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Ralph Eugene Meatyard Figurative Photography

American, 1925-1972

Ralph Eugene Meatyard was a self-described ‘dedicated amateur’ photographer. He pursued his own vision to produce an exquisitely enigmatic, widely admired body of work. Meatyard began taking photographs in 1950, roaming the backwoods and towns in Kentucky, experimenting with framing, multiple exposures and blurring to produce haunting, abstracted images of natural and manmade environments. In the late 1950s, he began incorporating monstrous, oversized latex masks and hands into his photographs, in addition to plastic dolls. His family and friends were the protagonists in his carefully composed scenes. For Meatyard, who was inspired by literature, Zen Buddhism and jazz, the masks served to equalize his subjects and shift focus elsewhere—to the poignant juxtaposition of otherworldly faces on human bodies, to the ambiguous and unknowable in human nature.

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Artist: Ralph Eugene Meatyard
Untitled (Mask in Water)
By Ralph Eugene Meatyard
Located in New York, NY
From a portfolio of ten gelatin silver prints from original Meatyard negatives (1959-71) Printed April 1974 Edition of 130 Credit stamp, verso 7 x 7.5 inches, image 15 x 12 inches, mount This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. An optician by trade, Ralph Eugene Meatyard was a self-described “dedicated amateur” photographer. He pursued his own vision to produce an exquisitely enigmatic, widely admired body of work. Meatyard began taking photographs in 1950, roaming the backwoods and towns in Kentucky, experimenting with framing, multiple exposures, and blurring to produce haunting, abstracted images of natural and manmade environments. In the late 1950s, he began incorporating monstrous, oversized latex masks...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Ralph Eugene Meatyard Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Untitled (Figure and Boat)
By Ralph Eugene Meatyard
Located in New York, NY
From a portfolio of ten gelatin silver prints from original Meatyard negatives (1959-71) Printed April 1974 Edition of 130 Credit stamp, verso 7 x 7 inches, image 15 x 12 inches, mount This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. An optician by trade, Ralph Eugene Meatyard was a self-described “dedicated amateur” photographer. He pursued his own vision to produce an exquisitely enigmatic, widely admired body of work. Meatyard began taking photographs in 1950, roaming the backwoods and towns in Kentucky, experimenting with framing, multiple exposures, and blurring to produce haunting, abstracted images of natural and manmade environments. In the late 1950s, he began incorporating monstrous, oversized latex masks...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Ralph Eugene Meatyard Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Untitled (Figure and Wall Detail)
By Ralph Eugene Meatyard
Located in New York, NY
From a portfolio of ten gelatin silver prints from original Meatyard negatives (1959-71) Printed April 1974 Edition of 130 Credit stamp, verso 7 x 7.5 inches, image 15 x 12 inches, mount This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. An optician by trade, Ralph Eugene Meatyard was a self-described “dedicated amateur” photographer. He pursued his own vision to produce an exquisitely enigmatic, widely admired body of work. Meatyard began taking photographs in 1950, roaming the backwoods and towns in Kentucky, experimenting with framing, multiple exposures, and blurring to produce haunting, abstracted images of natural and manmade environments. In the late 1950s, he began incorporating monstrous, oversized latex masks...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Ralph Eugene Meatyard Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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1960s American Modern Ralph Eugene Meatyard Figurative Photography

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Ralph Eugene Meatyard figurative photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ralph Eugene Meatyard figurative photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ralph Eugene Meatyard in silver gelatin 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 modern style. Not every interior allows for large Ralph Eugene Meatyard figurative photography, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Barbara Morgan, Fred McDarrah, and Bruce Cratsley. Ralph Eugene Meatyard figurative photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,800 and tops out at $4,500, while the average work can sell for $4,400.

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