William Klein

(American, 1926–2022)

William Klein is an American artist and filmmaker known for his unconventional style of abstract photography depicting city scenes. Although similar in subject matter to other street photographers such as Diane Arbus and Saul Leiter, as well as fashion photographers Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, Klein’s images break from established modes. “I came from the outside, the rules of photography didn't interest me. There were things you could do with a camera that you couldn't do with any other medium—grain, contrast, blur, cock-eyed framing, eliminating or exaggerating grey tones and so on,” he reflected. “I thought it would be good to show what's possible, to say that this is as valid of a way of using the camera as conventional approaches.” Born on April 19, 1928 in New York, NY, Klein studied painting and worked briefly as Fernand Léger’s assistant in Paris, but never received formal training in photography. His fashion work has been featured prominently in Vogue magazine, and has also been the subject of several iconic photo books, including Life is Good and Good for You In New York (1957) and Tokyo (1964). In the 1980s, he turned to film projects and has produced many memorable documentary and feature films, such as Muhammed Ali, The Greatest (1969). Klein currently lives and works in Paris, France. His works are held in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others.

William Klein News

Art & Exhibitions

From an Elliptical Piano to a Renaissance Altarpiece—Rare Treasures Abound at New York’s Winter Show

by Lee Carter
From an Elliptical Piano to a Renaissance Altarpiece—Rare Treasures Abound at New York’s Winter Show
Art World

Editors’ Picks: 12 Events for Your Art Calendar This Week, From James Joyce Mania at the Morgan to Photoville in Brooklyn Bridge Park

by Artnet News
Editors’ Picks: 12 Events for Your Art Calendar This Week, From James Joyce Mania at the Morgan to Photoville in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Art Guides

Must-See Art Guide: Paris

by Tatiana Berg
Must-See Art Guide: Paris

William Klein Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

William Klein (1,447 results)
Rolled Up Flag, New York', 1955, 1955

William Klein

Rolled Up Flag, New York', 1955, 1955

Sale Date: December 12, 2023

Auction Closed

Gainsbourg, couverture de l'album

William Klein

Gainsbourg, couverture de l'album "Love on..., 1984

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Hat + Five Roses, Paris (Vogue), 1956

William Klein

Hat + Five Roses, Paris (Vogue), 1956

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Dorothy + Little Bara, Paris, 1960

William Klein

Dorothy + Little Bara, Paris, 1960

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Smoke + Veil, Paris (Vogue), 1958

William Klein

Smoke + Veil, Paris (Vogue), 1958

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

SMOKE + VEIL, PARIS (VOGUE), 1958

William Klein

SMOKE + VEIL, PARIS (VOGUE), 1958

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

GRACE LINE, 5TH AVENUE, NEW YORK, 1955

William Klein

GRACE LINE, 5TH AVENUE, NEW YORK, 1955

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Club Allegro Fortissimo, Paris, 1990–2011

William Klein

Club Allegro Fortissimo, Paris, 1990–2011

Sale Date: November 28, 2023

Auction Closed

Procession religieuse Tokyo, 1961

William Klein

Procession religieuse Tokyo, 1961

Sale Date: November 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Shinohara boxeur peintre Tokyo, 1961

William Klein

Shinohara boxeur peintre Tokyo, 1961

Sale Date: November 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Anne + Isabella + Mirror + Taxi, Broadway &..., 1959

William Klein

Anne + Isabella + Mirror + Taxi, Broadway &..., 1959

Sale Date: November 9, 2023

Auction Closed

Simone + Nina, Piazza di Spagna, Vogue,..., 1961

William Klein

Simone + Nina, Piazza di Spagna, Vogue,..., 1961

Sale Date: November 9, 2023

Auction Closed

Simone + Sophia Loren, Rome, 1960, 1960

William Klein

Simone + Sophia Loren, Rome, 1960, 1960

Sale Date: November 9, 2023

Auction Closed

Club Allegro Fortissimo, Paris, 1990, 1990

William Klein

Club Allegro Fortissimo, Paris, 1990, 1990

Sale Date: November 9, 2023

Auction Closed

Hat + 5 Roses, Vogue, Paris, 1956, 1956

William Klein

Hat + 5 Roses, Vogue, Paris, 1956, 1956

Sale Date: November 9, 2023

Auction Closed

New York. Life is good & good for you in New , 1956

William Klein

New York. Life is good & good for you in New , 1956

Sale Date: November 12, 2023

Auction Closed

Body Builders, Paris 1984, 1984

William Klein

Body Builders, Paris 1984, 1984

Sale Date: November 24, 2023

Auction Closed

Mohamed Ali. Kinshasa, 1974

William Klein

Mohamed Ali. Kinshasa, 1974

Sale Date: November 9, 2023

Auction Closed

Plage d’Ostie. Rome, 1956

William Klein

Plage d’Ostie. Rome, 1956

Sale Date: November 9, 2023

Auction Closed

William Klein

"Mister Freedom koffert - full set edition", 2020

Sale Date: October 25, 2023

Auction Closed

Citizen Sidel, 1996

William Klein

Citizen Sidel, 1996

Sale Date: October 11, 2023

Auction Closed

Gun 2, New York, 1955

William Klein

Gun 2, New York, 1955

Sale Date: October 17, 2023

Auction Closed

Simone + Nina, Piazza di Spagna, Rome, 1960

William Klein

Simone + Nina, Piazza di Spagna, Rome, 1960

Sale Date: October 11, 2023

Auction Closed

Coney Island, New York, 1980

William Klein

Coney Island, New York, 1980

Sale Date: October 11, 2023

Auction Closed

English (US)

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