Joel-Peter Witkin

American, born 1939

Explore selected works

Joel-Peter Witkin, The Red Table: The Skull of Boldini, Marseilles, 2006, encaustic monotype, Gift of Manfred Heiting, Los Angeles, 2025.100.80

The Red Table: The Skull of Boldini, Marseilles

Joel-Peter Witkin · 2006 · encaustic monotype ·  Accession ID  2025.100.80

This black-and-white photograph depicts a nude man. The man has no legs, and his hips rest on a small, wheeled object similar to a skateboard. He faces us, and his arms are on either side of the wheeled object, his hands curled into fists that rest on the ground. He has light skin and short dark hair, and he wears a mask that covers the upper half of his face, with a dark beard and mustache visible below it. Below the man appears to be a white rug on a dark floor, although the part of the floor surrounding the rug is light. Above him appears to be a triangular roof, and behind him is a triangular white shape, perhaps a window or decoration. On the upper left, white fabric drapes downward.
Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio, Man without Legs, 1984, photogravure, Gift of Graphicstudio/University of South Florida and the Artist, 1986.26.178

Man without Legs

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio · 1984 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  1986.26.178

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio, Venus, Pan and Time, 1984, photogravure, Gift of Graphicstudio/University of South Florida and the Artist, 1986.26.182

Venus, Pan and Time

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio · 1984 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  1986.26.182

The image shows a man standing upright. His head is turned to the side and his right arm is extended outward holding a piece of fabric. He has distinct facial features, a strong jawline, prominent cheekbones, short hair combed back, and is nude. A draped cloth is behind him. To his left, there is a small table draped with a dark cloth holding a small flower arrangement. The background is textured and appears to be intentionally distressed or worn.
Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio, Ragazzo con quattro Braccia, 1984, photogravure, Gift of Graphicstudio/University of South Florida and the Artist, 1986.26.176

Ragazzo con quattro Braccia

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio · 1984 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  1986.26.176

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio, Portrait of Nan, 1984, photogravure, Gift of Graphicstudio/University of South Florida and the Artist, 1986.26.179

Portrait of Nan

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio · 1984 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  1986.26.179

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio, Helen Fourmant, 1984, photogravure, Gift of Graphicstudio/University of South Florida and the Artist, 1986.26.181

Helen Fourmant

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio · 1984 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  1986.26.181

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio, The Result of War: The Cornucopian Dog, 1984, photogravure, Gift of Graphicstudio/University of South Florida and the Artist, 1986.26.177

The Result of War: The Cornucopian Dog

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio · 1984 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  1986.26.177

This grayscale photograph shows a side profile of a person's head and part of their upper body, with their face in profile, looking towards the right. Their eyes are closed, and their mouth is partially open. Their face looks almost like a mask, and the edge of their cheek, forehead, and jaw are adorned with an intricate arrangement of plant-like elements, including leaves, flowers, and fruit. Their upper body seems to transition into textured, organic shapes, blending with the botanical imagery. The background is dark, with some thin white lines or scratches.
Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio, Harvest, 1984, photogravure, Gift of Graphicstudio/University of South Florida and the Artist, 1986.26.180

Harvest

Joel-Peter Witkin, Graphicstudio · 1984 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  1986.26.180