Weegee

Their First Murder, 1945

1945

The inimitable and notorious photographer known as Weegee, (aka. Arthur Fellig) exposed the scope of New York’s nightlife; whether it was celebrating high-culture or low-life revelle...

While many first associate Weegee (aka Arthur Fellig) with New York City crime scenes, perhaps a broader and more consistent theme is that of spectacle and/or urban entertainment. The origins of his nick-name and reputation date back to the 1930s when he became the first New York City press photographer to obtain permission to install a police radio in his car. Following the city's first responders and documenting their duties, Weegee had unprecedented access to New York’s fires, crimes, debaucheries and of course, murders. During the first decade of his career these unflinching urban tragedy or crime images paid Weegee's bills, but as he became more financially independent he was more inspired to pursue photographs on his own agenda. While his oeuvre is vast, Weegee was especially drawn to entertainment: nightlife, circuses, the theatre, showgirls, city thrills, the cinema etc. Some of Weegee's most dynamic and tender (and under-appreciated!) images are related to simply having fun (in a crowd). He was not confined to one neighbourhood or demographic. He captured action, faces and events from Coney Island to the Bowery and Greenwich Village, to Times Square and Harlem. In “A Trip To Mars,” Weegee depicts a multi-generational group crowding around a large telescope...

Weegee (1899-1968) was equally fascinated and inspired by cinema and all of its tangents, from Hollywood movie stars to ordinary civilians going to the movies. While Weegee is typically associated with crime/disaster images, the broad theme of "entertainment" is a major component of his oeuvre. An interesting and provocative sub-genre of his cinema-related work are his images of couples (often heavy-petting) in movie theatres. Recent scholarship has established that many of Weegee's supposed clandestine images were actually staged or arranged with friends or co-operative strangers. Nevertheless, Weegee created these photographs in the dark with an array of clever techniques including infrared film, filtered flashbulb and triangular prism lens. Employed in shots such as this one, the prism lens would allow the artist to “see around corners,” useful at times when his subjects were in compromising locations. These images of kissing couples, Weegee wrote in 1959, were “his best seller, year in and year out.” "Sailor and GIrl at the Movies...

Weegee (Ukranian/American 1899-1968) Title: 'Cafe Romance', New York 1953 Gelatin silver print Signed, titled, dated in ink au verso 'Corkin Gallery' label au verso stamped "weegee the famous" au verso Image size: 11" x 13.5" Mat size: 21" x 24" Biography: Probably few policemen have seen as much violent sin as Arthur Fellig, better known as Weegee, did. Specializing in crime and catastrophe, Weegee’s work is regarded as some of the most powerful images of the 20th century. His profound influence on other photographers derives not only from his sensational subject matter and his use of the blinding, close-up flash, but also from his eagerness to photograph the city at all hours, at all levels: coffee shops at three in the morning, hot summer evenings in the tenements, debutante balls, parties in the street, lovers on park benches, the destitute and the lonely. No other photographer has better revealed the non-stop spectacle of life in New York City. During the 1930s and 1940s Weegee worked as a freelance news photographer in New York City, and was the first private citizen to gain access to police radio transmits. He lived across the street from Manhattan police headquarters waiting for the inevitable call that would announce another gangland execution, botched hold-up, or crime of passion. Weegee’s first book, Naked City, was a runaway success, making him an instant celebrity who suddenly had assignments from Life and Vogue. He was among the first to fully realize the camera’s unique power to capture split-second drama and exaggerated emotion. By the mid-40s, Weegee photographed...

New York City, USA, 1954 is a 13" x 9" archival pigment print (baryta) in a limited edition of 5. Signed verso (back of photo) by Brigitte Freed (wife of the photographer), with Leon...

22" x 26" Unframed Giclee of 50 Hand Signed by Bruce Pittman

This photograph by Weegee is offered by CLAMP in New York City. Edition of 70.

Kati Horna Untitled, from the series 'Fear Dolls', c. 1939 Signed and stamped with artist's copyright ink stamp on reverse Silver gelatin print, printed later 6 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches K...

Street photography was Art's true passion. He never went anywhere without his camera so he could capture moments like this one - a priest on a Chicago street "observing" one of his parishioners. Art saw humor in everyday life catching moments that the casual observer probably would have missed. Art Shay Observant Father, 1949 vintage silver gelatin print...

An American GI stationed in Naples spruces himself up with the help of the locals, 1943. All available sizes and editions: 16" x 20", Edition size 25 30"x 40", Edition size 25 40" x...