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.
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
Price Upon Request
Crash: Elle Macpherson, New York
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on label of authenticity
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
Price Upon Request
Christy Turlington & Linda Evangelista - Fine Art Photography
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Two Models, black and white, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista on a boat, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth. All prints are limited edition. Available in multiple sizes. High...
Archival Pigment
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
Price Upon Request
Bretzel, Bavaria, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Hands On Deck, Cannes, 2019
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the Photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Carmin, Paris, 2003
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Bees Do It, Paris, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Boss Bitch, Berlin, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
The Pinch, Paris, 2008
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Swanky Panky, New York, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Danger Kitty!: Zoë Kravitz, New York, 2022
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Mardi Gras, New Orleans, 1998
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Games, New York, 2013
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Pigalle, Paris, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Parading, Paris, 2010
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Private Affair, Paris, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Château Marmont, Los Angeles, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Flush: Elle Macpherson, New York, 2004
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
In The Shower With Rihanna, New York, 2014
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Paint Them Black: Kate Moss, Paris, 1994
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Harp Lesson, Rouilly-Le-Bas, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Eyes Wide Open, Paris, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Diablo: Cara Delevigne, Los Angeles, 2015
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Queen, New York, 2018
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Bird, Los Angeles, 2018
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Guardians, Paris, 2012
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Trippy: Amilna Estevao and Alton Mason, New York, 2017
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Nudes at the Royalton, New York, 1992
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
I Do It My Way, New York, 1995
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Playboy Bunnies, New York, 1995
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Jardin du Luxembourg: Deon Bray and Karen Mulder, Paris, 1991
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Legs Crossed: Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, Cannes, 1990
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Afterparty: Dioni Tabbers and Hana Jirickova, Los Angeles, 2011
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Galliano, Paris, 1993
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper