Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
American, 1916-2006
American photographer Slim Aarons captured the 20th century’s international jet set — U.S. socialites, European royalty, Hollywood stars — at play in sun-kissed locales like Monaco, Saint-Tropez and Palm Beach, as well as other luxurious settings around the globe.
Committed to eschewing makeup and artificial lighting, Aarons created images that are at once candid and polished, combining the relaxed posture of his subjects, who trusted him to document their lives, with the visual sharpness of a seasoned art director. Having gotten his start taking pictures for the U.S. military magazine Yank during World War II, he contributed over the course of his career to Life, Town and Country and Holiday magazines and published several books.
Aarons was born in Manhattan in 1916. He joined the army at 18, shooting military maneuvers at West Point before serving as a combat photographer, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. After the war, he moved to California and began snapping socialites and movie stars.
In the 1950s, Aarons opened a bureau for Life magazine in Rome, where he took pictures capturing the postwar scene. He was always able to win the trust of his elite subjects, who saw him as close to a peer, rather than a paparazzo.
In a 2002 interview with The Independent, Aarons remarked, ''I knew everyone. They would invite me to one of their parties because they knew I wouldn't hurt them. I was one of them.'' This access allowed him to document the rich and famous with their guard down, reading newspapers and magazines, talking on the phone, relaxing by the pool, and chatting with friends. The 1957 photograph The Kings of Hollywood, for example, which won him wide acclaim, shows Clark Gable, Van Heflin, Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart laughing together as they celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Many of Aarons’s best-known images involve games and sports. In the 1972 Poolside Backgammon, two young women play the board game of the title against the backdrop of a majestic Acapulco estate. In 1958’s Cannes Watersports, a couple attempts to glide across the Golfe de la Napoule on Jet Skis, one expertly and one hanging on for dear life. And in Penthouse Pool, shot in Athens in 1961, a young woman wearing a yellow bathing cap smiles coyly at the camera, surrounded by friends and brightly colored seat cushions, with the Acropolis faintly visible in the background.
Among Aarons’s books are 1974’s A Wonderful Time: An Intimate Portrait of the Good Life, and its 2003 sequel, Once Upon a Time. His final book, A Place in the Sun, was published in 2005, one year before his death.
Find a collection of vintage Slim Aarons photography on 1stDibs.
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Artist: Slim Aarons
Curling at St. Moritz, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Curlers on a rink, or curling sheet, in St Moritz, Switzerland, March 1963.
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1960s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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On the Sugarbush Slopes, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stockbroker A Albert Sack Jr playing backgammon with Betsy Pickering on a polar bear rug at his chalet at the Sugarbush Mountain ski resort in in Warren...
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Ski Fashion at Sugarbush, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American socialite and fashion writer Nan Kempner (1930 - 2005) at the Sugarbush Mountain ski resort in Vermont, December 1960.
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On the Sugarbush Slopes, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stockbroker A Albert Sack Jr playing backgammon with Betsy Pickering on a polar bear rug at his chalet at the Sugarbush Mountain ski resort in in Warren...
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Crossing Snow Field, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A line of sleighs crossing a snow field at St Moritz, Switzerland, March 1963.
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Ice Bar in Lech, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Customers at the Ice Bar at the Hotel Krone in Lech, Austria, 1960.
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Ice Bar in Lech, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Customers at the Ice Bar at the Hotel Krone in Lech, Austria, 1960.
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Crossing Snow Field, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A line of sleighs crossing a snow field at St Moritz, Switzerland, March 1963.
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Saks Fifth Avenue, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A young woman modelling an outfit for a Saks Fifth Avenue catalog shoot, circa 1955.
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Saks Fifth Avenue, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A young woman modelling an outfit for a Saks Fifth Avenue catalog shoot, circa 1955.
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Saks Fifth Avenue, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A young woman modelling an outfit for a Saks Fifth Avenue catalog shoot, circa 1955.
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Casa Las Estacas, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunzburg's pool at the Casa Las Estacas, in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, April 1979.
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Society Artist, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Premium Rates Apply. circa 1960: Tish Massie Widener (Mrs Peter Widener) artist and miniaturist in her Palm Beach studio. A Wonderful Time - Slim Aarons
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Society Artist, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Premium Rates Apply. circa 1960: Tish Massie Widener (Mrs Peter Widener) artist and miniaturist in her Palm Beach studio. A Wonderful Time - Slim Aarons
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A Friendly Chat, Estate Edition, Bahamas
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A man wearing diving equipment talks with a girl in a wicker chair on the beach, Bahamas, 1967
Visual Description: A woman seated in a wicker chair i...
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A Friendly Chat, Estate Edition, Bahamas
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A man wearing diving equipment talks with a girl in a wicker chair on the beach, Bahamas, 1967
Visual Description: A woman seated in a wicker chair i...
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1960s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Capri Cruise, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Princess Laudomia Hercolani (in blue) and friends enjoy an on-deck siesta whilst cruising near Capri, July 1958.
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Capri Cruise, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Princess Laudomia Hercolani (in blue) and friends enjoy an on-deck siesta whilst cruising near Capri, July 1958.
