Over his four-decade career, photographer Jack Mitchell chronicled the changing cultural landscape of mid- to late-20th-century America by capturing the greatest influencers and innovators in the performing and visual arts.
Mitchell, a master of lighting patterns in photography who had his first portrait published at the age of 15, organized more than 5,400 photographic sessions in his lifetime involving a list of sitters that is as astounding as it is long. A veritable roll call of heroes and idols, his studio guests include painters, dancers, actors, comedians, singers, composers, directors, writers, impresarios and anyone else who helped shape the zeitgeist.
During World War II, when he was only 16 years old, Mitchell photographed Veronica Lake for a Daytona newspaper. It was his first celebrity gig, but that didn’t stop the audacious wunderkind from asking the actress to sweep back her signature “peekaboo” locks so he could get her full face in the frame. Lake, who was in Florida to help the war effort and at the peak of her career, politely obliged, and the two later became lifelong friends.
Mitchell, who was openly gay (his long-term partner and manager, Robert Plavik, died in 2009), also struck up a close relationship with Gloria Swanson. From 1960 to 1970, he served as her personal paparazzo, snapping a variety of “candid” shots of the aging but eternally glamorous actress as if she were a pre-mobile/pre-social-media reality star.
The diverse publications in which Mitchell’s work has appeared — in addition to the New York Times, there’s Rolling Stone, Dance Magazine, People, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Time, Harper’s Bazaar and Newsweek — testify to the power of his arresting visual language and its ability to transcend themes and disciplines.
Mitchell also famously shot a series of intimate portraits of John Lennon and Yoko Ono in November 1980, just one month before the Beatles singer was assassinated. A picture from this session became the cover of People’s memorial issue, one of the magazine’s best-selling editions to date.
The showbiz gloss should not distract from Mitchell’s meticulous approach to photography. He insisted on producing his own prints in order to achieve what he deemed museum-quality patina and definition.
“Jack shot many rolls of black-and-white film, and always some color transparencies, of every famous person he photographed,” says Craig Highberger, a friend of the late photographer and the executive director of the Jack Mitchell Archives.
In the world of dance, the field for which Mitchell is best known, his striking and incisive shots of legendary performers and choreographers reflect the visceral energy that these luminaries introduced to the discipline in the 1960s and ’70s, widely considered the Golden Age of American dance theater.
“Jack’s photographs of dancers during his lifetime are a historic chronicle of an amazing period in dance history. He was Alvin Ailey’s dance company photographer from 1961 to 1994,” says Highberger, noting that Mitchell’s collection of 10,000 black-and-white Ailey prints now belongs to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mitchell’s dance images are at once ethereal and powerfully dynamic. Not only do they evoke movement through elegant poses and disciplined muscular tension, but they also convey an intimate energy radiating directly from his subjects, as if he had magically unlocked a reflective mood or a character trait, without contrivance.
The collection of authentic Jack Mitchell photography on 1stDibs includes his black and white photography, color photography, nude photography and more.
$1,500Sale Price|25% Off
Hollywood Legend Gloria Swanson backstage on Broadway, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Gloria Swanson, in her dressing room during the Broadway run of “Butterflies are Free” her stage swan song, 1971. Signed by Jack Mitche...
Silver Gelatin
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
Artist Red Grooms in his New York Studio, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of famed artist Red Grooms photographed in his studio with his recent paintings on March 19, 1981. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print rec...
Silver Gelatin
$1,350Sale Price|25% Off
Beverly Sills and the cast of New York City Opera 'Maria Stuarda'
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph Beverly Sills and the cast of New York City Opera "Maria Stuarda" in 1972. Comes directly from the Jack Mitche...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Sally Struthers 'All In The Family' star studio shot, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Sally Struthers, star of 'All In The Family' studio shot, 1973. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the verso. Comes directly from the Jack Mit...
Silver Gelatin
$1,275Sale Price|29% Off
Ballet Russe Dancer Yvonne Chouteau, Signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Ballet Russe ballerina Yvonne Chouteau performing, 1963. Signed on the print verso by Jack Mitchell. Come...
