Ruth Bernhard Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Ruth Bernhard Art Value Price Guide

Jun. 25, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD, AMERICAN 1905–2006, CYPRAEA, Gelatin silver print, Image: 12 5/8 x 9 in. (32.1 x 22.9 cm.), Board: 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm.)
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
RUTH BERNHARD AMERICAN, 1905–2006 CYPRAEA Gelatin silver print Lower right signed in graphite: Ruth Bernhard; verso in graphite: RB-7 Cypea (sic) Shell / Cyprea (Shell) 1943 / Ruth Bernhard
Potomack Company
Jun. 25, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD, AMERICAN 1905–2006, BONE AND PASSION FLOWER, Gelatin silver print:, Image: 10 1/2 x 13 1/2 in. (26.7 x 34.3 cm.), Board: 16 1/8 x 19 7/8 in. (41 x 50.5 cm.)
Est: $800 - $1,200
RUTH BERNHARD AMERICAN, 1905–2006 BONE AND PASSION FLOWER Gelatin silver print: Lower right signed in graphite: Ruth Bernhard; verso in graphite: Bone and Passion Flower n.d. / Ruth Bernhard
Potomack Company
Jun. 25, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD, AMERICAN 1905–2006, AFRICAN SCULPTURE, 1959, Gelatin silver print, Image: 10 1/4 x 12 in. (26 x 30.5 cm.), Board: 20 1/8 x 16 in. (51.1 x 40.6 cm.)
Est: $700 - $900
RUTH BERNHARD AMERICAN, 1905–2006 AFRICAN SCULPTURE, 1959 Gelatin silver print Verso signed, titled and dated: Ruth Bernhard / African Sculpture 1959 / Vintage; verso red stamp with artist initials: RB; verso stamped: RUTH BERNHARD / 2982 CLAY ST., WALNUT 1-3653 / SAN FRANCISCO 15, CALIF.
Potomack Company
Jun. 05, 2026
Ruth Bernhard, Silk, 1968
Est: €1,500 - €2,000
Mounted on cardboard, thereon signed in pencil below the image on the right. Signed, dated and titled in pencil as well as photographer's copyright stamp on the reverse of the mount.
Lempertz
May. 21, 2026
§ Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) Hand on Beach, 1946
Est: £400 - £600
Silver gelatin print, printed later, pasted down to board, image/sheet size 18.7 x 24.3cm, titled and dated by the photographer in pencil verso, with Bernhard's Clay Street San Francisco credit stamp card verso.
Chiswick Auctions
May. 21, 2026
§ Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) Configuration, San Francisco, 1962
Est: £800 - £1,200
Vintage silver gelatin print, image/sheet size 23 x 14cm, with Bernhard's Clay Street San Francisco credit stamp and one further credit stamp verso. Provenance:From the collection of French photographer, curator, and publisher Daniel Masclet (1892-1969), thence by descent.
Chiswick Auctions
May. 21, 2026
§ Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) In the Box, 1962 [Horizontal & Vertical]
Est: £1,000 - £1,500
A pair of vintage silver gelatin proof prints, image/sheet sizes 14 x 25cm and 25 x 15.5cm, each annotated by the photographer in ink and pencil, each with Bernhard's Clay Street San Francisco credit stamp verso. Qty: (2) Provenance:From the collection of French photographer, curator, and publisher Daniel Masclet (1892-1969), thence by descent.
Chiswick Auctions
May. 21, 2026
§ Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) Luminous Body, 1962
Est: £800 - £1,200
Vintage silver gelatin print, image/sheet size 24 x 15cm, with Bernhard's Clay Street San Francisco credit stamp verso. Provenance:From the collection of French photographer, curator, and publisher Daniel Masclet (1892-1969), thence by descent.
Chiswick Auctions
May. 21, 2026
§ Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) Classic Torso, 1952
Est: £800 - £1,200
Early silver gelatin print, printed c.1960, image/sheet size 24 x 18.5cm, with Bernhard's Clay Street San Francisco credit stamp verso. Provenance:From the collection of French photographer, curator, and publisher Daniel Masclet (1892-1969), thence by descent.
