Black and white

Photography, Bain de soleil à l'abri, Deauville, Christelle Yambayisa

Bain de soleil à l'abri, Deauville

Christelle Yambayisa

Photography - 70 x 105 x 1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0.4 inch

€2,800

Photography, Premier Contact, Christelle Yambayisa

Premier Contact

Christelle Yambayisa

Photography - 70 x 105 x 2 cm Photography - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0.8 inch

€2,800

Photography, Sans Titre, Jean-François Spricigo

Sans Titre

Jean-François Spricigo

Photography - 22 x 57 x 1 cm Photography - 8.7 x 22.4 x 0.4 inch

€2,800

Photography, Sans Titre, Jean-François Spricigo

Sans Titre

Jean-François Spricigo

Photography - 27.5 x 27.5 x 1 cm Photography - 10.8 x 10.8 x 0.4 inch

€2,400

Photography, Sans Titre, Jean-François Spricigo

Sans Titre

Jean-François Spricigo

Photography - 27.5 x 27.5 x 1 cm Photography - 10.8 x 10.8 x 0.4 inch

€2,400

Photography, Sans titre, Jean-François Spricigo

Sans titre

Jean-François Spricigo

Photography - 30 x 26 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 10.2 x 0.4 inch

€2,600

Photography, Reflection, Drew Doggett

Reflection

Drew Doggett

Photography - 45.7 x 68.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 18 x 27 x 0.1 inch

€1,583

Photography, Regal, Drew Doggett

Regal

Drew Doggett

Photography - 68.6 x 45.7 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 18 x 0.1 inch

€1,583

Photography, Retreat, Drew Doggett

Retreat

Drew Doggett

Photography - 68.6 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 20 x 0.1 inch

€1,823

Photography, Rushing Waters, Drew Doggett

Rushing Waters

Drew Doggett

Photography - 45.7 x 68.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 18 x 27 x 0.1 inch

€1,823

Photography, Sanctuary, Drew Doggett

Sanctuary

Drew Doggett

Photography - 45.7 x 68.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 18 x 27 x 0.1 inch

€1,823

Photography, The Chase, Drew Doggett

The Chase

Drew Doggett

Photography - 68.6 x 45.7 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 18 x 0.1 inch

€1,583

Photography, Marilyn in the wedding veil, Bert Stern

Marilyn in the wedding veil

Bert Stern

Photography - 33 x 48 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 inch

€2,490

Photography, Marilyn Rare Black Dress (1962), Bert Stern

Marilyn Rare Black Dress (1962)

