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Ellen von Unwerth Art

German, b. 1954

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.

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Artist: Ellen von Unwerth
Recognized Seller Listings
Gaga Incognito
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer Please inquire about additional limited sizes and editions
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Adriana Lima Wicked - the supermodel naked with halo and silk gloves
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful black & white fine art print of topmodel Adriana Lima with a cat. The Victoria's Secret star is posing from behind in sexy lingerie and black hi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Milla Jovovich - the actress with devil horns and hand with gloves in b&w
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Follow Me, Paris, 2004
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer Edition of 15
Category

Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Madonna - the superstar with tights dresses as a bunny, before a gold curtain
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bunny on Leash - models in dessous with bunny ears and stockings
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Playboy Bunny - model with mask
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Playboy Bunnies, NYC - Models in front of a mirror, fine art photography, 1995
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 certific...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bunny on pedestal - nude model with bunny ears
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

White Bunny II - model looking in the mirror
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

White Bunny - Model with crystalised bunny Mask, b&w fine art photography, 2012
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 certific...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Peeking Bunny - model with bunny mask through door, fine art photography, 2012
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 certific...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Pamela Anderson - in a playboy bunny costume, fine art photography, 2015
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 certific...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Pamela Anderson - the superstar in a bunny outfit and sexy pose
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Tree of Love - nude model in a tree trunk
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Tree of Love - nude model in a tree trunk. Other sizes and framing on request. Ellen von Unwerth is one of the most famous and influential photographers ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Look - supermodel Claudia Schiffer with a cigarette
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
The Look - supermodel Claudia Schiffer with a cigarette Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photograph...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Tree of Love
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
With her HEIMAT series, Ellen von Unwerth gives small insights into her childhood homeland of Bavaria. Amid stunning scenery and charming traditions - her signature style of photogra...
Category

2010s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Brooming
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
With her HEIMAT series, Ellen von Unwerth gives small insights into her childhood homeland of Bavaria. Amid stunning scenery and charming traditions - her signature style of photogra...
Category

2010s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Distant View
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
With her HEIMAT series, Ellen von Unwerth gives small insights into her childhood homeland of Bavaria. Amid stunning scenery and charming traditions - her signature style of photogra...
Category

2010s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Guess’ 30th Anniversary Campaign III
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
“Claudia symbolizes everything that the Guess-woman stands for,” stated Paul Marciano when doing the anniversary photo shoot for GUESS. “Thanks to her timeless, highly personal style...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Guess’ 30th Anniversary Campaign II
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
“Claudia symbolizes everything that the Guess-woman stands for,” stated Paul Marciano when doing the anniversary photo shoot for GUESS. “Thanks to her timeless, highly personal style...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Guess' 30th Anniversary Campaign I
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
“Claudia symbolizes everything that the Guess-woman stands for,” stated Paul Marciano when doing the anniversary photo shoot for GUESS. “Thanks to her timeless, highly personal style...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Claudia Schiffer: Guess’ 30th Anniversary Campaign
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
“Claudia symbolizes everything that the Guess-woman stands for,” stated Paul Marciano when doing the anniversary photo shoot for GUESS. “Thanks to her timeless, highly personal style...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Deep Down in Chinatown, New York
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Fuji Crystal Archival Print. Signed by the photographer. Additional sizes may be available upon request.
Category

2010s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Filmstar Monica Bellucci in a small black dress with a man in a bathroom
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Filmstar Monica Bellucci in a bathroom with a small black dress on and curlers in her hair Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leadin...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Monica Bellucci, New York - the filmstar opening her bustier with a necklace on
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Monica Bellucci, New York - the filmstar opening her bustier with a cross necklace on Other sizes and high-end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading gal...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sangria - two models taking a bath with strawberries
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Sangria - two models taking a bath with strawberries. A fantastic artwork by Ellen von Unwerth available in a limited edition of 15 made and signed by Ellen von Unwerth. Other size...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Claudia Schiffer - portrait of the supermodel looking like Brigitte Bardot
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Supermodel Claudia Schiffer in corset in Brigitte Bardot style. The artwork is framed high-end with a black wooden box, mat and 99% UV-resistant acrylic glass. It is made and signed ...
Category

