Untitled Pl. 8 from Men in the Cities
1981
This iconic photograph by Robert Longo captures a man in a suit in a dramatic, almost balletic pose against a clear blue sky, part of his renowned "Men in the Cities" series. The figure appears to be in midair or caught in a moment of intense movement on a rooftop, conveying themes of urban alienation and existential struggle. The dynamic composition and stark contrast create a powerful visual statement.
- Medium
- Photograph
Collectors of Robert Longo
Artists in conversation
Chuck Close
American · b. 1940
Close similarly worked in large scale hyperrealistic portraiture using graphite and charcoal with meticulous detail, sharing Longo's obsession with photorealist precision and the monumental presentation of human subjects in black and white.
Vija Celmins
American · b. 1938
Celmins creates extraordinarily detailed large scale charcoal and graphite drawings that match Longo's hyperrealistic technique and tonal intensity, with a shared focus on obsessive surface rendering and the psychological weight of everyday imagery.
Glenn Brown
British · b. 1966
Brown appropriates and transforms cultural imagery with a similarly obsessive technical precision and a critical lens on power and representation, addressing violence and spectacle in ways that parallel Longo's engagement with American cultural iconography.
Start the Discussion
Request access to join the discussion