Chiswick Auctions
May. 19, 2026
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006), "Rockport Nude," 1974
Est: $600 - $800
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) "Rockport Nude," 1974 Platinum palladium print on paper From the edition of 25; possibly printed later Signed in pencil on the mount in the lower left: Ruth Bernhard; Debra Heimerdinger/Fine Art Photographs, San Francisco, CA, likely pub.
John Moran Auctioneers
May. 17, 2026
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006)
Est: $500 - $700
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006) Pigeons, San Francisco, 1956 Gelatin silver print, printed later, signed in pencil on the mount, framed. 7 1/2 x 13 1/4in. (10 x 34cm) 19 x 23in. (58 x 49cm/frame) Most of Bernhard's work is studio-based, black and white, ranging from simple still lifes to complex nudes. She also is known for her lesbian themed works, most notably Two Forms (1962). In that work, a black woman and a white woman who were real-life lovers. Bernhard was inducted into the Women's Caucus for Art in 1981. Bernhard was hailed by Ansel Adams as the greatest photographer of the nude. Her work is in the collections of: Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), San Diego Portland Museum of Art San Jose Museum of Art Minneapolis Institute of Art International Photography Hall of Fame, St.Louis
Fine Estate Inc.
Apr. 30, 2026
Ruth Bernhard. Abstract Torso. 1947.
Est: $3,000 - $4,500
Ruth Bernhard 1905-2006 Abstract Torso. 1947. Silver print With Bernhard's signature in pencil on mount recto, and her signature, title, date, and notation "vintage" in pencil on mount verso.
Swann Auction Galleries
Apr. 17, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). Two Forms, 1963. signed in pencil (mount, recto)
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). Two Forms, 1963. signed in pencil (mount, recto); signed, titled and dated in pencil with stamped photographer's copyright credit (mount, verso)image/sheet: 13 3/8 x 10 5/8 in. (34 x 27 cm.)mount: 19 5/8 x 15 ¾ in. (49.8 x 40 cm.).
Christie's
Apr. 17, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). Triangles, 1946. signed in pencil (mount, recto)
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). Triangles, 1946. signed in pencil (mount, recto); signed, titled and dated in pencil (mount, verso)image/sheet: 13 ½ x 10 3/8 in. (34.3 x 26.4 cm.)mount: 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm.).
Christie's
Apr. 17, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). Hips Horizontal, 1975. signed, titled and dated
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). Hips Horizontal, 1975. signed, titled and dated in pencil with stamped photographer's copyright credit (mount, verso)image/sheet: 10 ½ x 13 3/8 in. (26.7 x 34 cm.)mount: 16 x 20 in. (40.6 x 50.8 cm.).
Christie's
Apr. 17, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). In the Box - Horizontal, 1962. signed in pencil
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). In the Box - Horizontal, 1962. signed in pencil (mount, recto); signed, titled, dated and inscribed 'To Michael and Judith - R.B.' in pencil (mount, verso)image/sheet: 5 ¼ x 9 ½ in. (13.3 x 24.1 cm.)mount: 15 x 13 ¼ in. (38.1 x 33.7 cm.).
Christie's
Apr. 17, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). In Box – Vertical, 1962. signed in pencil (mount
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
RUTH BERNHARD (1905–2006). In Box – Vertical, 1962. signed in pencil (mount, recto); signed and titled in pencil with stamped photographer's credit in red ink (mount, verso)image/sheet: 13 ½ x 8 in. (34.3 x 20.3 cm.)mount: 20 1/8 x 15 in. (51.1 x 38.1 cm.).
Christie's
Mar. 22, 2026
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006)
Est: $600 - $800
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006) Pigeons, San Francisco, 1956 Gelatin silver print, printed later, signed in pencil on the mount, framed. 7 1/2 x 13 1/4in. (10 x 34cm) 19 x 23in. (58 x 49cm/frame) Most of Bernhard's work is studio-based, black and white, ranging from simple still lifes to complex nudes. She also is known for her lesbian themed works, most notably Two Forms (1962). In that work, a black woman and a white woman who were real-life lovers. Bernhard was inducted into the Women's Caucus for Art in 1981. Bernhard was hailed by Ansel Adams as the greatest photographer of the nude. Her work is in the collections of: Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), San Diego Portland Museum of Art San Jose Museum of Art Minneapolis Institute of Art International Photography Hall of Fame, St.Louis
Fine Estate Inc.
