At 15, the London-born David Bailey was jazz mad and Picasso loving but, being a dyslexic cockney, was booted out of school. Escape from gritty East London seemed unlikely until he picked up a Rolleiflex during his stint in the National Service. Three years later, in 1960, he was under contract at British Vogue.
Prodigiously talented, Bailey was also wildly charismatic and uncommonly pretty, a high-octane amalgam that no doubt fueled his meteoric rise. Soon, he was chronicling, and surfing, the cultural tsunami that transformed London in the Swinging Sixties, when young creatives from music, fashion, advertising, theater, film, TV and journalism toppled the British establishment to become the new royalty.
This was the moment when the seeds of celebrity culture were sown. Bailey snapped all these revolutionary aristos: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Michael Caine, Tom Stoppard and David Hockney. Each and every one looks impossibly dewy and fresh and brims with an entirely modern derring-do.
So, too, do “the beautiful birds,” as Bailey called the alluring models and actresses who defined that decade: the exquisite Jean “Shrimp” Shrimpton, Twiggy, Penelope Tree, Brigitte Bardot, Jeanne Moreau, Catherine Deneuve. A number of them became his lovers, Deneuve his wife (he’s had four), for a time.
It was a wild ride for an East End lad and literally the stuff of movies. Bailey was the inspiration for the prowling fashion photographer Thomas, played by pretty boy David Hemmings, in one of the iconic films of that era, Antonioni’s Blowup.
But despite his playboy persona and lucrative work in fashion advertising, Bailey has always possessed real psychological depth and artistic ambition. He can snap like few others. His closest peer in spontaneity, insight and cool was Richard Avedon. Both preferred a white backdrop, strong lighting and a tight focus to capture that rare telling moment.
Someone shot with eyes shut is not an accident with Bailey but a revelation. To this day, he can’t explain how he works his magic, although he does liken it to shamanic conjuring. He makes no secret that he spends most of his time gabbing with his subject — he’s curious about everyone. Sometimes, the chatter is a seduction; occasionally, it becomes good-naturedly pugilistic. And then, in mere moments, the individual is sized and seized by his camera.
Browse David Bailey's revolutionary portraiture and fashion photography on 1stDibs.
Nude - Photograph by David Bailey - 1980s
By David Bailey
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage b/w photograph realized by David Bailey in 1980s. Copyright and provenance: Playboy. Excellent condition.
Photographic Paper
$27,303
OASIS
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey OASIS, 2006 Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 50.8 x 50.8 cm Sheet: 58.4 x 58.4 cm Edition of 15
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
$47,780
Bob Dylan
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Bob Dylan, 1986 Lambda Silver Gelatin print on paper, framed Signed by the artist, on verso Sheet: 116 x 140 cm Edition of 10
Silver Gelatin
Vogue Magazine September 1963 Framed Cover
By David Bailey
Located in Stamford, CT
Vogue September 1963 framed original cover. Model Brigitte Bauer photographed by David Bailey. As found framed condition in gold wood frame.
Glass, Wood, Paper
David Bailey Sumo, Signed, Limited Edition Book with Marc Newson Stand
By David Bailey, TASCHEN, Marc Newson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The David Bailey SUMO. Over 300 of the greatest portraits of our time, printed big and bold. In 1965, portrait and fashion photographer David Bailey released his groundbreaking boo...
Aluminum
Mick in Fur Hood
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Mick in Fur Hood, 1964 Platinum Palladium print on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 49.5 x 49.5 cm Sheet: 59.7 x 68.6 cm Edition of 25 + 1 AP
Platinum
![Rolling Stones [Avebury Hill]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/david-bailey-photography-rolling-stones-avebury-hill-for-sale/a_21542/1666358958319/rolling_stones_avebury_master.jpeg?width=240)
Rolling Stones [Avebury Hill]
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Rolling Stones [Avebury Hill], 1968 Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 50.8 x 74.92 cm Sheet: 58.4 x 82.53 cm Edition of 10
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
$3,000
Bailey. 80s. 101–200, Jerry Hall & J. Henri Lartigue 1983. Signed book & Print
By David Bailey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Edition (No. 101–200) with the signed print Jerry Hall and Jacques Henri Lartigue, Nice, France, 1983 and the book Eighties in a clamshell box, also signed by David Bailey. Inkje...
