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Contemporary 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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Period: 1970s
Style: Contemporary
This Week's Listings Only
The Show - Drawing by Maurice Van Moppes - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Girl is a drawing in tempera and Watercolor realized in the 20th Century by Maurice Van Moppes (1904-1957). Good Conditions with foxing. The artwork is depicted through soft stroke...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

An Island in the Air - Photograph by Urs Luthi - 1975
Located in Roma, IT
An Island in the Air is a Photograph realized by Urs Luthi in 1975. From the portfolio "Un'isola nell'aria", Vol. IV, edition of 75 copies. Hand signed, numbered and dated. Very g...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Portrait of John Wayne - Vintage Photo - 1979
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The American Actor John Wayne in 1979.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

An Island in the Air - Photograph by Urs Luthi - 1975
Located in Roma, IT
An Island in the Air is a Photograph realized by Urs Luthi in 1975. From the portfolio "Un'isola nell'aria", edition of 75 copies. Hand-signed, numbered, and dated. Very good cond...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

David Bowie, Life on Mars, 1973
Located in New York, NY
David Bowie, Life on Mars, 1973 1973/printed later Signed in black ink, verso Archival pigment print 6 x 6 inches (15.24 x 15.24 cm), sheet 5.5 x 4 inches (14 x 10.2 cm), image T...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Portrait of Monica Vitti - B/W photo by ANSA - 1970s
By ANSA
Located in Roma, IT
Monica Vitti is a vintage black and white photo of the Italian actress, realized in 1970s by Agenzia ANSA. Monica Vitti is born in Rome on November 3, 1931. Admitted in 1950 to the ...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Reportage from Vietnam - The Boy - Vintage Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
The Boy is a vintage photograph realized in the 1970s. Good conditions.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

The Italian Actress and Singer Loretta Goggi - B/w Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The Italian actress and singer Loretta Goggi during "Canale 3". Lightly damaged.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

An Island in the Air - Photograph by Urs Luthi - 1975
Located in Roma, IT
An Island in the Air is a vintage Photograph realized by Urs Luthi in 1975. From the portfolio "Un'isola nell'aria", Vol. IV, edition of 75 copies. Hand signed, numbered and dated....
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The Italian Actress Enrica Bonaccorti - Vintage Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The Italian former actress, television and radio presenter, and lyricist Enrica Bonaccorti.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Portrait of Abbe Lane - Vintage Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The American Actress and Singer Abbe Lane during a television broadcast. Photo by Italian news agency S.P.A. Lightly blurry.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

John Wayne and Dorothy Lamour - Vintage Photo - 1976
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage b/w Photo realized in 1976.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Le Troisième Angle - Original Vintage Photo by Eva Klasson - 1976
By Eva Klasson
Located in Roma, IT
Eva Klasson, Le Troisième Angle, Photo, 1976. cm 18.2 x 18.8. On rear autograph notes in pencil with evocative words that complets the picture. Excellent conditions.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

An Island in the Air - Photograph by Urs Luthi - 1975
Located in Roma, IT
An Island in the Air is a Photograph realized by Urs Luthi in 1975. From the portfolio "Un'isola nell'aria", Vol. IV, edition of 75 copies. Hand signed, numbered and dated. Very g...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

'Tiger Lady' Limited Edition Photograph by Getty Images 30 x 30
Located in San Rafael, CA
March 16, 1971: Air Stewardess Cynthia Robertson models the new uniform for National Airlines. A synthetic tiger skin number, the new uniform will be worn by over 1000 stewardesses....
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

John Wayne, James Stuart e Lauren Bacall - Vintage Photo - 1978
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The picture shows the famous actors John Wayne, James Stuart e Lauren Bacall.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Kessler Twins - Vintage Photo -1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The twins Kessler dancing on television photo by Tommaso La Pera
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Freddie Mercury, 1977 - QUEEN
Located in Chicago, IL
British singer Freddie Mercury perform with Queen at their Madison Square Garden debut in New York, USA, February 5, 1977. Available sizes: 17 X 22 inches - $1,700 Edition of 25 16 x 20 inches Edition of 20 20 x 24 inches Edition of 20 30 x 40 inches Edition of 10 About the artist: Award-winning photographer Michael Brennan’s work covers a wide range of historical events, celebrity portraits, candid’s and world famous athletes. After winning the British News Picture of the Year for his coverage of the death of Donald Campbell in 1967, which was featured in Life magazine, he went on to work for several newspapers and covered important news events as well as capturing images of notable names. He was awarded British Photographer of the Year in 1969. His archive includes images of Led Zeppelin, Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, President Jimmy Carter, Princess Diana, John Lennon, and sport legends George Best, Pele, George Foreman...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Halka - Stanislaw Moniuszko - Vintage Offset Print - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Halka - Stanislaw Moniuszko is a vintage poster realized by Unknown Artist, in 1970s. Mixed colored offset print. The artwork represented a Teather Wielki poster. Good conditions...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Offset

Royal Family - Vintage Photograph - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Royal Family is a vintage black and white photograph. Good conditions.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Trubadur Giuseppe Verdi Teatr Wielki - Vintage Offset Print - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Trubadur Giuseppe Verdi Teatr Wielki is a vintage poster realized by Unknown Artist, in 1970s. Mixed colored offset print. The artwork represented a ...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Offset

