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Contemporary Portrait Photography

CONTEMPORARY STYLE

Used to refer to a time rather than an aesthetic, Contemporary art generally describes pieces created after 1970 or being made by living artists anywhere in the world. This immediacy means it encompasses art responding to the present moment through diverse subjects, media and themes. Contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, performance, digital art, video and more frequently includes work that is attempting to reshape current ideas about what art can be, from Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s use of candy to memorialize a lover he lost to AIDS-related complications to Jenny Holzer’s ongoing “Truisms,” a Conceptual series that sees provocative messages printed on billboards, T-shirts, benches and other public places that exist outside of formal exhibitions and the conventional “white cube” of galleries.

Contemporary art has been pushing the boundaries of creative expression for years. Its disruption of the traditional concepts of art are often aiming to engage viewers in complex questions about identity, society and culture. In the latter part of the 20th century, contemporary movements included Land art, in which artists like Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer create large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations and other works in soil and bodies of water; Sound art, with artists such as Christian Marclay and Susan Philipsz centering art on sonic experiences; and New Media art, in which mass media and digital culture inform the work of artists such as Nam June Paik and Rafaël Rozendaal.

The first decades of the 21st century have seen the growth of Contemporary African art, the revival of figurative painting, the emergence of street art and the rise of NFTs, unique digital artworks that are powered by blockchain technology.

Major Contemporary artists practicing now include Ai Weiwei, Cecily Brown, David Hockney, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Kara Walker.

Find a collection of Contemporary prints, photography, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Contemporary
Gentlemen of Havana. 3 framed photographs of cigar smokers by James Sparshatt
Located in Coltishall, GB
A set of three framed silver gelatin prints by James Sparshatt. These black and white portraits of cigar smokers in Havana, Cuba, were taken at the turn of the 21st Century. Each...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Anthony Bourdain Eating a Hot Dog by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Anthony Bourdain was famous for traveling the globe and exploring the local cuisine in No Reservations and Parts Unknown. As soon as he returned home t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Dahlia 7, 2013 - Contemporary Limited Edition Oversize Archival Inkjet Print
Located in Brighton, GB
Dahlia 7 is a rich and luxurious Archival Inkjet Print by contemporary photographer Philip Gatward. It is available in this size of 32" x 38" from a Limited Edition of 10. Gatwar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Color, Inkjet

Rodeo Grounds - Till Death du us Part - diptych, 128x150cm and 128x126cm
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Rodeo Grounds (Till Death do us Part) - 2010, diptych Edition 1/5. 128x150cm and 128x126cm together 126x286cm including a 10 cm space in between both pieces, Analog C-Print print,...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print, Color, Polaroid

Rita Hayworth Posed in Gown
Located in Austin, TX
Black and white portrait of pinup girl and actress Rita Hayworth dancing in a gown. Rita Hayworth was an American actress, dancer, and pin-up girl. She achieved fame in the 1940s as...
Category

1940s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Snap–15 Minutes of Fame (Wastelands) - analog, not mounted, Polaroid
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Snap–15 Minutes of Fame (Wastelands) - 4 pieces, 2003 Edition of 5, 105x100cm each, 220x220cm installed. Analog C-Prints, hand-printed by the artist on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper,...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

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

Equestrian Portrait, Classic, Black Horse with Bridle, Reins, and Bonnet
Located in US
"Black Diamond" This award-winning image is a fashion-inspired portrait of an elite horse wearing the attire of his discipline. The print series Equus: Light & Form focuses on the...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Blomme #08 [From the series Vintage Diva's] - Polaroid, Nude, Women, Color
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Blomme #08, 2012 [From the series Vintage Diva's] 31x40cm Digital archival pigment print based on an original Polaroid on beautiful PHOTO RAG ® ULTRA SMOOTH paper 305gsm, 100% cott...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Color, Polaroid, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Grace - Contemporary British Art, Animal Photography, Owl, Tim Flach
Located in Brighton, GB
Please bear in mind that all prints are produced to order. Lead times are expected between 15-20 days. 'Grace' is a stunning C-Type print by contemporary British photographer Tim Flach available in this size in Edition 3/10. Flach has mainly become renown for his highly stylized animal portraits, which are far removed from traditional wildlife photography...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Brigitte Bardot in "A Very Private Affair"
Located in Austin, TX
Black and white capture of Brigitte Bardot posed in a sun hat for her role in "A Very Private Affair" Brigitte Bardot is a French former actress, singer, and model as well as an ani...
Category

1960s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Marc Chagall, France, Contemporary French Photographic Portrait of Artist
Located in New york, NY
Marc Chagall in His Studio, France, 1984 by Jean-Michel Voge is a 23.4" x 16.5" archival pigment print edition 2/5 printed by the artist on Japanese Awagami handmade paper -- signed ...
Category

1980s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Rag Paper, Digital, Arc...

