
Untitled from the series Desire
1990 · Color instant print (Polaroid)
24 × 20 1/16" (61 × 51 cm)
Museum of Modern Art

David Levinthal is an American photographer born in 1949 who works primarily with constructed tableaux, toy soldiers, and miniature figures staged under theatrical lighting. His large-format color photographs transform small-scale dioramas into densely detailed, ambiguous narratives that oscillate between intimacy and monumentality. Working since the 1970s, Levinthal's practice engages with questions of representation, memory, and the gap between childhood play and adult interpretation. His methodical approach to composition and color rendering elevates the vernacular and the toy to the register of fine art photography.
Source: Moma Bulk 2026 05 04 · Trust score: 92% · Updated 26d ago
| Work | Auction House | Date | Estimate | Hammer Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artsy | Mar 2026 | $700 – $900 | Unsold |