Black and white

Photography, USA. Marilyn Monroe (USA). Actress & singer, Eve Arnold

USA. Marilyn Monroe (USA). Actress & singer

Eve Arnold

Photography - 30.5 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 12 x 16 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, USA. Nevada and California. The Misfits, a film by John HUSTON. 1960 IX, Eve Arnold

USA. Nevada and California. The Misfits, a film by John HUSTON. 1960 IX

Eve Arnold

Photography - 30.5 x 40.6 x 0.6 cm Photography - 12 x 16 x 0.25 inch

$2,350

Photography, Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift during filming of The Misfits - USA, Nevada, Eve Arnold

Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift during filming of The Misfits - USA, Nevada

Eve Arnold

Photography - 30.5 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 12 x 16 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, GB. Women Without Men., Eve Arnold

GB. Women Without Men.

Eve Arnold

Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, USA. Marilyn Monroe. Actress & singer, Eve Arnold

USA. Marilyn Monroe. Actress & singer

Eve Arnold

Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, USA. New York. American actress Marlene Dietrich., Eve Arnold

USA. New York. American actress Marlene Dietrich.

Eve Arnold

Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, Candice BERGEN and Michael CAINE - Spain, Mallorca 1967 II, Eve Arnold

Candice BERGEN and Michael CAINE - Spain, Mallorca 1967 II

Eve Arnold

Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, USA. New York city. Actors Studio. American actor Paul Newman, Eve Arnold

USA. New York city. Actors Studio. American actor Paul Newman

Eve Arnold

Photography - 30.5 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 12 x 16 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, Candice Bergen and Michael Caine - Spain, Mallorca, Eve Arnold

Candice Bergen and Michael Caine - Spain, Mallorca

Eve Arnold

Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, USA. California. Los Angeles. Joan Crawford and Eve Arnold., Eve Arnold

USA. California. Los Angeles. Joan Crawford and Eve Arnold.

Eve Arnold

Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, USA. Long Island. A baby's first 5 minutes., Eve Arnold

USA. Long Island. A baby's first 5 minutes.

Eve Arnold

Photography - 30.5 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 12 x 16 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, USSR. Russia. Divorce., Eve Arnold

USSR. Russia. Divorce.

Eve Arnold

Photography - 30.5 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 12 x 16 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, Andy Warhol, exercising seated on the toilet, in the Silver Factory, New York., Eve Arnold

Andy Warhol, exercising seated on the toilet, in the Silver Factory, New York.

Eve Arnold

Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, USA. Nevada. Reno. Marilyn's reaction to a lucky toss. Marilyn Monroe and John Huston. 1960, Eve Arnold

USA. Nevada. Reno. Marilyn's reaction to a lucky toss. Marilyn Monroe and John Huston. 1960

Eve Arnold

Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, MP474, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP474

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP472, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP472

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP462, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP462

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP470, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP470

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP465, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP465

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP208, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP208

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP350, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP350

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP355, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP355

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP357, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP357

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP391, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP391

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP168, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP168

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP405, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP405

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP173, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP173

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP187, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP187

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP338, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP338

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP323, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP323

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 39.2 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 15.4 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP254, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP254

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP052, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP052

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP096, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP096

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP109, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP109

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP129, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP129

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP323, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP323

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP060, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP060

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP052, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP052

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP059, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP059

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP003, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP003

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP001, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP001

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Photography, MP296, Yasuo Kiyonaga

MP296

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 32.9 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$568

Print, N°78/90, Pierre-Luc Poujol

N°78/90

Pierre-Luc Poujol

Print - 76 x 57 x 0.1 cm Print - 29.9 x 22.4 x 0 inch

$398

Photography, Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, (III), Michael Grecco

Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, (III)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, (II), Michael Grecco

Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, (II)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Print, X is for Xylophonist, Peter Blake

X is for Xylophonist

Peter Blake

Print - 102.5 x 77 x 0.1 cm Print - 40.4 x 30.3 x 0 inch

$3,410

Photography, Dwight Yoakam - San Antonio, Texas, Michael Grecco

Dwight Yoakam - San Antonio, Texas

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Martin Scorsese - 2006, Michael Grecco

Martin Scorsese - 2006

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Lucy Liu - Holmby Hills, CA 1999, Michael Grecco

Lucy Liu - Holmby Hills, CA 1999

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Joaquin Phoenix - Los Angeles, CA 2002, Michael Grecco

Joaquin Phoenix - Los Angeles, CA 2002

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Drezniak, Michael Grecco

Drezniak

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, The Fabulous Billygoons, Boston, MA, 1980, Michael Grecco

The Fabulous Billygoons, Boston, MA, 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Steven Severin, and Budgie - Boston, Massachusetts Circa 1980, Michael Grecco

Siouxsie and the Banshees, Steven Severin, and Budgie - Boston, Massachusetts Circa 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Lene Lovich - Boston, Massachusetts Circa 1980, Michael Grecco

Lene Lovich - Boston, Massachusetts Circa 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, La Peste (L- R) Peter Dayton, Mark Karl, and Roger Tripp - Boston, Massachusetts, 1980, Michael Grecco

La Peste (L- R) Peter Dayton, Mark Karl, and Roger Tripp - Boston, Massachusetts, 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Killing Joke - Back Stage, Boston, Massachusetts 1980, Michael Grecco

Killing Joke - Back Stage, Boston, Massachusetts 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, The Neighborhoods - Boston, MA, Michael Grecco

The Neighborhoods - Boston, MA

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, The Neighborhoods - Boston, MA (II), Michael Grecco

The Neighborhoods - Boston, MA (II)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Members of the band the B52's - Boston, 1980, Michael Grecco

Members of the band the B52's - Boston, 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Members of the band The B-52's - Boston, 1980 (II), Michael Grecco

Members of the band The B-52's - Boston, 1980 (II)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Members of the band The B-52's - Boston, 1980 (III), Michael Grecco

Members of the band The B-52's - Boston, 1980 (III)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Members of the Buzzcocks Danny Farrant, Chris Remington, Steve D - Boston, 1980, Michael Grecco

Members of the Buzzcocks Danny Farrant, Chris Remington, Steve D - Boston, 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, The Cramps, lead guitarist Poison Ivy, Michael Grecco

The Cramps, lead guitarist Poison Ivy

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Brian Tristan - Cramps guitarist Kid Congo Powers, Michael Grecco

Brian Tristan - Cramps guitarist Kid Congo Powers

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Member of Human League, Philip Oake - Boston, MA 1980, Michael Grecco

Member of Human League, Philip Oake - Boston, MA 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Painting, Covers 13 - Black B, Joanne Freeman

Covers 13 - Black B

Joanne Freeman

Painting - 33 x 33 cm Painting - 13 x 13 inch

$1,802

Photography, Nina Hagen, Grèce, Pierre Terrasson

Nina Hagen, Grèce

Pierre Terrasson

Photography - 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$1,705

Photography, Pete Townsend, Pierre Terrasson

Pete Townsend

Pierre Terrasson

Photography - 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$1,705

Photography, Reiser, Arnaud Baumann

Reiser

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 40 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 23.6 x 0 inch

$682

Photography, Coluche - Iconic portraits, Arnaud Baumann

Coluche - Iconic portraits

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 60 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$682

Photography, Sylvana Mangano (ITA), at the Museum of Modern Art, USA, Eve Arnold

Sylvana Mangano (ITA), at the Museum of Modern Art, USA

Eve Arnold

Photography - 30.5 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 12 x 16 x 2 inch

$2,350

Photography, Dancer In The Dark (S), Tyler Shields

Dancer In The Dark (S)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 50.8 x 76.2 cm Photography - 20 x 30 inch

$10,000

Photography, Martin Scorsese - 2006, Michael Grecco

Martin Scorsese - 2006

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Members of the Buzzcocks, Danny Farrant, Chris Remington, Steve D - Boston, 1980 (II), Michael Grecco

Members of the Buzzcocks, Danny Farrant, Chris Remington, Steve D - Boston, 1980 (II)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Member of Human League, Philip Oake - Boston, MA 1980 (II), Michael Grecco

