Black and white

Photography, Umbrella Silhouette II (M), Tyler Shields

Umbrella Silhouette II (M)

Tyler Shields

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

€9,595

Photography, Umbrella Silhouette (XXL), Tyler Shields

Umbrella Silhouette (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 177.8 x 177.8 cm Photography - 70 x 70 inch

€47,974

Photography, Umbrella Silhouette (XL), Tyler Shields

Umbrella Silhouette (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 152.4 x 152.4 cm Photography - 60 x 60 inch

€19,190

Photography, Umbrella Silhouette (L), Tyler Shields

Umbrella Silhouette (L)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 114.3 x 114.3 cm Photography - 45 x 45 inch

€9,595

Photography, The Kiss Silhouette (XXL), Tyler Shields

The Kiss Silhouette (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 177.8 x 177.8 cm Photography - 70 x 70 inch

€47,974

Photography, The Kiss Silhouette (XL), Tyler Shields

The Kiss Silhouette (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 152.4 x 152.4 cm Photography - 60 x 60 inch

€19,190

Photography, The Kiss Silhouette (L), Tyler Shields

The Kiss Silhouette (L)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 114.3 x 114.3 cm Photography - 45 x 45 inch

€9,595

Photography, The Bunny and the Man (XXL), Tyler Shields

The Bunny and the Man (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 160 x 213.4 cm Photography - 63 x 84 inch

€47,974

Photography, The Bunny and the Man (XL), Tyler Shields

The Bunny and the Man (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 121.9 x 182.9 cm Photography - 48 x 72 inch

€23,987

Photography, The Bunny and the Man (L), Tyler Shields

The Bunny and the Man (L)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch

€14,392

Photography, The Bunny and the Man (M), Tyler Shields

The Bunny and the Man (M)

Tyler Shields

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

€9,595

Photography, The Anonymity of Shape (XXL), Tyler Shields

The Anonymity of Shape (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 177.8 x 177.8 cm Photography - 70 x 70 inch

€47,974

Photography, The Anonymity of Shape (XL), Tyler Shields

The Anonymity of Shape (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 152.4 x 152.4 cm Photography - 60 x 60 inch

€19,190

Photography, The Anonymity of Shape (L), Tyler Shields

The Anonymity of Shape (L)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 114.3 x 114.3 cm Photography - 45 x 45 inch

€9,595

Photography, Soldier Silhouette (XXL), Tyler Shields

Soldier Silhouette (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 160 x 213.4 cm Photography - 63 x 84 inch

€47,974

Photography, Soldier Silhouette (XL), Tyler Shields

Soldier Silhouette (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 137.2 x 182.9 cm Photography - 54 x 72 inch

€23,987

Photography, Soldier Silhouette (M), Tyler Shields

Soldier Silhouette (M)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 114.3 x 152.4 cm Photography - 45 x 60 inch

€14,392

Photography, Mystery of The Dancing Twins (XXL), Tyler Shields

Mystery of The Dancing Twins (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 160 x 213.4 cm Photography - 63 x 84 inch

€47,974

Photography, Mystery of The Dancing Twins (XL), Tyler Shields

Mystery of The Dancing Twins (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 142.2 x 182.9 cm Photography - 56 x 72 inch

€23,987

Photography, Mystery of The Dancing Twins (L), Tyler Shields

Mystery of The Dancing Twins (L)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 114.3 x 152.4 cm Photography - 45 x 60 inch

€14,392

Photography, Mystery of The Dancing Twins (M), Tyler Shields

Mystery of The Dancing Twins (M)

Tyler Shields

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

€9,595

Photography, Match Silhouette (XXL), Tyler Shields

Match Silhouette (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 177.8 x 177.8 cm Photography - 70 x 70 inch

€47,974

Photography, Match Silhouette (XL), Tyler Shields

Match Silhouette (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 152.4 x 152.4 cm Photography - 60 x 60 inch

€19,190

Photography, Match Silhouette (L), Tyler Shields

Match Silhouette (L)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 114.3 x 114.3 cm Photography - 45 x 45 inch