Mar. 18, 2026
RUTH BERNHARD (New York/California/Germany, 1905-2006), "Two Leaves", 1952., Silver print, image 13.5" x 10.5". Mount 20" x 16". Framed 24.75" x 21".
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
RUTH BERNHARD New York/California/Germany, 1905-2006 "Two Leaves", 1952. Printed in the 1990s. Signed in pencil on the mount recto lower right. Artist's signature, title and negative date in pencil on mount verso.
Eldred's
Mar. 09, 2026
Ruth Bernhard (German, American 1905 - 2006). Two Forms, from the portfolio 'Ruth Bernhard 1934 -76', 1963/1993.
Est: €700 - €900
Ruth Bernhard (German, American 1905 - 2006) Two Forms, from the portfolio 'Ruth Bernhard 1934 -76', 1963/1993 platinum-palladium print in the original printed folder signed (lower right), dated, titled and numbered '22/40' (on the reverse), published by Joseph G. Folberg and Vision Editions, San Francisco image size 16.2 x 12.7 cm., folder size: 40 x 31 cm. Condition: In excellent condition.
Adams Amsterdam Auctions
Mar. 09, 2026
Ruth Bernhard (German, American 1905 - 2006). Draped Torso with Hands, from the portfolio 'Ruth Bernhard 1934 -76', 1962/1993.
Est: €700 - €900
Ruth Bernhard (German, American 1905 - 2006) Draped Torso with Hands, from the portfolio 'Ruth Bernhard 1934 -76', 1962/1993 platinum-palladium print in the original printed folder signed (lower right), dated, titled and numbered '22/40' (on the reverse), published by Joseph G. Folberg and Vision Editions, San Francisco image size 16 x 11.8 cm., folder size 40 x 31 cm. Condition: In excellent condition.
Adams Amsterdam Auctions
Mar. 09, 2026
Ruth Bernhard (German, American 1905 - 2006). Hips Horizontal, from the portfolio 'Ruth Bernhard 1934 -76', 1975/1993.
Est: €700 - €900
Ruth Bernhard (German, American 1905 - 2006) Hips Horizontal, from the portfolio 'Ruth Bernhard 1934 -76', 1975/1993 platinum-palladium print in the original printed folder signed (lower right), dated, titled and numbered '22/40' (on the reverse), published by Joseph G. Folberg and Vision Editions, San Francisco image size 12.4 x 16 cm., folder size 40 x 31 cm. Condition: In excellent condition.
Adams Amsterdam Auctions
Feb. 12, 2026
Ruth Bernhard. Knees and Arm. 1976; printed 1988.
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
Ruth Bernhard 1905-2006 Knees and Arm. 1976; printed 1988. Silver print With Bernhard's signature, negative and print dates, and notation "printed for the friends of photography" in ink on verso.
Swann Auction Galleries
Feb. 12, 2026
Ruth Bernhard. Nude, elbow on knee. Circa 1952.
Est: $3,000 - $4,500
Ruth Bernhard 1905-2006 Nude, elbow on knee. Circa 1952. Silver print With Bernhard's San Francisco address credit stamp on verso.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 16, 2025
Ruth Bernhard. Knees and Arms II. 1976.
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Ruth Bernhard 1905-2006 Knees and Arms II. 1976. Silver print With Bernhard's signature in pencil on mount recto, and her signature, title, date, and notation "vintage" in pencil on mount verso.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 16, 2025
Ruth Bernhard. Draped Torso. 1962, printed 1990s.
Est: $3,000 - $4,500
Ruth Bernhard 1905-2006 Draped Torso. 1962, printed 1990s. Silver print With Bernhard's signature in pencil on mount recto, and her signature, title, and negative date in pencil and her copyright stamp on mount verso.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 14, 2025
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006)
Est: $800 - $1,200
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006) Pigeons, San Francisco, 1956 Gelatin silver print, printed later, signed in pencil on the mount, framed. 7 1/2 x 13 1/4in. (10 x 34cm) 19 x 23in. (58 x 49cm/frame) Most of Bernhard's work is studio-based, black and white, ranging from simple still lifes to complex nudes. She also is known for her lesbian themed works, most notably Two Forms (1962). In that work, a black woman and a white woman who were real-life lovers. Bernhard was inducted into the Women's Caucus for Art in 1981. Bernhard was hailed by Ansel Adams as the greatest photographer of the nude. Her work is in the collections of: Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), San Diego Portland Museum of Art San Jose Museum of Art Minneapolis Institute of Art International Photography Hall of Fame, St.Louis
Fine Estate Inc.
