Skip to main content

Chuck Close Portrait 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
5
1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
7
6
5
2
6
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
6
5
1
1
1
24
2,584
1,389
725
225
4
1
7
Artist: Chuck Close
Untitled (Kate #11)

Untitled (Kate #11)

By Chuck Close

Located in Calabasas, CA

Artist: Chuck Close Title: Untitled (Kates #11) Year: 2005 Medium: Digital pigment print on Hahnemuhle Satin paper Edition: 25; signed, dated and numbered in pencil Sheet: 17 x 22 inches (43.18 x 55.88 cm) Frame: 19 1/2 x 24 1/2 inches (49.53 x 62.23 cm) Certificate of Authenticity included For its September 2003 issue, W. magazine commissioned artists Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami, Lisa Yuskavage...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama

By Chuck Close

Located in Calabasas, CA

Artist: Chuck Close Title: Dalai Lama Year: 2005 Medium: Digital pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper Edition: 300; signed, dated and numbered in pen...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Untitled (Kate #13)
Untitled (Kate #13)

Chuck CloseUntitled (Kate #13), 2005

$11,250Sale Price|25% Off

Untitled (Kate #13)

By Chuck Close

Located in Calabasas, CA

Artist: Chuck Close Title: Untitled (Kates #13) Year: 2005 Medium: Digital pigment print on Hahnemuhle Satin paper Edition: 25; signed, dated and numbered in pencil Sheet: 17 x 22 in...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Self Portrait

Self Portrait

By Chuck Close

Located in New York, NY

Known for his monumental portraits, Chuck Close created this self-portrait in 2000 as an archival pigment print of a daguerreotype measuring 22 x 17 in (56 x 43.2 cm), unframed. The...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Untitled (Kate #15)

Chuck CloseUntitled (Kate #15), 2005

$15,000Sale Price|40% Off

Untitled (Kate #15)

By Chuck Close

Located in Calabasas, CA

Artist: Chuck Close Title: Untitled (Kates #15) Year: 2005 Medium: Digital pigment print on Hahnemuhle Satin paper Edition: 25 + Proofs; signed, dated and numbered in pencil Sheet: 2...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Untitled (Kate #14)

Untitled (Kate #14)

By Chuck Close

Located in Calabasas, CA

Artist: Chuck Close Title: Untitled (Kates #14) Year: 2005 Medium: Digital pigment print on Hahnemuhle Satin paper Edition: 25 + Proofs; signed, dated and numbered in pencil Sheet: 20 x 16 inches (50.8 x 40.64 cm) Frame: 22 5/8 x `18 5/8 inches (57.4 x 47.2 cm) Certificate of Authenticity included For its September 2003 issue, W. magazine commissioned artists Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami, Lisa...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

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 Portrait Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film

Related Items
"Sleeping Beauty" Photography 30" x 40" inch Ed. 1/7 by Viktorija Pashuta
"Sleeping Beauty" Photography 30" x 40" inch Ed. 1/7 by Viktorija Pashuta

"Sleeping Beauty" Photography 30" x 40" inch Ed. 1/7 by Viktorija Pashuta

By Viktorija Pashuta

Located in Culver City, CA

"Sleeping Beauty" Photography 30" x 40" inch Ed. 1/7 by Viktorija Pashuta 2018 Acrylic on Glass Ready to hang Latvian born Viktorija Pashuta is internationally published and award winning fashion and art photographer gaining momentum and notoriety in Southern California. With visual cues rooted in dance and music, and fashion passion stemming from her European upbringing, her images are sensual, sultry, yet powerful. Viktorija’s work is known for so called ‘color therapy’ – where she uses saturated and vibrant colors to achieve the effect of fashion surrealism. Her images are very feminine and empowering at the same time to celebrate the essence of a woman. Her work has been published in such magazines as RUNWAY (USA), GQ, Esquire, VISION (China), Prestige International (France), Essence (USA), Estetica (USA), Nylon Guys, Vogue (Italia), Tchad (Canada), Fashizblack (France), Highlights (UK), CULTURE (Australia), shooting celebrity covers for Healthy Living Magazine, Runway, Orlando Style, Justine and more. Her celebrity work includes Paris Hilton, Kathy Griffin...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Digital Pigment

"Chanel Lady" Portrait Photography 40" x 30" in Ed. of 15 by Viktorija Pashuta

"Chanel Lady" Portrait Photography 40" x 30" in Ed. of 15 by Viktorija Pashuta

By Viktorija Pashuta

Located in Culver City, CA

"Chanel Lady" Portrait Photography 40" x 30" in Ed. of 15 by Viktorija Pashuta 2018 HD Acrylic Print The photograph is first mounted on the metallic print to the 1/4" clear acrylic sheet, it is then finished with a 1/8" Black Sintra mounted to the back. The clear acrylic magnifies the beauty of the image printed onto the metallic paper which has a luminous appearance. Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist Latvian born Viktorija Pashuta is internationally published and award winning fashion and art photographer gaining momentum and notoriety in Southern California. With visual cues rooted in dance and music, and fashion passion stemming from her European upbringing, her images are sensual, sultry, yet powerful. Viktorija’s work is known for so called ‘color therapy’ – where she uses saturated and vibrant colors to achieve the effect of fashion surrealism. Her images are very feminine and empowering at the same time to celebrate the essence of a woman. Her work has been published in such magazines as RUNWAY (USA), GQ, Esquire, VISION (China), Prestige International (France), Essence (USA), Estetica (USA), Nylon Guys, Vogue (Italia), Tchad (Canada), Fashizblack (France), Highlights (UK), CULTURE (Australia), shooting celebrity covers for Healthy Living Magazine, Runway, Orlando Style, Justine and more. Her celebrity work includes Paris Hilton, Kathy Griffin...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Digital Pigment

