Contemporary New York City-based artist Mark Beard has long demonstrated command in a variety of mediums — he works in oil paint, bronze, ceramics and more. Beard is known mainly for his portraits and figurative paintings, but he is prolific in figurative drawing and nude photography as well.
Beard was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1986, he began working as a set designer, and for the next decade, he created more than 20 sets in New York City, London, Frankfurt, Vienna and Cologne. As a painter and printmaker, Beard didn’t wish to confine himself to a rigid style and instead sought to explore Impressionism, Art Nouveau and other movements in a range of mediums. In order to freely move from one style to the next, Beard created several different personas, assigning a specific biography to each one.
Beard's most prominent artistic alter ego is Bruce Sargeant, whom the artist has positioned in exhibitions as an early 20th-century painter. Beard's work as Sargeant is a detailed study of the male physique. The paintings often feature sculpted athletic men engaged in physical activities like wrestling and rowing. The work is steeped in homoeroticism, and the artist’s name itself is a reference to painter John Singer Sargent — while he’s best known for his Edwardian-era portraits, John Singer Sargent also created murals and drawings of male nudes that were similarly reflective of a homoerotic sensibility.
Beard is also an accomplished landscape painter. His great-grandfather, George Beard, was a regional painter and photographer of the Rocky Mountains. Mark spent summers at his grandfather's 19th-century log cabin retreat as a child. These formative experiences are reflected in his own stunning landscape paintings.
Beard's artwork is held in many high-profile museum collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Today, Beard resides in the Manhattan loft that he purchased in 1994 with his partner, James Manfred. It serves as both his home and his studio. The space is filled with his oil paintings, drawings and sculptures.
On 1stDibs, find Mark Beard paintings, drawings, photography and more.
Self Portrait
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and numbered (4/6) in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is o...
Photogravure
John Kelly (I'm Lost to the World)
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
This unique hand-painted photograph by Mark Beard is offered by CLAMP in New York City.
Paint, Silver Gelatin
Red Drape
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed and inscribed (AP 1/3) in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is offered by Cl...
Photogravure
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Suspenders Amidst the Cattails](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-photography-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-man-in-suspenders-amidst-the-cattails-for-sale/a_9323/a_50422621569347500883/Beard_Sargeant_Man_in_Suspenders_Amidst_the_Cattails_1stdibs_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Suspenders Amidst the Cattails
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Oil on canvas Signed in red, u.l. $6500.00 + $300.00 framing This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. “Bruce Sargeant is a mythic figure in the modern art mo...
Canvas, Oil
Robert Mapplethorpe
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is offered by CLAMP, located in New York City. Mark Beard writes: “I asked Robert Mapplethorpe to take me to the ‘Mine Shaft,’ a famous S&M club. He agreed but told me it was finished and boring. We made Christmas trees together for New York Magazine. He asked to make nude...
Photogravure
Accessory Story
By Liz Von Hoene
Located in New York, NY
ABOUT THIS ARTIST: Liz Von Hoene is an award winning fashion photographer and director known for her immaculate concept driven images that strike the right balance between sophistica...
Photographic Paper
$2,250
H 15.75 in W 23.63 in
Between two golden times Françoise Benomar Contemporary African photography nude
Located in Paris, FR
Photography printed on fine art paper Hand-signed and numbered 1/5 on the back by the artist
Photographic Paper
Bea with a whip at The Other Side
By Nan Goldin
Located in New York, NY
Nan Goldin Bea with a whip at The Other Side 1973 Gelatin silver print 14 x 11 inches; 36 x 28 cm Edition of 100 Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in graphite (lower right verso) ...
Silver Gelatin
$400
H 8 in W 10.48 in
Five Maiko (Apprentices) Having lunch – Original hand-colored Meiji era photo
Located in Middletown, NY
Yokohama, Japan: c 1890. Hand-tinted albumen print, 8 x 10 1/2 inches (203 x 266 mm), numbered B04 in negative, small spots of fixer on lower right corner, pencil inscription on ver...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
Diptychon wallpaper-project Nr. 44
Located in Cologne, DE
Erotic Photography RÜDIGER SCHESTAG Diptych, wallpaper project No. 44 Each approx. 40 x 40 cm Signed and dated 2005 Edition 2/10 Rüdiger Schestag was born in 1964. After studying p...
