Black and white

Photography, 1858, Salvatore Arnone

1858

Salvatore Arnone

Photography - 129.8 x 99.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 51.1 x 39.3 x 0.1 inch

$3,200

Photography, 1785, Salvatore Arnone

1785

Salvatore Arnone

Photography - 129.8 x 99.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 51.1 x 39.3 x 0.1 inch

$3,200

Photography, 0946, From the series one, Salvatore Arnone

0946, From the series one

Salvatore Arnone

Photography - 129.8 x 99.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 51.1 x 39.3 x 0.1 inch

$3,200

Photography, 2877, Salvatore Arnone

2877

Salvatore Arnone

Photography - 110 x 80 x 0.3 cm Photography - 43.3 x 31.5 x 0.1 inch

$2,650

Photography, Miami Downtown 2017 16, Luca Artioli

Miami Downtown 2017 16

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Miami 02-14 02bn, Luca Artioli

Miami 02-14 02bn

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Downtown Miami nov 2013 05bn, Luca Artioli

Downtown Miami nov 2013 05bn

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Biltmore water 08invbnsolbnpart, Luca Artioli

Biltmore water 08invbnsolbnpart

Luca Artioli

Photography - 101.6 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Miami Stripes 09 02bn, Luca Artioli

Miami Stripes 09 02bn

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Old cars Miami 06bn., Luca Artioli

Old cars Miami 06bn.

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Miami Downtown 13bn, Luca Artioli

Miami Downtown 13bn

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Miami 10partbn2, Luca Artioli

Miami 10partbn2

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$4,999

Photography, Art Deco ott.c, Luca Artioli

Art Deco ott.c

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Art Deco ott.b., Luca Artioli

Art Deco ott.b.

Luca Artioli

Photography - 114.3 x 177.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 45 x 70 x 0.1 inch

$4,999

Photography, A fatal pass, trenches in the Italian Alps., Luca Artioli

A fatal pass, trenches in the Italian Alps.

Luca Artioli

Photography - 101.6 x 68.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 40 x 27 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, A Fatal Pass, Luca Artioli

A Fatal Pass

Luca Artioli

Photography - 101.6 x 68.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 40 x 27 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, A fatal pass, war remains emerging from the snow., Luca Artioli

A fatal pass, war remains emerging from the snow.

Luca Artioli

Photography - 68.6 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 40 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, A Fatal Pass, The Window on the enemy, Luca Artioli

A Fatal Pass, The Window on the enemy

Luca Artioli

Photography - 68.6 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 40 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, A Fatal Pass, entrance to the inferno, Luca Artioli

A Fatal Pass, entrance to the inferno

Luca Artioli

Photography - 68.6 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 40 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, A Fatal Pass, The Cave. (1), Luca Artioli

A Fatal Pass, The Cave. (1)

Luca Artioli

Photography - 68.6 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 40 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, A Fatal Pass, The Cave., Luca Artioli

A Fatal Pass, The Cave.

Luca Artioli

Photography - 68.6 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 40 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Photography, Miami Stripes 01, Luca Artioli

Miami Stripes 01

Luca Artioli

Photography - 61 x 76.2 x 0.3 cm Photography - 24 x 30 x 0.1 inch

$3,000

Photography, Grande rue, Nancy, Julie Peiffer

Grande rue, Nancy

Julie Peiffer

Photography - 30 x 30 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 inch

$331

Photography, Untitled, From the series Balance, Salvatore Arnone

Untitled, From the series Balance

Salvatore Arnone

Photography - 127 x 88.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 50 x 35 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Birds, Gonçalo Martins

Birds

Gonçalo Martins

Photography - 19.5 x 19.5 x 0.1 cm Photography - 7.7 x 7.7 x 0 inch

$163

Photography, Philharmonie Nouvel, Loic Flament

Philharmonie Nouvel

Loic Flament

Photography - 106 x 70 cm Photography - 41.7 x 27.6 inch

$2,472

Photography, Autoportrait, Pavlo Mazai

Autoportrait

Pavlo Mazai

Photography - 40 x 60 x 2 cm Photography - 15.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$4,495

Photography, 58687, Gonçalo Martins

58687

Gonçalo Martins

Photography - 19 x 19 x 0.1 cm Photography - 7.5 x 7.5 x 0 inch

$112

Photography, Natura Morta, From Paranoia series, Salvatore Arnone

Natura Morta, From Paranoia series

Salvatore Arnone

Photography - 88.9 x 127 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 50 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Rue de Paris  1915 Paris street, Eugène Druet

Rue de Paris 1915 Paris street

Eugène Druet

Photography - 42 x 54 x 0.5 cm Photography - 16.5 x 21.3 x 0.2 inch

$2,753

Photography, 1915 Eaux mystérieuse Mysterious waters, Eugène Druet

1915 Eaux mystérieuse Mysterious waters

Eugène Druet

Photography - 43 x 54 cm Photography - 16.9 x 21.3 inch

$3,315

Photography, 1908 Deep Ocean, Eugène Druet

1908 Deep Ocean

Eugène Druet

Photography - 59 x 50 x 0.5 cm Photography - 23.2 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