Modena - Vintage Offset after Luigi Ghirri - 1980
Located in Roma, IT
Modena is an original offset print by Luigi Ghirri. The artwork is the offset poster of the exhibition held by the artist at Rondanini Galleria d'Arte Contemporanea in 1980. The...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Paper, Offset

Protests in Chile - Vintage Black and White Photo - 1973
Located in Roma, IT
Protests in Chile is a vintage photograph realized by an Anonymous photographer. With the stamp of "L'agenzia Ansa copyright" and script on the rear. Good conditions.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Maurizio Nichetti - Vintage Photograph - 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Maurizio Nichetti - Vintage Photograph is an original black and white photograph realized by an anonymous artist in the 20th Century. Good conditions. Maurizio Nichetti is a well-k...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Vintage Portrait of Monica Vitti - Vintage B/W photo by ANSA - 1970s
By ANSA
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Portrait of Monica Vitti is a vintgae B7w photo realized by Agenzia ANSA in 1970s. Monica Vitti is born in Rome on November 3, 1931. Admitted in 1950 to the Academy of Dram...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Rare Vintage Color C Print Photograph African Maasai Warrior Chromogenic Photo
Located in Surfside, FL
Carol Beckwith, (American, b. 1945), Maasai Portrait Chromogenic print on paper, from Beckwith's book "Maasai" (1980), Hand signed in pencil, dated and titled with name of sitter in margins, 19" x 16" Sheet. Carol Beckwith (1945-) is an American photographer, author, and artist known for her photojournalism documenting the indigenous tribal cultures of Africa, most notably in partnership with the Australian photographer Angela Fisher. Between them, Beckwith and Fisher have published 14 books, and have had their photos appear in National Geographic, Natural History, African Arts, The Observer Magazine, Time, Life, Vogue, Marie Claire and Elle. They continue to exhibit and lecture at galleries and museums worldwide, including The American Museum of Natural History and The Explorers Club in New York City, The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and the Royal Geographical Society in London. They have also collaborated on four films about African traditions. Together they have received numerous accolades, including the United Nations Award for Excellence, the Royal Geographical Society's Cherry Kearton Medal, two Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, The Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award, and the WINGS WorldQuest Lifetime Achievement Award. Carol Beckwith was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where she went on to attend both the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Goucher College in Maryland. After obtaining her degree in Painting and Photography she won a traveling fellowship from the Boston Museum, which let her travel to other countries for the first time. She spent seven months in Japan, living in a Zen temple and studying calligraphy painting. She continued to travel through Southeast Asia and New Guinea, where she witnessed a "sing-sing", a gathering of 90,000 Highland warriors, in Mount Hagen, and paddled up Chambri Lakes in a canoe, an experience she called "one of the most wonderful, and in a way formative, experiences in my life." Her first trip to Africa was in 1973, when she was invited to spend Christmas with a friend in Kenya. Beckwith bought a 45-day roundtrip ticket and ended up staying eight months. There she encountered the Maasai people who invited her to witness a female circumcision ceremony. Astonished by the ritual, she then determined to spend more time with the Maasai. Beckwith studied photography in college but had initially intended to become a painter. It was during her travels through New Guinea that she realized the advantages of photography, saying that "there was such a vast amount of exciting material that I began to photograph instead, approaching photography with the eye of a painter in terms of light, color, composition. I wanted the images to be multi layered experiences in a way that a painting is. . . [Photography] seemed to be a more suitable medium for the pace of travel." Beckwith's first major collaboration was with Tepilit Ole Saitoti, an anthropologist and former Maasai warrior...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print

