

Bert stern Marilyn smiling at you in black dress
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Bert stern Marilyn in Vogue The last sitting (1962) superb and large photo of Marilyn Monroe in Christian Dior's mythical black dress for Vogue magazine photographic paper format 9...
Category

Early 2000s Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Play among the Stars (Till Death Do Us Part) - Contemporary, Polaroid, Women
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Play among the Stars (Till Death Do Us Part) - 2005 50x49cm, Edition of 10, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print, based on the original Polaroid. Certificate and Signature labe...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

4 unique portraits of Vietnamese concert pianist Chau-Giang Thi Nguyen, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Peter Beard Portraits of classical concert pianist Concert Pianist Chau-Giang Thi Nguyen in artists frame, 2006 Four (4) separate Chromogenic prints (c-print) in artist's frame. Hand...
Category

Early 2000s Realist Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print

Phyllis Diller
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This work was acquired directly from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The work is in pristine condition and has never been framed. This is a unique work which comes w...
Category

1970s Pop Art Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Float Face #3 - Torn and pasted photo on paper- Figurative micro mosaic collage
Located in New York, NY
Keun Young Park depicts the body in a state of transformation. Her works on paper show floating figures, faces, draped arms and cupped hands, which appear to be disintegrating and re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Mixed Media, Photographic Paper

African-American Civil Rights Photography, Washington Protest, Woman on Bus
Located in New york, NY
Woman on Bus, from the March on Washington, 1963 (printed later) by Leonard Freed, is a 11" x 14" gelatin silver print, signed and stamped on verso (back of photo) by the estate, Brigitte Freed (wife of the photographer). The photo is from Leonard Freed's series This Is the Day: The March on Washington and is on p. 81 of the book (Getty Museum, 2013). American photographer Leonard Freed enjoyed documentary storytelling and was a "concerned photographer" whose work demonstrated humanitarian concerns. Provenance: Freed archive. *** Artist’s Bio: Leonard Freed (1929-2006) was an American photographer from Brooklyn, New York. His "Black in White America" series made him known as a documentarian, a social documentary photographer. Freed worked as a freelance photographer from 1961 onwards and as a Magnum photographer Freed traveled widely abroad and, in the US, photographing African Americans (1964-65), events in Israel (1967-68, 1973), and the New York City police department (1972-79). Freed's coverage of the American civil rights...
Category

1960s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

"Botticelli Donuts" Birth of Venus Pop Art photo arrangement of donuts Rag paper
Located in Southampton, NY
You have read about the extraordinary donut portraits by Candice CMC on social media world-wide and we are excited and proud to represent her work. I have included in this listing a...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Rag Paper

Low Water - Contemporary, Polaroid, Photograph, Childhood. 21st Century
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Low Water (2014), 20 x 20 cm, Edition 3 of 10 + 2 Artist Proofs. Photograph printed in Hahnemühle Baryta Photo Rag 340gr, based on a Fuji Instant Film original (not mounted). Si...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Polaroid

Prepping the Birth (Suburbia) - Contemporary, Polaroid, Photography
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Prepping the Birth (Suburbia) - 2004 20x24cm, Edition of 10, digital C-Print based on the Polaroid, Signature label and Certificate. Artist Inventory No. 1672. Not mounted, In ...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Brigitte Bardot by Robert Cohen for AGIP - Silver Gelatin B and W Photography
By Robert Cohen
Located in Atlanta, GA
An original silver gelatin black and white photograph by Robert Cohen for AGIP. Brigitte Bardot in 1967. Features: Original silver gelatin print photograph unframed. Press photograph...
Category

1960s Modern Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Lioness Holding Cub in Mouth, Maasai Mara – Nick Brandt, Lion, Africa, Animals
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Lioness with Cub in Mouth, Amboseli 2012 Platinum print Sheet 71,12 x 88,9 cm (28 x 35 in.) Edition of 15, plus AP's; Ed. no. 2/15 print only Nick Brandt is a contemporary English photographer. His work focuses on the disappearing natural world. Since 2001, he has photographed the changing African continent and established a style of portrait photography of animals in the wild. – Photography, Documentary Photography, Animal, Africa, Wildlife, Nature, Lion Baby...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Platinum

'Hunting' from the movie Immaculate Springs
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
'Hunting' from the movie Immaculate Springs - 1998 Edition of 5, 58x56cm, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Analog C-Print, hand-printed by the artist, based on an expired Polaroid. Signatur...
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Polaroid, Color, C Print, Archival Paper

Morrissey by Kevin Cummins
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition silver gelatin print of English singer and songwriter Morrissey, photographed whilst on his 'Kill Uncle' tour in Cologne, Germany, May 1991. This Morrissey pr...
Category

