Skip to main content

Chuck Close Black and White Photography

American, 1940-2021

Chuck Close was renowned for his highly inventive techniques of painting the human face and was best known for his large-scale, photo-based portrait paintings.

After earning his MFA from Yale in 1964, Close took his place atop the American art world by creating large-scale, Photorealistic portraits that have creatively blurred the distinction between photography and painting. In 1988, Close was paralyzed following a rare spinal artery collapse; despite the physical limitations, the artist pressed forward with his work. With a brush taped to his wrist, he continued to paint.

In 2000, Close was presented with the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Clinton and was appointed by President Obama to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

"Yes, it is hard to paint blur," Close said. "There are some works I made by using a grid of string to help me perceive changes in depth of focus — something artists have done for centuries. The depth of field in the daguerreotypes is a function of the process of making an image that way, with a very short, very bright flash of light."

Although Close had employed various painterly styles throughout his career, he is perhaps best known for his grid set on the diagonal. Close’s paintings are all-over images where the background of the picture – the negative space – is as important as the face itself, and one cannot exist without the other.

Close often took his family and friends as models, making monumental and classical works that are bold in their simplicity. His work has been the subject of more than 200 solo exhibitions in more than 20 countries, including major retrospective exhibitions at New York's Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia de Madrid and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

(Biography provided by Weng Contemporary – ArtXX AG)

to
2
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
24
1,317
1,112
802
800
1
2
Artist: Chuck Close
Self Portrait 2 Photography Print, Contemporary, Signed, Edition of 30
Self Portrait 2 Photography Print, Contemporary, Signed, Edition of 30

Self Portrait 2 Photography Print, Contemporary, Signed, Edition of 30

By Chuck Close

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed, numbered and dated by the artist in pencil. From the Self Portrait 1-5 series. Artwork is in excellent condition. Image size: 25 x 19 inches. Frame size: 32.6 x 25.75 in...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film

Untitled

Untitled

By Chuck Close

Located in New York, NY

1967/printed 1999 Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil, recto Iris print (Edition of 100) 30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm), sheet 20 x 16 inches (50.8 x 40.6 cm), image Contact ga...

Category

1960s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Digital

Related Items
Muscle Boy Photograph, Limited Edition 11/15, Harlem, New York City 1963, Signed
Muscle Boy Photograph, Limited Edition 11/15, Harlem, New York City 1963, Signed

Muscle Boy Photograph, Limited Edition 11/15, Harlem, New York City 1963, Signed

By Leonard Freed

Located in New york, NY

Muscle Boy is an iconic image by Leonard Freed who was a pioneer in documentary photography. In this photo a boy flexes his muscles for the camera perhaps making a statement about...

Category

1960s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigme...

Fire Hydrant, Harlem, New York 1960s, Gelatin Silver Photograph, Signed, 24x20
Fire Hydrant, Harlem, New York 1960s, Gelatin Silver Photograph, Signed, 24x20

Fire Hydrant, Harlem, New York 1960s, Gelatin Silver Photograph, Signed, 24x20

By Leonard Freed

Located in New york, NY

Punctuated by documentary photo essays such as Black in White America, Fire Hydrant is one of Leonard Freed's most iconic in the Harlem, New York series. Two children enjoy a blissf...

Category

1960s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Kate #10, Yoga, Black and White Photograph, Signed Vintage, 8x10 Inches
Kate #10, Yoga, Black and White Photograph, Signed Vintage, 8x10 Inches

Kate #10, Yoga, Black and White Photograph, Signed Vintage, 8x10 Inches

By Leonard Freed

Located in New york, NY

Kate #10, 2002 by Leonard Freed is an 8" x 10" hand printed black and white photograph from his nude series. Signed by the photographer the gelatin silver print is stamped "vintage" ...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Kate #13. Female Nude, Black and White Photograph, Signed, 8x10, Vintage 2002
Kate #13. Female Nude, Black and White Photograph, Signed, 8x10, Vintage 2002

Kate #13. Female Nude, Black and White Photograph, Signed, 8x10, Vintage 2002

By Leonard Freed

Located in New york, NY

Kate #13, is from the Kate series, 2002 by American photographer Leonard Freed is a signed, 8" x 10" black and white photograph (gelatin silver), stamped "vintage" on verso (back of ...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Kate #11, Female Nude, Black and White Photograph, Signed Vintage, 8x10, 2002
Kate #11, Female Nude, Black and White Photograph, Signed Vintage, 8x10, 2002

Kate #11, Female Nude, Black and White Photograph, Signed Vintage, 8x10, 2002

By Leonard Freed

Located in New york, NY

Kate #11, 2002 by Leonard Freed is a signed verso (back of photo) 8" x 10" black and white photograph, hand printed, signed by the photographer and stamped "vintage" by the Freed es...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Birmingham Children, Protestors, Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph, Signed, 1963
Birmingham Children, Protestors, Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph, Signed, 1963

Birmingham Children, Protestors, Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph, Signed, 1963

By Leonard Freed

Located in New york, NY

Birmingham Children, 1963 by American photographer Leonard Freed is a 16" x 12" vintage gelatin silver photograph, signed verso (on back) by the photographer. A woman with a flower ...