€9,595

Photography, Héros de l'ombre #6, Carlos Arriagada

Héros de l'ombre #6

Carlos Arriagada

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

€1,250

Photography, Héros de l'ombre #3, Carlos Arriagada

Héros de l'ombre #3

Carlos Arriagada

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

€1,400

Photography, Hangar backstage, Grzegorz Sikorski

Hangar backstage

Grzegorz Sikorski

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

€250 €188

Painting, Covers 13 - Black B, Joanne Freeman

Covers 13 - Black B

Joanne Freeman

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

€1,646

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

€1,500

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

€1,500

Photography, Match (S), Tyler Shields

Match (S)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 57.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 22.5 x 30 inch

€4,797

Photography, Lipstick Cigarette II (S), Tyler Shields

Lipstick Cigarette II (S)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 57.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 22.5 x 30 inch

€4,797

Photography, Lipstick Cigarette II (XS), Tyler Shields

Lipstick Cigarette II (XS)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 38.1 x 50.8 cm Photography - 15 x 20 inch

€2,399

Photography, Hat Tu Silhouette (S), Tyler Shields

Hat Tu Silhouette (S)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 57.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 22.5 x 30 inch

€4,797

Photography, Hat Silhouette (M), Tyler Shields

Hat Silhouette (M)

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Gunslinger Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Gunslinger Silhouette

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Gunslinger Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Gunslinger Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography - 18 x 18 inch

€2,399

Photography, Grace with Hammer, Tyler Shields

Grace with Hammer

Tyler Shields

Photography - 57.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 22.5 x 30 inch

€4,797

Photography, Dress Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Dress Silhouette

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Dress Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Dress Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography - 18 x 18 inch

€2,399

Photography, Dancing Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Dancing Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 57.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 22.5 x 30 inch

€4,797

Photography, Dancing Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Dancing Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 38.1 x 50.8 cm Photography - 15 x 20 inch

€2,399

Photography, Contact Sheet 12, Tyler Shields

Contact Sheet 12

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Contact Sheet 6, Tyler Shields

Contact Sheet 6

Tyler Shields

Photography - 57.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 22.5 x 30 inch

€4,797

Photography, Contact Sheet 4, Tyler Shields

Contact Sheet 4

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Contact Sheet 4, Tyler Shields

Contact Sheet 4

Tyler Shields

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography - 18 x 18 inch

€2,399

Photography, Champagne Pour Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Champagne Pour Silhouette

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Champagne Pour Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Champagne Pour Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography - 18 x 18 inch

€2,399

Photography, Bunny Silhouette III, Tyler Shields

Bunny Silhouette III

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Bunny Silhouette III, Tyler Shields

Bunny Silhouette III

Tyler Shields

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography - 18 x 18 inch

€2,399

Photography, Bunnies Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Bunnies Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 58.4 x 76.2 cm Photography - 23 x 30 inch

€4,797

Photography, Bunnies Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Bunnies Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 38.1 x 50.8 cm Photography - 15 x 20 inch

€2,399

Photography, 8th Position Silhouette, Tyler Shields

8th Position Silhouette

Tyler Shields

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography - 18 x 18 inch

€2,399

Photography, Red Lipstick (1), Tyler Shields

Red Lipstick (1)

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Red Lipstick, Tyler Shields

Red Lipstick

Tyler Shields

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography - 18 x 18 inch

€2,399

Photography, The Lion Queen (1), Tyler Shields

The Lion Queen (1)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 57.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 22.5 x 30 inch

€4,797

Photography, The Lion Queen, Tyler Shields

The Lion Queen

Tyler Shields

Photography - 38.1 x 50.8 cm Photography - 15 x 20 inch

€2,399

Photography, Moonlight Sonata (1), Tyler Shields

Moonlight Sonata (1)

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

Photography, Moonlight Sonata, Tyler Shields

Moonlight Sonata

Tyler Shields

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography - 18 x 18 inch

€2,399

Photography, Two Glasses of Champagne Silhouette, Tyler Shields

Two Glasses of Champagne Silhouette

Tyler Shields

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

€4,797

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

Dancer In The Dark (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 160 x 213.4 cm Photography - 63 x 84 inch

€47,974

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

Dancer In The Dark (L)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch

€14,392

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

€9,595

Photography, Back Silhouette (XXL), Tyler Shields

Back Silhouette (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 177.8 x 177.8 cm Photography - 70 x 70 inch

€47,974

Photography, Back Silhouette (XL), Tyler Shields

Back Silhouette (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 152.4 x 152.4 cm Photography - 60 x 60 inch