Dec. 10, 2025
Ruth Bernhard, silver gelatin photograph
Est: $400 - $600
Ruth Bernhard (German-American, 1905-2006), "Creation", c. 1936, photograph mounted on board, signed lower right margin, 8.5"h x 10"w (sight), 16.5"h x 20.5"w (frame)
Millea Bros Ltd
Nov. 07, 2025
Ruth Bernhard Star Shell Silver Gelatin Photo
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Star Shell. Signed by Ruth Bernhard and dated 1943. Photo measures 7 1/4" by 9 1/8". 11" by 14" with Matte. Ruth Bernhard was born in Berlin and immigrated to New York in the 1920s, where she became associated with Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham, and the f/64 Group. Her work is known for its sculptural lighting, precision composition, and sensual abstraction, often of natural or human forms. Her still lifesespecially of shells, fruit, and geometric objectsreflect the modernist fascination with form and shadow. Star Shell is one of her signature surrealist-inspired compositions, blending nature and abstraction.
Davis Brothers Auction
Oct. 19, 2025
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006)
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006) Luminous Nude, 1962 Gelatin silver print, printed later, signed in pencil on the mount 9 1/4in x 4in (23cm. x 10cm) Framed: 18 1/2in. x 15 1/2in (47cm. x 39cm) Most of Bernhard's work is studio-based, black and white, ranging from simple still lifes to complex nudes. She also is known for her lesbian themed works, most notably Two Forms (1962). In that work, a black woman and a white woman who were real-life lovers. Bernhard was inducted into the Women's Caucus for Art in 1981. Bernhard was hailed by Ansel Adams as "the greatest photographer of the nude". Her work is in the collections of: Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), San Diego Portland Museum of Art San Jose Museum of Art Minneapolis Institute of Art International Photography Hall of Fame, St.Louis,
Fine Estate Inc.
Oct. 19, 2025
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006)
Est: $800 - $1,200
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006) Nude Reflections, circa 1971 Gelatin silver print, printed later, signed and numbered '1/1' in pencil on the mount 4 1/4in. x 2in (11cm. x 5cm) Framed: 15in. x 12in (39cm.x 31cm) Most of Bernhard's work is studio-based, black and white, ranging from simple still lifes to complex nudes. She also is known for her lesbian themed works, most notably Two Forms (1962). In that work, a black woman and a white woman who were real-life lovers. Bernhard was inducted into the Women's Caucus for Art in 1981. Bernhard was hailed by Ansel Adams as "the greatest photographer of the nude". Her work is in the collections of: Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), San Diego Portland Museum of Art San Jose Museum of Art Minneapolis Institute of Art International Photography Hall of Fame, St.Louis,
Fine Estate Inc.
Oct. 19, 2025
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006)
Est: $800 - $1,200
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006) Pigeons, San Francisco, 1956 Gelatin silver print, printed later, signed in pencil on the mount 7 1/2 x 13 1/4in (10cm. x 34cm) Framed: 19in. x 23in (58cm. x 49cm) Most of Bernhard's work is studio-based, black and white, ranging from simple still lifes to complex nudes. She also is known for her lesbian themed works, most notably Two Forms (1962). In that work, a black woman and a white woman who were real-life lovers. Bernhard was inducted into the Women's Caucus for Art in 1981. Bernhard was hailed by Ansel Adams as "the greatest photographer of the nude". Her work is in the collections of: Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), San Diego Portland Museum of Art San Jose Museum of Art Minneapolis Institute of Art International Photography Hall of Fame, St.Louis,
Fine Estate Inc.
Oct. 16, 2025
Ruth Bernhard. Symbiosis. 1971; printed 1980s.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Ruth Bernhard 1905-2006 Symbiosis. 1971; printed 1980s. Silver print With Bernhard's signature in pencil on mount recto, and her signature, title, and negative date in pencil, and her copyright stamp, on mount verso.