Silver Gelatin
$1,500Sale Price|40% Off
Academy Award-Winning Actress Lauren Bacall, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of actress Lauren Bacall, photographed in 1966. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the verso. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,800Sale Price|25% Off
Artist Alex Katz in his studio, signed By Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of artist Alex Katz in his studio in 1986. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with ...
Silver Gelatin
$802Sale Price|33% Off
Dancer, Choreographer & New York City Balletmaster Peter Martins
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of dancer and choreographer Peter Martins, 1983. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certificate of authenticity. Jack...
Silver Gelatin
$1,680Sale Price|50% Off
ABT principal dancers Cynthia Gregory & Fernando Bujones, signed 16 x 20"
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
16 x 20" vintage silver gelatin photograph of American Ballet Theater principal dancers Cynthia Gregory and Fernando Bujones costumed for ‘Swan Lake’, ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,540Sale Price|44% Off
Rebecca Wright, Burton Taylor & Russell Sultzbach in Joffrey Ballet's 'Dream'
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
Rebecca Wright, Burton Taylor & Russell Sultzbach in Joffrey Ballet's 'Dream', one of Mitchell's most impressive multiple exposures on one piece of film,...
Silver Gelatin
$937Sale Price|37% Off
Paul Taylor dancer Bettie de Jong, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Paul Taylor dancer Bettie de Jong, 1963. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print verso. Comes directly fro...
Silver Gelatin
$937Sale Price|37% Off
Dancer/choreographer Molissa Fenley performing
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of dancer/choreographer Molissa Fenley performing, 1982. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,500Sale Price|25% Off
Photorealist painter Chuck Close, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of contemporary photorealist painter Chuck Close, 1981. Signed on the print verso by Jack Mitchell. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell A...
Silver Gelatin
$1,500Sale Price|25% Off
Dancer/Choreographer Merce Cunningham studio portrait, Signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of dancer, choreographer Merce Cunningham, studio portrait, 1997. Signed on the print verso by Jack Mitchell. Comes directly from the Jack ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,350Sale Price|25% Off
Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone and the cast of "Three Sisters" signed by Jack
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Mary-Joan Negro, Mary Lou Rosato in "Three Sisters", 1973. Signed by Jack Mitchell...
Silver Gelatin
$1,275Sale Price|25% Off
Actress Brenda Vaccaro studio portrait, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of actress Brenda Vaccaro, studio portrait, 1968. Signed on the print verso. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certifi...
Silver Gelatin
$1,500Sale Price|31% Off
Academy Award-Winning Actor Christopher Walken, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Academy Award-Winning actor Christopher Walken, studio portrait, 1973. Signed on the print verso. Come...
Silver Gelatin
$1,540Sale Price|44% Off
Academy Award-winning actor & director Warren Beatty, signed exhibition print
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
Academy Award-winning actor & director Warren Beatty, photographed in 1978. This is a vintage gelatin silver print, selenium toned, made by hand by master photographer Jack Mitchell ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,800Sale Price|28% Off
Judith Jamison in "Sophisticated Ladies" on Broadway, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Judith Jamision in "Sophisticated Ladies" on Broadway in 1980. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print recto. Comes directly from the Jack ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Dancer/choreographer Mark Morris performing 'One Charming Night'
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of dancer and choreographer Mark Morris performing 'One Charming Night'. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print v...
Silver Gelatin
$375Sale Price|25% Off
Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
8 x 10" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams photographed January 20, 1966. This is a print tha...
Silver Gelatin
$1,540Sale Price|54% Off
16 x 20" dancer Christine Klepal performing 'Scherezade', signed by Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
16 x 20" vintage silver gelatin photograph of dancer Christine Klepal performing "Scherezade" in 1983 numbered 14/25. It is signed by Jack Mitchell on the recto and in pencil on the ...
