Ellen von Unwerth is a director and photographer whose bold and erotic images of women have left an indelible mark on the visual landscape of the fashion world.
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, von Unwerth was a model in Paris for nearly a decade before turning to photography. Her 1989 images of Claudia Schiffer for a Guess jeans campaign, echoing the playfully feminine style of 1950s pinups, earned both Schiffer and von Unwerth wide attention. Over the years, her work has been featured regularly in magazines like Interview, Vanity Fair, Vogue, I-D and The Face, appearing on covers and in both editorial and commercial contexts. In 1991, she won first prize at the International Festival of Fashion Photography.
Von Unwerth’s 1995 photoshoot of Drew Barrymore for Playboy magazine is among her most popular work and, coupled with an array of album covers for such artists as Janet Jackson and Britney Spears, gave her standing as a celebrity photographer beyond the borders of the fashion world. Von Unwerth’s pictures have a distinctive look and feel, with saturated colors and dense compositions, while also, in certain cases, paying homage to great photographers of the 20th century.
The 2015 Tree of Love, Bavaria, in which a nude model reclines inside the heart-shaped hollow of an enormous decaying trunk, recalls Edward Weston’s sensuous use of the body’s geometry in his compositions. And the dramatically lit Tic Tac Toe from 2010, showing a scantily clad woman posing on a city street at night, evokes Helmut Newton’s atmospheric photograph of a model wearing Yves St. Laurent’s Le Smoking jacket, shot for French Vogue in 1975.
Von Unwerth has published several books of her photographs, including Revenge, in 2003, and Fräulein, in 2009. Those volumes have been joined by one showcasing the photos of her series “Heimat,” in which she playfully combines visual tropes of traditional Bavarian life with her signature eroticism and wit. She is represented by several dealers, including the Staley-Wise Gallery, in New York, and Galerie Trabant, in Kitzbühel, Austria.
Find original Ellen von Unwerth photography on 1stDibs.
Bar flies, Kate Moss, Miami
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Bar flies, Kate Moss, Miami, 1993 Unique Polaroid Image 7.5 x 9.5 cm (3 x 3 3/4 in.) Sheet 8.6 x 10.7 cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in.) Frame 29 x 24.5 x 4 cm...
Polaroid
Sisterhood, New Orleans
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Sisterhood, New Orleans, 1998 Unique Polaroid Image 7.5 x 9.5 cm (3 x 3 3/4 in.) Sheet 8.6 x 10.7 cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in.) Frame 29 x 24.5 x 4 cm (11...
Polaroid
Rollicking, Adriana Lima for New York Times Magazine
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Rollicking, Adriana Lima for New York Times Magazine, 1999 Unique Polaroid Image 7.5 x 9.5 cm (3 x 3 3/4 in.) Sheet 8.6 x 10.7 cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in...
Polaroid
Briquet, Naomi Campbell
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Briquet, Naomi Campbell,, 1990 Hand proofed by the artist Silver gelatin print, vintage print 40 x 30 cm (15 3/4 x 11 3/4 in.) signed Biography: B...
Silver Gelatin
Kate Moss, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Kate Moss, Paris, 1995 Unique Polaroid Image 7.5 x 9.5 cm (3 x 3 3/4 in.) Sheet 8.6 x 10.7 cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in.) Frame 29 x 24.5 x 4 cm (11 3/8 x ...
Polaroid
Ellen’s Angel I, Miami
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Ellen’s angel I, Miami, 1993 Unique Polaroid Label signed by the artist Image 7.5 x 9.5 cm (3 x 3 3/4 in.) Sheet 8.6 x 10.7 cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in.) ...
Polaroid
Hold on ! , Adriana Lima for New York Times Magazine
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Hold on ! , Adriana Lima for New York Times Magazine, 1999 Silver gelatin print, vintage print 30 x 40 cm (11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.) Biography: Born in...
Silver Gelatin
"Take the bow", Deon Bray for Vogue US
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) "Take the bow", Deon Bray for Vogue US, 1991 Silver gelatin print, later print 60 x 50 cm (23 5/8 x 19 3/4 in.) Edition of 15 Biography: Born in G...
Silver Gelatin
Haute Couture, Paris, 1991, Ellen Von Unwerth
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This fabulous photogragh was taken by Ellen von Unwerth, notable German photographer. It was shot on a movie set in 1991. The photo portrays 2 women, on the set of a movie, in Folli...
Glass, Paper
Casting, Kate Moss
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Casting, Kate Moss, 1995 Unique Polaroid 10.8 x 8.5 cm (4 1/4 x 3 3/8 in.) Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Ellen von Unwerth is widely regard...
Polaroid
Hard to Tame, Dioni Tabbers, London, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Hard to Tame, Dioni Tabbers, London, 2012 Chromogenic print on Fujiflex paper, later print 120 x 180 cm (47 1/4 x 70 7/8 in.) Edition of 3; (2/3) ...
