Portrait Photography
2010s Contemporary Color Photography
Color, Archival Pigment
Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography
Silver Gelatin
1980s Modern Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
1980s Contemporary Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Photography
Silver Gelatin
1980s Contemporary Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
1960s Contemporary Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
1970s Modern Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
2010s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Archival Pigment
1960s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
1970s Pop Art Black and White Photography
Silver Gelatin
1970s Modern Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
1990s Modern Portrait Photography
Black and White, Archival Pigment
1970s Modern Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
1970s Modern Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
1980s Contemporary Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
1970s Modern Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
C Print
1970s Modern Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
1970s Modern Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
1990s Contemporary Portrait Photography
Photographic Paper
1970s Black and White Photography
Photographic Paper
19th Century Modern Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
1990s Modern Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
2010s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Black and White, Archival Pigment
1970s Contemporary Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
1950s Modern Portrait Photography
Black and White, Archival Pigment
2010s Color Photography
Color, Archival Pigment
1960s Modern Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Black and White Photography
C Print
1950s Modern Portrait Photography
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
2010s Color Photography
Color, Archival Pigment
Early 2000s Modern Portrait Photography
Color, Archival Pigment
1980s Modern Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
Early 2000s Contemporary Nude Photography
C Print
1950s Modern Portrait Photography
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
1960s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Late 20th Century Photorealist Portrait Photography
Giclée
1960s Modern Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
2010s Modern Color Photography
Color
1980s Modern Portrait Photography
Photographic Paper
1980s Color Photography
Polaroid
1960s Black and White Photography
Photographic Paper
2010s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
2010s Conceptual Color Photography
Color, Archival Pigment
1950s Modern Portrait Photography
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
1980s Contemporary Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Black and White Photography
C Print
2010s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Archival Pigment
1950s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Black and White
1960s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Silver Gelatin
1930s Modern Portrait Photography
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
2010s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Paint, Latex, Black and White
1980s Contemporary Figurative Photography
Photographic Paper
1960s Realist Portrait Photography
Lambda
2010s Contemporary Color Photography
Color, Archival Pigment
2010s Contemporary Color Photography
Color, Archival Pigment
1960s Modern Portrait Photography
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography
Archival Pigment
Authentic 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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