Portrait Photography for Sale
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Rio Carnaval Shape Sublime
Anthony Horth
Photography - 61 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 24 x 20 x 0.1 inch
$780
Rio Carnaval 2017 Brazil
Anthony Horth
Photography - 50.8 x 61 x 0.5 cm Photography - 20 x 24 x 0.2 inch
$760
Carnaval Duo Excitement
Anthony Horth
Photography - 61 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Photography - 24 x 20 x 0.2 inch
$760
Out of the Blue
David Law
Photography - 80 x 80 x 0.5 cm Photography - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.2 inch
$2,262
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
Destruyendo Metáforas #2
Léa Bon
Photography - 50 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.69 x 11.81 x 0.1 inch
$1,000
Destruyendo Metáforas
Léa Bon
Photography - 50 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.69 x 11.81 x 0.1 inch
$1,000
Occult Games #4
Léa Bon
Photography - 75 x 50 x 0.3 cm Photography - 29.53 x 19.68 x 0.1 inch
$1,500
Lines that lead to perfection
John Kenny
Photography - 90 x 60 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
$3,309
Nuit rouge
Philippe Martins
Photography - 90 x 90 x 0.4 cm Photography - 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.2 inch
$961
Francis Joyon
Christophe Paucelier
Photography - 60 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$1,074
Attente, La Havane 994
Jean-Robert Franco
Photography - 60 x 90 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 inch
$2,827
Lost & found (3)
Théo Gosselin
Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch
$2,488
Aguaje awaiting transport, Dublin
Carlos Pericás
Photography - 18 x 13 cm Photography - 7.1 x 5.1 inch
$187
Lady of Naggaroth 1
Léa Bon
Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
Elvis Presley from the Castelloland series.
Paloma Castello
Photography - 69.9 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.5 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch
$1,250
Mata Hari
Paloma Castello
Photography - 119.9 x 83.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 47.2 x 33 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
Rudolph Valentino from the Castelloland series.
Paloma Castello
Photography - 119.9 x 83.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 47.2 x 33 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
Marlon Brando from the Castelloland series.
Paloma Castello
Photography - 69.9 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.5 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch
$1,250
Teatrino from the Castelloland series.
Paloma Castello
Photography - 69.9 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.5 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch
$1,250
Hedy Lamar from the Castelloland series.
Paloma Castello
Photography - 69.9 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.5 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch
$1,250
Delirio Exótico #5
Paloma Castello
Photography - 119.9 x 82.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 47.2 x 32.6 x 0.1 inch
$1,500
Sidney Poitier, from the Castelloland series
Paloma Castello
Photography - 83.8 x 119.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 33 x 47.2 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
Marlene Dietrich, from the Castelloland series
Paloma Castello
Photography - 83.8 x 119.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 33 x 47.2 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
James Dean from the Castelloland series
Paloma Castello
Photography - 119.9 x 83.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 47.2 x 33 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
Invisible Identity
Robert Jaso
Photography - 57 x 41 x 0.1 cm Photography - 22.4 x 16.1 x 0 inch
$3,110
Invisible Complexity
Robert Jaso
Photography - 57 x 41 x 0.1 cm Photography - 22.4 x 16.1 x 0 inch
$3,110
Silent Contradiction
Robert Jaso
Photography - 57 x 41 x 1 cm Photography - 22.4 x 16.1 x 0.4 inch
$3,110
Nameless Mystery
Robert Jaso
Photography - 57 x 41 x 1 cm Photography - 22.4 x 16.1 x 0.4 inch
$3,110
No face, No Identity
Robert Jaso
Photography - 57 x 41 x 1 cm Photography - 22.4 x 16.1 x 0.4 inch
$3,110
A Faceless State
Robert Jaso
Photography - 100 x 100 x 1 cm Photography - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch
$2,771
Girl standing by the sea
Pedro Correa
Photography - 100 x 80 x 1 cm Photography - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch
$6,672
Elvis Presley, Tropical Island
Paloma Castello
Photography - 101.6 x 76.2 x 0.3 cm Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
Hipster in Stone VII, Hoplite
Léo Caillard
Photography - 80 x 120 cm Photography - 31.5 x 47.2 inch
$4,071
Homme à la barbe
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
Joueur de Guitare 1915 Guitar player
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,635
1915 La liseuse The reader
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Lady à la robe noire Lady with black dress
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Fille en décolleté
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Lady au chapeau Lady with hat
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 La fille au livre Girl with book
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Marie en déshabillé de soie
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Amélie mutine
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Jeune femme Young woman
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Femme brune Brunette
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Femme au chignon
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Madame Bernheim au canapé
Eugène Druet
Photography - 43 x 54 x 0.5 cm Photography - 16.9 x 21.3 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Bacchus
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 x 0.5 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Lecture Reading
Eugène Druet
Photography - 43 x 54 x 0.5 cm Photography - 16.9 x 21.3 x 0.2 inch
$1,640
1915 Le fichu brodé ALICE Embroidered scarf
Eugène Druet
Photography - 54 x 43 cm Photography - 21.3 x 16.9 inch
$2,205
Chanel Autrement / Madame Frida.