C Print
Belle de Nuit, Shalom Harlow for Vogue France
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Belle de Nuit, Shalom Harlow for Vogue France, 1993 Silver gelatin print, vintage print 50 x 40 cm (19 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.) Biography: Born in German...
Silver Gelatin
Bathing Beauties II
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Bathing Beauties II, 1992 Chromogenic print on Fujiflex paper, later print 50 x 60 cm (19 3/4 x 23 5/8 in.) Edition o...
C Print
Ecological, Kate Moss, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Ecological, Kate Moss, Paris, 1995 Unique Polaroid 10.8 x 8.5 cm (4 1/4 x 3 3/8 in.) Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Ellen von Unwerth is wide...
Polaroid
Freaks, Adriana Lima for Vogue Italia
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Freaks, Adriana Lima for Vogue Italia Unique Polaroid 8.5 x 10.8 cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in.) Signed Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Ellen von Unwer...
Polaroid
Steamy, New Orleans
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Steamy, New Orleans, 1998 Unique Polaroid 10.8 x 8.5 cm (4 1/4 x 3 3/8 in.) Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Ellen von Unwerth is widely regard...
Polaroid
Strike the pose, Brandi Quinones, Kate Moss, Shalom Harlow
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Strike the pose, Brandi Quinones, Kate Moss, Shalom Harlow, Miami, 1993 Unique Polaroid Image 7.5 x 9.5 cm (3 x 3 3/4 in.) Sheet 8.6 x 10.7 cm (3 3...
Polaroid
Dance, Dance, Dance, Claudia Schiffer for Guess, Viareggio, Italy
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Dance, Dance, Dance, Claudia Schiffer for Guess, Viareggio, Italy Silver gelatin print on Baryta paper, later print 150 x 220 cm (59 x 86 5/8 in.) ...
Silver Gelatin
Tatjana, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Tatjana, Paris, 1992/1994 Silver gelatin print 180 x 120 cm (70 7/8 x 47 1/4 in.) vintage print Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Ellen von Unwe...
Silver Gelatin
Upside down, Drew Barrymore for Vogue US, Coney Island
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Upside down, Drew Barrymore for Vogue US, Coney Island, 1994 Silver gelatin print, later print 60 x 50 cm (23 5/8 x 19 3/4 in.) Edition of 15 Biog...
Silver Gelatin
"Cinderella", Shalom Harlow
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) "Cinderella", Shalom Harlow, 1993 Silver gelatin print, later print 60 x 50 cm (23 5/8 x 19 3/4 in.) Edition of 15 Biography: Born in Germany in 1...
Silver Gelatin
Warm Bath, Claudia Schiffer, LEI
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Warm Bath, Claudia Schiffer, LEI, 1989 Silver gelatin print, vintage print 42 x 29.7 cm (16 1/2 x 11 3/4 in.) Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, ...
Silver Gelatin
"Devil in the Eye", Nadja Auermann for Vogue UK
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) "Devil in the Eye", Nadja Auermann for Vogue UK , 1991 Silver gelatin print, later print 60 x 50 cm (23 5/8 x 19 3/4 in.) Edition of 15 Biography:...
Silver Gelatin
'Cinema Verité', Kate Moss Vogue US
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) 'Cinema Verité', Kate Moss Vogue US, 1995 Silver gelatin print, vintage print 30 x 40 cm (11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.) Biography: Born in Germany in 1954,...
Silver Gelatin
Ellen’s angel II, Miami
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Ellen’s angel II, Miami, 1993 Unique Polaroid Image 7.5 x 9.5 cm (3 x 3 3/4 in.) Sheet 8.6 x 10.7 cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in.) Frame 29 x 24.5 x 4 cm (11...
Polaroid
"Ecstasy", Kate Moss
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) "Ecstasy", Kate Moss, 1995 Silver gelatin print, later print 50 x 40 cm (19 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.) Edition of 15 Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, El...
Silver Gelatin
Flight Delayed, Meghan Douglas, Vogue Italia, October
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Flight Delayed, Meghan Douglas, Vogue Italia, October , 1994 Unique Polaroid 10.8 x 8.5 cm (4 1/4 x 3 3/8 in.) Biography: Born in Germany in 1954,...
Polaroid
Chapeau Claque, Nadja Auermann, Marocco
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Chapeau Claque, Nadja Auermann, Marocco, 1994 Silver gelatin print, vintage print 40 x 30 cm (15 3/4 x 11 3/4 in.) Biography: Born in Germany in 1...
Silver Gelatin
Galliano, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Galliano, Paris, 1993 Silver gelatin print, later print 60 x 50 cm (23 5/8 x 19 3/4 in.) Edition of 15 Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Ellen v...
Silver Gelatin
Beach Blues, Kate Moss, 1995
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Beach Blues, Kate Moss, 1995 Unique Polaroid 10.8 x 8.5 cm (4 1/4 x 3 3/8 in.) Signed Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Ellen von Unwerth is wid...
