Black and white

Photography, Contemplum #010, Dani Garcia Sarabia

Contemplum #010

Dani Garcia Sarabia

Photography - 33 x 50 x 0.03 cm Photography - 13 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$953

Photography, Contemplum #009, Dani Garcia Sarabia

Contemplum #009

Dani Garcia Sarabia

Photography - 50 x 33 x 0.03 cm Photography - 19.7 x 13 x 0 inch

$953

Photography, Dizzy Gillespie, Philippe Gras

Dizzy Gillespie

Philippe Gras

Photography - 40 x 60 x 0.3 cm Photography - 15.7 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,065

Painting, Apples, Evgeny Chernyakovsky

Apples

Evgeny Chernyakovsky

Painting - 79.8 x 69.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 31.4 x 27.5 x 1 inch

$2,005

Photography, Seascape Untitled (f66) (Identity promises series), Imanol Marrodán

Seascape Untitled (f66) (Identity promises series)

Imanol Marrodán

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$953

Photography, Imagen del mundo flotante, Imanol Marrodán

Imagen del mundo flotante

Imanol Marrodán

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$953

Photography, Valle Oscuru, Imanol Marrodán

Valle Oscuru

Imanol Marrodán

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$953

Photography, Frozen trees 1, Imanol Marrodán

Frozen trees 1

Imanol Marrodán

Photography - 39 x 50.6 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.4 x 19.9 x 0 inch

$1,233

Photography, Lelo VI, Cristina Aldehuela

Lelo VI

Cristina Aldehuela

Photography - 60 x 90 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 inch

$2,231

Photography, Lelo VII, Cristina Aldehuela

Lelo VII

Cristina Aldehuela

Photography - 60 x 90 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 inch

$2,231

Photography, Just listen to the songbirds harmony, Elena Raceala

Just listen to the songbirds harmony

Elena Raceala

Photography - 50.8 x 76.2 x 0.3 cm Photography - 20 x 30 x 0.1 inch

$1,054

Photography, Camp Nou III, Cristina Aldehuela

Camp Nou III

Cristina Aldehuela

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

$897

Photography, Tomorow is another day, Elena Raceala

Tomorow is another day

Elena Raceala

Photography - 61 x 91.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 24 x 36 x 0.1 inch

$987

Photography, Defining Shadows IV, Maureen J Haldeman

Defining Shadows IV

Maureen J Haldeman

Photography - 61 x 45.7 x 0.6 cm Photography - 24 x 18 x 0.25 inch

$750

Photography, I will always be here for you, Elena Raceala

I will always be here for you

Elena Raceala

Photography - 61 x 91.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 24 x 36 x 0.1 inch

$1,065

Photography, The himba, Faie Davis

The himba

Faie Davis

Photography - 85.8 x 76.8 x 0.25 cm Photography - 33.8 x 30.2 x 0.1 inch

$1,500

Photography, Architects Anonymous, Alexander Benz

Architects Anonymous

Alexander Benz

Photography - 80 x 80 x 0.1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0 inch

$2,018

Painting, Griffe Noire, Akiza

Griffe Noire

Akiza

Painting - 65 x 34 x 1 cm Painting - 25.6 x 13.4 x 0.4 inch

$628

Photography, Resistance, Jean-Charles Mandou

Resistance

Jean-Charles Mandou

Photography - 66 x 100 cm Photography - 26 x 39.4 inch

$2,018

Photography, Les Chevelus, Jean-Charles Mandou

Les Chevelus

Jean-Charles Mandou

Photography - 100 x 100 cm Photography - 39.4 x 39.4 inch

$1,233

Photography, Untitled (3640), Jean-Charles Mandou

Untitled (3640)

Jean-Charles Mandou

Photography - 100 x 100 cm Photography - 39.4 x 39.4 inch

$1,233

Photography, Lines that lead to perfection, John Kenny

Lines that lead to perfection

John Kenny

Photography - 90 x 60 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$3,314

Photography, Lost & Found, Théo Gosselin

Lost & Found

Théo Gosselin

Photography - 20 x 30 x 2 cm Photography - 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

$448

Photography, Où est Charlie ? VII, Tanguy Mendrisse

Où est Charlie ? VII

Tanguy Mendrisse

Photography - 30 x 24 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 9.4 x 0 inch

$140

Painting, My Kid Just Ruined My Kaws, Ziegler T

My Kid Just Ruined My Kaws

Ziegler T

Painting - 56 x 76 cm Painting - 22 x 29.9 inch

$336

Photography, Absorbés par le temps - 5, Clara Cena

Absorbés par le temps - 5

Clara Cena

Photography - 60 x 60 x 0.2 cm Photography - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch

$650

Painting, Le Bar Fer à Cheval, Carlo Maiolini

Le Bar Fer à Cheval

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,738

Painting, Paris la Nuit, Carlo Maiolini

Paris la Nuit

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,626

Painting, Le Bateau Lavoir, Carlo Maiolini

Le Bateau Lavoir

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,850

Painting, Le Jour se Lève, Carlo Maiolini

Le Jour se Lève

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$1,065

Painting, Sous le Pont, Carlo Maiolini

Sous le Pont

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$953

Painting, Chez Louise, Carlo Maiolini

Chez Louise

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,850

Painting, Hôtel du Nord, Carlo Maiolini

Hôtel du Nord

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,850

Painting, Après la Pluie, Carlo Maiolini

Après la Pluie

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,626

Painting, Le Bistrot du Coin, Carlo Maiolini

Le Bistrot du Coin

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,850

Painting, Jour de Pluie, Carlo Maiolini

Jour de Pluie

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$897

Painting, L'Envol, Carlo Maiolini

L'Envol

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 110 x 91 x 2 cm Painting - 43.3 x 35.8 x 0.8 inch

$1,850

Painting, Les Grandes Ombres, Carlo Maiolini

Les Grandes Ombres

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,345

Painting, Sur la Butte, Carlo Maiolini

Sur la Butte

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$1,065

Painting, Ombre Portée, Carlo Maiolini

Ombre Portée

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$1,009

Painting, Porte des Lilas, Carlo Maiolini

Porte des Lilas

Carlo Maiolini

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,401

Print, Pulmo marinus 3, Marie-Noëlle Deverre

Pulmo marinus 3

Marie-Noëlle Deverre

Print - 60 x 60 x 0.2 cm Print - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch

$538

Photography, Skulls, Hugh Turvey

Skulls

Hugh Turvey

Photography - 60 x 120 cm Photography - 23.6 x 47.2 inch

$2,386

Photography, Red Rose, Hugh Turvey

Red Rose

Hugh Turvey

Photography - 100 x 100 cm Photography - 39.4 x 39.4 inch

$2,917

Painting, Otras danzas, escena 4, Marta Lafuente

Otras danzas, escena 4

Marta Lafuente

Painting - 28 x 65 cm Painting - 11 x 25.6 inch

$729

Painting, Otras danzas, escena 3, Marta Lafuente

Otras danzas, escena 3

Marta Lafuente

Painting - 34 x 66 cm Painting - 13.4 x 26 inch

$785

Painting, Otras danzas, escena 2, Marta Lafuente

Otras danzas, escena 2

Marta Lafuente

Painting - 28 x 66 cm Painting - 11 x 26 inch

$729

Painting, Otras danzas, escena 1, Marta Lafuente

Otras danzas, escena 1

Marta Lafuente

Painting - 34 x 66 cm Painting - 13.4 x 26 inch

$785

Photography, Untitled, New York Series 18, Luca Battaglia

Untitled, New York Series 18

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 80 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0 inch

$897

Photography, Untitled, New York Series 3, Luca Battaglia

Untitled, New York Series 3

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 80 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0 inch

$897

Photography, Untitled, New York Series 2, Luca Battaglia

Untitled, New York Series 2

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 80 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0 inch

$897

Photography, 24 Décembre 2022 - Paris, Luca Battaglia

24 Décembre 2022 - Paris

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 2 décembre 2022 - Lisboa, Luca Battaglia

2 décembre 2022 - Lisboa

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 23 octobre 2022 - Deauville, Luca Battaglia

23 octobre 2022 - Deauville

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 24 septembre 2022 - Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

24 septembre 2022 - Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 30 décembre 2021 - Paris, Luca Battaglia

30 décembre 2021 - Paris

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 26 septembre 2021 - Paris, Luca Battaglia

26 septembre 2021 - Paris

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 12 janvier 2020 - Paris, Luca Battaglia

12 janvier 2020 - Paris

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 29 décembre 2019 - Lens, Luca Battaglia

29 décembre 2019 - Lens

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 30 décembre 2018 - Palermo, Luca Battaglia

30 décembre 2018 - Palermo

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 10 Mai 2018 - Paris, Luca Battaglia

10 Mai 2018 - Paris

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 10 mai 2018 - Paris, Luca Battaglia

10 mai 2018 - Paris

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 28 janvier 2018 - Trouville sur Mer, Luca Battaglia

28 janvier 2018 - Trouville sur Mer

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 30 décembre 2021 - Paris, Luca Battaglia

30 décembre 2021 - Paris

Luca Battaglia

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

$1,121

Photography, 1 novembre 2021 - Deauville, Luca Battaglia

1 novembre 2021 - Deauville

Luca Battaglia

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

$1,121

Photography, 31 octobre 2021 - Deauville, Luca Battaglia

31 octobre 2021 - Deauville

Luca Battaglia

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

$1,121

Photography, 21 août 2018 - New York, Luca Battaglia

21 août 2018 - New York

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 30 décembre 2021 - Paris, Luca Battaglia

30 décembre 2021 - Paris

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, 20 aout 2017 - Le Havre, Luca Battaglia

20 aout 2017 - Le Havre

Luca Battaglia

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

$1,121

Photography, 10 janvier 2016 - Hambourg, Luca Battaglia

10 janvier 2016 - Hambourg

Luca Battaglia

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

$1,121

Photography, Barman danseur, Arnaud Baumann

Barman danseur

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 120 x 80 x 0.1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0 inch

$3,251

Photography, I would have liked to know the world as it was, Idan Wizen

I would have liked to know the world as it was

Idan Wizen

Photography - 120 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 47.2 x 0 inch

$2,803

Photography, Fière, Mathieu Pujol

Fière

Mathieu Pujol

Photography - 150 x 100 x 0.1 cm Photography - 59.1 x 39.4 x 0 inch

$2,803

Photography, Untitled 29, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 29, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 28, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 28, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 27, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 27, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 26, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 26, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 25, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 25, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 24, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 24, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 23, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 23, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 22, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 22, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 21, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 21, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 20, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 20, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 19, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 19, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 18, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 18, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 17, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 17, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 16, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 16, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 15, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 15, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 14, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 14, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 13, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 13, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 12, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 12, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 11, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 11, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

Photography, Untitled 10, Tbilisi, Luca Battaglia

Untitled 10, Tbilisi

Luca Battaglia

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch

$1,121

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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