Ellen von Unwerth Photography
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.
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Artist: Ellen von Unwerth
'Last Tango in Paris' - double seminude with mirror, fine art photography
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 certifi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
'Shush' - Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in lingerey, fine art photography
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 certifi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Girl Chain
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Girl Chain - a model in black sitting on a bed with a chain around her neck. Other sizes and high-end framing on request.
Ellen von Unwerth is one of the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Maid Stockings - a model in a maid costume in vintage style
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
All prints are limited edition. Available in several sizes. High-end framing on request.
All prints are done and signed by the artist. The collector receives an additional certifica...
Category
20th Century Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Maid - crawling over a set dinner table in vintage look
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
MAID - crawling over a set dinner table in vintage look
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of the world’s leading galleries for fine art photography representing the most famous contemporary a...
Category
20th Century Ellen von Unwerth Photography
'La Feline' - double nude in a club toilet, fine art photography, 2008
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 certifi...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Again?, New York
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
White Bunny
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Tic Tac Toe
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
The Pinch
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Swanky! Spanky!
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Stuck
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Showtime
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Seek
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Playdate II
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Pink Poodle
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Piepmatz
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Meow I
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Meow I: Paz de la Huerta
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
L’Escalier
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Piano Lessons: Charlotte Kemp Muhl
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Inked
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Hide
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Halskrause
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Gaga Incognito
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Gaga
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
Early 2000s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Sangria
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Fallen Party Angel
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Cat Whisperer
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Cat and Fish: Estella Warren
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Captain Look
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Butterfly
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Butt Bite: Sarabeth Stroller
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Bees
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
3Some
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Untitled
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Ellen von Unwerth is one of the most famous and influential photographers in the world. Her artistic achievements have been honored with truly great photography awards. She discovere...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
The Last Tango - two nude models dancing, b&w fine art photography, 1992
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Other sizes and high-end framing on request.
Ellen von Unwerth is one of the world's most famous and influential photographers. Her artistic achievements have been honored with trul...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Bitch! model on the floor with red lips and high-heels
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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Untitled
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Ellen von Unwerth is one of the most famous and influential photographers in the world. Her artistic achievements have been honored with truly great photography awards. She discovere...
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Anna Nass
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Ellen von Unwerth was born in 1954 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and currently lives in Paris, Berlin und New York.
Ellen von Unwerth is one of the most famous and influential ph...
Category
Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Halskrause - model in black lingerie and choker, fine art photography, 2010
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Unwerth skillfully and repeatedly binds the erotic aesthetic into a stimulating game of devotion and dominance. This stunning high contrast black and white image is a closeup of a Mo...
Category
2010s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Eva Herzigova, Smoking in Bed - nude Model smoking, fine art photography, 1994
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
1990s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Mimi & Ivy
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Mysterious black and white picture of two models wearing black masks.
One is holding her finger in front of her mouth.
Ellen von Unwerth - the female Helmut Newton - is one of the ...
Category
1990s Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Eva Herzigova smoking
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful black and white portrait of supermodel Eva Herzigova wearing a black cylinder hat and blowing smoke out of her mouth.
She is styled in garconne...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Kate Moss - the supermodel kneeling in front of a fridge holding a cucumber
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
High-end framing available on request.
Ellen von Unwerth is one of the most famous and influential photographers in the world. Her artistic achievements have been honored with trul...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
'Claudia Schiffer Mykonos' - in Dessous, fine art photography, 1997
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 certifi...
Category
1990s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
'Revenge White' - seminude with white corset, fine art photography, 2002
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 certifi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
'Elisabeth Hurley NYC'- with cigarette in the kitchen, fine art photography 1997
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 certifi...
Category
1990s Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
'Punishment' - seminude with masks outdoors, fine art photography, 2002
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 certifi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Meow, Jessica Chastain
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Portrait of the redhead actress and Oscar nominee wearing a lace hairband with cat ears in front of a turquoise/blue background.
PREISS FINE ARTS is one of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Kate Moss Smoking - b&w nude portrait of supermodel, fine art photography, 1996
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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Little Beast
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 Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Milla Jovovich
By Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Vienna, AT
Great portrait of supermodel Milla Jovovich wearing a drivers cap and a bow tie in front of a turquoise background.
Her lips are red with her tongue out...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ellen von Unwerth Photography
Ellen Von Unwerth photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Ellen von Unwerth photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of photography 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, blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ellen von Unwerth in pigment print, archival 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 photography, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Frank Schott, Joachim Schmeisser, and Guido Argentini.