Silver Gelatin
$375Sale Price|70% Off
Liza Minelli, cabaret act at the Persian Room at the Plaza Hotel in NYC
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
8 x1 0" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Liza Minelli, cabaret act at the Persian Room, photographed for the New York Times, 1966. Liza was 20 years old. Comes directly from the...
Silver Gelatin
$1,275Sale Price|25% Off
Metropolitan Opera soprano Barbara Hendricks
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Metropolitan Opera soprano Barbara Hendricks, 1991. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with ...
Silver Gelatin
$637Sale Price|46% Off
Rebekah Harkness, American composer, sculptor, & founder of the Harkness Ballet
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Rebekah Harkness, American composer, sculptor, and founder of the Harkness Ballet, 1966. Comes directly ...
Silver Gelatin
$697Sale Price|41% Off
Rebekah Harkness performing Alvin Ailey's "Macumba" in Barcelona Spain
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Rebekah Harkness, American composer, sculptor, and founder of the Harkness Ballet performing Alvin Ailey...
Silver Gelatin
$1,540Sale Price|44% Off
Martha Graham dancer Peggy Lyman in 'Phaedra's Dream' signed exhibition print
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
Martha Graham dancer Peggy Lyman in 'Phaedra's Dream', photographed in 1982. This is a vintage gelatin silver print, selenium toned, made by hand by master photographer Jack Mitchell...
Silver Gelatin
$1,540Sale Price|44% Off
Dancer/Choreographer José Limón costumed for 'Legend', signed exhibition print
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
Dancer/Choreographer José Limón performing his 'Legend' in silver face makeup, photographed in 1969. This is a vintage gelatin silver print, selenium toned,...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Composer and diarist Ned Rorem
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of composer and diarist Ned Rorem in 1992. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certificate of a...
Silver Gelatin
$1,875Sale Price|37% Off
Artist Alex Katz in his studio, signed By Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of artist Alex Katz in his studio in 1964. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
Actress Valerie Harper studio portrait, Signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Actress Valerie Harper, 1973. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the verso. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Famed songwriting team composer John Kander & lyricist Fred Ebb
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of famed songwriting team ('Cabaret', 'Chicago') composer John Kander & lyricist Fred Ebb, 1969. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Arch...
Silver Gelatin
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Von Hackendahl, Bodybuilder/Model, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph, of Von Hackendahl, 1985, bodybuilder who also modeled for Robert Mapplethorp. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print recto. Comes directly f...
Silver Gelatin
$1,687Sale Price|43% Off
Sculptor George Segal working in his studio
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph Sculptor George Segal in his studio, 1969. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certificate of authenticity. Jack Mitch...
Silver Gelatin
$937Sale Price|37% Off
Martha Graham dancer Terese Capucilli 'Rite of Spring', signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Martha Graham dancer Terese Capucilli in "Rite of Spring", 1985. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print verso. Comes directly from the Jac...
Silver Gelatin
$1,312Sale Price|25% Off
Bejart dancer Yann Le Gac as the Angel Motorcyclist, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Bejart Ballet dancer Yann Le Gac as the Angel Motorcyclist, 1979. Signed on the print verso by Jack Mitchell. Comes directly from the Ja...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer Roman Brooks
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer Roman Brooks, photographed in New York City, 1975. Comes directly ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,500Sale Price|25% Off
Collagist & Correspondence Artist Ray Johnson, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of collagist and correspondence artist Ray Johnson photographed with his work in 1968. Signed on the print recto...
Silver Gelatin
$956Sale Price|36% Off
Meredith Monk & Ping Chong in 'Paris', signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Meredith Monk and Ping Chong in "Paris", 1987. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print verso. Comes directly f...
Silver Gelatin
$956Sale Price|36% Off
Alexandra Danilova greets fans after final performance with the Ballet Russe
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Russian-born prima ballerina Alexandra Danilova greets fans after her final performance with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, 1957. Come...
Silver Gelatin
$1,350Sale Price|20% Off
English photorealist painter John Salt at work in his Manhattan studio
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of English photorealist painter John Salt, 1971. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certificate of authenticity. Jack...
