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Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

American, 1947-2022

Like the cowboys who were often the focus of his work, Kurt Markus’s photographs are imbued with a quiet strength. The acclaimed contemporary American lensman was universally known for his poignant black and white images, each one an intimate glimpse into the lives of their subjects.

Markus was born in 1947 in Whitefish, which is in rural Montana. Though his early childhood was spent outside, he knew that he didn't want to be a rancher. He attended the United States military academy West Point and served in the Army Rangers, but he realized the military was also not for him. Instead, he taught himself photography and fell in love with the craft.

Markus is best known for his moving photography of American cowboys. One of his books of cowboy photography, Cowpuncher, was named the best art book of the year by the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2002. Markus also trained his lens on the sport of boxing, photographing world champions like Mike Tyson in addition to lesser-known competitors all around the world, from Havana to Dublin. 

Markus was a successful and distinguished fashion photographer as well, working with publications like GQ, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Elle, Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. His long list of clients included the names Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne and Armani. One of the most influential images of his career, Young Man, Y’s for Living, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1988, was initially used in a fashion advertisement for Japanese design icon Yohji Yamamoto.

No matter what he was photographing, Markus was resolutely traditional in his technique. Even as digital photography became more common, he remained in the darkroom developing silver gelatin prints. He strove to keep the process simple and free of gimmickry.

Markus received numerous accolades over the course of his career, including Life magazine’s Alfred Eisenstaedt Award and several Clio Awards. His work has been exhibited at the Staley-Wise Gallery in New York City, the Obscura Gallery in Santa Fe and the Peter Fetterman Gallery in Santa Monica.

In 2013, Markus settled with his wife in Santa Fe, where he focused more on landscape photography. He died in 2022.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of original Kurt Markus photography.

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Artist: Kurt Markus
Wallé, New York, NY
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1990s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Two Women
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

Late 20th Century Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Stanley Stenart, Y's For Living, Vicksburg, Mississippi
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1980s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rod Turner, Y's for Living, Vicksburg, Mississippi
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1980s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mabel Peterson, Y's For Living, Vicksburg, Mississippi
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1980s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Donell Wince, Y's For Living, Vicksburg, Mississippi
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1980s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Christy Turlington, San Francisco
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1990s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Christy Turlington, El Salvador
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1990s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Christy Turlington, British VOGUE
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1990s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Christy Turlington, San Francisco
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1990s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bert Ancell, Bell Ranch, New Mexico
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
This photograph is signed by the photographer. Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1980s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ann Klinge, Omaha, Nebraska
By Kurt Markus
Located in New York, NY
Please see additional editions listed below. Larger sizes may be available upon request.
Category

1990s Kurt Markus Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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Kurt Markus portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Kurt Markus portrait photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Kurt Markus in silver gelatin print and more. Not every interior allows for large Kurt Markus portrait photography, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Lawrence Schiller, Andreas H. Bitesnich, and Bill Owens. Kurt Markus portrait photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $5,000 and tops out at $8,000, while the average work can sell for $6,500.

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