Polaroid
Volume on, New York
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Volume on, New York, 2001 Unique Polaroid 10.8 x 8.5 cm (4 1/4 x 3 3/8 in.) Signed Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Ellen von Unwerth is widely...
Polaroid
Tango, Nadja Auermann, Marocco
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Tango, Nadja Auermann, Marocco, 1994 Silver gelatin print, vintage print 40 x 30 cm (15 3/4 x 11 3/4 in.) Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, Elle...
Silver Gelatin
Girl in the cage, Alma Jodorowski for L'Officiel, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) Girl in the cage, Alma Jodorowski for L'Officiel, Paris, 2011 Silver gelatin print, later print 75 x 50 cm (29 1/2 x 19 3/4 in.) Edition of 15 Bio...
Silver Gelatin
"Souk", Nadja Auermann
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Zurich, CH
Ellen VON UNWERTH (*1954, Germany) "Souk", Nadja Auermann, 1992 Silver gelatin print, later print 60 x 50 cm (23 5/8 x 19 3/4 in.) Edition of 15 Biography: Born in Germany in 1954, ...
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Naughty Santa, Fine Art Photography
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Naughty Santa, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints are done and signed by the a...
Archival Pigment
Fun in the snow - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Fun in the snow, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All p...
Archival Pigment
Fun in the snow I - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Fun in the snow I, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All...
Archival Pigment
Fun in the snow II - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Fun in the snow II, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. Al...
Archival Pigment
Fun in the snow III - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Fun in the snow III, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. A...
Archival Pigment
Fun in the snow IIII - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Fun in the snow IIII, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. ...
Archival Pigment
Cat on the back - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Snowy Sled, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Snowy Sled - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Snowy Sled, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Cuddling Dog - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Cuddling dog, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prin...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Kisses - Heimat, Fine Art Photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Kisses, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for her 'Heimat' Series in 2015. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints are...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Dinner, The Story of Olga, Fine Art Photography, 2010-12
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Black and white photography of a threesome by the extraordinary Ellen Von Unwerth for her Photo Series The Story of Olga. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Claudia Schiffer - Hells Angels, Bike Polaroid, Fine Art Photography, 1989
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Claudia Schiffer on a motorbike, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints are done an...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
White Fur, New York, 2018
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on label of authenticity
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
I Do It My Way, New York, 1995
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on label of authenticity
Archival Paper
Madonna, Material Girl, Close-up, Fine Art Photography
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Madonna, Material Girl, close-up of the popstar by Ellen von Unwerth. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints are done an...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Bienvenue - Christina Aguilera, Close-up, Fine Art Photography, 2004
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certifica...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Guess Who, Claudia Schiffer for Guess, Nashville - Fine Art Photography, 1989
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Claudia Schiffer in jeans and bra, standing on a car. Photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for the 'Guess Who' Campaign in 1989. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple si...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Delicacies - Model in Lingerie with Sweets, Fine Art Photography, 2019
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Closeup of a Model in vintage Lingerie standing in a kitchen next to Cakes and Sweets, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth in 2019. All prints are limited edition. Available in multipl...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Above 40 - Semi Nude with Corset and Popsicle, Fine Art Photography, 2014
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Semi nude of a blonde model in black and white lingerie with corset in yellow interior, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth in 2014. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certificate of authenticity from the gallery. With this image, Ellen von Unwerth took the saying "a beautiful rear can also endear" literally. The Model in black-and-white lingerie, corset, and stockings has her back turned towards the camera. She is leaning against a white doorframe set against yellow-golden walls and holding a pink popsicle above her head. Details like the animal print rug...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Champagne O'Clock - Nude in Heels in Mirrored Hall, Fine Art Photography, 2016
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Nude black and white Portrait of Topmodel Claudia Schiffer, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth in Deauville in 1990. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Claudia Schiffer for Guess - Portrait in Lace Top, Fine Art Photography, 1989
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
A black-and-white Portrait of model Claudia Schiffer in a black lace corset, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for Guess in 1989. All prints are limited edition. Available in multipl...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Intermission, Linda Evangelista & Christy Turlington, Cannes
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Unsigned
Color
Price Upon Request
Christy Turlington, VOGUE
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Edition of 15 Signed by the photographer on the verso
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Again?, New York
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Edition of 15 Signed by the photographer on the verso
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Invitation Only, Paris, 2007
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on a label of authenticity
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Revival, from the Story of Olga - nude on pink sofa, fine art photography, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High-end framing on request. All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certificate of authenticity from the gallery. "Revival, From the Story of Olga" by Ellen von Unwerth is a dreamy color fine art print that presents a scene of opulent decadence and sensuality, drawing viewers into the captivating world of Olga. Olga reclines on a sumptuous pink chaise lounge...
Archival Pigment