1990s Photorealist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

'Shaken Not Stirred' 1968 Baryta Print
Located in London, GB
'Shaken Not Stirred' by Peter Ruck 1968 English actor Roger Moore, downs a Martini, 17th July 1968. Moore has recently been awarded his second Bravo Otto award for most popular te...
Category

20th Century Modern Portrait Photography

Materials

Black and White, Archival Pigment

Stranger than Paradise II - Proof before Printing - Polaroid, Contemporary
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Stranger than Paradise II - Proof b4 Printing / 2005, 128x125cm analog C-Print, hand-printed by the artist, based on the Polaroid, signed on front. unmounted, untrimmed edges / raw p...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Black and White, C Print, Polaroid

Cindy Sherman in her New York Studio, 14 September 1993
Located in New York, NY
Cindy Sherman in her New York Studio, 14 September 1993 Backstage at Cindy Sherman’s studio in SoHo with paraphernalia, accoutrements of her work. P...
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Skiing In Stowe (1962) - Limited Estate Stamped
Located in London, GB
Skiing In Stowe (1962) - Limited Estate Stamped (Photo By Slim Aarons) A young woman waiting to go on a ski run in Stowe, Vermont, USA, 1962. Additional Information: Unframed ...
Category

1960s Modern Portrait Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Stefanie Schneider Polaroid sized unlimited Mini 'Dust Bowl Blues' - signed
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Stefanie Schneider Polaroid sized unlimited Mini 'Dust Bowl Blues (Heavenly Falls)' - 2016 - signed in front, not mounted. 1 Archival Color Photograph based on the original Polaro...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, C Print, Color, Lambda, Polaroid

Si los bueyes Volaran , ca. 2020 Mixed media on canvas , metal leaf, edition 1/7
Located in San Juan, PR
In this new series Mercado utilizes canvas in big format as a medium to intervene Jack Delano's photographs of Puerto Rican agriculture workers he documented for the FSA in the 1940...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Beloved (Stage of Consciousness)
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Beloved (Stage of Consciousness) - 2007 65x80cm, Edition of 10, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print, based on the Polaroid. Signature label and certificate. Artist Inventory ...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Ella Fitzgerald at the Downbeat in New York
Located in Austin, TX
Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown, Milt (Milton) Jackson, and Timmie Rosenkrantz, Downbeat, New York, N.Y., circa Sept. 1947. Ella Fit...
Category

1940s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

On The Floor
Located in Austin, TX
From a stunning collection of contemporary nudes from celebrated photographer, Markus Klinko, featuring amongst others, Dita Von Teese, Stoya and Aubrey O’Day This print is availabl...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Untitled (Olancha) - Stranger than Paradise - analog C-Print based on a Polaroid
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Untitled (Olancha) - 2006 38x37cm. Edition of 5, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Analog C-Print, hand-printed by the artist, based on the Polaroid. Signature label and Certificate. Artist...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Luigi Musso - Maserati (full car), Pau
Located in Denton, TX
Open Edition Signed by artist in black ink on print margin by Jesse Alexander Gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in. Jesse Alexander is considered one of the greatest race car photogra...
Category

1950s Modern Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Untitled (D’Amato and Tyson) [Cus D’Amato demonstrates his peek-a-boo style]
Located in New York, NY
Untitled (D’Amato and Tyson) Cus D’Amato demonstrates his peek-a-book style for Mike Tyson (age 13-14). Catskill, NY, 1981 Signed and numbered, verso Gelatin silver print 11 x 14 ...
Category

1980s Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Eye of the Beholder, 1974 - Bronze Bathing Beauties Suntanning on French Riviera
Located in Brighton, GB
Eye of the Beholder, 1974 - Bronze Bathing Beauties Suntanning on French Riviera by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital

Half forgotten Dream (Heavenly Falls) - 21st Century, Polaroid, Figurative
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Half forgotten Dream (Heavenly Falls) - 2016 50x50cm, Edition of 10. Archival C- Print, based on the Polaroid. Certificate and signature label. Artist inventory number: 19565. No...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

The beatles
Located in PARIS, FR
The beatles during a concert
Category

Late 20th Century Portrait Photography

Materials

Lambda

Childhood
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Childhood 20x20cm, Edition of 10, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print based on a Medium format Negative. Signed on back with Certificate. Not mounted.
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color

Flora 12 - Contemporary Nude Photography Limited Edition C-Print
Located in Brighton, GB
Flora 12 is a vibrant Digital C-Type print in this size in a Limited Edition of 15 by contemporary photography duo Tortora & Travezan. Photography duo Tortora & Travezan create vibr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Color, Digital, Photographic Paper, C Print