Bent Sound - underwater portrait of Njomza Vitia - archival pigment print 35x50"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Bent Sound" - An ethereal underwater fine art photograph that captures the intersection of music and movement through a portrait of singer Njomza Vitia. This submerged portrait tran...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Diane Sawyer
Located in New York, NY
Diane Sawyer Archival pigment print image size: 48 x 48 inches Signed and numbered edition of 25 William Coupon is an American photographer, born in New York City, known principally...
Category

1980s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Anthony Bourdain portrait by Jake Chessum
Located in Austin, TX
Anthony Bourdain was famous for traveling the globe and exploring the local cuisine in No Reservations and Parts Unknown. In this print, photographer J...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Liu Ye in his studio with muse, Beijing, 16 May 2007
Located in New York, NY
Liu Ye in his studio with muse, Beijing, 16 May 2007 X Photographed by Jonathan Becker Contemporary 44" x 44.5" Archival Pigment Print Edition Nº 1 of 9 Cert...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Rita Hayworth in Burbank 20" x 16" Edition of 125
Located in Austin, TX
Black and white candid image of Rita Hayworth in Burbank, walking along a beautiful street scene. Rita Hayworth was an American actress, dancer, and producer. She achieved fame duri...
Category

1930s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Pigment

Harlem NY, Black and White Photography African American Life 1960s, Fashion Show
Located in New york, NY
Fashion Show, 1963, Harlem, USA by Leonard Freed, is a 11” x 14” gelatin silver print, which appears in the photographer's seminal Black in White America book (p. 104). The photograp...
Category

1960s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Nastasia with Gun - Polaroid, Contemporary, Portrait, Color
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Nastasia with Gun (High Desert) - 2019 Edition 1/10, 50x50cm, Digital C-Print, based on the Polaroid. Signature label and Certificate. Not mounted. Stefanie Schneider: A German...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

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

Marilyn Monroe Smiling in Jewels
Located in Austin, TX
Second in its series, this awesome black and white capture features Marilyn Monroe in her Hollywood prime - captured in a silk dress and fur stole. Classic image of the Hollywood l...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Loile by John Kenny. 54 x 36" portrait photo with Acrylic Face-Mount 2011
Located in Coltishall, GB
The large circular earplugs worn by this stunning Rendille warrior are made of plastic and sometimes bone. In past times, and very occasionally today, you might see the same plugs ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

Grace Kelly Carrying Groceries
Located in Austin, TX
This black and white portrait features American movie actress Grace Kelly, best known for her roles in "To Catch a Theif", "Rear Window", and "High Society". The actress is pictured ...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Bette Davis in front of the Queen Mary
Located in Austin, TX
Actress Bette Davis posed in front of the Queen Mary, circa 1967. Bette Davis was an American actress of film, television, and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Michael Jackson, Los Angeles, 21st Century, Contemporary, Celebrity, Photography
Located in München, BY
Edition 10 Also available in 40 x 50 cm / 16 x 20 inch, Edition 25 Black and white portrait of Singer and Songwriter Michael Jackson with lace in front of his face. From personali...
Category

1980s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Rita Hayworth Feeding a Dog
Located in Austin, TX
Unique black and white candid capture of actress Rita Hayworth posed in a bikini, doing a handstand, all while feeding a dog Rita Hayworth was an American actress, dancer, and pin-u...
Category

1940s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Van Johnson and Ava Gardner Sitting in Car
Located in Austin, TX
This black and white capture features Ava Gardner sitting besides Van Johnson driving car. Van Johnson was an American film, television, theatre and radio actor, singer, and dancer....
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Elizabeth Taylor with Sunglasses for "Giant"
Located in Austin, TX
This iconic and elegant portrait captured by celebrity photographer Frank Worth features actress Elizabeth Taylor on the set of the film "Giant" for her role as character Leslie Bene...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Janet Jackson with Black Panther, Los Angeles, 2006
Located in Austin, TX
Janet Jackson with Black Panther, Los Angeles, 2006 by Markus Klinko This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus Klink...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

