Skip to main content

David Gahr Photography

American, 1922-2008
David Gahr was born in 1922 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After serving with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, he studied undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin on the G.I. bill. He moved to New York as a post-graduate student of economics at Columbia University, during which time he worked as a stock boy for Sam Goody at his record store in midtown Manhattan. As a young photography enthusiast, David would capture the musicians and industry executives who came into the store, often directly from the jazz clubs on West 52nd St. He became a professional photographer in 1958, when his unique skill in portraiture was recognized by Folkways Records founder Moses Asch, and put to use on the album jackets of the label’s seminal roster of recording artists, including Woody Guthrie, Big Bill Broonzy, Cisco Houston, The Weavers, Pete Seeger, and other musicians who inspired the folk music revival of the 1960’s and would influence the direction of American music and culture for the next 40 years. David was with Bob Dylan in his first years in Greenwich Village and his 1963 Newport Folk Festival debut, and there at Dylan’s infamous introduction of rock’s raucous rhythms into his repertoire at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. He showed us Janis Joplin’s sweat-drenched debut at Newport 1968 and again in feathered regalia at the Chelsea Hotel before a show at the Fillmore East. He captured a Bruce Springsteen, not even 23, in Asbury Park on the eve of a career breakthrough, and again in portraits and onstage throughout the 1980’s. He documented Dolly Parton in New York City in 1976 in what are now widely regarded as some of both his and her’s most beautiful images. David’s profile of Miles Davis' 1970 performance at the Tanglewood Music Festival in Lenox, MA is the most famous image of the jazz legend, appearing on the cover of Davis’ “Jack Johnson” album and on a 2012 USPS postage stamp.. Some of David’s most important images are of the legendary pioneers of American blues, including Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, John Lee Hooker, Musddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Howlin’ Wolf, Skip James, Son House, Elizabeth Cotten and Mississippi John Hurt, as they rode the crest of renewed popularity with a young and enthusiastic American audience. David’s images have been featured in publications such as Life, The New York Times and Rolling Stone. He was the Arts & Culture photographer of choice for Time Magazine’s art critic Robert Hughes, where he documented New York’s white-hot arts scene from studio to gallery, turning his lens on luminaries including Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Nancy Graves, Tony Smith, Robert Rauschenberg and many others. For almost 50 years, David Gahr’s camera eye was always present at the nexus of American artistic culture, following its currents in 35mm, back and white, full-frame poetry.
to
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10,201
2,806
2,500
1,401
1
Artist: David Gahr
Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton

Located in Mount Pleasant, SC

Dolly Parton photographed in New York City in September, 1976. Estate Stamped by photographer David Gahr.

Category

20th Century Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Related Items
Mercer Street, 1992

Mercer Street, 1992

By Todd Burris

Located in Hudson, NY

Listing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 1 of 10 If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is produced upon purchase. Please allow two weeks for production. Shipping time depends on method of shipping. Price is subject to availability. The Robin Rice Gallery reserves the right to adjust this price depending on the current edition of the photograph This exhibition is a visual dance of contradictions. Whimsical and sophisticated. Stylistic and simple. Studied and carefree. That’s what emerges when you take a photojournalist by study, fashion photographer by trade and fine artist by instinct and leave him alone with his camera and a muse. Burris’ work is influenced by his early career spent working with fashion photographer Bill King and inspired by the decisive moment made known by the Henri Cartier Bresson. He defies the confines of either discipline. It is not fashion photography, which is by nature produced, but rather purely spontaneous. Todd left the world of fashion photography after building his own career in Milan and New York to go to LA and find his niche. He embraced his fascination with flea markets and penchant for discarded items that wouldn’t ever be chosen because they were trendy but because they were interesting. Burris packed his 1979 white Pontiac station wagon with his finds. When he came upon a stage that fit the props, he called on his muses and created a visual story on the spur of a moment. The collection of black and white images conveys a sense of effervescence and Élan. It includes photographs from Burris' time in Los Angeles as well as earlier experimental work in Milan and New York City. Anything but superficial, the invitational image, "Paget #1" challenges the traditional symmetry of beauty. We see a dramatic close up of a woman’s face, her intense eyes framed by the stark contrast between her porcelain skin and jet black hair. The lighting is such that her face is divided by shadow, one half dark and mysterious, the other half light and classically beautiful. The effect is deeply engaging. The viewer doesn’t know when the photo was taken but you want to know more. In “Mercer Street...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Brigitte Bardot  b/w silver gelatin photograph on paper
Brigitte Bardot  b/w silver gelatin photograph on paper

Brigitte Bardot b/w silver gelatin photograph on paper

By Terry O'Neill

Located in Norwich, GB

Terry O’Neill CBE is one of the world’s most collected photographers, with work hanging in national art galleries and private collections worldwide. From presidents to pop stars, he ...

Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

NUDE OBSERVED
NUDE OBSERVED

Duane MichalsNUDE OBSERVED, 1968

$11,250Sale Price|25% Off

H 8 in W 10 in

NUDE OBSERVED

By Duane Michals

Located in Aventura, FL

Gelatin silver print. Hand signed, titled and numbered by the artist. Artwork is in excellent condition. Sheet size: 8 x 10 in. Image size: 5 x 7 in. Certificate of authenticity incl...

Category

1960s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

JACKIE AND CAROLINE, HYANNIS PORT, MASSACHUSETTS, SUMMER 1961
JACKIE AND CAROLINE, HYANNIS PORT, MASSACHUSETTS, SUMMER 1961

JACKIE AND CAROLINE, HYANNIS PORT, MASSACHUSETTS, SUMMER 1961

By Jacques Lowe

Located in Aventura, FL

Jacques Lowe stamp and various inscriptions on print verso. Sheet size 11 x 13.9 inches. Image size approx 9 x 13 inches. Frame size approx 18.5 x 22.5 inches. Certificate of authen...

Category

1960s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Paper, Silver Gelatin

Skull by Anouk Krantz 2019

Skull by Anouk Krantz 2019

By Anouk Krantz

Located in Chicago, IL

Skull (B&W) 2019 ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT Unframed Sizes: 30 x 45 in (76.2 x 114.3 cm) - Edition of 10 + 2 AP (Artist Proofs) 40 x 60 in (101.6 x 152.4 cm) - Edition of 10 + 2 AP (Art...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin

October 15, 2009

Ion ZupcuOctober 15, 2009, 2009

$1,400

H 15 in W 15 in

October 15, 2009

By Ion Zupcu

Located in New York, NY

Gelatin silver print mounted to archival board Signed and numbered, verso 15 x 15 inches (Edition of 15) 30 x 30 inches (Edition of 5) This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

February 13, 2006

February 13, 2006

By Ion Zupcu

Located in New York, NY

Sepia-toned gelatin silver print, mounted to archival board Signed, dated, and numbered, verso 9 x 9 inches (Edition of 50) 15 x 15 inches (Edition of 30) This artwork is offered ...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

March 2, 2006

Ion ZupcuMarch 2, 2006, 2006

$1,600

H 9 in W 9 in

March 2, 2006

By Ion Zupcu

Located in New York, NY

Sepia-toned gelatin silver print, mounted to archival board Signed, dated, and numbered, verso 9 x 9 inches (Edition of 50) 15 x 15 inches (Edition of 30) This artwork is offered ...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

March 23, 2009

Ion ZupcuMarch 23, 2009, 2009

$1,400

H 15 in W 15 in

March 23, 2009

By Ion Zupcu

Located in New York, NY

Gelatin silver print mounted to archival board Signed and numbered, verso 15 x 15 inches (Edition of 15) 30 x 30 inches (Edition of 5) This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

August 18, 2005

August 18, 2005

By Ion Zupcu

Located in New York, NY

Sepia-toned gelatin silver print, mounted to archival board Signed, dated, and numbered, verso 9 x 9 inches (Edition of 50) 15 x 15 inches (Edition of 30) This artwork is offered ...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Tudor

Ion ZupcuTudor, 2012

$1,800

H 15 in W 15 in

Tudor

By Ion Zupcu

Located in New York, NY

Toned gelatin silver print Signed and numbered in pencil, verso 15 x 15 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 30 inches (Edition of 3) From the series, "American Homes" This artwork is offe...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Farm House

Ion ZupcuFarm House, 2012

$1,800

H 15 in W 15 in

Farm House

By Ion Zupcu

Located in New York, NY

Toned gelatin silver print Signed and numbered in pencil, verso 15 x 15 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 30 inches (Edition of 3) From the series, "American Homes" This artwork is offe...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Previously Available Items
ANDY WARHOL, CICRA 1980
ANDY WARHOL, CICRA 1980

ANDY WARHOL, CICRA 1980

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed lower margin by the David Gahr. Sheet size 8 x 10 inches. Image size approx 6.25 x 9.375 inches. Frame size approx 18 x 22 inches. Certificate of authenticity included. ...

Category

1980s Contemporary David Gahr Photography

Materials

Paper, Silver Gelatin

David Gahr photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Gahr photography available for sale on 1stDibs.