Vintage Portrait of Monica Vitti - Vintage B/W photo by ANSA - 1970s
By ANSA
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Portrait of Monica Vitti is a vintage black and white photograph realized by Agenzia ANSA in 1970s. Good condition. Monica Vitti is born in Rome on November 3, 1931. Admitt...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Tehran, a Meeting of the Shah - Vintage b/w Photo - Early 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Tehran, Shah di Iran meeting is a vintage b/w photograph realized in Teheran in the early 1970s. Hand-written notes on the rear. Good conditions with slight cutting on the left mar...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Portrait of Pino Zac - Vintage Photograph - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Pino Zac - Vintage Photograph is an original black and white photograph realized by an anonymous artist in the 1970s. Good conditions.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Adriana Maliponte - Vintage Photograph - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Adriana Maliponte (italian soprano)is an original black and white photograph realized in 1970s. Good conditions.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Paul Newman at United Nations - Vintage Photo - 1978
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Portrait of John Wayne - Vintage Photo - 1979
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The American Actor John Wayne shortly before his Death. A little blurry.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Portrait of Abbe Lane - Vintage Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The American Actress and Singer Abbe Lane in Rome, at the edges of the Trevi Fountain. Photo by Associated Press Photo.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Philippe Noiret - Vintage Photograph - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Philippe Noiret - Vintage Photo is a vintage black and white photograph realized in the 1970s Good conditions.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Giulietta Masina - Golden Age of Italian Cinema - 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Giulietta Masina - Golden Period of Italian Cinema is a vintage black and white photograph realized in the 1970s. Good conditions. Giulietta Masina is considered one of the best It...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Kessler Twins - Vintage Photo -1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The twins Kessler during the rehearsals for a theater show photo by ADN Kronos
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Kessler Twins - Vintage Photo -1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The picture shows Kessler Twins during the rehearsals of a show Photo by Italian news agency S.P.A.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Hunter S. Thompson / Cozumel - Color Photograph, Portrait, Beach
Located in Denton, TX
Hunter S. Thompson / Cozumel by Al Satterwhite is a color portrait of the famous gonzo journalist sitting on the beach, with cigarettes and beer on the ground in front of him. He loo...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Italian Actress Paola Borboni - Vintage Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The Italian Actress Paola Borboni.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Kessler Twins - Vintage Photo -1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The Kessler twins on a tv backstage. By Italian News Agency S.P.A.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Xavier Cugat and Abbe Lane - Vintage Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. Xavier Cugat and Abbe Lane leaving the plane. By Associated Press Photo.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Dwa Teatry (Two Theatres) - Vintage Offset Print - 1974
Located in Roma, IT
Dwa Teatry (Two Theatres), is a vintage poster realized by Unknown Artist, in 1974. Mixed colored offset print. The artwork represented a poster for Polish play "Dwa Teatry" (Two ...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Offset

Mikolaj Kopernik 1473-1973 - Vintage Offset Print - 1973
Located in Roma, IT
Mikolaj Kopernik 1473-1973 is a vintage poster realized by Unknown Artist, in 1973s. Mixed colored offset print. Good conditions, except for some tears in the margins. Signed on p...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Offset

The American Actor John Wayne - Vintage Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The American Actor John Wayne in the early 1970s.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Paul Newman on the set of "The Towering Inferno" - Vintage Photo - 1974
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The American Actor Paul Newman on the set of "The Towering Inferno", an American action drama disaster film directed by John Guillermin...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The American Actor Paul Newman - Vintage Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The American Actor Paul Newman on the set of a movie.
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

The Wall - Wrapped Roman Wall
Located in Roma, IT
Photolithograph. Hand signed. One of the most important and famous works of Land Art by Christo. Lightly damaged.
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photogram

Giulietta Masina - Golden Age of Italian Cinema - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Giulietta Masina - Golden Age of Italian Cinema is a vintage black and white photograph realized in the 1970s. Good conditions. Giulietta Masina is ...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

The American Actor John Wayne - Vintage Photo - 1975
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The American Actor John Wayne in 1975 ca.
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Portrait of Claudio Abbado - Vintage Photograph - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Claudio Abbado - Vintage Photograph is an original black and white photograph realized by an anonymous artist in the 1970s. Good conditions.
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Portrait of Monica Vitti - Vintage Black and White Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Portrait of Monica Vitti is a vintage black and white photograph taken in the late 1970s. Monica Vitti is born in Rome on November 3, 1931. Admitted in 1950 to the Academy of Dramat...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Women's Military Exercises in China - Vintage B/W photo - 1973
Located in Roma, IT
Women's Military Exercises in China is an original photograph realized on 16th March 1973 by an Anonymous photographer. and produced by "United Press International" With the descript...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Portrait of Monica Vitti - Vintage B/W photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Portrait of Monica Vitti is a vintag b/w photograph realized by Agenzia ANSA in the 1970s. Good condition. Monica Vitti is born in Rome on November 3, 1931. Admitted in 1950 to the ...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

CNEN Nuclear Research Center of the Trisaia - Vintage B/W photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
CNEN nuclear research center of the Trisaia is a vintage photograph realized by an Anonymous photographer. With the description on the rear. Good conditions.
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Meeting in CNEN - Vintage Black and White Photo - 1970's
Located in Roma, IT
Meeting in CNEN is an original photograph realized to document a historical moment with a special film-frame and exceptional toning process by an Anonymous photographer in the 1970s....
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1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Vintage Portrait of Monica Vitti - Vintage B/W photo by ANSA - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Portrait of Monica Vitti is a vintage B/w photo realized by Agenzia ANSA in 1970s. Signs of humidity on top left, otherwise good condition. Monica Vitti is born in Rome on...
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1970s Contemporary Photography

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Photographic Paper

Grace Jones in Hallway with JudiJupiter and Others on Opening Night Le Farfalle
Located in New York, NY
Grace Jones in Hallway with JudiJupiter and Others on Opening Night Le Farfalle, NY, NY June 17, 1978 Signed, titled, dated, and numbered, verso Gelatin ...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Farah’s son with a French nurse -Vintage Black and White Photo - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Farah’s son with a French nurse is an original black and white photograph realized in Tehran in the 1970s by an Anonymous photographer. With the typed notes on the rear. Stamp of "C...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Contemporary photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Contemporary 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 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 Stefanie Schneider, Tyler Shields, Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde, and Richard Heeps. Frequently made by artists working with Pigment Print, and Archival Pigment Print 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 photography, so small editions measuring 0.4 inches across are also available.

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