Franck Doat
Photography - 30 x 25 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 9.8 x 0 inch
$622
Lucia at eleven
Cristina Fontsare
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$905
Lucia and Tika
Cristina Fontsare
Photography - 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$1,131
The hood is falling short
Cristina Fontsare
Photography - 40 x 51 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 20.1 x 0 inch
$1,131
Lucia at thirteen
Cristina Fontsare
Photography - 40 x 51 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 20.1 x 0 inch
$1,131
El Reflejo
Cristina Fontsare
Photography - 60 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$1,244 $1,120
Sombra, Serie Pasaporte Santiago
Sonia Almaguer
Photography - 36 x 24 x 2 cm Photography - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
$1,696
Reyes, Serie Pasaporte Santiago
Sonia Almaguer
Photography - 36 x 24 x 2 cm Photography - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
$1,696
Caracol, Serie Pasaporte Santiago
Sonia Almaguer
Photography - 36 x 24 x 2 cm Photography - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
$1,696
Dama. Serie Pasaporte Santiago
Sonia Almaguer
Photography - 36 x 24 x 2 cm Photography - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
$1,696
Pregonera, Serie Pasaporte Santiago
Sonia Almaguer
Photography - 36 x 24 x 2 cm Photography - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
$1,696
La Catalina. De la serie Como antes
Sonia Almaguer
Photography - 36 x 24 x 2 cm Photography - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
$1,696
Serie Callejeros musicales 2
Sonia Almaguer
Photography - 24 x 32 x 2 cm Photography - 9.4 x 12.6 x 0.8 inch
$1,357
S/T de la Serie Callejeros musicales (1)
Sonia Almaguer
Photography - 32 x 24 x 2 cm Photography - 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
$1,357
Korean dreams, North Korea 10
Nathalie Daoust
Photography - 50 x 50 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 inch
$1,244
Korean dreams, North Korea 7
Nathalie Daoust
Photography - 50 x 75 cm Photography - 19.7 x 29.5 inch
$1,244
Discover the styles & movements
Discover the selection of our experts
Portrait Photography for Sale
In the 1830s, Nièpce discovered the process for setting images onto pewter plates. In 1833, upon Nièpce's death, Louis Daguerre and François Arago continued his experiments and invented the daguerreotype, a process which created a printed image on a silver plate that had been exposed to light. Photography was born.
Similarly to how portrait painting had dominated artistic output in previous centuries, portrait photography was to become the pillar of the Second French Empire's photographic industry. Lenses with a shorter focal length, which enabled reduced exposure times, gradually appear on the market. The required equipment was expensive and difficult to handle. Some photographers, called daguerreotypists, decided to open their own photography studios to make a profit from their endeavours. The daguerreotype process was temperamental, and photographers had to take their pictures with great precision and attention to detail. They welcomed many people into their studios and customers choose how they wished to be photographed from catalogue of poses. Originally only accessible to the bourgeoisie, lower prices resulting from the growing number of studios eventually attracted a wider customer base. This phenomenon infuriated the poet Charles Baudelaire who was frustrated by the sense of narcissism sparked by the daguerreotypists.
Despite his protests, the egotistical trend only grew with the emergence of 'carte de visite' portraits (small photographs, the size of today's business cards). These were the brainchild of Adolphe Eugène Disdéri came up with the idea of producing portraits akin to visiting cards in 1859. He printed eight portraits in a variety of poses onto a single plate and once developed they could be cut up into eight distinct “visiting cards". Very popular with the bourgeoisie, they highlighted the sitters' social status. 'Carte de visite' portraits featuring celebrities were also sold to customers, who could subsequently add them to their albums.
The photographer Nadar was one of the first to demonstrate a conscious artistic approach to producing these portraits. He emphasised facial expressions and ensured the sitter was comfortable and at ease before taking the photograph. He photographed the era's greatest thinkers and artists, including Honoré de Balzac, George Sand, and Victor Hugo. He even managed to reconcile Baudelaire with portraiture.
At the end of the 19th century, the art of photography started to enter the mainstream, with the arrival of the Kodak company. The use of the camera, and the taking of portraits, became everyday occurrences. A century later, it was the invention of the digital camera which challenged the status quo. Whereas before alterations could only be made to photographs when they were being taken or developed, with the digital camera editing became easier, quicker and more convenient. Digital photography has given photographers much more freedom when it comes to editing and new methods and techniques are constantly being explored.
Some of the photographers who have left their mark on the last century include: Cindy Sherman, who excelled in self-portraits, Annie Leibovitz, who captured celebrities, the wacky duo, Pierre and Gilles, as well as Diane Arbus, Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton and Bettina Rheims.
So, do portraits help us to learn more about each other, to remember, to invent, to act, or to reconnect with ourselves? Find out on Artsper, by exploring the works of Formento & Formento, Naomi Vona, Ahmed Bennani, Chou Ching Hui, Samuel Cueto, Brno del Zou, Ren Hang, Markus + Indrani, Jerome Liebling as well as Annina Roescheisen.
A portrait photograph can be a photograph of a person's head and shoulders, but it can also be of an animal or of a different section of the subject's body such as their feet. Portrait photographs in art often tell or hint something about its subject to the viewer, such as an aspect of their personality, but still contain an element of mystery.
The three major types of portrait photography are posed portraits, candid or anonymous portraits, and conceptual portraits. The last type, conceptual or creative portraits, can be experimental and abstract, and may not represent an image close to a traditional portrait.
The six main types of portrait photography are fine art portraits, traditional portraits (for example posed portraits taken at school), lifestyle portraits, group portraits, street portraits and glamour portraits.