David Hamilton

(British, 1933–2016)

David Hamilton was a British photographer and film director known for his nude photographs of adolescent girls. Often controversial, the images evoke an effect of dreaminess through soft focus and varied grain. Using a photographic technique akin to painting, he has acknowledged the influence of Lucas Cranach on his style. Born on April 15, 1933 in London, United Kingdom, the artist initially found work as an art director, then a commercial photographer in the 1950s and 60s in France. In 1979, his film Laura was released in France—the movie blends melodrama with soft-core pornography, as wells as Hamilton’s hallmark soft focus. He published numerous photobooks during his life, The Age of Innocence (1995) being one of his most popular. Similar to the work of Jock Sturges and Sally Mann, Hamilton’s erotic subject matter caused complaints of indecency over the decades. In 2016, the photographer was accused of rape by four separate women who had served as former models. In an apparent suicide, the photographer was found dead with a plastic bag over his head on November 25, 2016 in Paris, France.

David Hamilton Artworks

David Hamilton (211 results)
Danseuse, 1978

David Hamilton

Danseuse, 1978

Sale Date: December 6, 2014

Auction Closed

Jeune femme reposant sa tête sur les genoux..., 1972

David Hamilton

Jeune femme reposant sa tête sur les genoux..., 1972

Sale Date: November 6, 2014

Auction Closed

Jeune femme au peignoir rouge, 1970

David Hamilton

Jeune femme au peignoir rouge, 1970

Sale Date: November 6, 2014

Auction Closed

La Muse, France, 1971

David Hamilton

La Muse, France, 1971

Sale Date: October 31, 2014

Auction Closed

Laura, les ombres de l'été (3 works), 1979

David Hamilton

Laura, les ombres de l'été (3 works), 1979

Sale Date: November 15, 2013

Auction Closed

Nu couché, 1988

David Hamilton

Nu couché, 1988

Sale Date: June 25, 2014

Auction Closed

Love is too young (from Souvenirs de Vacances), 1974

David Hamilton

Love is too young (from Souvenirs de Vacances), 1974

Sale Date: June 14, 2014

Auction Closed

La belle endormie, 10 mars, 1972

David Hamilton

La belle endormie, 10 mars, 1972

Sale Date: June 5, 2014

Auction Closed

La chevelure blonde, 1972

David Hamilton

La chevelure blonde, 1972

Sale Date: June 5, 2014

Auction Closed

Jeune femme aux seins nus, 1974

David Hamilton

Jeune femme aux seins nus, 1974

Sale Date: June 5, 2014

Auction Closed

LUMAS CHARITY AUCTION: La Muse, 1971

David Hamilton

LUMAS CHARITY AUCTION: La Muse, 1971

Sale Date: December 5, 2013

Auction Closed

Le voilier

David Hamilton

Le voilier

Sale Date: December 11, 2013

Auction Closed

Agadoi, 1970

David Hamilton

Agadoi, 1970

Sale Date: December 7, 2013

Auction Closed

Agadir, 1980

David Hamilton

Agadir, 1980

Sale Date: December 7, 2013

Auction Closed

Alice St. Tropez, 1984

David Hamilton

Alice St. Tropez, 1984

Sale Date: December 7, 2013

Auction Closed

Jeunes filles aux bouquets de fleurs, 1972

David Hamilton

Jeunes filles aux bouquets de fleurs, 1972

Sale Date: October 30, 2013

Auction Closed

Rêves de jeunes filles, 1968–2009

David Hamilton

Rêves de jeunes filles, 1968–2009

Sale Date: June 12, 2013

Auction Closed

Jeune femme endormie - Nu à la chaise..., 1980–1989

David Hamilton

Jeune femme endormie - Nu à la chaise..., 1980–1989

Sale Date: May 24, 2013

Auction Closed

Le pastel, Ramatuelle, 1980

David Hamilton

Le pastel, Ramatuelle, 1980

Sale Date: May 24, 2013

Auction Closed

Nu au chapeau de paille, 1972

David Hamilton

Nu au chapeau de paille, 1972

Sale Date: May 23, 2013

Auction Closed

Jeune fille au peignoir rayé, 1970

David Hamilton

Jeune fille au peignoir rayé, 1970

Sale Date: May 23, 2013

Auction Closed

Jeunes filles sur le lit, à la dentelle,..., 1972

David Hamilton

Jeunes filles sur le lit, à la dentelle,..., 1972

Sale Date: November 9, 2012

Auction Closed

Rêves de jeunes filles, 2009

David Hamilton

Rêves de jeunes filles, 2009

Sale Date: June 18, 2012

Auction Closed

Blanc, rose et beige, Ramatuelle, 1980

David Hamilton

Blanc, rose et beige, Ramatuelle, 1980

Sale Date: May 25, 2012

Auction Closed