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
$3,928
H 11.82 in W 15.75 in
14 juillet 1936 Paris Willy Ronis Humanist black and white photography
By Willy Ronis
Located in Paris, FR
Willy Ronis is one of the most famous members of the French Humanist photography. Silver print on photographic paper Hand-signed by the artist lower right Stamp of the artist's stud...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$4,622
H 15.91 in W 12.05 in
Carrefour Sèvres-Babylone Willy Ronis Twentieth Century Humanist photography art
By Willy Ronis
Located in Paris, FR
One of the most famous members of the Humanist photography in France. Signed lower right by the artist. Stamp of the artist's studio on the back.
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Juan Manuel Fangio, Maserati 250F, Reims, France
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
No Edition Signed in ink on print margin by Jesse Alexander Gelatin silver print Paper size: 11 x 14 in. Image size: 7 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. "Fangio is exiting a slow corner and looks ov...
Silver Gelatin
Juan Manuel Fangio, Mille Miglia
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
Juan Manuel Fangio, MM, 1955 Gelatin silver print Paper size: 16 x 20 in., Image size: 12 1/2 x 15 3/4 in. Signed by Jesse Alexander Jesse Alexander is considered one of the greatest race car photographers in history. His images of vintage automobiles and the people who gave them life; captured from the European race circuit during the 1950’s and 60’s are collected and exhibited by museums and galleries throughout the world. Jesse Alexander has been involved in photography and especially motorsports photography since the early 1950s when he covered the original Mexican Road Race. He then spent many years in Europe covering Formula One and the famous long distance sports car races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mille Miglia...
Silver Gelatin
$3,500
H 11 in W 14 in D 0.1 in
Colin Chapman and Jim Clark, Grand Prix of Belgium
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
No Edition Signed in black ink on print margin by Jesse Alexander Paper size: 11 x 14 in. Image size: 8 3/5 x 12 1/2 in. Gelatin silver print Jesse Alexander was considered one of t...
Silver Gelatin
Fangio, Ferrari, 1000 KM Nürburgring
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
Signed in black ink on print margin. Paper size: 16 x 19 1/2 in, Image size: 10 3/4 x 16 3/4 in. "The Mercedes W196 of Stirling Moss practices in the rain on one of the fastest road racing circuits in Europe. Moss teamed with the Argentine champion, Juan Manuel Fangio, as the two drivers spearheaded the Mercedes effort in 1995, dominating the season. This is the open-wheeled version of the W196, a car that Mercedes uses today at historic events around the world to promote its racing heritage." -Caption from "Driven: The Racing Photography...
Silver Gelatin
$4,508
H 15.91 in W 12.05 in
Rue Muller Willy Ronis Twentieth Century Humanist photography Paris black white
By Willy Ronis
Located in Paris, FR
One of the most famous members of the Humanist photography in France. Signed lower right by the artist. Stamp of the artist's studio on the back.
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Maserati 250F, Maserati Mechanics, Monza, Italy
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
No Edition Signed in ink on print margin by Jesse Alexander Gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in. Jesse Alexander is considered one of the greatest race car photographers in history. Hi...
Silver Gelatin
Stirling Moss, Jaguar Pits
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
Signed in black ink on print margin by Jesse Alexander Paper size: 16 x 20 in. Image size: 11 3/4 x 17 1/4 in. Jesse Alexander was considered one of the greatest race car photograp...
Silver Gelatin
$4,000
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.07 in
Karl Kling, Mercedes W196, Grand Prix of France, Reims, France
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
Karl Kling, Mercedes W196, Grand Prix of France, Reims, France, 1955 Gelatin silver print Paper size: 16 x 20 in., Image size: 11 1/2 x 17 1/2 in. Signed in black ink on print margin...
Silver Gelatin
$1,100
H 16 in W 20 in
Ravishing Rampling Charlotte Limited Estate Signature Edition Oversize
By Phillip Harrington
Located in London, GB
Ravishing Rampling 1966 Limited Edition Estate Signature Stamped print The exquisitely beautiful young Charlotte Rampling at The Pair of Shoes, a casino in London, 7th September 19...
Silver Gelatin
German Grand Prix, Nurburging
By Jesse Alexander
Located in Denton, TX
Signed by Jesse Alexander in black ink on print margin Gelatin silver print Pape size: 16 x 20 in. Image size: 11 1/2 x 17 in. Jesse Alexander is considered one of the greatest race car photographers in history. His images of vintage...
Silver Gelatin
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
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