LAS ZORRAS Mixed Media Diptych, Acrylic On Canvas, Swarovski crystals, Fox tails
LAS ZORRAS Mixed Media Diptych, Acrylic On Canvas, Swarovski crystals, Fox tails

LAS ZORRAS Mixed Media Diptych, Acrylic On Canvas, Swarovski crystals, Fox tails

By Carlos Mercado

Located in San Juan, PR

CARLOS MERCADO TROPICALIA TROPICALIA...Inspired in Nostalgia of the Caribbean Puerto Rico and Cuban images from the Golden era of the 50's recollects th...

Category

2010s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Ward Hall with Banners, Florida, from World of Wonder series

Ward Hall with Banners, Florida, from World of Wonder series

By Jimmy & Dena Katz

Located in Denton, TX

Edition of 15 Signed, titled, and numbered. Jimmy Katz, born in New York City in 1957, received his B.A. in political science and studied photography with John McKee at Bowdoin Coll...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Natalie and Elephant, New Jersey

Natalie and Elephant, New Jersey

By Jimmy & Dena Katz

Located in Denton, TX

Signed. Edition of 15 Series: World of Wonders Jimmy Katz, born in New York City in 1957, received his B.A. in political science and studied photography with John McKee at Bowdoin C...

Category

2010s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

International Society of Twins
International Society of Twins

International Society of Twins

By Neal Slavin

Located in Denton, TX

Paper size: 20 x 24 in., Image size: 14 1/4 x 20 in. Signed, titled, and dated. *Photograph in images and video show print in size 17 x 22 in. Framing not included Neal Slavin is a...

Category

1970s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

New Suburbia, Hayward (Weed Wacker), from New Suburbia

New Suburbia, Hayward (Weed Wacker), from New Suburbia

By Bill Owens

Located in Denton, TX

Edition of 5 Signed, titled, and numbered in black ink on print verso. Series: New Suburbia Bill Owens was born and raised in California. After volunteering in the Peace Corps he pi...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

"Tag Yourself" Photography 29.5" x 24" in Edition of 15 by Kseniya Vashchenko
"Tag Yourself" Photography 29.5" x 24" in Edition of 15 by Kseniya Vashchenko

"Tag Yourself" Photography 29.5" x 24" in Edition of 15 by Kseniya Vashchenko

By Kseniya Vashchenko

Located in Culver City, CA

"Tag Yourself" Photography 29.5" x 24" in Edition of 15 by Kseniya Vashchenko Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA issued by the Artist Not framed. Ships rolled in tu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Day 67 by Juliette Jourdain - Big headed series - Self Portrait
Day 67 by Juliette Jourdain - Big headed series - Self Portrait

Day 67 by Juliette Jourdain - Big headed series - Self Portrait

By Juliette Jourdain

Located in New York City, NY

Juliette Jourdain Big headed series - Self Portrait MOUNTED AND FRAMED FRAMED SIZE 48 x 40 inches 40 x 32 inches 100 x 80cm edition of 8 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label....

Category

2010s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mete Caña , ca. 2020 Mixed media on canvas , 23k Gold leaf edition number: 1/7
Mete Caña , ca. 2020 Mixed media on canvas , 23k Gold leaf edition number: 1/7

Mete Caña , ca. 2020 Mixed media on canvas , 23k Gold leaf edition number: 1/7

By Carlos Mercado

Located in San Juan, PR

In this new series Mercado utilizes canvas in big format as a medium to intervene Jack Delano's photographs of Puerto Rican agriculture workers he documented for the FSA in the 1940...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Dutch Delight by Hans Withoos

Dutch Delight by Hans Withoos

By Hans Withoos

Located in New York City, NY

Fine art inkjet print on special paper rag Ask us for framing options Hans Withoos career spans more than twenty years worldwide. After graduating from the Art Academy. He specializ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment

Untitled from "Pia"

Untitled from "Pia"

By Christopher Anderson

Located in New York, NY

Listing includes free shipping in the US and a 14-day return policy. All prints are made to order and will arrive in mint condition directly from Christopher Anderson...

Category

2010s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment, Digital P...

Previously Available Items
Untitled (Kate #16)

Untitled (Kate #16)

By Chuck Close

Located in Calabasas, CA

Artist: Chuck Close Title: Untitled (Kates #16) Year: 2005 Medium: Digital pigment print on Hahnemuhle Satin paper Edition: 25; signed, dated and numbered in pencil Sheet: 20 x 16 inches (50.8 x 40.64 cm) Frame: 18 5/8 x 22 5/8 inches (47.19 x 57.35 cm) Certificate of Authenticity included For its September 2003 issue, W. magazine commissioned artists Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami, Lisa Yuskavage...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chuck Close Portrait Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Chuck Close portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Chuck Close portrait photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Chuck Close in digital pigment print, pigment print, film and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Chuck Close portrait photography, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Rachel Papo, Yvette Marie Dostatni, and Edward Steichen. Chuck Close portrait photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $5,000 and tops out at $25,000, while the average work can sell for $12,500.
Questions About Chuck Close Portrait 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.