1990s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kiss me Quick, Paris – Bedazzled, Supermodel Lindsey Wixson
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Kiss me Quick, Paris – Bedazzled, Supermodel Lindsey Wixson This artwork is made and signed by the artist in a strictly limited edition of 3. It is framed high-end with a black hard...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie and Kate Moss - portrait of the icons of music and fashion
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
David Bowie and Kate Moss - portrait of the icons of music and fashion Legendary portrait of the supermodel Kate Moss and music superstar David Bowie together The artwork is made and...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

David Bowie and Kate Moss - portrait of the famous pop star with the supermodel
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Available in multiple sizes. All prints are limited edition. High-end framing on request. All prints are done and singed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certific...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Booh!, New York (Metrograph Cinema)
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

2010s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

C Print

Bye Bye Paris, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

C Print

Bonheur (Happiness), Nice
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bubbly II, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

C Print

Choker, Prague
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

C Print

Dog Walkers, Cannes
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1990s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Madonna - portrait of the star and icon of music
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Madonna - portrait of the star and icon of music The artwork is made and signed by the artist in a limited edition of 3. It is framed high-end in a black hardwood box with 99% UV-res...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Diane Kruger "Blue Angel" portrait of the moviestar inspired by Marlene Dietrich
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Diane Kruger "Blue Angel" portrait of the movie star and model inspired by Marlene Dietrich. The artwork is made and signed by the artist in a limited edi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Undercover, Warsaw - semi nude on a stairwell, fine art photography, 2019
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 certific...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Crash, Elle Macpherson - nude model with newspaper, 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 certificate of authenticity from the gallery. The famous australian Model Elle Macpherson...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Untitled - colorful portrait of a model from behind wearing a corset
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Untitled - colorful portrait of a model from behind wearing a corset PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Gossip - sensual portrait of two models in masks, fine art photography, 2003
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 certific...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Jennifer Lopez - glamorous portrait of the pop star and diva
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Jennifer Lopez - glamorous portrait of the latin pop star and diva in a star sparkling outfit PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kate Moss in Chanel & Karl Lagerfeld - supermodel & star designer portrait
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Kate Moss in Chanel & Karl Lagerfeld - portrait of the supermodel & star designer PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing th...
Category

1990s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Nudes at the Royalton - portrait of two nude models
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
The artwork is framed and signed by the artist in a strictly limited edition of 7. It is framed in museum quality with a black hart-wood box, mat and 99% UV-resistant acrylic glass. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Claudia Schiffer posing in a corset - Guess campaign, fine art photography, 2012
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 certific...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Adriana Lima Wicked - the supermodel naked on a broom with tights
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful black & white fine art print of topmodel Adriana Lima on a broom. The Victoria's Secret star is posing in black tights and high heels. Ellen vo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Adriana Lima Cat - Wicked series, behind with tights and high heels
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful black & white fine art print of topmodel Adriana Lima with a cat. The Victoria's Secret star is posing from behind in sexy lingerie and black hi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Morning Beauty (Claudia Schiffer)
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
A portrait of this famous supermodel with open blond long hair- posing in front of a window, covered with a pink curtain. Ellen von Unwerth is one of the most famous and influential ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Heavy Duty - Girl carrying Milk through cows stabel, fine art photograhpy, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Dirndl - portrait of a model in a traditional Bavarian dress
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Available in multiple sizes. All prints are limited edition. High-end framing on request. All prints are done and singed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certific...
Category

2010s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kate Moss Shopping II - in a light pink negligee, coat and wiping her face off
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Supermodel Kate Moss in a kitchen in front of groceries and a fridge wearing a light pink negligee and coat and wiping her face off after drinking milk. Ellen von Unwerth is one of ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Banana Boat - girls sitting on a blow up banana, fine art photography, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high end framing on request. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary artists. El...
Category

2010s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bathing Beauties
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Portrait of models in floating tires in a blue swimming pool, styled in Vintage look. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing ...
Category

2010s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Garden of Eden
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Colorful portrait of a cheeky couple in a tree with red apples in a garden. PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most f...
Category

2010s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Marquise, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
This print is signed by the photographer and is in an edition of 3. Please inquire for additional sizes.
Category

1990s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

C Print

Garce, Paris
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
This print is signed by the photographer and is in an edition of 15.
Category

Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ellen Von Unwerth art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ellen von Unwerth art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange, red, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ellen von Unwerth in archival pigment print, pigment print, silver gelatin print 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 Ellen von Unwerth art, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Frank Schott, Joachim Schmeisser, and Axel Crieger.

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