Ralph Eugene Meatyard

(American, 1925–1972)

Ralph Eugene Meatyard was an American photographer known for his enigmatic portraits and use of multiple exposures. Though he did not gain much recognition during his lifetime, the artist’s haunting images of masked children have since established him as a key figure in American photography. Born on May 15, 1925 in Normal, IL, he joined the Navy during the end of World War II without seeing any combat. After returning from the war, Meatyard studied to become an optician and shortly thereafter accepted a job at an optical firm in Lexington, KY. He first came into contact with photography in 1950 through his job, which sold both optical and photo equipment. After purchasing his first camera, Meatyard joined the Lexington Camera club and learned many of the basics of the medium from another club member named Van Deren Coke. The artist continued his education in the mid-1950s, when he attended a summer photography course taught by Henry Holmes Smith and Minor White at Indiana University. In the years that followed, he began to incorporate his interest in Zen philosophy and jazz music into his practice. Meatyard was just beginning to gain recognition for his work before his death on May 7, 1972 in Lexington, KY. Today, his photographs are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, among others.
 

Ralph Eugene Meatyard Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

Ralph Eugene Meatyard (321 results)
Fourth of July #1, 1970

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Fourth of July #1, 1970

Sale Date: October 1, 2014

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1960–1969

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled, 1960–1969

Sale Date: October 1, 2014

Auction Closed

Untitled (Guy Mendes), 1971

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled (Guy Mendes), 1971

Sale Date: October 1, 2014

Auction Closed

Untitled (Boy holding flag and doll), 1959

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled (Boy holding flag and doll), 1959

Sale Date: June 5, 2014

Auction Closed

Romance (N.) From Ambrose Bierce #3, 1962

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Romance (N.) From Ambrose Bierce #3, 1962

Sale Date: June 5, 2014

Auction Closed

Untitled (Child as a bird), 1960

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled (Child as a bird), 1960

Sale Date: June 5, 2014

Auction Closed

Petite fille, 1964

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Petite fille, 1964

Sale Date: June 5, 2014

Auction Closed

Private corner

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Private corner

Sale Date: December 15, 2013

Auction Closed

Untitled, (Abstract Pattern), 1960

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled, (Abstract Pattern), 1960

Sale Date: December 15, 2013

Auction Closed

Ralph Eugene Meatyard Portfolio Three..., 1959–1971

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Ralph Eugene Meatyard Portfolio Three..., 1959–1971

Sale Date: December 12, 2013

Auction Closed

Sans titre, 1962

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Sans titre, 1962

Sale Date: October 30, 2013

Auction Closed

To - El Mochuelo (Boys with nose), 1962

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

To - El Mochuelo (Boys with nose), 1962

Sale Date: October 30, 2013

Auction Closed

Ralph Eugene Meatyard Portfolio Three..., 1959–1971

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Ralph Eugene Meatyard Portfolio Three..., 1959–1971

Sale Date: October 17, 2013

Auction Closed

Untitled (Skull and Umbrella), 1955

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled (Skull and Umbrella), 1955

Sale Date: October 3, 2013

Auction Closed

Light Study, 1958

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Light Study, 1958

Sale Date: May 17, 2013

Auction Closed

Sans titre (Garçon portant un masque devant..., 1962

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Sans titre (Garçon portant un masque devant..., 1962

Sale Date: May 23, 2013

Auction Closed

Sans titre, 1960

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Sans titre, 1960

Sale Date: May 23, 2013

Auction Closed

Sans titre, 1961

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Sans titre, 1961

Sale Date: May 23, 2013

Auction Closed

Portfolio Three (portfolio of 10)

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Portfolio Three (portfolio of 10)

Sale Date: May 17, 2013

Auction Closed

Untitled (Boy with old man's mask, 2 men), 1960–1969

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled (Boy with old man's mask, 2 men), 1960–1969

Sale Date: March 20, 2013

Auction Closed

Three dolls, 1961

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Three dolls, 1961

Sale Date: April 5, 2013

Auction Closed

Untitled (Child behind three doors), 1961

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled (Child behind three doors), 1961

Sale Date: April 5, 2013

Auction Closed

Child with window frames, 1962

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Child with window frames, 1962

Sale Date: December 11, 2012

Auction Closed

Untitled (Hand in doorway), 1961

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Untitled (Hand in doorway), 1961

Sale Date: December 12, 2012

Auction Closed

English (US)

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