Gallery VICTOR Figurative Photography

Framing options available. Art Shay Welcome Democrats 1968 silver gelatin print, printed circa 2016 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm ASY475 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, se...

Framing options available. Art Shay Damen and Division Street, 1949 silver gelatin print, printed circa 2016 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm ASY8337 “Art Shay’s photography shakes ...

Marcel Marceau tries on hats along Maxwell Street circa 1955. Framing options available. Art Shay Marcel Marceau Shopping on Maxwell, 1955 silver gelatin print, printed circa 2016 1...

Nelson Algren stands in a crowd at Comisky Park circa 1949. Framing options available. Art Shay Nelson Algren at Comisky Park silver gelatin print, printed circa 2016 18h x 16w in 4...

Gossip columnist, Hedda Hopper sits with a lion in hollywood. Framing options available. Art Shay Hedda Hopper - Hat Lady, Hollywood, 1956 silver gelatin print, printed circa 2016 2...

Nelson Algren and others gather around a poker table. Framing options available. Art Shay Man with the Golden Arm, 1949 silver gelatin print, printed circa 2016 16h x 20w in 40.64h ...

Children play and laugh in a backyard with makeshift playgrounds. Lined with a thin black border, framing options available. Art Shay Backyard Olympics silver gelatin print, printed...

At what appears to be a costume party, this beautiful woman, draped in a sheer tunic, must have been the center of attention. Dressed as Aphrodite, she clearly commands those around her. With his camera as his constant companion, Shay was able to capture moments of everyday life and make them extraordinary. This artwork is currently unframed. Contact gallery for framing options. Art Shay Woman in Sheer Dress silver gelatin print 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm 7ED.1.20.12005 ASY12005 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel, photographer; IIT Institute of Design President “I have one of Art Shay’s pictures over my desk. It reminds me every morning of my Chicago roots. Arts photos, like me, have the Chicago accent, which may be to say he’s telling you the truth. I think it takes a realist to see the humor in things. I know it takes a realist to see the depths of tragedy. Art’s work is so real it feels like a Madison Street guy tapping me on the forearm.” David Mamet

Two of the famed Rat Pack are shown here is this playful photograph by Art Shay. Dean Martin carries Frank Sinatra across the stage while the other members enjoy the antics in this ...

Patterns abound in this black and white photograph by Kirill Polevoy. The stairs, the woman's patterned tunic, the shadows all take us to the two children in the background, sneakin...

“Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20...

“Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20...

Art Shay Brooklyn: Sisters, 1952 silver gelatin print 24.25 x 20.25 framed ASY103 Art Shay photographed the community of Brooklyn, IL for Ebony Magazine, 1952. These photographs are the result of that experience. Brooklyn (popularly known as Lovejoy), is a village in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. Located two miles north of East St. Louis, Illinois and three miles northeast of downtown St. Louis, Missouri, it is the oldest town incorporated by African Americans in the United States. It was founded by freed and fugitive slaves from St. Louis, led by "Mother" Priscilla Baltimore in the period of 1829 to 1839. Its motto is "Founded by Chance, Sustained by Courage". “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...

This iconic photo of Bruce Jenner (aka Caitlyn Jenner) is at the moment of his decathlon win at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The photographer, Art Shay, s...

Art Shay's true love was street photography. It is evidently clear in this shot entitled "The Three, Maybe Four, Ages of Women" with the young mannequin bride, the middle aged women...

“Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20...

The photographer walks cities with his Leica camera capturing unexpected moments. His brand of street photography is sometimes poignant and sometimes hum...

A woman floats in a pool with her dark hair trailing behind her. Her dark cat shaped sunglasses and checked bathing suit are reminiscent of a bygone era. This photograph is unframed. Please contact the gallery for framing options. Kirill Polevoy Floating Sasha, Montana archival pigment print 30h x 40w in 76.20h x 101.60w cm 1/25 KIP037 “Through a black and white lens, hidden stories of everyday objects become apparent. The juxtaposition of strong light and dark shadows transform and illuminate detail that would otherwise be dismissed. Diminutive elements become rich in meaning allowing compositions to effortlessly evolve. As I attempt to uncover the hidden truth of the world around me, I am inevitably mesmerized by it and I hope you will be too.” A self-taught photographer, Kirill Polevoy, first started making photographs with an old Russian film camera...

The simplicity of hands intertwined are captured in this beautiful silver gelatin print by Doug Birkenheuer. This photograph captures light, shadow, shape and texture to great effec...

Street photography was Art's true passion. He never went anywhere without his camera so he could capture moments like this one - a priest on a Chicago street "observing" one of his parishioners. Art saw humor in everyday life catching moments that the casual observer probably would have missed. Art Shay Observant Father, 1949 vintage silver gelatin print...

“Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...

Art Shay Gale Sayers #40, 1966 archival pigment print 20.25 x 24.25 framed 3/3 ASY028 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...

This vintage silver gelatin print from Art Shay shows a football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. Famed GB quarterback No. ...

This multi-exposure photograph in what Art called "wrassling" shows all angles of the sport of wrestling. The photograph is signed on the back and matted with a heavy white mat and ...

Two-Time World Middleweight champion Tony Zale was know as the Man of Steel. He left the ring in 1948 and is shown here coaching youth in Chicago. The p...

Rocky Graziano was an American professional boxer who held the World Middleweight title. Graziano is considered one of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, often displayi...

Street Photography was a true love of Art Shay as is clearly evident in this 1949 Vintage Photo of a street transaction. The photograph is matted and framed in a simple black metal ...

Wrestling action is captured in this multi-framed photography by Art Shay. Five frames show the take down and the referee's decision. The photo is matted with a heavy white mat, si...