Helen Levitt often commented that the reason she expressed herself through photography was that she was inarticulate with the spoken word. One of the most celebrated photographers of the 20th century among her peers but least known by the public, from a young age she wanted to create art but knew her talents with a paintbrush or a charcoal pencil were limited. She discovered a way to artistically express herself — through the lens of a camera.
Levitt was born in Brooklyn, New York. At 18, she dropped out of high school to work in a portrait photographer’s darkroom — eventually trying her hand at photography. She trained herself to take better compositions by studying paintings in museums around New York and then using her mother’s friends as practice subjects. In 1936, after discovering the works of French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson she purchased her first camera and began to take pictures of neighborhood children making sidewalk chalk drawings.
Levitt took her portfolio to the studio of Walker Evans — another photographer which she admired. Struck by her thoughtful compositions and natural talent, he hired her as his assistant. She began photographing ordinary street life in the lower-class neighborhoods of East Harlem, the Lower East Side and the Garment District in New York City.
In 1939, Levitt’s photographs were published in Fortune magazine. Later that same year, she received a grant from the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Guggenheim Foundation. Seeing a similarity in film noir to what she was trying to capture in black and white photography, she became a film editor. She worked on several films including The Quiet One, an Academy Award nominee.
In 1959 Levitt began to photograph in color but eventually returned to black and white photography in the 1990s. A collection of her photographs of children and their chalk drawings were eventually published, in 1987, in a book called In the Street: Chalk Drawings and Messages. Some of her color photographs were published in Slide Show in 2005.
On 1stDibs find original Helen Levitt black and white photography, portrait photography, color photography and more.
New York (consoling woman)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
11 x 14 inch gelatin silver print. Image size 7.25 x 10.75 inches. Signed on verso Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vision, humor, and inventiveness tr...
Silver Gelatin
New York City (striped socks)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
12 x 8 inch type-c print, signed on verso. Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vision, humor, and inventiveness transformed the gritty world of New York C...
C Print
$4,500
H 12 in W 16 in D 2.5 in
Audrey Hepburn with a Dove 1966 Signed Limited Edition Framed Print
By Terry O'Neill
Located in London, GB
A contemplative Audrey Hepburn with a dove perched on her shoulder, 1966. TITLE: Hepburn with a Dove 1966 PHOTO: Terry O’Neill SIGNED LIMITED EDITION (LAST AVAILBLE COPY OF THIS SIZ...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
Celebrity Cruise (Slim Aarons Estate Edition)
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
Celebrity Cruise, 1965 Chromogenic Lambda print Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity from the estate. British comedian Peter Sellers (19...
C Print
$1,340
H 40 in W 30 in
Swan Dive (1956) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized
By H. Armstrong Roberts
Located in London, GB
Swan Dive (1956) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Alamy) 1st March 1956. A man swan diving from the high diving boar...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
$3,000
H 16 in W 20 in
Marlon Brando, Libertyville, Illinois, 1950 - Silver Gelatin Print
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
On assignment for Life Magazine in 1950, Art Shay photographed Marlon Brando at his family farm in Libertyville, Illinois, just north of Chicago. Looking straight into Art's lens, Brando is innocent of the fame that is about to become his world. He went on to a career spanning sixty years including winning two Oscars for Best Actor. This photograph is unframed. Contact the gallery for framing options. Art Shay Brando Portrait, 1950 silver gelatin print 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm ASY12088 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel, photographer; IIT Institute of Design President “I have one of Art Shay’s pictures over my desk. It reminds me every morning of my Chicago roots. Arts photos, like me, have the Chicago accent, which may be to say he’s telling you the truth. I think it takes a realist to see the humor in things. I know it takes a realist to see the depths of tragedy. Art’s work is so real it feels like a Madison Street guy tapping me on the forearm.” David Mamet
Silver Gelatin
$388
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.1 in
Marilyn on the Roof - Marilyn Monroe Ambassador Hotel New York City Skyline
By Ed Feingersh
Located in Brighton, GB
American actress and the original Blonde Bombshell Marilyn Monroe smiles as she looks out at New York City. Monroe is photographed leaning over the edge of the high-class Ambassado...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Silver Gelatin
$1,340
H 30 in W 40 in
Nude Portrait - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized
By H. Armstrong Roberts
Located in London, GB
Nude Portrait - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Alamy) A woman poses for a nude studio portrait. Additional Information: Unframed Paper Si...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
$1,340
H 30 in W 40 in
Spectator Tennis (1938) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized
By H. Armstrong Roberts
Located in London, GB
Spectator Tennis (1938) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Alamy) 1st December 1938. Spectators watching a tennis match at a country club. Addi...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
$3,000
H 20 in W 16 in
Lombardi Huddle, Green Bay Packer Coach Vince Lombardi 1966 by Art Shay
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Famed Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi photographed at Lambeau Field in 1966 by Art Shay. The angle of this shot is particularly interesting. Art was definitely up close and personal with the coach and players that day! This photograph is not framed. Please contact the gallery for framing options. Art Shay Lombardi Huddle, 1966 silver gelatin print, printed later 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm ASY15080 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...
Silver Gelatin
$1,580
H 60 in W 40 in
Ballerina Split (1970) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized
By H. Armstrong Roberts
Located in London, GB
Ballerina Split (1970) Silver Gelatin Fibre Print - Oversized (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Alamy) Side view of a prima ballerina, standing in a split, with a row of 8 backing da...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
$15,000
H 11 in W 14 in
Buzz Aldrin, Sun Visor, Vintage Black and White Photo, NASA Apollo 11, 1969
By Buzz Aldrin
Located in New york, NY
An 11 x 14 black and white photograph of Buzz Aldrin from the original negative before Nasa added “more” space on the top of the image, which is a more common version of Visor. The...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin, Photographic Film
Unavailable|$10,222
H 24 in W 20 in D 0.1 in
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 ...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
N.Y.C (New York City)
By Michael Andreas Russ
Located in San Francisco, CA
This photograph titled "N.Y.C (New York City) 1974 is an original gelatin silver print by famous German photographer and artist Michael Andreas Russ, born 1945. It is signed, titled and dated in the back by the artist. The photograph size is 14 x 11 inches, framed is 20.75 x 16.75 inches. It is framed in a wooden dark brown frame. it is in excellent condition. About Michael Andreas Russ. Michael Andreas Russ (born January 1945 in Berlin) is an German/American photographer, photo designer and film director. Russ' career as a photographer began in New York in the late 1960s where he photographed his fellow acting students. Self-taught, he eventually moved to his own studio off Union Square, Manhattan and connected with the local underground art scene. Photograph by Russ was published on the cover of “Art Direction Magazine of Visual Communication” with a Gertrude Stein quotation: “The composition in which we live makes the art which we see and hear” In his early years Russ focused on men's fashion magazines and erotic sequential photographic scenes for Playboy Press books. He eventually experimented with distinctive photographic techniques, turning 35mm black and white film into chemically toned, masked, solarized and hand colored, one of a kind silver gelatin prints. These 'TinTones' as Russ would call them eventually became the trademark of his work. They were published in popular fashion and lifestyle magazines and brought him international recognition in the art world. His work was published in major fashion, lifestyle and avant-garde magazines, GUNNARS, Mode International, Mode Avant Guarde, PHOTO Magazine, Zoom (photography magazine), as well as German Playboy (magazine), Photo Reporter and cover art to IL Magazine. He also contributed sequential 'sujets de chambre' to Vogue magazine His erotic postcard edition "The Compagnie" became part of the permanent collection of the Musée des arts décoratifs de Paris...
Silver Gelatin
New York (three kids with masks)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
8 1/8 x 11 inch gelatin silver print, printed later. Titled and dated by the artist on verso as "N.Y. circa 1942." Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vis...
Silver Gelatin
New York (one boy consoling another)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
7 x 11 inch gelatin silver print - signed, titled, and dated on verso. Provenance - from the James Agee Family Collection Helen Levitt was a true master of ...
Silver Gelatin
New York ("Spider Girl")
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
This work is one of Helen Levitt's most iconic color images, and one of only five images made as dye transfer prints. The image size measures 9.25 x 14.25 inches, and the print is si...
Dye Transfer
New York City (boys dancing)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
This 14 x 11 inch gelatin silver print was printed in the 1980s, and is signed on verso. Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vision, humor, and inventiven...
Silver Gelatin
James Agee, King Street apartment
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
This is a vintage silver gelatin print, from the James Agee Family Collection. Levitt and Agee were close friends, and over the years Levitt gifted a number...
Silver Gelatin
James Agee
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
This is a mounted vintage silver gelatin print, from the James Agee Family Collection. Levitt and Agee were close friends, and over the years Levitt gifted ...
Silver Gelatin
N.Y.C. (5₵ Soda)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
Helen Levitt made her images of children's chalk drawings early in her career. The prints she produced were traditionally small in scale. In 2000, she and our gallery launched a proj...
Silver Gelatin
N.Y.C. (Button to Secret Passage)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
Helen Levitt made her images of children's chalk drawings early in her career. The prints she produced were traditionally small in scale. In 2000, she and our gallery launched a proj...
Silver Gelatin
Poster Girl, NYC
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vision, humor, and inventiveness transformed the gritty world of New York City’s poorer neighborhoods into captivating,...
Silver Gelatin
New York (rolling record)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
14 x 11 inch gelatin silver print, signed by the artist on verso. 10.75 x 7.5 inch image size Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vision, humor, and inven...
Silver Gelatin
New York City (cops and robbers)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vision, humor, and inventiveness transformed the gritty world of New York City’s poorer neighborhoods into captivating,...
Silver Gelatin
New York City (woman reaching out)
By Helen Levitt
Located in New York, NY
11 x 14 inch gelatin silver print (image size 5.6 x 8.25 inches) Signed on verso. Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vision, humor, and inventiveness ...
Silver Gelatin