C Print

La dernière Séance, Paris
Located in München, BY
Edition 7 On this photo you can see a naked woman in a intellectual pose sitting in the L'opera of Paris. These stunning photographs of Sieff’s subjects in Paris, in their homes, o...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Stevie Wonder V1, Los Angeles, California - Black and White, Musician, Piano
Located in Denton, TX
Stevie Wonder V1 by Al Satterwhite is a black and white portrait of the famous American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. Archival Pigment Print 20 x 24 in. Ed. of 2...
Category

1970s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Rita Hayworth Posed on Car
Located in Austin, TX
Rita Hayworth was an American actress and dancer. She achieved fame during the 1940s as one of the era's top stars, appearing in a total of 61 films over 37 years. The press coined t...
Category

1940s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Contemporary Japanese Photography, Ginzan Spa by Issei Suda, Signed Ed 28/100
By Issei Suda
Located in New york, NY
The photograph "Ginzan Spa, Yamagata, August 1976 from Fushikaden," is by Japanese photographer Issei Suda. The print is hand-signed by the photographer on ...
Category

1970s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

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

New York Python, Coney Island, Brooklyn, Year of the Snake Photograph
Located in New york, NY
New York Python, Coney Island, 1991 by Roberta Fineberg is a 14” x 11” gelatin silver print - offered in 2025 to celebrate the Year of the Snake…. In the words of the artist: "I sho...
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Immaculate Springs Set with Jacinda Barrett
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Immaculate Springs Set with Jacinda Barrett - 1998 Edition of 10, plus 2 Artist Proofs. 20x20cm, Archival C-Print, based on the Polaroid. Signature Label and Certificate. Artist i...
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

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

The Beatles oversize CONTACT SHEET - FOUND photographic b/w print on Hannehmuhle
Located in Norwich, GB
Before digital when cameras used only film, a roll of 36 would be processed to produce a strip of negatives. The long roll of negatives was then cut into strips of six, usually with ...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Giclée, Archival Pigment

Heath Ledger, Casanova, Venice 2004, Contemporary, Celebrity, Photography
Located in München, BY
Edition 10 Also available in 40 x 50 cm / 16 x 20 inch, Edition 25 Black and white portrait of actor Heath Ledger in young age. From personality portra...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Marilyn Monroe in Sheer Dress
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant color capture of star actress Marilyn Monroe posed outdoors in a sheer black dress, looking down to the camera. Marilyn Monroe was an American actress and model. Known for p...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Billy Wilder and Marilyn Monroe "The Seven Year Itch"
Located in Austin, TX
Black and white action shot and iconic image of Marilyn Monroe on the set of "The Seven Year Itch" Marilyn Monroe was an American actress model and singer. Famous for playing comed...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Zsa Zsa Gabor Applying Makeup
By Peter Martin
Located in Austin, TX
This stunning black and white portrait features Zsa Zsa Gabor in her dressing room applying makeup. Zsa Zsa Gabor as a Hungarian-American actress and socialite. Gabor began her stage...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Reinventing oneself, II - Polaroid, Contemporary, Color, 21st Century
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Reinventing oneself, II - 2019, 50x50cm, Edition of 7 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print based on the original Polaroid. Signature label with certificate. Artist inventory ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

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

J Class Sailing Yachts on the Open Seas, Black and White Photography, Horizontal
Located in US
"Majesty at Sea" With only 9 of these iconic boats still left on the water, and with history of competition in the Olympics and Americas' Cup races, these boats represent the apex o...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Appenzellar Spitzhauben, limited edition photograph, signed and numbered
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Appenzellar Spitzhauben, limited edition photograph, signed and numbered. In Augustan Rome, it was believed that chickens were the divine messengers of the gods. The title is a refe...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Platinum

The Prince (The Princess and her Lover) - Polaroid, Portrait, Dream
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
The Prince (The Princess and her Lover), 2007, part of the 29 Palms, CA project, Edition of of 10, 20x20cm, digital C-Print based on a Polaroid, Signature label and Certificate, a...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

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

Back to the Future (1985 Film) - Vintage Photo - 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Back to the Future (1985 Film) is a black and white photograph realized in 1985 Vintage Photo Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloid in a scene from "Back to the future" by Robert Zem...
Category

1980s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Release - 21st Century, Polaroid, Portrait, Photography, Contemporary, Nude
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Release - 2020 20x20cm, Edition of 7 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print based on the original Polaroid. Signature label with certificate. Artist inventory PL2020-884. Not ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