Silver Gelatin
$937Sale Price|37% Off
Swedish Multimedia artist Oyvind Fahlstrom, Signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Swedish Multimedia artist Oyvind Fahlstrom at an exhibition of his work in Manhattan, 1969. Signed on th...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
American classical bass virtuoso Gary Karr, photographed for After Dark magazine
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of American classical double bass virtuoso Gary Karr, 1974. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a certificate of authentici...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer Ronald Perry
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer Ronald Perry, photographed in New York City, 1975. Comes directly from the Ja...
Silver Gelatin
$1,250Sale Price|26% Off
British-American Artist Malcolm Morley, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of British-American Artist Malcolm Morley, 2001. Signed on the print recto by Jack Mitchell. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives...
Silver Gelatin
$1,500Sale Price|40% Off
Andy Warhol Superstar Holly Woodlawn, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
13 x 19" lifetime vintage archival pigment print of Warhol Superstar Holly Woodlawn in her Greenwich Village apartment, this is the only print...
Digital Pigment
$637Sale Price|46% Off
Rebekah Harkness, American composer, sculptor, & founder of the Harkness Ballet
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Rebekah Harkness, American composer, sculptor, and founder of the Harkness Ballet, 1966. Comes directly ...
Silver Gelatin
$937Sale Price|37% Off
Dancer, choreographer & director Matthew Diamond, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of dancer/choreographer/director Matthew Diamond, 1979. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell ...
Silver Gelatin
$956Sale Price|36% Off
Academy Award-winning actress ('Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore') Ellen Burstyn
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Academy Award-winning actress Ellen Burstyn photographed in Manhattan after winning Best Actress for "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore', ...
Silver Gelatin
$900Sale Price|25% Off
American Ballet Theatre backstage rehearsal in silhouette
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of American Ballet Theatre backstage rehearsal in silhouette in 1966. Comes directly from the Jack ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Young Dancer Fernando Bujones, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Fernando Bujones, 1968. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchel...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Isadora Duncan dancer Lori Belilove performing
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Isadora Duncan dancer Lori Belilove performing in 2006, one of the last professional photographs Mitchell ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,870Sale Price|44% Off
16 x 20" Dancer/Choreographer Eliot Feld in 'Fancy Free' signed by Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
16 x 20" vintage silver gelatin photograph of dancer/choreographer Eliot Feld performing "Fancy Free", 1965 numbered 9/25. It is signed by Jack Mitchell on the recto and in pencil on...
Silver Gelatin
$1,875Sale Price|37% Off
Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein in his NYC studio, signed By Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein in his New York studio in 1968. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mit...
Silver Gelatin
$937Sale Price|21% Off
Choreographer Director Jerome Robbins
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of choreographer and director Jerome Robbins, 1988. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives with a ce...
Silver Gelatin
$937Sale Price|37% Off
Royal Ballet dancer Anthony Dowell, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of Royal Ballet dancer Anthony Dowell, 1978. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print verso. Comes directly f...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Famed songwriting team composer John Kander & lyricist Fred Ebb
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of famed songwriting team ('Cabaret', 'Chicago') composer John Kander & lyricist Fred Ebb, 1969. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Arch...
Silver Gelatin
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
American classical violinist Eugene Fodor, photographed for After Dark magazine
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of American classical violinist Eugene Fodor, photographed for After Dark magazine in 1975. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Archives ...
Silver Gelatin
$682Sale Price|43% Off
American Ballet Theatre dancer John Kriza performing, signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of American Ballet Theatre dancer John Kriza performing 'Lady from the Sea', 1961. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print verso. Comes direct...
Silver Gelatin
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
New York City Ballet dancer Peter Boal as 'Apollo', signed by Jack Mitchell
By Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of New York City Ballet dancer Peter Boal as 'Apollo' in 1990. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the print verso. Comes directly from the Jack Mi...
Silver Gelatin