Photography for sale | Shtein Gallery

Fine art photographs, from vintage gelatin-silver prints by 20th-century photographers to signed contemporary digital and C-prints. Technique, signature and size are listed for each one.

What you will find here

This section mixes vintage and contemporary photography: black-and-white gelatin-silver prints from the mid 20th century, colour C-prints, and signed digital prints and giclées by present-day photographers. Subjects include landscape, portrait, nude and figure studies, fashion, and street and documentary work. Most pieces here are between €400 and €1,800.

Print terms explained

Gelatin-silver print: the classic black-and-white darkroom print. A vintage print was made close to when the photograph was taken.
C-Print: a colour print on light-sensitive photographic paper.
Digital print or giclée: an inkjet print from a digital file, standard for contemporary editions.
Stamped: carries a photographer's or studio stamp, usually on the back, instead of or as well as a signature.

Condition

Photographs here are often graded with dealers' terms such as Extremely fine, Very fine and Fine, or described as Good condition. Vintage prints may show slight silvering at the edges, corner wear, or handling marks; these are normal for age and are shown in the photos. Check the description for creases, tears or retouching.

Before you buy

Note the sheet size against the image size, whether the print is mounted or framed, and whether it is signed or stamped. For contemporary work, check the edition number. For vintage work, the date of printing matters more than the date the picture was taken.

Frequently asked questions

What is a vintage print?

A vintage print is a photograph printed at or close to the time the negative was made, usually by the photographer or under their supervision. Later prints from the same negative are called later or modern prints. Vintage prints are generally more sought after. The listing's title and description state the print date where it is known.

What is a gelatin-silver print?

A gelatin-silver print is the standard black-and-white photographic print made in a darkroom from about the 1890s onwards, using paper coated with light-sensitive silver salts in gelatin. It is the most common technique among vintage photographs in this section. Well stored, these prints last a long time, but they should be kept out of strong light and damp.

Does a photograph need to be signed?

Not necessarily. Many vintage prints carry a photographer's or agency stamp on the back rather than a signature, and this is normal for press and studio work. Contemporary fine art photographs are usually signed and numbered. Each listing's Signature field shows whether the print is hand signed, stamped, signed or not signed.

How should I display a photograph?

Frame photographs behind UV-filtering glass or acrylic and hang them away from direct sunlight, radiators and damp walls. Use acid-free mounts so the backing does not stain the print over time. Colour prints fade faster than black-and-white gelatin-silver prints, so they benefit most from low light.