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
Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore), 1964
By Terry O'Neill
Located in New York, NY
Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore), 1964 Silver gelatin print Estate signature stamped and numbered edition of 50 English actress Honor Blackman on a beach, circa 1964. Splashes on the s...
Silver Gelatin
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 44.1 in
Black and White Photography by Cuban Photographer René Peña, Self Portrait
By Rene Peña
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Limited Edition Series. Black and White Photography by Cuban Photographer René Peña, Self Portrait René Peña (Rene de Jesus Pena Gonzalez) is a self-taught photographer born in Hava...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$550
H 12 in W 16 in D 1 in
"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960
By Richard Edwards
Located in Soquel, CA
"Peter Pan" A Young Ballerina In Costume San Francisco 1960 Photograph of a young ballerina circa 1950's by Photographer Richard Edwards (American,. The young girl is photographed p...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$11,490
H 22 in W 17 in
Merle Oberon as Antonita, 1934 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Merle Oberon as Antonita, 1934 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Signed in pencil on mount Inscribed with 'Merle Oberon' in unknown hand and s...
Silver Gelatin
$550
H 16 in W 12 in D 0.5 in
Young Ballerina In Pose San Francisco Richard Edwards
By Richard Edwards
Located in Soquel, CA
Young Ballerina In Pose San Francisco Richard Edwards Photo of a young ballerina posing. She is holding her right hand above her head, while her left hand is posed in front of her. ...
Paper, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 55.12 in
'Thief' - Self Portrait by René Peña - Leading Contemporary Cuban Photographer
By Rene Peña
Located in Brooklyn, NY
René Peña (Rene de Jesus Pena Gonzalez) is a self-taught photographer born in Havana, Cuba in 1957. His photography is characterized by stark contrasts, between black and white, subj...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 24.02 in
Signature Black & White Self Portrait by Cuban Photographer René Peña
By Rene Peña
Located in Brooklyn, NY
René Peña (Rene de Jesus Pena Gonzalez) is a self-taught photographer born in Havana, Cuba in 1957. His photography is characterized by stark contrasts, between black and white, subj...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$650
H 20.5 in W 16.25 in D 1 in
"Portrait of MiKyoung with Camera" - Silver Gelatin Photograph
Located in Soquel, CA
"Portrait of MiKyoung with Camera" - Silver Gelatin Photograph - Edition (5) Dramatic black and white portrait of a woman by Dale Sparage (American, b. 1954). A woman named MiKyoung is standing, wearing a dark dress and furry hat. She is holding two bird of paradise flowers and looking directly at the camera. Off to the left, there is a vintage camera at the edge of the frame. Artist's information on verso. Presented in a white mat and a black aluminum frame. Frame size: 20.5"H x 16.25"W Image size: 9"H x 9"W Dale Sparage (American, b. 1954) is a photographer and artist from Detroit, Michigan. She completed her BFA with honors from York University in Canada, and an MFA in painting from Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. She has taught at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, University of Michigan, and The School for Visual Arts at the Toledo Museum of Art. She is currently working on an MFA in Photography at Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her ongoing work on photographing women...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 53.94 in W 39.38 in
Nude Portrait with Blue Bucket by Havana Cuba Photographer René Peña
By Rene Peña
Located in Brooklyn, NY
René Peña (Rene de Jesus Pena Gonzalez) is a self-taught photographer born in Havana, Cuba in 1957. His photography is characterized by stark contrasts, between black and white, subj...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 52.37 in
Untitled, Photography Portrait by René Peña
By Rene Peña
Located in Brooklyn, NY
René Peña (Rene de Jesus Pena Gonzalez) is a self-taught photographer born in Havana, Cuba in 1957. His photography is characterized by stark contrasts, between black and white, subj...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 24.02 in
Black and White Self Portrait by Havana Cuban Photographer René Peña
By Rene Peña
Located in Brooklyn, NY
René Peña (Rene de Jesus Pena Gonzalez) is a self-taught photographer born in Havana, Cuba in 1957. His photography is characterized by stark contrasts, between black and white, subj...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 57.09 in
Bright Vivid Self Portrait of artist watering his Aloe Plant Cuban René Peña
By Rene Peña
Located in Brooklyn, NY
René Peña (Rene de Jesus Pena Gonzalez) is a self-taught photographer born in Havana, Cuba in 1957. His photography is characterized by stark contrasts, between black and white, subj...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin