Danziger Gallery

Since its founding in 1990, the Danziger Gallery has established itself as one of the premier venues for fine art photography in the world. Under the leadership of James Danziger, the gallery has built a reputation for showcasing diverse and original photographic works, from vintage prints to cutting-edge contemporary photography. With over three decades in the business, Danziger Gallery continues to be a leading voice shaping the photography market.

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The Early Years

James Danziger took a unique path to becoming a gallerist. He began his career in journalism, working as a photo editor at the Sunday Times of London at the young age of 25. He later moved to New York to work on both words and pictures at Vanity Fair under editor Tina Brown.

In 1990, Danziger decided to venture out on his own and open a photography gallery in New York’s Soho neighborhood. “I wanted to do my own thing, and the only thing I thought I was qualified to do was open a photography gallery,” Danziger recalls. “So I opened one in Soho, representing Elliott Erwitt, Annie Leibovitz, Henri Cartier-Bresson — people I knew from the magazine world.”[1]

From the beginning, Danziger Gallery focused on exhibiting the works of both established masters and emerging talents in photography. The gallery quickly gained prominence, becoming known for the originality and diversity of its exhibitions.

Shaping the Photography Market

Over the past three decades, Danziger Gallery has played a significant role in elevating photography within the larger art world. As one of a select group of galleries devoted to the medium, Danziger has helped establish photography as a serious and collectible art form on par with painting and sculpture.

Today, the gallery’s program is split between contemporary and vintage works. About 75% of its exhibitions and inventory are devoted to contemporary photographs by artists like Chuck Close, Christopher Bucklow and Susan Derges. The remaining 25% focuses on vintage and modern works by photographers such as O. Winston Link, Andy Warhol and Inge Morath.[1] This mix allows the gallery to showcase the full breadth and evolution of the photographic medium.

Danziger Gallery also maintains an active presence at major art fairs, which have become an increasingly important part of its business. The gallery exhibits at five fairs annually, including the prestigious ADAA Art Show in New York.[1] Participation in these events allows Danziger to connect with a global audience of collectors and curators.

A Discerning Eye

One of the keys to Danziger Gallery’s longevity and success has been James Danziger’s keen eye for great photography. Over the years, he has developed a reputation as a tastemaker, with a talent for identifying and nurturing important photographic voices.

When asked about his criteria for determining what makes a photograph “good,” Danziger emphasizes the importance of authenticity and originality. “I want people to understand that serious galleries only show what they truly believe in, though every gallery has a different aesthetic,” he explains.[1]

This commitment to showing only what he believes in, regardless of trends or commercial concerns, has allowed Danziger to build a program defined by its integrity and vision. Visitors to the gallery can trust that each photograph on display has been carefully selected and represents the best of its genre.

Noteworthy Exhibitions

Over the past 30+ years, Danziger Gallery has mounted countless landmark exhibitions that have helped shape the discourse around photography. A few highlights:

“The New Pioneers” (2011) – This show featured works by Matthew Brandt, Jim Krantz, and Michael Light that pushed the boundaries of the photographic medium through experimental techniques and subject matter.[11]
“The Dye Transfer Print” (2018) – Danziger Gallery presented a series of 20 dye transfer prints by Irish artist Jean Curran that re-presented scenes from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 film Vertigo. The exhibition showcased the dye transfer process, a complex and discontinued color printing technique.[18]
“Young Elvis” by Alfred Wertheimer (2023) – This online exhibition focused on Alfred Wertheimer’s iconic 1956 photographs of Elvis Presley at the dawn of his career. Wertheimer’s intimate portraits captured the 21-year-old Elvis just months before his meteoric rise to superstardom.[8]

In addition to these thematic shows, the gallery also regularly features solo exhibitions dedicated to the work of its roster of contemporary artists, such as Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist.[4]

Looking Ahead

As it enters its fourth decade, Danziger Gallery shows no signs of slowing down. In 2020, the gallery relocated from its longtime Chelsea space to a new location on Madison Avenue.[5] While the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, Danziger continued to mount ambitious exhibitions both online and in its new space.

Looking ahead, James Danziger remains committed to seeking out and supporting the most compelling voices in photography, whether contemporary or vintage. Forthcoming exhibitions promise to bring new perspectives to the medium, such as a show themed around portraiture planned for 2024.[1]

For photography enthusiasts, Danziger Gallery is a must-visit destination in New York. With its finger firmly on the pulse of the photography world, the gallery offers visitors the chance to discover the most exciting and important photographic works being made today, as well as to revisit the masterpieces of the past. Under James Danziger’s discerning leadership, Danziger Gallery is poised to continue shaping the future of photography for decades to come.

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