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Markus Klinko

Markus Klinko is an award-winning fashion and pop culture photographer and film director who is renowned all over the world. The Swiss-born artist has worked with a wealth of legendary celebrities in music, film and fashion, and has created poignant and striking images that capture the essence of popular culture of the 2000s. 

Klinko was initially interested in music. He was a classically trained harpist and studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. Klinko was a featured solo performer with orchestras around the world, signed an exclusive recording contract with EMI Classics and was awarded the Grand Prix de Disque for his recording of French harp music with members of the orchestra of the Paris Opera Bastille. 

In 1994, Klinko suffered a hand injury and chose to retire from recording and performing. Instead, he decided to take up fashion photography. He’d made friends in the industry over the years and his talent earned him assignments with the likes of the London Sunday Times and Interview magazine and other French and British fashion magazines. Klinko eventually met revered British rock star David Bowie because he was shooting Bowie’s wife — supermodel, entrepreneur and actress Iman.

In 2001, the photographer shot the cover of the book I Am Iman — Iman's book, which features contributions by David Bailey, Helmut Newton and others — and Bowie commissioned Klinko to photograph him for the cover of the singer’s 2002 album Heathen. Klinko and Bowie worked together again for the cover of GQ, and a 2001-era collection of never-before-seen images of the musician that Klinko shot called “Bowie Unseen” has garnered international critical acclaim.

Collaborating with digital post-production artist and photo editor Indrani, Klinko has created some of the most iconic album covers of the 21st century and has worked with American superstars Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. Over the years, the photographer has worked for Vogue, Vanity Fair, Hugo Boss, L’Oréal Paris and many more. A campaign he shot for children with AIDS raised over one million dollars in merely three days. The book Icons: The Celebrity Exposures of Markus and Indrani was published in 2012.

Find original Markus Klinko portraits, nude photography and other photography on 1stDibs.

Jaime King
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
From a stunning collection of contemporary nudes from celebrated photographer, Markus Klinko, featuring amongst others, Dita Von Teese, Stoya and Aubrey O’Day This print is availabl...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

Cai by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of Cai by photographer Markus Klinko in 2000 in New York. This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus Klinko 24" high...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

Titans, Paris, 2003 by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print by photographer Markus Klinko. "Titans, Paris, 2003" This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus Klinko 24" high - Ed...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

DITA VON TEESE, THE WHIP by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of Dita Von Teese by photographer Markus Klinko in 2013 in Los Angeles. This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus K...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

Chains
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
From a stunning collection of contemporary nudes from celebrated photographer, Markus Klinko, featuring amongst others, Dita Von Teese, Stoya and Aubrey O’Day This print is availabl...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

Stoya Smoking
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Stoya by Markus Klinko, from a stunning collection of contemporary nudes from the celebrated photographer featuring amongst others, Dita Von Teese and Aubrey O’Day This print is ava...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

New Release : David Bowie : Natural Villains monochrome
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
New release July 2022. Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen", released...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

Markus Klinko - Gold Face, Photography 2024, Printed After
By Markus Klinko
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Markus Klinko is an award-winning, international fashion/celebrity photographer and director, who has worked with many of today's most iconic stars of film, music, and fashion. Kli...
Category

2010s Markus Klinko

Materials

Digital, Archival Pigment

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Markus Klinko Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2025$3,350Portrait Photography, Color PhotographyC Print2009
2024$19,000Color Photography, Portrait PhotographyC Print2002
$11,175
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$3,350-$19,000
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Artists Similar to Markus Klinko

Markus Klinko art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Markus Klinko art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, purple, orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Markus Klinko in pigment print, archival pigment print, digital print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Markus Klinko art, so small editions measuring 15 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Drew Doggett, Henry Diltz, and Ian Sanderson.

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