Peter Hujar demonstrated the same fearlessness in his photography as he did in life. He documented his bohemian lifestyle in New York City in black and white portraits that captured his outsider circle of friends and lovers. Like Robert Mapplethorpe, Nan Goldin and others, Hujar’s work emerged as a particularly crucial vehicle for increasing lesbian and gay visibility. His photography was integral to the fight for LGBTQ rights during the 1960s but he didn't earn wider societal recognition until after his passing.
Hujar was born in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1934. Due to a difficult home life, he was navigating the streets of New York City on his own by the time he was 16 years old. Pursuing photography from a young age, Hujar attended the New York High School of Art and Design in 1953. At the same time, he apprenticed in commercial photography studios. By 1964, he was working as a chief assistant for photographer Harold Krieger.
At his own considerable financial expense, Hujar left the world of commercial photography in 1967 and decided to use his talents to support the burgeoning LGBTQ rights movement. He was present at the Stonewall riots in 1969, and his iconic photo Come out! was featured in a 1970 poster for the Gay Liberation Front. Hujar also took intimate photos of counterculture figures in Manhattan throughout the 1970s, from partying drag queens to queer intellectuals. Some of his most famous images were of his friend and lover David Wojnarowicz.
In the early 1980s, Hujar stepped into a mentor role to up-and-coming artists like Gary Schneider, Nan Goldin and Kiki Smith. While he felt that his own work was underappreciated, he was happy to champion the work of the next generation.
Hujar passed away from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1987 in New York City. His work was posthumously celebrated, and his first retrospective was held in 1994 at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.
Hujar's photographs have since been exhibited all over the United States and Europe. In 2020, Pace Gallery held an online exhibit called “Peter Hujar: Cruising Utopia,” which featured a selection of both his famous and lesser-known works.
Find original Peter Hujar photography on 1stDibs.
Wreck with Shattered Window
By Peter Hujar
Located in New York, NY
This early print of this image was made in 1980. It is titled, signed and stamped on verso, by the Executor of the Hujar Estate.
Silver Gelatin
Peter Hujar, "Diane B. in Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Monkey Dress", 1987
By Peter Hujar
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Peter Hujar (1934-1987), original bromoil silver print titled "Diane B. in Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Monkey Dress", dated 1984, printed in 1987. Signed and...
Paper
Price Upon Request
New York: Sixth Avenue
By Peter Hujar
Located in New York, NY
This black and white photograph by Peter Hujar depicts a series of large skyscrapers in midtown Manhattan. New York: Sixth Avenue 1976 Signed in ink, verso Gelatin silver print 2...
Silver Gelatin
$950
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.07 in
DOUGLAS JULEFF Vintage 1950s Photograph of "Beefcake" model MAYNARD KEITH #2
Located in Glenford, NY
Rare early 1950s Original Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph by DOUGLAS JULEFF - also known as DOUG OF DETROIT - of model MAYNARD KEITH. This is #2 of a series of 4 images of Maynard ...
Silver Gelatin
Fern Spring, Dusk, Yosemite
By Ansel Adams
Located in Pacific Grove, CA
This silver gelatin print with exemplary provenance is unsigned but bears several stamps from the artist's family on the back of the mount, including the authentication stamp of Adam...
Silver Gelatin
$2,450
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.065 in
Art Critic (Head Extended on Spring Before Post War Painting)
Located in Camden, ME
Henry Rox Art Critic (Head Extended on Spring Before Abstract Painting) c. 1948 Vintage silver gelatin print 8 x 10 inches Printed c. 1948 Estate stamp verso This 8 × 10 inch vintag...
Silver Gelatin
$1,850
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.065 in
Musician Playing Pork Chop Double Bass Silver Gelatin Print c. 1940
Located in Camden, ME
Henry Rox (1899–1967) Musician Playing Pork Chop Double Bass c. 1940 Vintage silver gelatin print 8 x 10 inches Estate stamp verso No known negatives extant This 8 x 10 inch vintage...
Silver Gelatin
$4,250
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.2 in
Bruce Weber Original Signed Photographs of Michael Stipe Los Angeles, 1987 Rare
By Bruce Weber
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare set of original Bruce Weber photographs - not prints. These have provenance on back as detailed in photo suite below. The photos were taken by Mr. Weber in Los Angeles in 1987 a...