$3,315

Photography, 1910 Bord de mer  Seaside, Eugène Druet

1910 Bord de mer Seaside

Eugène Druet

Photography - 59 x 50 x 0.5 cm Photography - 23.2 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

$3,315

Photography, Cliff Richard, Harry Hammond

Cliff Richard

Harry Hammond

Photography - 50.8 x 50.8 cm Photography - 20 x 20 inch

$326

Photography, People, Milano. From the Mundo da Sombras Series, Guilherme Licurgo

People, Milano. From the Mundo da Sombras Series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Bubble Bath I, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Guilherme Licurgo

Bubble Bath I, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Lost in the fog II. From the Brazil and beyond series, Guilherme Licurgo

Lost in the fog II. From the Brazil and beyond series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Shadow. From the Mundo da Sombras Series, Guilherme Licurgo

Shadow. From the Mundo da Sombras Series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, As Palomas. From the Mundo da Sombras Series, Guilherme Licurgo

As Palomas. From the Mundo da Sombras Series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Angula. From the Rio de Janeiro series, Guilherme Licurgo

Angula. From the Rio de Janeiro series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Taxi. From the Rio de Janeiro series, Guilherme Licurgo

Taxi. From the Rio de Janeiro series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Capoeira. From the Rio de Janeiro series, Guilherme Licurgo

Capoeira. From the Rio de Janeiro series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Pão De Açucar, Rio De Janeiro, Guilherme Licurgo

Pão De Açucar, Rio De Janeiro

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 58.4 x 88.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23 x 35 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, All about love, Paris. From the  Mundo da Sombras Series, Guilherme Licurgo

All about love, Paris. From the Mundo da Sombras Series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Naval Battle. From the Brazil and Beyond series, Guilherme Licurgo

Naval Battle. From the Brazil and Beyond series

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Checkmate mundo de sombras, Milan, Guilherme Licurgo

Checkmate mundo de sombras, Milan

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Gothic – Milan, Guilherme Licurgo

Gothic – Milan

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Madoc Emrys and Malen, Jacqueline  Roberts

Madoc Emrys and Malen

Jacqueline Roberts

Photography - 100 x 80 cm Photography - 39.4 x 31.5 inch

$5,057

Print, Zodiac 4 - Taurus, Vasil Angelov

Zodiac 4 - Taurus

Vasil Angelov

Print - 15 x 15 x 0.2 cm Print - 5.9 x 5.9 x 0.1 inch

$101 $91

Photography, 3K Project - Untitled N° 01, Steeve Bauras

3K Project - Untitled N° 01

Steeve Bauras

Photography - 80 x 120 x 4 cm Photography - 31.5 x 47.2 x 1.6 inch

$3,933

Painting, Khostangel II, Elodie Dollat

Khostangel II

Elodie Dollat

Painting - 116 x 89 x 4 cm Painting - 45.7 x 35 x 1.6 inch

$6,405

Photography, Egg, Sao Paulo, Guilherme Licurgo

Egg, Sao Paulo

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, Cry Me a River Belem Do Para, Guilherme Licurgo

Cry Me a River Belem Do Para

Guilherme Licurgo

Photography - 88.9 x 58.4 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35 x 23 x 0.1 inch

$2,500

Photography, La série : Orogenèse - Le Gray, Joan Fontcuberta

La série : Orogenèse - Le Gray

Joan Fontcuberta

Photography - 75 x 100 cm Photography - 29.5 x 39.4 inch

$11,237

Photography, Bear behind a fern, Heikki Willamo

Bear behind a fern

Heikki Willamo

Photography - 37 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 14.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$3,708

Sculpture, Vie secrète, Guillaume Lachapelle

Vie secrète

Guillaume Lachapelle

Sculpture - 15 x 12 x 11 cm Sculpture - 5.9 x 4.7 x 4.3 inch

$2,800

Sculpture, Hello (Hallo), Poren Huang

Hello (Hallo)

Poren Huang

Sculpture - 26 x 12 x 21 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 4.7 x 8.3 inch

$4,821

Photography, Digue, Charles Bayonne

Digue

Charles Bayonne

Photography - 40 x 60 x 5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 23.6 x 2 inch

$618

Photography, Sur les toits, Charles Bayonne

Sur les toits

Charles Bayonne

Photography - 40 x 60 x 5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 23.6 x 2 inch

$618

Photography, Falaise, Charles Bayonne

Falaise

Charles Bayonne

Photography - 40 x 60 x 5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 23.6 x 2 inch

$618

Photography, Light as a stone, Chiara Mazzocchi

Light as a stone

Chiara Mazzocchi

Photography - 50 x 70 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.7 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

$556

Photography, Totem suit, Farah Slimani

Totem suit

Farah Slimani

Photography - 65 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 25.6 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,686

Photography, Portrait de sculpteurs du Musée des Sables, John Craven né Conte

Portrait de sculpteurs du Musée des Sables

John Craven né Conte

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.5 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch

$3,259

Photography, Portrait MOON SHIN, John Craven né Conte

Portrait MOON SHIN

John Craven né Conte

Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

$3,259

Photography, MOON SHIN Portrait et Sculpture, John Craven né Conte

MOON SHIN Portrait et Sculpture

John Craven né Conte

Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

$3,259

Photography, MOON SHIN Portrait au chien, John Craven né Conte

MOON SHIN Portrait au chien

John Craven né Conte

Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

$3,259

Photography, MOON SHIN Portait dans sculpture blanche, John Craven né Conte

MOON SHIN Portait dans sculpture blanche

John Craven né Conte

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.5 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch

$3,259

Photography, Moon Shin, Portrait à la cigarette, John Craven né Conte

Moon Shin, Portrait à la cigarette

John Craven né Conte

Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

$3,259

Photography, Moon Shin totem Lia, Musée des Sables, John Craven né Conte

Moon Shin totem Lia, Musée des Sables

John Craven né Conte

Photography - 40 x 40 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 inch

$4,382

Photography, The way it was, Richard Kelley

The way it was

Richard Kelley

Photography - 50 x 75 x 4 cm Photography - 19.7 x 29.5 x 1.6 inch

$618

Photography, Marie Agnes Gillot - Opera National de Paris, Philippe Robert

Marie Agnes Gillot - Opera National de Paris

Philippe Robert

Photography - 87 x 120 x 2 cm Photography - 34.3 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

$14,046

Photography, NEW YORK - Fashion show, OverSide

NEW YORK - Fashion show

OverSide

Photography - 60 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

$393

Photography, Vertigo - Photographie argentique - Paris, Jules Gorce

Vertigo - Photographie argentique - Paris

Jules Gorce

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

$787

Photography, Sex, Love..., Eric Bouvet

Sex, Love...

Eric Bouvet

Photography - 150 x 100 x 2 cm Photography - 59.1 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$3,371

Photography, Egg Study 17, Shine Huang

Egg Study 17

Shine Huang

Photography - 53.3 x 35.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 21 x 14 x 0.1 inch

$2,400

Photography, Egg Study 11, Shine Huang

Egg Study 11

Shine Huang

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

$2,400

Photography, Egg Study 9, Shine Huang

Egg Study 9

Shine Huang

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

$2,400

Photography, Egg Study 8, Shine Huang

Egg Study 8

Shine Huang

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

$2,400

Photography, Egg Study 5, Silver Gelatin Print, Shine Huang

Egg Study 5, Silver Gelatin Print

Shine Huang

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

$2,400

Photography, Egg Study 4 , Silver Gelatin Print, Shine Huang

Egg Study 4 , Silver Gelatin Print

Shine Huang

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

$2,400

Photography, Global warming 1.5, Franck Guedj

Global warming 1.5

Franck Guedj

Photography - 53 x 150 x 1 cm Photography - 20.9 x 59.1 x 0.4 inch

$4,382

Photography, Ancient Page, Shine Huang

Ancient Page

Shine Huang

Photography - 81.3 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 32 x 40 x 0.1 inch

$3,500

Photography, Spice Bowl, Shine Huang

Spice Bowl

Shine Huang

Photography - 101.6 x 81.3 x 0.3 cm Photography - 40 x 32 x 0.1 inch

$3,500

Photography, Finger Drum, Shine Huang

Finger Drum

Shine Huang

Photography - 101.6 x 81.3 x 0.3 cm Photography - 40 x 32 x 0.1 inch

$3,500

Photography, Jebana, Shine Huang

Jebana

Shine Huang

Photography - 101.6 x 81.3 x 0.3 cm Photography - 40 x 32 x 0.1 inch

$3,500

Photography, Chair, Shine Huang

Chair

Shine Huang

Photography - 101.6 x 81.3 x 0.3 cm Photography - 40 x 32 x 0.1 inch

$3,500

Photography, Sample space urban 2.2, Franck Guedj

Sample space urban 2.2

Franck Guedj

Photography - 120 x 80 x 1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch

$3,259

Photography, Impulse 1.0, Franck Guedj

Impulse 1.0

Franck Guedj

Photography - 100 x 150 x 10 cm Photography - 39.4 x 59.1 x 3.9 inch

$4,382

Photography, Mouvement 3.3, Franck Guedj

Mouvement 3.3

Franck Guedj

Photography - 120 x 80 x 10 cm Photography - 47.2 x 31.5 x 3.9 inch

$4,382

Photography, Banana leaves #10, Ed Reddon

Banana leaves #10

Ed Reddon

Photography - 21 x 14 cm Photography - 8.3 x 5.5 inch

$79

Photography, Banana leaves #1, Ed Reddon

Banana leaves #1

Ed Reddon

Photography - 21 x 14 cm Photography - 8.3 x 5.5 inch

$79

Painting, Accumulation Orange (013), Ditno 83

Accumulation Orange (013)

Ditno 83

Painting - 130 x 97 x 3 cm Painting - 51.2 x 38.2 x 1.2 inch

$2,922

Painting, Collision 5, Ditno 83

Collision 5

Ditno 83

Painting - 116 x 89 x 2.5 cm Painting - 45.7 x 35 x 1 inch

$2,697

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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