Inkjet
![Paul McCartney [Mirror]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/david-bailey-photography-paul-mccartney-mirror-for-sale/a_21542/1666357957166/paul_mccartney_master.jpeg?width=240)
Paul McCartney [Mirror]
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Paul McCartney [Mirror], 1967 Silver Gelatin Print Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 43.1 x 43.1 cm Sheet: 50.8 x 60.9 cm Edition of 25
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
Miles Davis
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
Music has always been a passion for David Bailey. As a teenager, he played the trumpet, thinking for a while that music - rather than photography - might be his future. Among his musical heroes is Miles Davis...
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
$16,381
Kate Bush
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Kate Bush, 1978 Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 36.83 x 36.83 cm Sheet: 42 x 59.4 cm Edition of 10
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
Bailey. 80s. 1–100, Yves Saint Laurent 1981. Signed, Limited Book & Print
By David Bailey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Edition (No. 1–100) with the signed print Yves Saint Laurent, 1981 and the book Eighties in a clamshell box, also signed by David Bailey. Inkjet print on Hahnemuhle pearl paper, ...
Inkjet
Mick Jagger Goats Head Soup Album Art Version
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Mick Jagger Goats Head Soup Album Art Version, 1973 Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 101 x 148 cm Sheet: 111 x 158 cm Edition of 10 + 2 AP
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
$27,303
Dr Dre
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Dr Dre, 2001 Archival Inkjet on paper Image: 50.8 x 63.58 cm Sheet: 58.4 x 71.2 cm Edition of 10
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
Jean Shrimpton (box of pin ups)
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Jean Shrimpton (Box of Pinups), 1965 - printed 2009 Silver Gelatin Signed by the artist, on verso Accompanied by a COA 65 x 51 cm - sheet 90 x 90 cm - framed edition of 30
Silver Gelatin
Dizzy Gillespie
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Dizzy Gillespie, 1981 Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 36.83 x 46.78 cm Sheet: 42 x 59.4 cm Edition of 15
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
Cecil Beaton and Rudolf Nureyev c1965 For David Bailey's Box of Pin-Ups
By David Bailey
Located in Bristol, CT
Cecil Beaton & Rudolf Nureyev c1965 Art Sz: 14"H x 12"W Frame Sz: 19 1/2"H x 17 1/2"W w/ bespoke lavender mat w/ Brit racing green
Photographic Paper
Patti Smith
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Patti Smith, 1978 Archival Inkjet on paper Edition of 15 Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 36.83 x 47.76 cm Sheet: 42 x 59.4 cm
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
Marie Helvin
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Marie Helvin, 1976-2021 Archival Inkjet Signed by the artist, on verso Accompanied by a COA 132 x 91.4 cm - Sheet size 135.5 x 94 x 4 cm - Framed Edition of 5 Marie Hel...
Paper, Archival Ink
Rolling Stones Colour Out of Our Heads
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Rolling Stones Colour Out of Our Heads, 1968 Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 50.8 x 50.8 cm Sheet: 58...
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
$12,500
David Bailey. Signed and numbered SUMO book and Fine Art Print, Jean Shrimpton.
By David Bailey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Edition (No. 76–150), with the print Jean Shrimpton, 1965. The book and print are both numbered and signed by David Bailey, accompanied by a bookstand designed...
Silver Gelatin
Queen Live Aid
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 50.8 x 50.8 cm Sheet: 58.4 x 58.4 cm Framed: 66.5 x 66.5 x 4 cm Edition of 10 + 2 AP
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
Alice Cooper
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Alice Cooper, 1973 Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 36.83 x 36.86 cm Sheet: 42 x 59.4 cm Edition of 10
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
Jarvis Cocker
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Jarvis Cocker, 2010 Silver Gelatin print on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 24 x 29.5 cm Sheet: 30 x 38.4 cm Edition of 18
Silver Gelatin
$40,954
Penelope Tree
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Penelope Tree, 2022 Unique overpainted photograph comprising archival pigment print with hand embellished acrylic paint on paper, framed Sig...
