Peter Hujar

Peter Hujar was a notable American photographer acclaimed for his deeply evocative black-and-white portraits. Emerging from a turbulent upbringing, he became a significant figure in New York City's downtown art scene during the 1970s and 1980s, documenting the era's iconic artists, writers, and performers.

Peter Hujar's Photos: From Trenton to New York’s Art Scene

Peter Hujar was born in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1934, and was raised by his Ukrainian grandparents on their farm, where he spoke only Ukrainian until he was five years old. Following his grandmother's death, his mother moved him to Manhattan. Enduring violence and abuse during his teens, Hujar left home at 16. His early life in a difficult and unstable household significantly influenced his artistic vision and propelled him toward a photography career. He received his first camera in 1947, which marked the beginning of his lifelong passion for photography. In 1953, he enrolled at the School of Industrial Art in New York City, perfecting his skills and cultivating a distinctive style focused on capturing intimate and raw portraits of his subjects.

Hujar’s work is characterized by its emotional depth and technical precision. His portraits of people, animals, and landscapes are known for their exquisite tonalities and stripped-down elegance. One of his most celebrated series, the "Capuchin Catacombs," documents his 1963 trip to Sicily with Paul Thek. The haunting images of exposed corpses in the Catacombs of Palermo capture the customs and traditions of Palermo society from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries, reflecting Hujar’s fascination with themes of mortality and decay. Another notable series, taken during a trip to Florence, features neurologically impaired children, highlighting Hujar's compassionate approach to his subjects.

His first book, "Portraits in Life and Death," published in 1976 with an introduction by Susan Sontag, is considered a masterpiece, though it initially received limited attention. This collection juxtaposes portraits of Hujar's friends and contemporaries with images from the Capuchin Catacombs, creating a poignant exploration of life and death. Despite the book's modest reception at the time, it is now recognized as a significant work in the history of photography, showcasing some of the finest portraits ever taken.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Hujar was an integral part of New York's downtown art scene, documenting influential figures such as Andy Warhol, Susan Sontag, and William S. Burroughs. His work often reflected his personal struggles and contemplations on mortality, identity, and the ephemeral nature of existence. Among his iconic and striking images is "Orgasmic Man," which exemplifies his ability to capture deeply personal and intimate moments with a powerful visual impact. The photographs from this period are showcased in the photographic book "Peter Hujar: Lost Downtown" by Vince Aletti, published in 2016.

Peter Hujar's Archive: A Master of Emotional Depth

The Peter Hujar Archive stands as a testament to his enduring influence and the meticulous care with which he approached his craft. Hujar insisted on printing all his photographs himself, ensuring that each picture met his exacting standards. His darkroom on Second Avenue in New York City became the birthplace of many of his iconic works, where he combined psychological insight with technical perfection to produce images of remarkable depth and clarity.

The archive contains an extensive collection of Hujar’s photographs, including his well-known portraits, as well as lesser-known works that reveal the breadth of his artistic exploration. Among the treasures of the archive are the pictures from his trips to Italy, including the Capuchin Catacombs series and the Florence series, which provide a haunting glimpse into the historical and social contexts that fascinated him.

Hujar's archive also includes numerous portraits of the vibrant personalities of New York's East Village, where he lived and worked for much of his life. These photographs capture the essence of the city's art and culture scene, featuring artists, writers, and performers who defined an era. The intimacy and honesty of Hujar's portraits provide an invaluable record of this dynamic period. Hujar's self-portraits also reflect Hujar's technical skill and offer a poignant insight into his personal life and inner world, encapsulating his enduring legacy as a master of intimate and evocative photography. One of his notable self-portraits, taken in 1958, features Hujar reclining in a relaxed yet contemplative pose, representing his introspective nature and a keen eye for capturing raw human emotion.

Hujar's archive also includes numerous portraits of the vibrant personalities of New York's East Village, where he lived and worked for much of his life. These photographs capture the essence of the city's art and culture scene, featuring artists, writers, and performers who defined an era. Among them are "Tomata du Plenty" (1978), "Anthony Blond" (1981), and "Fran Lebowitz (at Home in Morristown)" (1974). The intimacy and honesty of Hujar's portraits offer an invaluable record of this dynamic period, preserving the unique energy and spirit of a transformative time in New York's history.

Hujar's death occurred on November 26, 1987, ten months after being diagnosed with AIDS. His contributions to photography are immeasurable, with his poignant and technically masterful images capturing the complexities of life, death, and everything in between. His archive serves as a crucial repository of his life's work, ensuring that his artistic vision and the stories he told through his photographs remain accessible and influential for generations to come.

Peter Hujar's exhibition: Showcasing a Legacy in Photography

Despite his reluctance to engage with the commercial side of the art world during his lifetime, Hujar’s posthumous recognition has grown significantly. Peter Hujar's photographs have been prominently exhibited across Europe and the United States, highlighting his influence and legacy in contemporary photography. His work has been featured in renowned institutions such as Study Center and Grey Art Gallery in New York, Fotomuseum Winterthur in Switzerland, Kunsthalle Basel in Switzerland, P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center in New York, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, which hosted a retrospective in 1994.

The "Speed of Life" exhibition, presented by the Morgan Library & Museum in New York and Fundación MAPFRE in Madrid in 2017, celebrated Hujar's work before concluding its journey in 2019 at the Jeu de Paume in Paris. His photographs are also part of the permanent collections at prestigious institutions including the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

In 2024, the Peter Hujar Foundation presented the first European exhibition of "Portraits in Life and Death" at the Venice Biennale, showcasing a complete set of 41 photographs from his seminal 1976 book. That same year, the Ukrainian Museum in New York hosted "Peter Hujar: Rialto," featuring photographs from the early part of his career, spanning 1955 to 1969.

The Peter Hujar Archive continues to be a source of inspiration and study for photographers, historians, and art enthusiasts, maintaining the legacy of an artist who, through his lens, offered a deeply personal and unflinching look at the human condition.

Peter Hujar for sale

Peter Hujar's photography has gained considerable recognition and demand in the art market over the years. His works are frequently featured in high-profile auctions and galleries, commanding significant prices. Notable auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips have included Hujar's photographs in their sales, attracting collectors and enthusiasts alike.

In recent years, Hujar's prints have fetched significant prices at auctions and private sales. For instance, his iconic photograph "Candy Darling on Her Deathbed" (1973) sold for $50,000 at a Christie's auction in 2015. Another notable sale includes "Susan Sontag" (1975), which achieved £27,940 at Phillips in 2023. These figures highlight the increasing appreciation and demand for Hujar's work among collectors throughout time.