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.
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
$400
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.07 in
Bette Davis - George Hurrell Hollywood Photograph Vintage 1940
By George Hurrell
Located in Glenford, NY
Bette Davis iconic portrait by famed Hollywood art photographer George Hurrell from 1940. It is stamped on the verso with authentic Hurrell identification. This is a original mint ...
Silver Gelatin
Vintage Portrait Photograph - Depth
Located in Houston, TX
Silver gelatin photograph of a close up superimposed portraits by photographer Layet, circa 1950. Original artwork on paper displayed on a white mat with a gold border. Archival pl...
Paper, Silver Gelatin
$1,800Sale Price|28% Off
H 14 in W 11 in
Poet/Photographer/Andy Warhol assistant Gerard Malanga signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Poet/Photographer and Andy Warhol assistant Gerard Malanga photographed in Manhattan in 1970. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the recto. Come...
Silver Gelatin
Diana Ross
By Andy Warhol
Located in Indianapolis, IN
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) Diana Ross (1981) Unique gelatin silver print Size: 10 x 8 in (25.4 x 20.3 cm) Frame size: 17.5 x 16 in (44.4 x 40.6 cm) Unsigned Authenticated by the Authe...
Silver Gelatin
$1,500Sale Price|53% Off
H 30.25 in W 26.25 in D 1.25 in
“Shari Belafonte” Ltd Hand-Signed Gelatin Silver Print by Greg Gorman, Framed
By Greg Gorman
Located in Encino, CA
"Shari Belafonte," an original Silver Gelatin Print by photographer Greg Gorman, is a piece for the true collector. Impressively vivid emotion and detail projects from the work, highlighting Gorman's exceptional talent at capturing the essence of his subjects. Both Gorman's technical talent as a photographer and his choreography pair perfectly. This piece of art would make a great addition to an art collection and enhance most any home, perfect for those who have an affinity for black and white photography, portraits, or figurative works. This work is #1 of the small edition size of 25. Greg Gorman is one of the most well-known and sought-after celebrity photographers, having photographed countless stars, such as Al Pacino, Mark Wahlberg...
Silver Gelatin
Stage and Film Actress Ruth Gordon
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of stage and film actress Ruth Gordon. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certificate of auth...
Silver Gelatin
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
H 11 in W 14 in
Actor Christopher Walken, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of actor Christopher Walken, 1973. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the verso. Comes directly from the Jack Mi...
Silver Gelatin
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in W 11 in
Stage and film actor Kevin Kline in costume for 'On the Twentieth Century'
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of stage and film actor Kevin Kline photographed in costume for "On the Twentieth Century" on Broadway, 1978. Co...
Silver Gelatin
Stage and film actor Kevin Kline
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of stage and film actor Kevin Kline, 1975. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certificate of ...
Silver Gelatin
North Coast Native
By Imogen Cunningham
Located in Pacific Grove, CA
This early silver gelatin print is signed and dated in pencil on the front of the mount with the artist's Green Street label and typed title on the back of the mount. Likely printed ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in W 11 in D 0.3 in
Actor, Producer, and Director John Houseman
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of actor, producer, director John Houseman , 1973. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certificate of authenticity. Jac...
Silver Gelatin
$375Sale Price|25% Off
H 10 in W 8 in
Dancer, Choreographer & Company Founder Robert Joffrey
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
8 x 10" vintage silver gelatin photograph of dancer, choreographer and company founder Robert Joffrey photographed in New York City in 1964. This is a p...
Silver Gelatin
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
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...
Aluminum
Her Majesty, a Photographic History 1926–Today, XL Book
By David Bailey, TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the Queen The public and private life of the world’s most famous monarch Born in 1926, married in 1947, crowned as Queen in 1953, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has carried out her duty for more than six decades. TASCHEN celebrates her remarkable royal story with a new edition of Her Majesty, a definitive photographic collection of her public and private life. Brimming with history, tradition, glamour, and culture, the book spans the Queen’s early years right through to her most recent state tours and ceremonies. Along the way, we trace her coming of age during World War II; her marriage, motherhood, and coronation; her encounters with such icons of their age as the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, and JFK; and her extensive international travels. We visit the spectacular royal palaces and enjoy the infectious celebration of royal weddings and jubilees. We witness the elegance of official portraits, and the tenderness and humor of informal and family moments. As much a showcase of top photographers as a royal celebration, Her Majesty includes the work of such luminaries as Cecil Beaton, Studio Lisa, Dorothy Wilding...
Paper
Rolling Stones: Art Edition A
By David Bailey, TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Edition No. 1-75 by David Bailey Mick Jagger (1973) Book and signed pigment print. 20 x 14 in. $ 20,000 A historic SUMO-size edition of 1600 copies. Signed by Mick, Keit...
JOHN HUSTON, 1966
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
SIGNED AND DATED STAMPED WITH JACK NISBERG COLLECTION INK STAMP ON REVERSE SILVER GELATIN PRINT, PRINTED CIRCA 1966 15 X 12 INCHES PROVENANCE: THE JACK NISBERG COLLECTION