Color
$8,883
H 20.48 in W 29.93 in D 0.08 in
Maxi - Signed limited edition fine art print, Contemporary Oversized nude photo
By Ian Sanderson
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Maxi - Signed limited edition archival pigment print on an textured art paper - Edition of 8 Photography : 1988 Bichromate print : 2012 Will be part of Ian Sanderson's future Brig...
Photographic Film, Archival Paper, Color, Giclée, Pigment, Archival Pigment
$2,500
H 32.5 in W 25.25 in D 1.5 in
“Bird Woman (Suzanne), c. 1994” Ilfochrome Cibachrome Signed Print Artists Proof
By Joyce Tenneson
Located in Yardley, PA
“Bird Woman (Suzanne), c. 1994” by Joyce Tenneson (American, b. 1945) Joyce Tenneson’s “Bird Woman” is a hauntingly intimate and ethereal photograph that exemplifies the artist’s si...
Photographic Paper
$2,400
H 20 in W 15 in
"The Glimmer Twins - Mick Jagger" Photography 20x15 in by Charlie Auringer
Located in Culver City, CA
"The Glimmer Twins - Mick Jagger" Photography 20x15 in by Charlie Auringer Year: 1978 Edition of 50 Medium: Silver gelatin limited edition photographic print on paper Signed and num...
Silver Gelatin
Chanel Vertical, 1990
By Todd Burris
Located in Hudson, NY
Listing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 1 of 15 If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is prod...
Silver Gelatin
$400
H 8.08 in W 10.52 in
Japan – Three dancing geisha apprentices – Hand-colored Meiji Period photograph
Located in Middletown, NY
Yokohama, Japan: c 1880. Hand-tinted albumen print, 8 1/8 x 10 1/2 inches (205 x 267 mm), numbered 1625 and captioned "Dancing" in negative at lower right; pencil inscription in Jap...
Watercolor, Photographic Paper
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 24 in D 0.1 in
“Al Andalus” Nude Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 2/12 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Al Andalus” Nude Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 2/12 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Not framed. Ships in tube S...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$5,477
H 30 in W 40 in
Daniel Craig Contact Sheet (Limited Edition of 25) - 30x40 In Celebrity Print
Located in New York, NY
This is a 2002 contact sheet (a positive print of all the negative images from a roll of 35mm film or medium format film) of youthful-looking Daniel Craig...
Silver Gelatin
Self Portrait
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Self Portrait 2001 Signed and dated in pencil, recto Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper (Unique) 22 x 15 inches, sheet 9 x 6.5 inches, image This work is offered by ClampArt in...
Polaroid
John Kelly
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 11 x 7.5 inches, sheet size This artwork is offered by ClampArt, ...
Photogravure
Self Portrait at 45
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and inscribed (AP) in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is o...
Photogravure
Self Portrait
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and numbered (2/6) in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is o...
Photogravure
Marc (with Cigarette)
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and inscribed "Unique" in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork ...
Photogravure
Untitled (Man with Bouquet of Lilies)
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, dated, and inscribed "Unique AP" in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is of...
Photogravure
Untitled (Man Seated on Chair)
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, dated, and numbered (2/6) in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is offered b...
Photogravure
Sold
H 22 in W 15 in
Untitled 26 (Polaroid Transfer of Young Nude Male on Rives BFK) by Mark Beard
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Untitled 26 (Polaroid Transfer of Young Nude Male on Rives BFK) by Mark Beard 10 x 8 inch image size 22 x 15 inch paper size signed & dated lower right Unique Polaroid Transfer on Ri...
Archival Paper, Polaroid
Untitled (Male Nude Leaning on Chair)
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and inscribed in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is offere...
Photogravure
Dirk
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and inscribed in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is offere...
Photogravure
Untitled (Andy Warhol)
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Mark Beard writes: “Andy Warhol was everywhere. At one of the similar yet different events at ‘Area Club...
Photogravure
Robert Mapplethorpe
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Polaroid transfer on Rives BFK paper Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in pencil, recto Also blindstamped, l.r. 22 x 15 inches, sheet 10 x 8 inches, image This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Mark Beard writes: “I asked Robert Mapplethorpe to take me to the ‘Mine Shaft,’ a famous S&M club. He agreed but told me it was finished and boring. We made Christmas trees together for New York Magazine. He asked to make nude...
Photogravure