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Minimalist Photography

MINIMALIST STYLE

A revival in the popularity of authentic Minimalist furniture is rooted in history while reflecting the needs and tastes of the 21st century. Designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s aphorism that “less is more” influenced the evolution of 20th-century interiors with an emphasis on function and order. This was a shift from the 19th century, with its lavish Victorian decorating, and was spread around the world through design styles including Bauhaus and brutalism.

Yet Minimalism was present in furniture design long before the clean lines of modernism, such as in the simple and elegant utility of Shaker furniture. Although the Minimalist art movement of the 1960s and ’70s had little crossover with furniture design, artist Donald Judd was inspired by the Shakers in creating his own spare daybeds and tables from sturdy wood. (Judd, whose advocacy of symmetry also informed his architectural projects, furnished his Manhattan loft with unassuming but poetic works by iconic modernist designers such as Gerrit Rietveld and Alvar Aalto.)

Understatement rather than ornamentation and open space instead of clutter are central themes for a Minimalist living room and bedroom. As opposed to Maximalism, the focus for Minimalist furniture and decor is on simplicity and considering the design and purpose of every object.

Furnishings are usually made in neutral or monochrome colors and pared down to their essentials — think nesting coffee tables, sectional sofas and accent pieces such as ottomans. And Minimalist ceramics can help achieve a decor that is both timeless and of the moment. The organic textures and personalization of handmade craftsmanship associated with these works have served as a sort of anti-Internet to screen-weary decorators. That said, while the thoughtful ergonomics of Scandinavian modern furniture, with its handcrafted teak frames, are at home in Minimalist spaces, so are the quietly striking pieces by Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa that employ industrial materials like stainless steel, aluminum and plastic.

Minimalist furniture is not for making flashy statements; it boasts subdued appeal and excels at harmonizing with any room. And, as it encompasses many different movements and eras of design, it also never goes out of style, owing to its tasteful refinement.

Find a collection of Minimalist tables, seating, lighting and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Minimalist
Vintage Boho Limited Edition Michael Kahn Sailboat Photo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This captivating vintage limited edition photograph transports you to a serene waterscape, capturing the elegant silhouette of a sailboat with a minimalist and artistic approach. The...
Category

Late 20th Century American Minimalist Photography

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Framed + Signed Black & White Still Life Bell Pepper
By Ansel Adams
Located in Round Top, TX
Dramatic art photography still life on watercolor paper. Purchased in 1990 in NYC; artist is Waco Moore. We love the still life image of a singular pepper in the most beautifully li...
Category

Late 20th Century American Minimalist Photography

Materials

Wood, Paper

Gerry Hunt, 'Transitive Relationships' set of 2 photographic works, UK 1978
Located in Firenze, IT
'Transitive Relationships' Set of 2 photographic works on wood panel Gerry Hunt (1927 - 2023), United Kingdom 1978 Early works "Transitive Relationships" 1978 Gerry Hunt's career...
Category

1970s British Vintage Minimalist Photography

Materials

Wood, Paper

Gerry Hunt (1927 - 2023), set of 3 photos mounted on wood panels, UK 1977
Located in Firenze, IT
Set of 3 photographs on wood panel Gerry Hunt (1927 - 2023), United Kingdom 1977 Early works "Viewpoint Dimas Head" 1977 Gerry Hunt's career parallels the development of contempor...
Category

1970s British Vintage Minimalist Photography

Materials

Wood, Paper

Gerry Hunt (1927 - 2023), set of 5 photos mounted on wood panels, UK 1977
Located in Firenze, IT
Set of 5 photographs on wood panel Gerry Hunt (1927 - 2023), United Kingdom 1977 Early works "Viewpoint Dimas Head" 1977 - "Seagrass" 1977 Gerry Hunt's career parallels the develo...
Category

1970s British Vintage Minimalist Photography

Materials

Wood, Paper

YOSHIKAZ SHIRAKAWA Death Valley 1975 Photograph ~ Signed & Mounted
By Yoshikazu Shirakawa
Located in New York, NY
Original photograph by Yoshikazu Shirakawa. Death Valley group, 1975. Printed in Japan. Artist stamp/handwriting on verso. Matted/mounted on wood. Overall dimensions: 16 inches W...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Minimalist Photography

Materials

Wood

Chris Klapper and Patrick Gallagher "Sequence 6 010126;16" Photograph, 2012
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artists Chris Klapper and Patrick Gallagher's 'Sequence 6 010126;16' Photograph is a C-Print, museum-mounted to plexiglass with a French cleat. The images in th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Photography

Materials

Aluminum

Gerry Hunt, 'William' set of 2 photographic works mounted on wood, UK 1979
Located in Firenze, IT
'William' Set of 2 photographic works on wood panel Gerry Hunt (1927 - 2023), United Kingdom 1979 Early works "William" 1979 Gerry Hunt's career parallels the development of cont...
Category

1970s British Vintage Minimalist Photography

Materials

Wood, Paper

Chris Klapper and Patrick Gallagher "DATAATADATA" Photograph, 2016
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artists Chris Klapper and Patrick Gallagher's 'DATAATADATA' Photograph is a large-scale metallic C-Print, museum-mounted on aluminum with a French cleat. 'Dataa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Photography

Materials

Aluminum

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Franco Fontana Italian Vintage Photographic Print, 1975
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Vintage chromogenic photographic print by Franco Fontana with original dedication on the back. Signed and dated by the author at the base Franco Fontana: (Modena, Italy - December 9, 1933) is an Italian photographer, photojournalist and writer. He began photographing in 1961. A frequent photographer at the "Fotoclub", his activity is mainly amateur, even though he carries out aesthetic research on various themes. Very important will be those dedicated to the abstract expression of color, carried out in a period in which abstract art in photography was to be found exclusively in black and white. In 1963 he exhibited at the Third International Biennial of Color in Vienna; the year after Popular Photography publishes, for the first time, a portfolio with text by Piero Racanicchi. He held his first solo exhibitions in 1965 in Turin (Subalpina photographic society) and in 1968 in Modena (Galleria della Sala di Cultura). The exhibition in his hometown marks a turning point in his research. Its complex activity and the international importance of its production can be summarized in some figures. Over 70 books have been dedicated to him, published by Italian, French, German, Swiss, Spanish, American and Japanese publishers; he has exhibited in public museums and private galleries around the world - over 400 personal and group exhibitions he has held so far. His works are preserved in over fifty museums around the world, including: International Museum of Photography, Rochester; Museum of Modern Art, New York; Museum of Fine Arts, San Francisco; Museum Ludwig, Cologne; Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Kunsthaus Zurich; Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, Turin; The Photographic Museum, Helsinki; Puskin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow; The University of Texas, Austin; Museum of Modern Art, Norman, Oklahoma; San Paolo Art Museum; Israel Museum, Jerusalem; Metropolitan Museum, Tokyo; Beijing National Gallery; The Australian National Gallery, Melbourne; The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney - and private. He has received important awards and prizes, in Italy and abroad. He has collaborated and collaborated with magazines and newspapers: Time-Life, Vogue USA, Vogue France, Il Venerdì di Repubblica, Sette, Panorama, Epoca, Class, Frankfurter Allgemeine, New York Times. Among the many advertising campaigns signed...
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Minimalist photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Minimalist photography for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage photography created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Minimalist photography made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original photography, popular names associated with this style include Chris Klapper and Patrick Gallagher , and Yoshikazu Shirakawa. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for photography differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,400 and tops out at $10,000 while the average work can sell for $7,750.

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