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.
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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.
Silver Gelatin
Stirling Moss, Jaguar Pits
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
Signed in black ink on print margin by Jesse Alexander Paper size: 16 x 20 in. Image size: 11 3/4 x 17 1/4 in. Jesse Alexander was considered one of the greatest race car photograp...
Silver Gelatin
$4,500
H 16 in W 24 in
"Marilyn Monroe, 1962" Photography 16 x 24 in Edition 57/75 by Lawrence Schiller
By Lawrence Schiller
Located in Culver City, CA
"Marilyn Monroe, 1962" Photography 16 x 24 in Edition 57/75 by Lawrence Schiller Silver Gelatin print Edition 57/75 Signed and numbered by the artist Printed later On Wednesday, May 23, 1962, Marilyn Monroe stepped onto the set of Something’s Got to Give to film what would become one of the most iconic and talked-about moments of her career: the now-legendary nude swimming pool scene. This extraordinary day—captured in a series of rare photographs by renowned photographer Lawrence Schiller—has since become a cornerstone of Hollywood history. Key moments that make this session truly historic: A Bold Cinematic First: Monroe spent nearly four hours in the pool on the 20th Century Fox lot, filming a sequence in which her character, Ellen Arden, appears to swim nude...
Silver Gelatin
Bob Marley 1972 portrait by Alec Byrne
By Alec Byrne
Located in Austin, TX
Signed limited edition, silver print of Bob Marley, taken in the recording studio during the "I Can See Clearly Now" sessions with Johnny Nash, 1972 Alec Byrne signed limited editio...
Archival Pigment, Silver Gelatin
Andy Warhol, Photograph of Ulrik Trojaborg, 1986
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This is a unique photographic work taken by Andy Warhol. Ulrik Trojaborg was a dancer with the New York City Ballet in the 1980s and among Andy Warhol's circle of dancer friends, which included Heather Watts...
Silver Gelatin
Andy Warhol and a Male Model
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This is a unique photographic work taken under the direction of Andy Warhol. Image dimensions: 8 x 10 in. Framed dimensions: 16 x 18 in. Work comes with an authentication letter from the Andy Warhol Authentication Board, Inc. Stamped on verso by the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board. Provenance: Estate of the Artist to The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to Hedges Projects...
Silver Gelatin
$4,600
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.07 in
Karl Kling, Mercedes W196, Grand Prix of France, Reims, France
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
Karl Kling, Mercedes W196, Grand Prix of France, Reims, France, 1955 Gelatin silver print Paper size: 16 x 20 in., Image size: 11 1/2 x 17 1/2 in. Signed in black ink on print margin...
Silver Gelatin
$24,000
H 8 in W 10 in
Monique van Vooren, Bob Colacello and Thomas Ammann at Studio 54
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Bob Colacello talking to Monique van Vooren, photographed by Andy Warhol in the 1979 at Studio 54. Photograph dimensions: 8 x 10 in. This is a unique w...
Silver Gelatin
$811
H 27 in W 21 in D 1 in
La Dama Del Callejón by James Sparshatt. Baryta Silver Gelatin Print, 2001
By James Sparshatt
Located in Coltishall, GB
Every Sunday afro-Cubans gather in the Callejon de Hammel to play the drums and sing the harsh vocals of rumba. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generation of Cuban...
Silver Gelatin
Ron Galella
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Dubbed "Paparazzo Extraordinaire" by Newsweek and "the Godfather of the U.S. paparazzi culture" by Time magazine and Vanity Fair, Ron Galella pioneered the industry for candid celebr...
Silver Gelatin
Rudolf Nureyev, Bruce Jenner and Ahmet Ertegen
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This is a unique photographic work taken by Andy Warhol. Nicknamed "Lord of the Dance," Rudolf Nureyev was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer, as well as the former director and chief choreographer of the Paris Opera Ballet. He is considered the all-time greatest male ballet...
Silver Gelatin
Thoughtful Al (1974) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
Located in London, GB
Thoughtful Al (1974) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print (Photo by Steve Wood) 25th March 1974: American actor Al Pacino in London. After making his name in The...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
Photograph of Andy Warhol with Liza Minnelli and Nell Carter
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Liza Minnelli is an actress and singer, winning an Academy Award in 1973 for her role in Cabaret. Liza entered Warhol’s social circle during the 70’s when...
Silver Gelatin