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

Amelia Earhart Flight over Washington D.C.
Located in Austin, TX
After appearing before a Senate Committee on air safety, Amelia took off in the Department of Commerce's new safety plane for a flight over Washington D.C.. 1936. Amelia Earhart was...
Category

1930s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Pigment

Ann Miller as a Witch
Located in Austin, TX
Black and white portrait of actress Ann Miller posed in a witch costume, circa 1946. Ann Miller was an American actress and dancer. She is best remembered for her work in the classi...
Category

1940s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Marilyn Monroe at the St. Judes Hospital Benefit Vintage Press Print
Located in Austin, TX
Black and white candid capture of star actress Marilyn Monroe at the St Judes Hospital benefit at the Hollywood Bowl in September 1953. -- One-of-a-kind original vintage press print...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Black and White

Giraffe in grass, Giraffe, animal, Africa, black and white photography
Located in München, BY
Edition No. 7/12 image size 28,5 x 35,6 cm signed and numbered Framed with mat and anti-reflex glass A giraffe is lying in the tall grass in front of Mount Kenya. Joachim Schmeisse...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Distorted Salvador Dali
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning artistic and distorted portrait of Salvador Dali. Perfect artistic addition to any style of decor. Salvador Dali was a Spanish surrealist artist renowned for his technical ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Jane Seymour Fonda, Contemporary, Celebrity, Photography, Portrait
Located in München, BY
Combined Edition 25 Also available in 50 x 60 cm/ 20 x 24 inch and as combined Edition 10 in 76 x 101 cm / 30 x 40 inch 101 x 127 cm / 40 x 50 inch Portrait of the American actress,...
Category

1980s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Superman
Located in München, BY
Edition 15 Framed Chromaluxe In this image we can see Superman x-rayed. A man with x-ray vision, NICK VEASEY creates art that shows what it is really like inside. Nick’s work with r...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Red Birkin high heel by Tyler Shields (photograph framed)
Located in New York City, NY
Los Angeles-based photographer Tyler Shields seeks “beauty in chaos,” capturing both young models and celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton. His polished editorial imag...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Archival Paper, C Print

Daytona Playboy Dallas I, Mixed media on a B&W photography fashion portrait
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Series titled "Nothing Stays Still", where they keep questioning the fashion photography industry by creating a new visual identity of their images moving them away from their origin...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Acrylic, Black and White, Archival Pigment

Rounds - underwater black and white photograph - print on aluminum 8x12"
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This striking monochromatic underwater fine art portrait captures celebrity Justin Jedlica in a moment of aquatic serenity. The high-contrast black and white treatment emphasizes the...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Metal

Marilyn Monroe "The Seven Year Itch"
Located in Austin, TX
This beautiful color image features Marilyn Monroe in her starring role for 'Seven Year Itch'. The Seven Year Itch is a 1955 American romantic comedy film based on a 1952 three-ac...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment

Sophia Loren Smiling in Fishnets
Located in Austin, TX
This colored image features portrait of smiling Sophia Loren standing near table.Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone, known professionally as Sophia Loren, is an Italian actress...
Category

1960s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Belles of Shoreditch, The Whoopee Club, London - Burlesque Color Photography
Located in Cambridge, GB
Belles of Shoreditch, from Richard Heeps Burlesque series. Richard Heeps became well-known for his Burlesque Photography after he spent 2003 ca...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin

Frank Sinatra and Peter Lawford
Located in Austin, TX
Black and white capture of Frank Sinatra and Peter Lawford in front of the Sand's Motel sign in Las Vegas, NV. This capture was taken as a promotion for the film "Ocean's Eleven". O...
Category

1950s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Oui, mon Cul #11 [Les Foxy Femmes de Carmen De Vos] - Polaroid, Color
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Oui, mon Cul #11, 2015 [Les Foxy Femmes de Carmen De Vos] 30x25cm, edition of 7 Archival color print based on original Polaroid on beautiful PHOTO RAG ULTRA SMOOTH 305gsm - 100% cot...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Polaroid

Fashion, Equestrian, Single White Horse with Braided Tail Against Black Backdrop
Located in US
"Align III" This award-winning image features the braided tail of a white horse. The print series Equus: Light & Form focuses on the details of some of the world’s most elite jump...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Contemporary portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Contemporary portrait 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 portrait 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, orange, purple, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Stefanie Schneider, Tyler Shields, Urizen Freaza, and Clare Marie Bailey. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Photographic 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 Contemporary portrait photography, so small editions measuring 1.58 inches across are also available.

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