Swann Auction Galleries
Oct. 16, 2025
Ruth Bernhard. Neck Study. 1958; printed circa 2001.
Est: $3,000 - $4,500
Ruth Bernhard 1905-2006 Neck Study. 1958; printed circa 2001. Silver print With Bernhard's signature in pencil, her copyright stamp, and a "Center for Photographic Art Collector's Fine Print Program" stamp with the typed title and negative date, on verso.
Swann Auction Galleries
Oct. 14, 2025
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006), "Classic Nude," from "The Eternal Body" portfolio, 1952
Est: $400 - $600
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) "Classic Nude," from "The Eternal Body" portfolio, 1952 Gelatin silver print on paper mounted to matboard Unsigned; printed later
John Moran Auctioneers
Oct. 14, 2025
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006), "Classic Nude," from "The Eternal Body" portfolio, 1952
Est: $400 - $600
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) "Classic Nude," from "The Eternal Body" portfolio, 1952 Gelatin silver print on paper mounted to matboard Unsigned; printed later
John Moran Auctioneers
Oct. 14, 2025
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006), "Two Leaves," from "The Gift of the Commonplace" portfolio, 1952
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) "Two Leaves," from "The Gift of the Commonplace" portfolio, 1952 Gelatin silver print on paper mounted to matboard From the edition of unknown size, printed later Signed in pencil along the lower edge of the matboard, at right: Ruth Bernhard
John Moran Auctioneers
Aug. 01, 2025
Ruth Bernhard, Sand Dune
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
Ruth Bernhard Sand Dune 1967 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 6.25 h x 13.5 w in (16 x 34 cm) mount: 16 h x 20 w in (41 x 51 cm) Signed to mount 'Ruth Bernhard'. Signed, titled and dated to mount verso 'Sand Dune, 1967 Ruth Bernhard' with copyright stamp '©Ruth Bernhard All Rights Reserved'. This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Aug. 01, 2025
Ruth Bernhard, Classic Torso
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
Ruth Bernhard Classic Torso 1952 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 13.25 h x 9.375 w in (34 x 24 cm) mount: 20 h x 16 w in (51 x 41 cm) Signed to mount 'Ruth Bernhard'. Signed, titled and dated to mount verso 'Classic Torso, 1952 Ruth Bernhard' with copyright stamp '©Ruth Bernhard All Rights Reserved'. Literature: Ruth Bernhard: The Eternal Body, Chronicle Books, pl. 12 Ruth Bernhard: Between Art and Life, Mitchell, pg. 64 Ten Years, Galerie zur Stockeregg, unpaginated illustrates variant This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Jul. 31, 2025
Ruth Bernhard, Draped Torso
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
Ruth Bernhard Draped Torso 1962 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 13.75 h x 8 w in (35 x 20 cm) mount: 20 h x 16 w in (51 x 41 cm) Signed to mount 'Ruth Bernhard'. Signed, titled and dated to verso with artist's stamp 'Draped Torso, 1962 Ruth Bernhard © Ruth Bernhard All Rights Reserved'. Provenance: Private Collection Literature: Ruth Bernhard: Between Art and Life, Mitchell and Bernhard, pg. 85 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Jul. 31, 2025
Ruth Bernhard, Classic Torso
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
Ruth Bernhard Classic Torso 1952 / printed later platinum palladium print image: 12.75 h x 9.75 w in (32 x 25 cm) sheet: 16 h x 13 w in (41 x 33 cm) Signed to lower right margin 'Ruth Bernhard'. Literature: Ruth Bernhard: The Eternal Body, Mitchell and Bernhard, pl. 12 Ruth Bernhard: Between Art and Life, Mitchell and Bernhard, pg. 64 Ten Years, Galerie zur Stockeregg exhibition catalog, unpaginated illustrates variant This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Jul. 31, 2025
Ruth Bernhard, Perspective II
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
Ruth Bernhard Perspective II 1967 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 7.25 h x 13.5 w in (18 x 34 cm) mount: 16 h x 20 w in (41 x 51 cm) Signed to mount 'Ruth Bernhard'. Signed, titled and dated to verso with artist's stamp 'Perspective II, 1967 Ruth Bernhard © Ruth Bernhard All Rights Reserved'. Provenance: Private Collection Literature: Ruth Bernhard: The Eternal Body, Mitchell and Bernhard, cover and pl. 26 Ruth Bernhard: Between Art and Life, Mitchell and Bernhard, pg. 89 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Jul. 02, 2025
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006)
Est: $800 - $1,200
Ruth Bernhard (American, 1905-2006) Configuration, 1962 (1986), Gelatin silver print. Pencil signed lower right on mat. Printed later in 1986. Together with certificate of authenticity, letter from Ruth Bernhard, and letter from Photography West Gallery. Published: Photography West Graphics (PWG) 1986. Image size H: 13 3/4 x W: 9 1/4 in. H: 20 1/4 W: 16 1/4 in. From an Ohio Collector.