Paper
$1,850
H 10 in W 8 in
Pork Chop Figure Diving Into Frying Pan, Mid-20th Century Print
Located in Camden, ME
Henry Rox (1899–1967) A Pork Chop Figure Diving Into A Frying Pan c. 1940–1945 Vintage silver gelatin print 8 x 10 inches Estate stamp verso No known negatives extant This 8 × 10 in...
Silver Gelatin
$2,000
H 10 in W 8 in
Pork Chop Cowboy with Lasso, Vintage Silver Print, Mid-20th Century
Located in Camden, ME
Henry Rox (1899-1967) Pork Chop Cowboy with Lasso c. 1940-1945 Vintage Silver Gelatin Print 8 x 10 inches Estate stamp verso No known negatives exten...
Silver Gelatin
1960, Photography Jean Ribière
By Jean Ribière
Located in Perpignan, FR
Staircase of the futuristic Royan Cathedral, circa 1960 100 x 100 cm / limited and numbered edition n°1/12 Digigraphy print on textured cotton fineart paper 320 gr. Certification: Signed and numbered by hand. Frame: Black wood Colour: Black and white Jean Ribière...
Paper
Morada Abiquiu, New Mexico
By Morley Baer
Located in Pacific Grove, CA
This silver gelatin contact print is signed in pencil on the front of the mount beneath the image and bears the artist's stamp on the back of the mount.
Silver Gelatin
Pebble Beach
By Wynn Bullock
Located in Pacific Grove, CA
This vintage silver gelatin print is signed and dated in ink on the front of the mount beneath the image and was likely made in 1970. An image that heralded Bullock's highly experi...
Silver Gelatin
$478Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.04 in W 25.2 in D 0.2 in
GIANNI VERSACE Poster created by Mimmo Rotella for Mostra Dialogue du Mode, 1987
By Gianni Versace, Mimmo Rotella
Located in Milano, IT
Rara Locandina by Gianni Versace created by Mimmo Rotella for the exhibition held at the Palais Galliera, Musèe de la Mode et du Costume, in Paris. 198...
Paper
Coleman Valley
By Morley Baer
Located in Pacific Grove, CA
This unsigned, vintage contact print is stamped and annotated in pencil on the front of the mount. This print does not appear to fluoresce, and bears an early studio stamp. This is...
Silver Gelatin
Clown’s Trunk (Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus)
By Peter Hujar
Located in New York, NY
Clown’s Trunk (Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus) 1973 Signed, verso Vintage gelatin silver print 18.75 x 16 inches, sheet 15.25 x 15.37...
Silver Gelatin
Hallway–Canal Street Pier
By Peter Hujar
Located in New York, NY
Hallway–Canal Street Pier 1983 Estate stamped in black ink, verso; also signed, titled, dated by estate in graphite, verso Vintage gelatin silver print ...
Silver Gelatin
Reggie's Dog: Bouche Walker
By Peter Hujar
Located in New York, NY
Peter Hujar Reggie's Dog: Bouche Walker, 1981 Gelatin silver print 14 3/4 x 14 3/4 inches (image) 19 3/4 x 16 inches (sheet) 22 3/4 x 22 3/4 inches (frame) Stamped by the artist's es...
Silver Gelatin
Portrait of Poet Anne Waldman
By Peter Hujar
Located in New York, NY
Vintage gelatin silver print Signed in black ink, l.r. 20 x 16 inches, sheet 15 x 15 inches, image This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
Silver Gelatin
David Wojnarowicz’s Wall Drawing at Pier 34
By Peter Hujar
Located in New York, NY
Vintage gelatin silver print Signed, verso Artist's studio stamp, verso This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. This is an image of the “Pier 34” show. Guerrilla art shows that took place in unused City of NY buildings such as the “Real Estate Show,” or the “Times Square Show” that was held in an abandoned massage parlor, are examples of art collectives creating alternatives to the staid, exclusionary spaces of museums and galleries. They took the concept a step further with shows that were intentionally disposable, often leaving the artwork behind to be destroyed with the condemned buildings. The “Pier 34” show, organized by David Wojnarowicz and Mike Bidlo...
Silver Gelatin