Acrylic, Archival Pigment
$27,303
Elton John
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Elton John, 1971 Archival Inkjet on paper, framed Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 50.8 x 50.8 cm Sheet: 58.4 x 58.4 cm Edition of 12 + 3AP
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
Penelope Tree with Flowers
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Penelope Tree with Flowers, 2022 Unique overpainted photograph comprising archival pigment print with hand embellished acrylic paint on pape...
Acrylic, Archival Pigment
David Bowie
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
Archival Inkjet on paper Signed by the artist, on verso Image: 50.8 x 50.8 cm Sheet: 58.4 x 58.4 cm Framed: 66.5 x 66.5 x 4 cm Edition of 10
Archival Ink, Archival Pigment
David Bailey. SUMO book and FIne Art Print, Andy Warhol.
By David Bailey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Edition (No. 226–300), with the print Andy Warhol, 1965. The book and print are both numbered and signed by David Bailey, accompanied by a bookstand designed...
Silver Gelatin
$1,250
Gerald McCann: Dress Designer 1965 Half-Tone Print Photo For David Bailey's Box
By David Bailey
Located in Bristol, CT
Photo Sz: 15"H x 13"W Frame Sz: 20"H x 18"W w/ green lacquer wood frame & lavender mat Gerald McCann, dress designer, is the Peter Pan of the rag trade: he is in his late thirties but, saucily sporting a Bud Flanagan overcoat, still looks a boy. He's a clever businessman with a clever tongue. He's a nice giggly and soft person, but he always surrounds himself with tough people! Gerald McCann (5 November 1931 – 26 June 2019) was a British fashion designer who was considered among the leading lights of the Swinging London fashion scene, alongside names such as Mary Quant, subsequently moving to the United States to continue his career with Larry Levine...
Photographic Paper
Catherine Bailey
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
David Bailey Catherine Bailey, 2024 Unique overpainted photograph comprising archival pigment print with hand embellished acrylic paint on paper, framed Signed by the artist in penci...
Acrylic, Archival Pigment
'Jimmy Woolf' 1965 from David Bailey's 'Box of Pin-Ups'
By David Bailey
Located in Bristol, CT
Producer of 'Moulin Rouge' and 'Room at the Top' who was one of the most successful impresarios in the British film industries Art Sz: 14" x 12" Fram...
Photographic Paper
Rudolf Nureyev 1965 Half-Tone Photo Print For David Bailey's Box of Pin-Ups
By David Bailey
Located in Bristol, CT
The legendary dancer c1965 Art Sz: 14" x 12" Frame Sz: 19 1/2" x 17 1/2" in bespoke lavender mat w/ Brit racing green
Photographic Paper
P. J. Proby 1965 Half-Tone Photo Print For David Bailey's Box of Pin-Ups
By David Bailey
Located in Bristol, CT
P. J. Proby, Hollywood actor who starred in the movie 'Greatest Story Never Told' & in 1964 appeared in the Brian Epstein's TV spectacular, 'Meet the Bea...
Photographic Paper
$1,200
'Michael Cooper' 1965 Half-Tone Photo Print For David Bailey's 'Box of Pin-Ups'
By David Bailey
Located in Bristol, CT
Michael Cooper, photographer, doesn't so much dress as dress up. And his two-year-old son wears exactly the same clothes. Art Sz: 14" x 12" Frame Sz: 19 1/2" x 17 1/2" In bespoke...
Photographic Paper
$1,200
'James Wedge: The Mysterious Milliner' 1965 For David Bailey's Box of Pin-Ups'
By David Bailey
Located in Bristol, CT
James "Jimmy" Wedge (born 1939) is a British fashion designer, milliner and fashion photographer "He's a hopeless businessman, and though he should have made a lot of money, one som...
Photographic Paper
$1,800
Brian Morris 1965 Half-Tone Photo Print by David Bailey for His Box of Pin-Ups
By David Bailey
Located in Bristol, CT
Manager of the Ad Lib made it for a time the most successful nightclub in the world! Art Sz: 14"H x 12"W Frame Sz: 19 1/2"H x 17 1/2"W in bespoke lavender mat w/ Brit racing green ...
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Andy Warhol and the Gang, 1965 - David Bailey (Portrait Photography)
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
Andy Warhol and the Gang, 1965 - David Bailey (Portrait Photography) Signed, inscribed with title and stamped with photographer's copyright ink stamps on reverse Silver gelatin print...
Silver Gelatin