Gray's Auctioneers
Jun. 04, 2025
Bernhard, Ruth: Draped Torso with Hands / Two forms / Hips Horizontal
Est: €1,500 - €1,800
Draped Torso with Hands / Two Forms / Hips Horizontal. 1962-1975. 3 platinum palladium prints, printed 1993. Each ca. 16 x 13 cm or reverse (35 x 27,5 cm). Each signed in pencil in lower right corner as well as titled, dated and editioned in pencil on the verso. Presented in elegant cotton rag portfolio with Japanese stitch binding. - - Ruth Bernhard’s work is characterized by carefully composed, luminous black-and-white photographs, primarily focusing on the female form, where she transforms the body into sculptural, abstracted shapes through masterful lighting and tonal gradation. Her images emphasize sensuality, elegance, and a deep reverence for light and shadow, often elevating everyday subjects into timeless, almost spiritual compositions. A major figure in 20th-century fine art photography, Bernhard’s approach blends modernist precision with a classical sense of form, making her one of the most influential photographers of the nude. – In excellent condition. - - Sollten Sie detailliertere Zustandsberichte wünschen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. / Should you need more detailed condition reports, please contact us.
Bassenge Auctions
May. 22, 2025
§ Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006)
Est: £800 - £1,200
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) KNEES AND ARM, 1976. Silver gelatin print, printed later, image size 19 x 24cm, sheet size 20 x 25cm, signed, titled, and dated by the photographer in ink verso.
Chiswick Auctions
May. 22, 2025
§ Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006)
Est: £300 - £500
Ruth Bernhard (1905-2006) TWO FORMS, 1963. Vintage silver gelatin print, image/sheet size 12.5 x 19cm, numbered and annotated in red ink in an unknown hand, with Bernhard's Clay Street San Francisco credit stamp verso.
Chiswick Auctions
May. 15, 2025
Bernhard, Ruth (1905-2006) Seed.
Est: $800 - $1,200
Bernhard, Ruth (1905-2006) Seed. 1971, printed in the 1980's. Gelatin silver print, oval vignette, flush mounted; signed in pencil on lower right of mount; signed, titled, dated and inscribed "inv. #33 (c)" on mount verso; image, 277 x 204 mm; 11 x 8 in.; sheet, 350 x 274 mm; 13¾ x 10¾ in., on a 492 x 400 mm; 19 3/8 x 15¾ in. mount. Ruth Bernhard was born in Berlin, the daughter of graphic designer Lucien Bernhard, and attended the Berlin Academy of Art. She moved to New York in 1927 and became famous for her photographs of female nudes. During the late 1920s she became enmeshed in the lesbian subculture of New York. After meeting Edward Weston in 1935, she moved to San Francisco in 1935 and continued her work. Her long and successful career was recognized in 1971, when the Oakland Museum of Art awarded her the prestigious Dorothea Lange Award.
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 08, 2025
RUTH BERNHARD (1905-2006) Two Forms. 1963; printed 1993.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
RUTH BERNHARD (1905-2006) Two Forms. 1963; printed 1993. Platinum print, the image measuring 6½x5 inches (16.5x12.7 cm.), the sheet 13¾x10¾ inches (34.9x27.3 cm.), with Bernhard's signature in pencil on recto, and the title, negative date, and edition notation 24/40 in pencil in an unknown hand on verso. From the limited edition Portfolio entitled Ruth Bernhard published in 1993 by Joseph G. Folberg and Vision Editions, San Francisco. Provenance Acquired directly from Joe Folberg and Ruth Bernhard in 1993
Swann Auction Galleries