Category

1960s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Bride, Italy, Black and White Photograph, Gelatin Silver, Signed, 24x20, 1958
Bride, Italy, Black and White Photograph, Gelatin Silver, Signed, 24x20, 1958

Bride, Italy, Black and White Photograph, Gelatin Silver, Signed, 24x20, 1958

By Leonard Freed

Located in New york, NY

Bride, Naples, Italy, 1958 by Leonard Freed is a black and white contemporary photograph, cinematic in nature. A gelatin silver photograph, signed by the photographer, 24" x 20" from the Freed archive. LITERATURE: W. A. Ewing, N. Herschdorfer, and W. van Sinderen, Worldview, Leonard Freed, Steidl, 2007, p. 73 and back cover. Leonard Freed discovered Little Italy in New York...

Category

1950s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Willy Nelson, Singer, Portrait Photography Set, 3 Signed Gelatin Silver Prints
Willy Nelson, Singer, Portrait Photography Set, 3 Signed Gelatin Silver Prints

Willy Nelson, Singer, Portrait Photography Set, 3 Signed Gelatin Silver Prints

By Leonard Freed

Located in New york, NY

For country music fans a lot of (3) - 10" x 8" black and white photographs of one of Country Music's best-loved singer and performers Willy Nelson, at age...

Category

1990s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Le Café de France, Gelatin Silver Print, Signed, 12x16 Inches, 1979 by Ronis
Le Café de France, Gelatin Silver Print, Signed, 12x16 Inches, 1979 by Ronis

Le Café de France, Gelatin Silver Print, Signed, 12x16 Inches, 1979 by Ronis

By Willy Ronis

Located in New york, NY

Interested in “ordinary people with ordinary lives,” photographer Willy Ronis among the postwar French photographers spent his career roaming the streets of Paris, photographing people in love, at work, and at play. Le Café de France...

Category

1970s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Playboy Hugh Hefner, Vintage Black and White Photograph, 1966, 12x8 Inches
Playboy Hugh Hefner, Vintage Black and White Photograph, 1966, 12x8 Inches

Playboy Hugh Hefner, Vintage Black and White Photograph, 1966, 12x8 Inches

By Burt Glinn

Located in New york, NY

A black-and-white 12" x 8" vintage photograph of Editor-in-chief Hugh Hefner checking proofs for Playboy magazine, 1966 by Burt Glinn. A historical photo...

Category

1960s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Beat Couple, 1950s, Gelatin Silver Print of Jack Kerouac, Estate Signed
Beat Couple, 1950s, Gelatin Silver Print of Jack Kerouac, Estate Signed

Beat Couple, 1950s, Gelatin Silver Print of Jack Kerouac, Estate Signed

By Burt Glinn

Located in New york, NY

A black and white photograph from the 1950s capturing beatnik hipster writer Jack Kerouac in dark glasses, wearing a beret and friend Barbara Ferrara. Beat Couple, 1959 by Burt Gl...

Category

1950s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Twiggy with Manager, 1966, Gelatin Silver Print, Documentary Style Portrait
Twiggy with Manager, 1966, Gelatin Silver Print, Documentary Style Portrait

Twiggy with Manager, 1966, Gelatin Silver Print, Documentary Style Portrait

By Burt Glinn

Located in New york, NY

Twiggy with her Manager, 1966 by Burt Glinn is a 10" x 8" gelatin silver RC print from the 1960s. Magnum stamps from the period on verso (back of photo). Top Model Twiggy and her m...

Category

1960s Contemporary Chuck Close Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper

Chuck Close black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Chuck Close black and white photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Chuck Close in digital print, film, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1960s and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Chuck Close black and white photography, so small editions measuring 22 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Greg Gorman, Leonard Freed, and Lawrence Schiller. Chuck Close black and white photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12,500 and tops out at $12,500, while the average work can sell for $12,500.

Questions About Chuck Close Black and White Photography

  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    Chuck Close lived in a few places. He was born in Monroe, Washington, in 1940 and grew up in the area. Close attended Everett Community College in Everett, Washington, and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in Seattle. Then, he relocated to Connecticut to pursue a master's degree from Yale University. His studies would also prompt him to move to Vienna, Austria, to take courses at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. After graduation, Close settled in the Amherst, Massachusetts, area while working at the University of Massachusetts. In 1967, he moved again to New York City, New York, to establish his own studio in Soho. Close died in 2021 in Oceanside, New York. Explore a variety of Chuck Close art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
    Chuck Close stated that he painted portraits as a way to overcome a cognitive disorder. Called prosopagnosia, or face blindness, the condition made it difficult for Close to differentiate and recognize faces. The American artist found that painting people's faces helped him to notice their fine details, allowing him to begin to notice differences. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Chuck Close art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Chuck Close is most well-known for doing paintings, but he also worked as a photographer. The American artist is most famous for creating huge portraits of himself in both abstract and photorealistic styles. Find a collection of Chuck Close art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    How much Chuck Close paintings are worth depends on their size, condition, historical significance and other factors. In 2005, his piece John sold for $4.8 million at auction in New York City. The painting was one of the large-scale, photo-based portrait paintings for which the American painter was widely known. These portraits creatively blur the distinction between photography and painting. If you own a Close painting, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable art dealer can assist you with the valuation process. Shop an assortment of Chuck Close art on 1stDibs.