Herb Ritts
Herb Ritts began his photographic career in the late 70s and gained a reputation as a master of art and commercial photography. In addition to producing portraits and editorial fashion for Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview and Rolling Stone, Ritts also created successful advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Donna Karan, Gap, Gianfranco Ferré, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, Levi's, Pirelli, Polo Ralph Lauren, Valentino among others. Since 1988 he directed numerous influential and award winning music videos and commercials. His fine art photography has been the subject of exhibitions worldwide, with works residing in many significant public and private collections.
In his life and work, Herb Ritts was drawn to clean lines and strong forms. This graphic simplicity allowed his images to be read and felt instantaneously. They often challenged conventional notions of gender or race. Social history and fantasy were both captured and created by his memorable photographs of noted individuals in film, fashion, music, politics and society.
Ritts was committed to HIV/AIDS related causes, and contributed to many charitable organizations, among them amfAR, Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Project Angel Food, Focus on AIDS, APLA, Best Buddies and Special Olympics . He was also a charter member on the Board of Directors for The Elton John Aids Foundation.
-
Herb RittsUntitled, Nude I, Miami, 1997
-
Herb RittsCarré in Sand (Detail), Paradise Cove, 1988
-
Herb RittsBackflip, Paradise Cove, 1987
-
Herb RittsChristy Turlington - Valentino, Miami (k), 1995
-
Herb RittsFemale Torso with Black Sand, Hawaii, 1989
-
Herb RittsStephano Seated, Milan, 1985
-
Herb RittsChristy Turlington, Hollywood, 1988
-
Herb RittsCindy Crawford, Costa Careyes, 1998
-
Herb RittsFemale Torso with Veil, Paradise Cove, 1984
-
Herb RittsJackie Joyner Kersee, Pointe Dume, 1987
-
Herb RittsNeith with Shadows (Front), Poundridge, 1985
-
Herb RittsCindy Crawford - Versace, El Mirage, 1990
-
Why smart collectors are focusing on fashion photography
Herb Ritts highlighted on Christie's 4 December 2019Fashion pictures have long been an important element of photography auctions, but 2019 has seen an increase in momentum in the market.Read more -
Icons of Style: A Century of Fashion Photography, 1911-2011
Lillian Bassman, Herb Ritts at the Getty 10 July 2018Made for consumption in magazines and advertising, fashion photography—like fashion itself—is a reactive genre. To hold our attention, it is perpetually shifting shape in the...Read more -
Kourtney Kardashian Tells Us Where to Buy Everything in Her Home Office
Herb Ritts in Architectural Digest 17 July 2017Hint: The Batman image is a gelatin silver print by Herb Ritts!Read more -
Les photographes de Vogue à Paris Photo 2015
Herb Ritts in Vogue 14 November 2015Herb Ritts, Tatjana with Black Sand, 1987 à la Galerie Edwynn Houk © Herb Ritts Foundation/Courtesy of Edwynn Houk GalleryRead more
-
See the Top Ten Booths at Photo London 2015
Edwynn Houk Gallery in artnet news 21 May 2015Edwynn Houk Gallery championed an extravaganza of beautiful classics: iconic portraits of Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford by Herb Ritts, a slew of images by Bill Brandt, Man Ray, Vik Muniz, Weston, Stephen Shore… For photography lovers, this booth will surely be an affair to remember.Read more -
Herb Ritts: old-school glamour's last stand
Two Herb Ritts' Exhibitions in the Guardian 13 March 2015Two exhibitions of the photographer’s work allow the viewer to bask in sun-dappled visions of megawatt celebrity in an era when stars were still remoteRead more -
Herb Ritts Exhibition at MFA Boston Revisits Iconic Photographer
14 March - 8 November 2015 13 March 2015The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), flashes back to the ‘90s this spring with an evocative exhibition dedicated to the photography of Herb Ritts (1952-2002).Read more -
The Eye of Beauty, Revisited
Herb Ritts Exhibition at the Getty Museum Reviewed in the New York Times 21 March 2012More simply, you cannot imagine the 1980s and ’90s in America without the photographs of Herb Ritts.Read more
-
Art Basel 2023
Hall 2, Booth E5 15 - 18 June 2023 -
Paris Photo 2022
Grand Palais Ephémère, Booth C15 10 - 13 November 2022Edwynn Houk Gallery is pleased to return to Paris Photo 2022, exhibiting artworks by Ilse Bing, Brassaï, Erwin Blumenfeld, Imogen Cunningham, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Man Ray, Tina Modotti, Irving Penn, Herb Ritts, Valérie Belin, Sebastiaan Bremer, Christopher Bucklow, Gail Albert Halaban, Mona Kuhn, Vera Lutter, Robert Longo, Sally Mann, Arno Minkkinen, Abelardo Morell, Erwin Olaf, Matthew Pillsbury, and Jessica Wynne.Read more