Bert Stern

Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€2,490

Photography, BW Betta 30, Michael Filonow

BW Betta 30

Michael Filonow

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

€441

Photography, White Hart Lane, Gerry Cranham

White Hart Lane

Gerry Cranham

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

€1,500

Print, Astrologie poétique IV, Pierre Alechinsky

Astrologie poétique IV

Pierre Alechinsky

Print - 27 x 32.5 cm Print - 10.6 x 12.8 inch

€700

Print, Astrologie poétique III, Pierre Alechinsky

Astrologie poétique III

Pierre Alechinsky

Print - 27 x 32.5 cm Print - 10.6 x 12.8 inch

€700

Print, Astrologie poétique I, Pierre Alechinsky

Astrologie poétique I

Pierre Alechinsky

Print - 27 x 32.5 cm Print - 10.6 x 12.8 inch

€700

Photography, Silver, Kalliope Amorphous

Silver

Kalliope Amorphous

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.05 inch

€2,111

Photography, Broken Mirror, Kalliope Amorphous

Broken Mirror

Kalliope Amorphous

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

€2,111

Photography, Turn, Gerry Cranham

Turn

Gerry Cranham

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

€1,650

Photography, Iggy Pop - La Villette 86, Pierre Terrasson

Iggy Pop - La Villette 86

Pierre Terrasson

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

€1,400

Photography, Kurt Cobain, Kevin Westenberg

Kurt Cobain

Kevin Westenberg

Photography - 61 x 51 cm Photography - 24 x 20.1 inch

€2,100

Photography, Dawn over Bagan, James Sparshatt

Dawn over Bagan

James Sparshatt

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

€1,402

Photography, Keith Richards, Kevin Westenberg

Keith Richards

Kevin Westenberg

Photography - 101 x 76 cm Photography - 39.8 x 29.9 inch

€3,980

Photography, Savant N.2 - Reflects & Transparencies Series, Anna Levesh

Savant N.2 - Reflects & Transparencies Series

Anna Levesh

Photography - 78.5 x 50 cm Photography - 30.9 x 19.7 inch

€790

Photography, Marilyn in the clouds, Bert Stern

Marilyn in the clouds

Bert Stern

Photography - 33 x 48 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 inch

€2,490

Print, Farandole, Hans Hartung

Farandole

Hans Hartung

Print - 41 x 53 cm Print - 16.1 x 20.9 inch

€1,500

Print, Farandole 18, Hans Hartung

Farandole 18

Hans Hartung

Print - 56 x 87 cm Print - 22 x 34.3 inch

€2,000

Print, AL 4, Hans Hartung

AL 4

Hans Hartung

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

€1,400

Print, Wikro, Sumit Mehndiratta

Wikro

Sumit Mehndiratta

Print - 38 x 231 x 2 cm Print - 15 x 90.9 x 0.8 inch

€700

Photography, Hollywood Diet, Brendan North

Hollywood Diet

Brendan North

Photography - 101.6 x 101.6 cm Photography - 40 x 40 inch

€3,070

Photography, Inde005. Agra. Taj Mahal. Inde., Olivier Perrin

Inde005. Agra. Taj Mahal. Inde.

Olivier Perrin

Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€450

Photography, From the depths, Ana Zegheanu

From the depths

Ana Zegheanu

Photography - 20 x 20 x 0.02 cm Photography - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€160

Photography, The Gaze, Drew Doggett

The Gaze

Drew Doggett

Photography - 68.6 x 45.7 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 18 x 0.1 inch

€1,583

Photography, Marilyn in Vogue (1962), Bert Stern

Marilyn in Vogue (1962)

Bert Stern

Photography - 25 x 21 x 1 cm Photography - 9.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€1,590

Sculpture, Nailed it Series No.83, Sumit Mehndiratta

Nailed it Series No.83

Sumit Mehndiratta

Sculpture - 64 x 64 x 4 cm Sculpture - 25.2 x 25.2 x 1.6 inch

€850

Photography, Talisman in Red, Amrita Bilimoria

Talisman in Red

Amrita Bilimoria

Photography - 76.2 x 53.3 x 0.5 cm Photography - 30 x 21 x 0.2 inch

€2,399

Print, 04, Things Synthetic

04

Things Synthetic

Print - 70 x 70 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0 inch

€480

Photography, La Santiaguera, James Sparshatt

La Santiaguera

James Sparshatt

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

€695

Photography, La tristeza, James Sparshatt

La tristeza

James Sparshatt

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

€725

Photography, El Revolucionario, James Sparshatt

El Revolucionario

James Sparshatt

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

€969

Photography, El caballero, James Sparshatt

El caballero

James Sparshatt

Photography - 35 x 35 x 1 cm Photography - 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€969

Photography, Vincent Cassel (2000), Kevin Westenberg

Vincent Cassel (2000)

Kevin Westenberg

Photography - 61 x 51 cm Photography - 24 x 20.1 inch

€2,100

Photography, The Coen Brothers (2001), Kevin Westenberg

The Coen Brothers (2001)

Kevin Westenberg

Photography - 61 x 51 cm Photography - 24 x 20.1 inch

€2,100

Photography, Jeff Buckley, Kevin Westenberg

Jeff Buckley

Kevin Westenberg

Photography - 61 x 76 cm Photography - 24 x 29.9 inch

€2,875

Photography, New horizons, James Sparshatt

New horizons

James Sparshatt

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

€725

Photography, Hombre de la Luna, James Sparshatt

Hombre de la Luna

James Sparshatt

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

€595

Photography, A Confiança, James Sparshatt

A Confiança

James Sparshatt

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

€725

Photography, Saudade, James Sparshatt

Saudade

James Sparshatt

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

€725

Photography, Dagoberto, James Sparshatt

Dagoberto

James Sparshatt

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

€969

Painting, Urban structure 2, Alessandra Bisi

Urban structure 2

Alessandra Bisi

Painting - 120 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

€2,350

Photography, Coluche - Iconic portraits, Arnaud Baumann

Coluche - Iconic portraits

Arnaud Baumann

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

€1,400

Photography, Contemplation, Mourad Cherifi

Contemplation

Mourad Cherifi

Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.02 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€1,200

Painting, Horror Vacui II, Black Doodle, Marie Julou (Tina McCallan)

Horror Vacui II, Black Doodle

Marie Julou (Tina McCallan)

Painting - 61 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting - 24 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch

€1,000

Photography, Sunkissed, Drew Doggett

Sunkissed

Drew Doggett

Photography - 68.6 x 45.7 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27 x 18 x 0.1 inch

€1,583

Photography, Symphony of Light, Drew Doggett

Symphony of Light

Drew Doggett

Photography - 45.7 x 68.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 18 x 27 x 0.1 inch

€1,583

Photography, Take Heart, Drew Doggett

Take Heart

Drew Doggett

Photography - 45.7 x 68.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 18 x 27 x 0.1 inch

€1,583

Photography, Textures of Silence, Drew Doggett

Textures of Silence

Drew Doggett

Photography - 45.7 x 68.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 18 x 27 x 0.1 inch