Member of Human League, Philip Oake - Boston, MA 1980 (II)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, The Cramps lead singer Lux Interior (II), Michael Grecco

The Cramps lead singer Lux Interior (II)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (IV), Michael Grecco

Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (IV)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Lou Reed - Boston, MA 1980, Michael Grecco

Lou Reed - Boston, MA 1980

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Punk Club - Boston, MA, Michael Grecco

Punk Club - Boston, MA

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Musician Elvis Costello performs live, Michael Grecco

Musician Elvis Costello performs live

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (III), Michael Grecco

Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (III)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Brian Tristan - Cramps guitarist Kid Congo Powers, Michael Grecco

Brian Tristan - Cramps guitarist Kid Congo Powers

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, The Cramps Lead singer Lux Interior (III), Michael Grecco

The Cramps Lead singer Lux Interior (III)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Member of Human League, Susan Sulley - Boston, MA 1980 (II), Michael Grecco

Member of Human League, Susan Sulley - Boston, MA 1980 (II)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Member of Philip Oakey - Boston, MA 1980 (III), Michael Grecco

Member of Philip Oakey - Boston, MA 1980 (III)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, The Cramps lead singer Lux Interior, Michael Grecco

The Cramps lead singer Lux Interior

Michael Grecco

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (II), Michael Grecco

Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (II)

Michael Grecco

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$3,000

Photography, Hat and Gloves Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Hat and Gloves Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 76.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 30 x 30 inch

$5,000

Photography, Bunny Silhouette III, Tyler Shields

Bunny Silhouette III

Tyler Shields

Photography - 76.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 30 x 30 inch

$5,000

Photography, Chateau, Tyler Shields

Chateau

Tyler Shields

Photography - 76.2 x 61 cm Photography - 30 x 24 inch

$5,000

Photography, Flower Girl, Tyler Shields

Flower Girl

Tyler Shields

Photography - 76.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 30 x 30 inch

$5,270

Photography, Cocktail, Dan Holmqvist

Cocktail

Dan Holmqvist

Photography - 100 x 70 x 0.2 cm Photography - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

$868

Photography, Cocktail Red, Dan Holmqvist

Cocktail Red

Dan Holmqvist

Photography - 100 x 70 x 0.2 cm Photography - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

$868

Black and white

Before the arrival of photography – with the exception of some etchings and lithographs – all the images we consumed were in colour. Quite simply, because no one would ever have thought to do anything else – why paint in black and white when colour was so readily available?

Yet despite this, today many photographers still choose to work in black and white – such as Pauline Théon, Kadir Von Lohuizen or Joh Lowenstein – even though their photos are taken in colour by the camera itself. Is the black and white trend a fleeting effect of fashion, or a symbolic return to the roots of the photography movement? Black and white photography has something that colour photos, despite recent innovations and the extraordinary quality of images today, cannot quite access. The use of black and white lends significant force to the composition: the contrasts, the shadows and the figures all stand out more strongly. People simply feel differently when faced with a colour photo versus a black and white image.

Colour is a distraction of sorts, a disturbance: colour is a nuisance.

And yet, some photographers still prefer colour to black and white, whilst others merge touches of colour with otherwise monochrome compositions. But in the end, all agree that both styles impose a totally different way of looking at a photo: from researching the shot to post production work, when artists develop or retouch the image. The use of colour is therefore something of a process in its own right, relating to two different ways of viewing the world and showing it others. The question, then, is what is being told, and why is it being in the way that it is?

The symbolic value of putting black and white together is a good starting point for reflecting on the fascination that they generate even today. There could not be a more fascinating, more striking ambivalence than when black, the 'colour' of darkness and burnt coal, considered a non-colour, is placed alongside white – representing light, and the result of all the colours merged together.

The problem faced by photographers today is that black and white still carry strong connotations of the past, of an era before the popularisation of colour and its massive cultural recovery amongst the press and photo journalists. In fact, it is rare now that contemporary subjects are photographed in colour, but we still associate black and white images with a retro feel.  

So what does contemporary art have to say about it all? Discover Artsper's selection of black and white works: on the border of past and present, of the real and the imaginary… let us guide you!

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