€19,190

Photography, Phonebooth Silhouette (XXL), Tyler Shields

Phonebooth Silhouette (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 160 x 213.4 cm Photography - 63 x 84 inch

€47,974

Photography, Phonebooth Silhouette (XL), Tyler Shields

Phonebooth Silhouette (XL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 142.2 x 182.9 cm Photography - 56 x 72 inch

€23,987

Photography, Phonebooth Silhouette (L), Tyler Shields

Phonebooth Silhouette (L)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 114.3 x 152.4 cm Photography - 45 x 60 inch

€14,392

Photography, Phonebooth Silhouette (M), Tyler Shields

Phonebooth Silhouette (M)

Tyler Shields

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

€14,392

Photography, Two Swans (XXL), Tyler Shields

Two Swans (XXL)

Tyler Shields

Photography - 160 x 213.4 cm Photography - 63 x 84 inch

€47,974

Print, Farandole 8, Hans Hartung

Farandole 8

Hans Hartung

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

€1,880

Photography, Rue Mouffetard, Uwe Ommer

Rue Mouffetard

Uwe Ommer

Photography - 60 x 40 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23.62 x 15.74 x 0.1 inch

€1,439

Photography, Kum kum, Samuel Cueto

Kum kum

Samuel Cueto

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

€900

Print, Énigme, André Masson

Énigme

André Masson

Print - 38 x 29 x 0.1 cm Print - 15 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€1,300

Painting, Exploflora Series No.65, Sumit Mehndiratta

Exploflora Series No.65

Sumit Mehndiratta

Painting - 110 x 206 x 2 cm Painting - 43.3 x 81.1 x 0.8 inch

€2,000

Photography, Floating memories 03, Yasuo Kiyonaga

Floating memories 03

Yasuo Kiyonaga

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

€800

Sculpture, Au coeur de la membrane 3, Sezny Peron

Au coeur de la membrane 3

Sezny Peron

Sculpture - 45 x 45 x 3 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 17.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,500

Print, Kiprow, Sumit Mehndiratta

Kiprow

Sumit Mehndiratta

Print - 93 x 127 x 2 cm Print - 36.6 x 50 x 0.8 inch

€900

Photography, Reflecting landscape 11, Yasuo Kiyonaga

Reflecting landscape 11

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography - 80 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€1,400

Print, End Of Empire, Kantharos, Cleon Peterson

End Of Empire, Kantharos

Cleon Peterson

Print - 30.5 x 40.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 12 x 15.9 x 0 inch

€500

Print, Farandole 18, Hans Hartung

Farandole 18

Hans Hartung

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

€2,000

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

Painting, Extrait poussière des sens F_S, Feng Kaixuan

Extrait poussière des sens F_S

Feng Kaixuan

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

€2,000

Print, 16.7, Pierre Muckensturm

16.7

Pierre Muckensturm

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

€1,341

Print, Practice What You Preach, Damien Deroubaix

Practice What You Preach

Damien Deroubaix

Print - 70 x 85 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 33.5 x 0 inch

€700

Photography, Où est Charlie ? III, Tanguy Mendrisse

Où est Charlie ? III

Tanguy Mendrisse

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

€125

Print, Farandole, Hans Hartung

Farandole

Hans Hartung

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

€2,000

Photography, Rue Mouffetard - Triptych, Uwe Ommer

Rue Mouffetard - Triptych

Uwe Ommer

Photography - 45 x 100 x 0.3 cm Photography - 17.71 x 39.37 x 0.1 inch

€1,583

Photography, Winter Dream, Hengki Koentjoro

Winter Dream

Hengki Koentjoro

Photography - 61 x 61 x 0.03 cm Photography - 24 x 24 x 0 inch

€1,500

Photography, Jupe, Cécile Baldewyns

Jupe

Cécile Baldewyns

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

€700

Print, Self Portrait, Michelangelo Pistoletto

Self Portrait

Michelangelo Pistoletto

Print - 29 x 21 x 0.5 cm Print - 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.2 inch

€2,900

Painting, The devil is here #1, Alessandra Bisi

The devil is here #1

Alessandra Bisi

Painting - 24 x 35 x 0.1 cm Painting - 9.4 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€190

Print, Damaged Proud Parents, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Damaged Proud Parents

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

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

€300

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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