€1,823

Photography, Ali Patterson II, Gerry Cranham

Ali Patterson II

Gerry Cranham

Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€770

Photography, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao 2, Antoine Kubler

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao 2

Antoine Kubler

Photography - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Photography - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€250

Photography, Quinta de Regaleira Cintra, Antoine Kubler

Quinta de Regaleira Cintra

Antoine Kubler

Photography - 29.7 x 42 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€250

Print, 10, Things Synthetic

10

Things Synthetic

Print - 70 x 70 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0 inch

€480

Photography, Rear Window, Hugo Gus Babey

Rear Window

Hugo Gus Babey

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

€850

Photography, Palm Light Tree, Hugo Gus Babey

Palm Light Tree

Hugo Gus Babey

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

€850

Photography, Sans titre, Julien Drogoul

Sans titre

Julien Drogoul

Photography - 45 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€250

Photography, Sans titre, Julien Drogoul

Sans titre

Julien Drogoul

Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.3 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch

€250

Photography, Sans titre, Julien Drogoul

Sans titre

Julien Drogoul

Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.3 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch

€250

Photography, Oh Lord won't you buy me..., Hugo Gus Babey

Oh Lord won't you buy me...

Hugo Gus Babey

Photography - 67.4 x 120 x 0.2 cm Photography - 26.5 x 47.2 x 0.1 inch

€950

Photography, Sanstitre, Julien Drogoul

Sanstitre

Julien Drogoul

Photography - 45 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€250

Photography, Sean Penn (2001), Kevin Westenberg

Sean Penn (2001)

Kevin Westenberg

Photography - 101 x 76 cm Photography - 39.8 x 29.9 inch

€3,980

Photography, Pete Doherty, Kevin Westenberg

Pete Doherty

Kevin Westenberg

Photography - 76.2 x 101.6 cm Photography - 30 x 40 inch

€3,980

Photography, Norah Jones, Kevin Westenberg

Norah Jones

Kevin Westenberg

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

€2,875

Photography, Last man standing, James Sparshatt

Last man standing

James Sparshatt

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

€725

Photography, Bas Résille, D-A Woisard

Bas Résille

D-A Woisard

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

€800

Photography, Paris confinement 4, Bruno Fournier

Paris confinement 4

Bruno Fournier

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€950

Print, Revolutionary Woman With Brush, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Revolutionary Woman With Brush

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 inch

€1,490

Photography, Intellect, Amrita Bilimoria

Intellect

Amrita Bilimoria

Photography - 88.9 x 98 x 0.5 cm Photography - 35 x 38.6 x 0.2 inch

€2,878

Print, Aquatic Race 02, Camilla Gude

Aquatic Race 02

Camilla Gude

Print - 62.5 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 24.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€480

Print, Seahorse, Camilla Gude

Seahorse

Camilla Gude

Print - 70 x 50 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 inch

€480

Photography, Les architectures de l'ombre II.XXXIII (1), Geraldine Wilcke

Les architectures de l'ombre II.XXXIII (1)

Geraldine Wilcke

Photography - 60 x 90 x 3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 1.2 inch

€2,400

Photography, Manhattan et le Brooklyn Bridge, Novembre 1955 - New York, Fabrizio La Torre

Manhattan et le Brooklyn Bridge, Novembre 1955 - New York

Fabrizio La Torre

Photography - 60 x 42 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch

€1,650

Photography, Queen / la corde cassée / La Villette / Paris, Pierre Terrasson

Queen / la corde cassée / La Villette / Paris

Pierre Terrasson

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

€1,500

Print, At Peace, Sumit Mehndiratta

At Peace

Sumit Mehndiratta

Print - 56 x 98 x 3 cm Print - 22 x 38.6 x 1.2 inch

€900

Print, Uaps, X New Worlds

Uaps

X New Worlds

Print - 70 x 70 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0 inch

€480

Photography, Malasso, John Kenny

Malasso

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€969

Print, 151R120033, Pierre Muckensturm

151R120033

Pierre Muckensturm

Print - 65 x 150 cm Print - 25.6 x 59.1 inch

€1,585

Print, Ankara Black, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Ankara Black

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

€1,268

Photography, Jump (1), Mourad Cherifi

Jump (1)

Mourad Cherifi

Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0.1 inch

€2,450

Photography, Her, Mourad Cherifi

Her

Mourad Cherifi

Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.02 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€1,200

Photography, Dear Irving..., Mourad Cherifi

Dear Irving...

Mourad Cherifi

Photography - 45 x 30 x 0.02 cm Photography - 17.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€1,200

Photography, Disorder, Cécile Baldewyns

Disorder

Cécile Baldewyns

Photography - 75 x 50 x 0.04 cm Photography - 29.5 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€900

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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