"Large Cruella Donuts" Photographic arrangement of Donuts on Rag Paper 60x48"
Located in Southampton, NY
You have read about the extraordinary donut portraits by Candice CMC on social media world-wide and we are excited and proud to represent her work. I have included in this listing an image from some of the world-wide Social Media Buzz on Candice CMC and an image of her working in the studio. This large one of a kind photo arrangement titled "Large Cruella Donuts" by Candice CMC features a unique one of a kind donut created Approx. 60x48" image inspired by the 2021 Disney film "Cruella" staring Emma...
Category

2010s Pop Art Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Rag Paper

Basquiat 1979 photograph (Nick Taylor Jean-Michel Basquiat Gray)
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean Michel Basquiat photograph, New York, 1979: This rare Basquiat photograph was taken from Nicholas Taylor’s well-documented portfolio exploring his friendship with Jean-Michel Basquiat - a friendship which began when both collaborated on the historic New York No Wave band, “GRAY” in the late 1970s; before the two briefly lived together in the East Village. Selections from Taylor's portfolio were most notably exhibited as part of the Basquiat retrospective at London's Barbican in 2017 and have been featured in numerous noteworthy publications on Basquiat. Archival Inkjet print. Overall size including borders: 16 x 20 inches. Arrives hand signed, titled & numbered from a limited edition of 20. Excellent condition. Obtained directly from artist. Lot 180...
Category

1980s Pop Art Portrait Photography

Materials

Inkjet

I am leaving! (Till Death do us Part) - Polaroid, Contemporary
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
I am leaving! (Till Death do us Part) - 2007 20x24cm, Edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print print, based on the Polaroid. Certificate and Signature label. Artist ...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

David Bowie - limited edition Mick Rock Estate print
Located in London, GB
David Bowie - signed limited edition print David Bowie, 1976. (photo Mick Rock) paper size : 24x20 inches / 51 x 61 cm Stamped and numbered by the Estate. Archival pigment print...
Category

1970s Modern Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Am I Dreaming? - Contemporary, 21st Century, Polaroid, Figurative
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Am I Dreaming? (Till Death do us Part) - 2005 20x20cm, Edition 2/10, digital C-Print print, based on the Polaroid. Certificate and Signature label, artist Inventory No. 9023.02, ...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

29 Palms, CA - based on a Polaroid
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
29 Palms, CA - 2010 40x40cm, Edition of of 10, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Digital C-Print, based on the Polaroid. Certificate and signature label. Artist Inventory # 1897. Not mount...
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Francesco Clemente at Cafe Roma
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Illustrated in The Andy Warhol Diaries by Andy Warhol. Edited by Pat Hackett, Warner Books, 1991. This is a unique work. Image dimensions: 8 x 10 in. Framed dimensions: 16.125 x 18....
Category

1980s Pop Art Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Big Boy (Chicks and Chicks and Sometimes Cocks)
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Big Boy (Chicks and Chicks and Sometimes Cocks) - 2019 20x24cm, Edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print, based on the Polaroid. Certificate and signature label. Art...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Boy with Chalked Numbers, NYC by Harold Feinstein, 1956, Silver Gelatin Print
Located in Denton, TX
Boy with Chalked Numbers, NYC by Harold Feinstein is a 14 x 11 inch gelatin silver print, and is edition 3/200. This photograph features a boy sitting on the ground, surrounded by nu...
Category

20th Century Modern Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Elizabeth Taylor, Hollywood Star 1950s on Film Set, Black and White Photography
Located in New york, NY
Burt Glinn photographed one of the most highly-paid celebrity actresses, Elizabeth Taylor, 1959 on set during the filming of "Suddenly Last Summer". In the candid photo, he captures ...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper, Photographic Film

Capuchin 3 , Signed limited edition fine art print by Tim Platt, Large scale
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Capuchin 3 - Signed limited edition archival pigment print - Edition of 10 A series of three portrait images of a Capuchin monkey in a stylised painterly style. This portraits are inspired by my fascination with animal intelligence. The Capuchin monkey is instantly recognised due to its distinctive two tone colouring which of course also led to the Italian word Cappuccino. The word itself originally derives from the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, an offshoot from the Franciscans, who wear brown robes with large hoods. Considered the most intelligent monkeys, the Capuchin has learnt to use stones...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Giclée, Pigment, Archival Pig...

