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Nan Goldin Photography

American, b. 1953

When Nan Goldin discovered a flourishing drag queen community as an 18-year-old navigating downtown Boston, it would mark the start of her widely influential photography career and lay the foundation of the seminal work that would follow years later — “The Ballad of Sexual Dependency,” an ongoing series of stark, flash-lit snapshots documenting her experiences with the LGBTQ+ scene, most notably during the AIDS epidemic.

Goldin was born in Washington, D.C., but raised in Massachusetts. She left home around age 13 or 14, moved into a commune and attended a free experimental high school called Satya Community School, where she began shooting Polaroids of herself as well as her classmates. She found inspiration in the work of Andy Warhol, Larry Clark, Diane Arbus, Weegee, August Sander and in the glossy pages of French and Italian Vogue. Goldin attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and moved to New York City soon after she graduated.

Goldin was particularly drawn to the avant-garde music scene in Manhattan in the late 1970s and early ’80s, and “The Ballad of Sexual Dependency” would include many photos taken in her newly adopted city. Goldin first exhibited the series at the Whitney Biennial in 1985 before publishing it as a book a year later. In its startling honesty, Goldin’s gripping portraits captured sexual relationships, frank drug use, intimate scenes in the homes of families, partying at bars, domestic violence and the AIDS-related horrors faced by those in the era’s LGBTQ+ community. More than 700 images were featured in exhibitions over the years compared to the book’s 127 portraits.

“‘The Ballad of Sexual Dependency’ is the diary I let people read,” wrote Goldin. “The diary is my form of control over my life. It allows me to obsessively record every detail. It enables me to remember.”

Goldin also felt that the project was autobiographical in a way, though only some of the images were self-portraits. “These were the people I lived with, these were my friends, these were my family, this was myself. I’d photograph people dancing while I was dancing. Or people having sex while I was having sex. Or people drinking while I was drinking. There was no separation between me and what I was photographing,” she told Bomb magazine.

Over the years, Goldin has collaborated with Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki and completed projects for Jimmy Choo and Bottega Veneta. While her work has broadened to include New York City skylines, portraiture and commercial fashion photography, her commitment to documentary-style honesty has never wavered. In 2006, as part of Goldin’s "Chasing a Ghost” exhibit in New York City, a presentation was projected on three screens involving videos, photography and a musical collage focused on her older sister, Barbara, who took her own life in 1965.

Among Goldin’s many accolades are her admission to the French Legion of Honor in 2006, the Hasselblad Foundation International Award in 2007 and the Lucie Award in 2014.

Find a collection of original Nan Goldin photography on 1stDibs.

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Artist: Nan Goldin
Bea with a whip at The Other Side

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) ...

Category

1970s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Swan-Like Embrace (Paris) by Nan Goldin
Swan-Like Embrace (Paris) by Nan Goldin

Swan-Like Embrace (Paris) by Nan Goldin

By Nan Goldin

Located in Dubai, Dubai

By Nan Goldin Swan-Like Embrace, Paris (2001), printed later, 2021 C-Print on paper 8 x 5 1/8 inches Signed verso (please see image 3) From the 2021 timed release, published by Pain.

Category

2010s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

C Print

"Suzanne in the Shower, Palenque, Mexico" Nan Goldin, Female Nude, Snapshot
"Suzanne in the Shower, Palenque, Mexico" Nan Goldin, Female Nude, Snapshot

"Suzanne in the Shower, Palenque, Mexico" Nan Goldin, Female Nude, Snapshot

By Nan Goldin

Located in New York, NY

Nan Goldin Suzanne in the Shower, Palenque, Mexico, 1981 Signed and titled on reverse Cibachrome print 13 3/4 x 9 inches Edition 2/25 Provenance The artist Matthew Marks Gallery, Ne...