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Capri Cruise, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Princess Laudomia Hercolani (in blue) and friends enjoy an on-deck siesta whilst cruising near Capri, July 1958.
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La Canzone Del Mare, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
La Canzone del Mare in Capri, Italy, July 1958.
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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La Canzone Del Mare, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
La Canzone del Mare in Capri, Italy, July 1958.
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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La Canzone Del Mare, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
La Canzone del Mare in Capri, Italy, July 1958.
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Faraglioni Rocks, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Faraglioni Rocks on the Italian island of Capri, August 1974.
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1970s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Faraglioni Rocks, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Faraglioni Rocks on the Italian island of Capri, August 1974.
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Ursula Andress, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1955: Swiss film star Ursula Andress (left) relaxes with artist Novella Parigini in a hammock in Rome.
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Positano Beach, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevated view looking down on sunbathers and parasols on the beach at La Scogliera beach in Positano, Italy, 1979.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
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Positano Beach, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevated view looking down on sunbathers and parasols on the beach at La Scogliera beach in Positano, Italy, 1979.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
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Positano Beach, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevated view looking down on sunbathers and parasols on the beach at La Scogliera beach in Positano, Italy, 1979.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
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Westin Excelsior, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Westin Excelsior Hotel on the Lido in Venice, 1957.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Westin Excelsior, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Westin Excelsior Hotel on the Lido in Venice, 1957.
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Marina Piccola, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tullio Abbate, of Abbate Boats, at the back of yacht as it is moored at a property on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, in June 1983.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authe...
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1980s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Marina Piccola, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tullio Abbate, of Abbate Boats, at the back of yacht as it is moored at a property on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, in June 1983.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authe...
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1980s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Marina Piccola, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tullio Abbate, of Abbate Boats, at the back of yacht as it is moored at a property on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, in June 1983.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authe...
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1980s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Marina Piccola, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Canzone del Mare at the Marina Piccola, Capri, Italy, 1954.
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Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aarons Estate
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Marina Piccola, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Canzone del Mare at the Marina Piccola, Capri, Italy, 1954.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aarons Estate
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Waiting in the Shade, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A woman shelters under a parasol on a beach on the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, 1967.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
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1960s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Waiting in the Shade, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A woman shelters under a parasol on a beach on the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, 1967.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
Numbered and stamped by the Slim...
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Cortina d'Ampezzo, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Piazza Roma, a square in Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Italian Alps, 1962.
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Portofino, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yachts moored in the Italian fishing village of Portofino, circa 1955.
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Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aarons Esta...
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Portofino, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yachts moored in the Italian fishing village of Portofino, circa 1955.
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Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aarons Esta...
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1950s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Porto Ercole, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Private boats in Porto Ercole, Tuscany, August 1980.
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1980s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Porto Ercole, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Private boats in Porto Ercole, Tuscany, August 1980.
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Porto Ercole, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Private boats in Porto Ercole, Tuscany, August 1980.
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1980s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Sunbathers at Eden Roc, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sunbathers at the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc, Antibes, France, August 1969.
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Sunbathers at Eden Roc, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sunbathers at the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc, Antibes, France, August 1969.
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Hôtel Du Cap Eden Roc, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Guests standing by a white Rolls-Royce convertible courtesy car at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France, August 1976.
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Hôtel Du Cap Eden Roc, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Guests standing by a white Rolls-Royce convertible courtesy car at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France, August 1976.
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Hôtel Du Cap Eden Roc, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Guests standing by a white Rolls-Royce convertible courtesy car at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France, August 1976.
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Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Guests standing by a white Rolls-Royce convertible courtesy car at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France, August 1976.
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Hôtel Du Cap, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Holidaymakers at the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc, Antibes on the French Riviera, 1969.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
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Hôtel Du Cap, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Holidaymakers at the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc, Antibes on the French Riviera, 1969.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
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Francine Brandt, Mexico, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Francine Brandt by a swimming pool in Acapulco, Mexico.
This is an estate stamped and ha...
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1960s American Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Francine Brandt, Mexico, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Francine Brandt by a swimming pool in Acapulco, Mexico.
This is an estate stamped and ha...
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1960s American Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Francine Brandt, Mexico, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Francine Brandt by a swimming pool in Acapulco, Mexico.
This is an estate stamped and ha...
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1960s American Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Francine Brandt, Mexico, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Francine Brandt by a swimming pool in Acapulco, Mexico.
This is an estate stamped and ha...
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1960s American Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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New York Picnic, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Premium Rates Apply. A chauffeur unpacks a picnic hamper from a Rolls Royce, against the New York skyline.
Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included
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Palm Springs Life, Palm Springs, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970 portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Nelda Linsk (left, in yellow), wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk with guests by the pool at the Li...
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1970s Realist Slim Aarons Portrait Photography
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Palm Springs Life, Palm Springs, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970 portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Nelda Linsk (left, in yellow), wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk with guests by the pool at the Li...
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Slim Aarons portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Slim Aarons portrait photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of portrait 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 blue, purple, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Slim Aarons in digital print, lambda print, laser 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 Slim Aarons portrait photography, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Mark Shaw, Bob Willoughby, and Mark Beard. Slim Aarons portrait photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $960 and tops out at $35,000, while the average work can sell for $3,000.