Remembering George Tice: A Master of American Photography

“Photography teaches us to see, and we can see whatever we wish. When I take a photograph, I make a wish. I was always looking for beauty.”

– George Tice

Remembering George Tice: A Master of American Photography. We’re sad to communicate the passing of our longtime friend and world renown artist George Tice, one of the most respected fine-art photographers for over half a century. Gallery 270 is grateful for our long association with George and his family through the years. He delighted us with many visits for openings, special events, and book signings, giving many the opportunity to meet with the man who always “saw beyond the moment”. We are so honored to have been able to prominently display George’s work in our April 2024 AIPAD booth alongside a selection of the final prints made from Edward Steichen’s negatives. 

Remembering George Tice: A Master of American Photography

From The Chrysler Building, New York, 1978 by George Tice

From The Chrysler Building, New York [1978]

11 x 14 in Silver Gelatin Print


George Tice was born in 1938 in Newark, NJ, where his family had lived for generations. At fourteen, he joined a camera club and began a lifelong exploration of photography. Two years later, a pro photographer critiquing his picture of an alleyway recognized his talent, sparking a passion that would define his life’s work. Tice briefly studied commercial photography at Newark Vocational and Technical High School before joining the Navy. Tice later worked as a traveling portrait photographer for nearly a decade.

In 1959, Edward Steichen, then director of photography at the Museum of Modern Art, acquired Tice’s photo of an explosion aboard the USS Wasp for the museum, launching his career. He would go on to assist Lee Witkin in establishing the seminal Witkin Gallery in New York City. Tice’s work was included in the gallery’s inaugural group show in 1969, followed by his first of many solo exhibitions there in 1970.

Explosion Aboard the U.S.S. Wasp, 1959 by George Tice

Explosion Aboard the U.S.S Wasp [1959]

11 x 14 in Platinum / Palladium Print 

George’s transition to large-format cameras in the 1960s allowed him to create meticulously toned and detailed prints. He photographed traditional Amish and Shaker communities, the lives of fishermen in Maine, and—most famously—the overlooked landscapes of New Jersey. Beginning in the 1970s, he documented the remnants of American culture teetering on the verge of extinction. Whether capturing small rural communities, or declining suburban neighborhoods, Tice’s remarkable talent lay in finding deep meaning and emotional resonance in the most mundane subjects.

In 1972, Tice became the subject of a one-man show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tice is a fellow of the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. His photographs are held in over 80 major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, as well as countless private collections. Some of his iconic New Jersey images even serve as the scenic backdrop for the Broadway production of Jersey Boys.

Hudson River Pier, Jersey City, 1979 by George Tice

Hudson River Pier, Jersey City, NJ [1979]

11 x 14 in Silver Gelatin Print

George Tice was not only a visionary photographer but also a sought-after teacher and master printer. He was commissioned to create the Edward Steichen portfolio. Tice inspired countless photographers with his meticulous attention to detail and passion for the craft. Over his career, he published more than 20 books, including Fields of Peace: A Pennsylvania German Album (1970), Paterson, New Jersey (1972), Seacoast Maine: People and Places (1973, expanded and updated in 2008), Urban Landscapes: A New Jersey Portrait (1975, expanded and updated in 2002), Hometowns: An American Pilgrimage (1988), Seldom Seen (2013). After 12 years of work, Lifework was published in 2022—a critically acclaimed career retrospective that weighs over nine pounds.

George passed away on January 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy that speaks to his extraordinary talent for elevating the everyday into profound works of art. His images continue to inspire photographers and admirers alike, capturing the beauty in mundane moments. As we mourn the loss of a great artist and friend of Gallery 270, we celebrate his remarkable contributions and the enduring inspiration he has given us all.


Lifework by George Tice

George Tice: Lifework – Photographs 1953 – 2013

This beautiful hardbound book contains photographs from all of Tice’s major bodies of work.

Signed copies available – Learn More


George Tice and Elliot Landy stopped by Gallery 270’s booth at AIPAD 2024 in NYC on April 27. George Tice (left) is seen speaking with photographer Elliot Landy in front of George's work.

AIPAD 2024: George Tice Visit – Read More

George Tice and Elliot Landy stopped by Gallery 270’s booth at AIPAD 2024 in NYC on April 27. George Tice (left) is seen speaking with photographer Elliot Landy in front of George’s work.


Click here to explore Gallery 270’s previous George Tice shows.

Click here to explore George Tice images on Gallery 270’s Artsy page.

Next post Meet the Artist: Mark Reeves
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