Category

1980s American Modern Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

C Print

Apocalyptic Sky over Manhattan, NYC
Apocalyptic Sky over Manhattan, NYC

Apocalyptic Sky over Manhattan, NYC

By Nan Goldin

Located in New York, NY

Nan Goldin Apocalyptic Sky over Manhattan, NYC, 2001 Cibachrome 27 1/4 x 40 inches (image) 28 1/4 x 41 inches (frame) AP 1, Edition of 15 Signed verso on label Black painted wood fr...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

Color

Desert At Night, Aswan, Egypt, 2003

Desert At Night, Aswan, Egypt, 2003

By Nan Goldin

Located in London, GB

Giclee Print on 310gsm Canson Baryta paper 20.3 x 27.9 cm Timed Edition Unsigned and unnumbered comes with publisher's COA

Category

2010s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

Giclée

Joey Dressed for Wigstock, NYC
Joey Dressed for Wigstock, NYC

Joey Dressed for Wigstock, NYC

By Nan Goldin

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Nan Goldin (b. 1953) is unquestionably one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Her intimate images emphasize her subject’s individuality, infusing them with d...

Category

1990s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

C Print

My hotel room, Valencia, Spain
My hotel room, Valencia, Spain

My hotel room, Valencia, Spain

By Nan Goldin

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Nan Goldin (b. 1953) is unquestionably one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. A successor to Diane Arbus and William Egglestone, her aesthetic and creative ap...

Category

1980s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

My Bed, Hotel La Louisiane, Paris
My Bed, Hotel La Louisiane, Paris

My Bed, Hotel La Louisiane, Paris

By Nan Goldin

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Nan Goldin (b. 1953) is one of the most influential, yet arguably underrated, photographers of the 20th century. Beginning in the 1970's Goldin took candid shots of her friends and l...

Category

1990s Post-Modern Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

Dye Transfer

Pink sky from airplane
Pink sky from airplane

Pink sky from airplane

By Nan Goldin

Located in New York, NY

Nan Goldin Pink sky from airplane 2000 Cibachrome 30 x 40 inches; 76 x 102 cm Edition of 15 Signed, titled, dated, and numbered in ink (verso) Available f...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, C Print

Butch in the Tub, NYC
Butch in the Tub, NYC

Butch in the Tub, NYC

By Nan Goldin

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Nan Goldin (b. 1953) is unquestionably one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Goldin was the first to use the "slide show" format in a high-art setting. Beginning in the 1970's Goldin took candid shots of her lovers, friends and family characters often living on the margins of society in Boston and then New York City. "Butch in the Tub...

Category

1980s Conceptual Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

C Print

Self-portrait in blue dress, New York City, 1985

Self-portrait in blue dress, New York City, 1985

By Nan Goldin

Located in New York, NY

1985/2020 Signed, verso Archival pigment print 5 x 7 inches This photograph by Nan Goldin is offered by CLAMP in New York City.

Category

1980s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

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Nan Goldin (b. 1953) is one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Beginning in the 1970s, Goldin took candid shots of her friends and lovers, characters often living on the margins of society. Many of Goldin's images are like entries from a diary; recording intimate elements from both her daily life and her adventures. The spirit of Goldin's work, which is often raw, tender, and audacious, has strong roots in her formative years. Goldin was introduced to photography at the age of 16 when her teacher distributed Polaroid cameras. A few years later, Goldin would become involved with Boston's Drag scene, befriending or living with a host of young Queer people. For around four years (1970-1974) Goldin focused on documenting her new-found community and crew. David Armstrong (1954-2014) was an early friend whose career as a photographer developed in tandem with Goldin's in Boston. Armstrong also helped further introduce Goldin to the city's gay scene...

Category

1970s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

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Polaroid

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Located in Toronto, Ontario

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1970s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

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Siobhan with Cat
Siobhan with Cat

Nan GoldinSiobhan with Cat, 1993

Sold

H 15.75 in W 23.5 in

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By Nan Goldin

Located in Toronto, Ontario

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Jimmy Paulette and Taboo! Undressing, NYC
Jimmy Paulette and Taboo! Undressing, NYC

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Bea with a whip at The Other Side

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) Stamped in ink (lower right verso): Special edition to benefit Dr. Roger Weiss / and The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment / Program at McLean Hospital Available from Matthew Marks Gallery...

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1970s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

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Silver Gelatin

Bea with a whip at The Other Side

Bea with a whip at The Other Side

By Nan Goldin

Located in New York, NY

Bea with a whip at The Other Side 1973 Signed in pencil, verso; Also stamped with date, titled, and edition information, verso Gelatin silver print (Edition of 100) 13.25 x 8.875 ...

