Wilhelmina Cooper

Jack Robinson, Jr. was born in Meridian, MS on September 18, 1928 to Jack Robinson, Sr. and Euline Jones. After graduating from Clarksdale High School in 1946, Jack moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University. In 1950, he began his professional career in photography. He captured the allure of the French Quarter and its nightlife, as well as the Mardi Gras festivities. In 1955, he moved to New York City, where he quickly became noted for his fashion photography. By 1959, he had snapped the cover for a special fashion edition of Life magazine and went on to work with Carrie Donovan at The New York Times until 1965. When Carrie moved to Vogue magazine, Jack followed, and his work was published in the magazine over 500 times between 1965 and 1972. Like so many other creative geniuses, Jack was inwardly tormented. He was gay during a time when homosexuality was not socially accepted, and this caused him great suffering. He also ran in the fast lane with Andy Warhol and company, and he eventually succumbed to the temptations of his social scene. As his dependence upon alcohol worsened, his career dwindled and his life deteriorated. Finally, in 1972, broke, addicted, and depressed, Jack moved back to Memphis, TN. He got clean, took a job as a stained glass designer, and left his life in New York City behind. In November 1997, Jack was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away within a month. Though Jack's career spanned only 17 years, they were pivotal years in contemporary culture. He documented the social changes that occurred in the 1960s and early 70s, as reflected by fashion, art, the written word, stage and cinema, and music. From the Beat Generation, as an insider and a participant, Jack captured on film what the world will remember for generations. “I look at these photos of some acquaintances, some friends, and some I don't know, and I feel closer to them than I ever imagined...all thanks to dear Jack. Jack Robinson, a man with whom I will be connected always—always in my heart.” -Cybill Shepherd “Jack was a joy to work with. He was very low key and gave his subjects freedom to evolve according to the spirit of the moment, which gives his work a refreshing spontaneity.” -Gloria Vanderbilt

There’s a lot to love about black and white photography.

The unique and timeless quality of a black and white photograph accentuates any room. Some might argue that we’re naturally drawn to color photography because it’s the world we know best. This is a shared belief, particularly in the era of camera-phone photography, editing apps and the frenetic immediacy of sharing photos on social media. But when we look at black and white photography, we experience deep, rich shadows and tonal properties in a way that transfixes us. Composition and textures are crisp and engaging. We’re immediately drawn to the subjects of vintage street photography and continue to feel the emotional impact of decades-old photojournalism. The silhouettes of mountains in black and white landscape photography are particularly pronounced, while portrait photography and the skylines of urban cityscapes come to life in monochrome prints.

When decorating with fine photography, keep in mind that some color photographs may not be suitable for every space. However, you can be more daring with black and white photos. The gray tones are classic, sophisticated and generally introduce elegance to any corner of your home, which renders black and white prints amazingly versatile.

Black and white photography adapts to its surroundings like a chameleon might. A single large-scale black and white photograph above the sofa in your living room is going to work with any furniture style, and as some homeowners and designers today are working to introduce more muted tones and neutral palettes to dining rooms and bedrooms, the integration of black and white photography — a hallmark of minimalist decor — is a particularly natural choice for such a setting.

Another advantage to bringing black and white photography into your home is that you can style walls and add depth and character without worrying about disrupting an existing color scheme. Black and white photographs actually harmonize well with accent colors such as yellow, red and green. Your provocative Memphis Group lighting and bold Pierre Paulin seating will pair nicely with the black and white fine nude photography you’ve curated over the years.

Black and white photography also complements a variety of other art. Black and white photos pair well with drawings and etchings in monochromatic hues. They can also form part of specific color schemes. For example, you can place black and white prints in colored picture frames for a pop of color. And while there are no hard and fast rules, it’s best to keep black and white prints separate from color photographs. Color prints stand out in a room more than black and white prints do. Pairing them may detract attention from your black and white photography. Instead, dedicate separate walls or spaces to each.

Once you’ve selected the photography that best fits your space, you’ll need to decide how to hang the images. If you want to hang multiple photos, it’s essential to know how to arrange wall art. A proper arrangement can significantly enhance a living space.

On 1stDibs, explore a vast collection of compelling black and white photography by artists such as Mark Shaw, Jack Mitchell (a photographer you should know), Berenice Abbott and David Yarrow.