Diamonds are forever
Located in New York City, NY
Leandro Franco Diamonds are forever, 2020 48 x 40 inches 120 x 100 cm Archival Pigment Print Edition of 10 Framed Fashion Photography - Portrait...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Photograph of Andy Warhol with Liza Minnelli and Nell Carter
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Liza Minnelli is an actress and singer, winning an Academy Award in 1973 for her role in Cabaret. Liza entered Warhol’s social circle during the 70’s when...
Category

1970s Pop Art Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Charlotte, New York City, 1988 – Albert Watson, Black & White, Celebrity, Woman
Located in Zurich, CH
Albert WATSON (*1942, Scotland) Charlotte, New York City, 1988 1988 Silver gelatin print Image 61 x 51 cm (24 x 20 1/8 in.) Edition of 10, plus 2 AP Print only Albert Watson was b...
Category

1980s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Alaska (Stranger than Paradise) analog - 6 pieces
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Alaska (Stranger than Paradise) - 2002 Edition of 3/5, 105x150cm installed, 48x46 cm each. 6 Analog C-Prints, hand printed by the artist and based on the 6 Polaroids. Signature a...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Play among the Stars (Till Death Do Us Part) - Contemporary, Polaroid, Women
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Play among the Stars (Till Death Do Us Part) - 2005 20x20cm, Edition of 10, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print, based on the original Polaroid. Certificate and Signature labe...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Renée's Dream - The Boys (Days of Heaven) - Landscape, Horse, Boys
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Renée's Dream - The Boys (Days of Heaven). Part of the 29 Palms, CA project. - 2006 20x24cm, Edition of 10, plus 2 Artist Proofs, archival C-Print, based on the Polaroid. Signatur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

"Large Sophia Donuts" One of a kind Photo arrangement of Donuts 50x50" rag paper
Located in Southampton, NY
You have read about the extraordinary donut portraits by Candice CMC on social media world-wide and we are excited and proud to represent her work. I have included in this listing a...
Category

2010s Pop Art Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Rag Paper

The Beatles, concert release
Located in PARIS, FR
A few days after the death of my father, André Sas, in 2020, I received numerous very moving testimonies full of praise for him from the from his former colleagues and partners in th...
Category

20th Century Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Freddie Mercury of Queen by Denis O'Regan
Located in Austin, TX
Fine art 20x24" print of Freddie Mercury of Queen by acclaimed photographer, Denis O'Regan. Taken on stage at Slane Castle, just outside Dublin, Ireland 1986 Printed to order on Hah...
Category

1980s Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Elephant and Stars
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 35 Signed, titled, dated and numbered. Paper size: 20 x 16 in., Image size: 15 x 15 in. Keith Carter is an American photographer who is known for his dreamlike black and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Portrait Photography for Sale on 1stDibs

Portrait photography can be a powerful part of your wall decor. Find a provocative and compelling portrait that speaks to you and you might find that the photograph will speak to your guests too.

Prior to the development of photography, which eventually replaced portrait paintings as a quicker and more efficient way of capturing a person’s essence, the subject of a portrait had to sit for hours until the painter had finished. In 1839, chemist and Philadelphia-based photographer Robert Cornelius didn’t have to wait very long for his portrait. In a matter of minutes, he captured what many believe to be the first portrait photograph. This shot was also the first self-portrait (or what we now call a “selfie”), and fine photography quickly became an art form.

Landscape photography, nude photography and portrait photography are very popular in today's modern interiors. A portrait can reveal a lot about the person in it. It can also add a narrative touch to your decor. You’ll often find that photographs of loved ones work well as decorative touches. A portrait of a family member or dear friend can help turn a house into a home, warming any space by evoking fond memories.

While family portraits can stir emotion, portraits of celebrities and important historical figures can also add a rich dynamic to your space. Portraits of famous musicians or intriguing actors hung in your dining room or home bar shot by Gered Mankowitz or Annie Leibovitz might inspire deep conversation over meals or drinks. Douglas Kirkland is also famous for his celebrity portraits. His photojournalism made him much sought after by Hollywood studios to document the filming of movies. In Kirkland’s powerful depiction of Hollywood stars, he excellently captures the glamour of their lives.

Other artists like Elliott Erwitt stand out by turning portraiture into a playful art form. Before graduating from high school in Hollywood, Erwitt had already begun to teach himself to take pictures, inspired by the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson. In image after image, Erwitt captured what photographers call “the moment” with rapier wit and penetrating humanity.

Portrait photography can be incredibly expressive, setting the tone and mood for a room. And there are different ways of incorporating portrait photography into your interior decor. If you’re thinking about adding color photography to a bedroom or living room, the colors of the portraits can become part of the room’s palette, while portraits shot in black and white won’t disrupt an existing color scheme.

On 1stDibs, find a vast selection of portrait photography from different eras, including 1950s portraits, 1960s portrait photography and more.

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