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1970s Nan Goldin Photography

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Joey with Her New Breasts (NYC)
Joey with Her New Breasts (NYC)

Joey with Her New Breasts (NYC)

By Nan Goldin

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Nan Goldin (b. 1953) is one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Beginning in the 1970's Goldin took candid shots of her lovers and friends - especially drag queens and trans women, characters often living on the margins of society, in New York City and beyond. "Cody in the Dressing Room at the Boy Bar, NYC” is a paradigm of Goldin's work from the early 1990’s celebrating both nightlife and its beautiful denizens. The photograph shows Cody, semi-nude and confidently posing for Goldin, as they either unwind after or are preparing for a performance. Situated in a dressing room signalled by the mirror, makeup and clothes strewn around. Behind Cody is a silver grid of black and white portraits taped to the wall, reminiscent of Warhol’s famous screen tests, and a reminder of Goldin's exceptional composition. Furthermore, the image is cropped right above the subject's waist leaving their actual gender ambiguous if not irrelevant. Today, images of drag queens and glamorous trans woman are increasingly common in Western culture, considering the success of TV shows such as Rupaul's Drag Race...

Category

1990s Contemporary Nan Goldin Photography

Materials

Dye Transfer

Jimmy Paulette and Taboo! Undressing, NYC
Jimmy Paulette and Taboo! Undressing, NYC

Jimmy Paulette and Taboo! Undressing, NYC

By Nan Goldin

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Nan Goldin (b. 1953) is one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Beginning in the 1970's Goldin took candid shots of her lovers and friends - especially drag queens and trans women, characters often living on the margins of society, in New York City and beyond. "Jimmy Paulette and Taboo! Undressing” is a paradigm of Goldin's work from the early 1990s celebrating the glamour, beauty, and comradery of the New York drag scene. It is also an important image of one of Goldin's favorite subjects. The photograph features Jimmy Paulette and Taboo!, two of Goldin's beloved and recurring muses, in a New York apartment. Jimmy Paulette, on the left, poses against the door frame, with a strong gaze that is both demure and mischievous. His Mona Lisa smile and kind eyes contribute to the sense of intimacy that this piece evokes. Meanwhile, Taboo!'s profile is visible on the bottom right through the reflection of a floor-length mirror. This image is one of several iconic photographs of Jimmy Paulette that represent the unique energy and presence of Drag during New York City Pride, including Jimmy Paulette on David's Bike, NYC and Jimmy Paulette After the Parade, 1991 Today, images of drag queens and glamorous trans women are increasingly common, considering the success of TV shows such as RuPaul's Drag Race...

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1990s Conceptual Nan Goldin Photography

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Nan Goldin photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Nan Goldin photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of photography to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of pink, yellow and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Nan Goldin in c print, pigment print, archival pigment print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Nan Goldin photography, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Robert Stivers, Silvia Lareo-Vazquez, and Jack Pierson. Nan Goldin photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $375 and tops out at $26,000, while the average work can sell for $12,900.
Questions About Nan Goldin Photography
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    Nan Goldin is famous for her work as a photographer. She was particularly drawn to the avant-garde music scene in Manhattan in the late 1970s and early ’80s, and “The Ballad of Sexual Dependency” series would include many photos taken in her newly adopted city. Goldin first exhibited the series at the Whitney Biennial in 1985 before publishing it as a book a year later. In its startling honesty, Goldin’s gripping portraits captured sexual relationships, drug use, intimate scenes in the homes of families, partying at bars, domestic violence and the AIDS-related horrors faced by those in the era’s LGBTQ+ community. Over the years, Goldin has collaborated with Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki and completed projects for Jimmy Choo and Bottega Veneta. While her work has broadened to include New York City skylines, portraiture and commercial fashion photography, her commitment to documentary-style honesty has never wavered. In 2006, as part of Goldin’s "Chasing a Ghost” exhibition in New York City, a presentation was projected on three screens involving videos, photography and a musical collage focused on her older sister, Barbara, who took her own life in 1965. Among Goldin’s many accolades are her admission to the French Legion of Honor in 2006, the Hasselblad Foundation International Award in 2007 and the Lucie Award in 2014. Shop a range of Nan Goldin art on 1stDibs.