Wright Brothers: Then and Now Fine Art Photography
Experience the remarkable story of Wilbur and Orville Wright through unique fine art photographs by Dan Cleary. Each artwork combines historic images with contemporary views of the same locations, bringing the birth of aviation to life.
Photographer Dan Cleary Honors Wright Brothers' Legacy in A Stunning Photography Series
Discover and shop Dan Cleary’s Wright Brothers: Then and Now collection of fine art photography, celebrating the remarkable legacy of aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright.
Each unique artwork combines historic photographs, preserved in collections such as the Library of Congress and Wright State University Library, with contemporary photographs created by Dan at the same locations. Handwritten-style historical notes add depth to each image, connecting the early days of aviation with the present.
Bring a piece of aviation history into your home or office. These distinctive Wright Brothers photographs make meaningful gifts for aviation enthusiasts, history lovers, and collectors of fine art photography.
Available as fine art prints in a variety of sizes, from 12” × 16” matted prints to 24” × 36” framed photographs.
Browse the collection below and click on any photograph to view available sizes, pricing, and purchasing options in our online store.
The historic photograph was taken in the Wright Brothers’ fourth bike shop in Dayton, Ohio, 1895. It represents how the Wrights learned the hands-on trade of building an airplane.
Orville Wright was interested in photography and made this historical photograph around 1897 of Daniel Henderson on the sidewalk in front of the Wright house at 7 Hawthorn Street.
The Wright Brothers tested their ideas about flight at Kill Devil Hills, just south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, part of the Outer Banks. In September 1900, the brothers arrived in Kitty Hawk and set up camp to begin their kite experiments.
Dan Cleary created this image from the top of Big Kill Devil Hill at the Wright Brothers National Monument in North Carolina. At that moment, he was standing in the exact spot from which the historic photograph was taken.
This image looks up Big Kill Devil Hill to the Wright Brothers Monument at the top. The monument and National Park are in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
This historical photograph for Waiting To Fly was taken on November 24, 1903, at their camp at Kitty Hawk. There were many days when the machine was ready, but the weather was not, or the weather was good, but the machine wasn’t ready.
Own a Piece of Aviation History
Bring the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright into your home or office. Dan Cleary’s Wright Brothers: Then and Now photographs are available as archival fine art prints in a variety of sizes, with framing options available.
Each photograph combines a moment from aviation history with a contemporary view of the same location.
The Wright Brothers, pioneers of aviation, recognized the importance of photography in documenting their experiments and achievements.
Orville and Wilbur Wright understood that visual evidence was crucial for recording their progress, analyzing their flights, and sharing their discoveries with others. They used photography as a tool to capture the details of their aircraft design, test flights, and the dynamics of flight itself.
One of the most famous photographs of the 20th century is the iconic Wright Brothers’ early aviation image of the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903. This photograph, taken by John T. Daniels, captured the historic moment the Wright Flyer took to the skies.
In 1905, the Wright Brothers continued to perfect their flying machine at Huffman Prairie. This historic photograph was taken at Huffman Prairie on September 29, 1905, with Orville flying at an altitude of about 60 feet.
The original historic image was taken at Huffman Prairie on November 16, 1904, and is so sharp that you can almost see the propeller spinning. On that day, Orville flew a distance of 1,760 feet in 40 seconds or about 30 miles per hour.
It is the Wright Brothers’ first public relations photograph showcasing their machine. Wilbur and Orville stood next to the 1904 Wright Flyer II outside of the barn at Huffman Prairie, where it was stored when unused.
In 1904, the Wright Brothers worked on their flying machine at Huffman Prairie without witnesses. During this time, Amos Root from Medina, Ohio, owner of a beekeeper’s supply business, contacted the brothers. He wrote a newsletter called The Gleanings in Bee Culture and was known as the “Bee Man of Ohio.” On Tuesday, September 20, 1904, he arrived at Huffman Prairie to watch Wilbur fly the airplane in a complete circle. He enjoyed publishing stories of new technology and was the first person to write about Wilbur and Orville’s accomplishments in his newsletter.
The historical photograph of Flight #23 was taken at Huffman Prairie on September 7, 1905. Orville was at the controls, making two complete circles of Huffman Prairie in 2 minutes and 45 seconds.
Can I purchase individual photographs from the Wright Brothers: Then and Now collection?
Yes. Every photograph in the collection is available for individual purchase. Click on a photograph to view its product page, choose your preferred print size and framing options, and order securely online.
Can I purchase several Wright Brothers photographs as a matching set?
Yes. Multiple photographs from the collection can be displayed together to tell a larger story of the Wright brothers’ achievements. Contact Dan Cleary for assistance selecting coordinating photographs, print sizes, and framing for your home or office.
Do you offer Wright Brothers photographs and books for corporate gifts?
Yes. Dan Cleary’s Wright Brothers: Then and Now fine art photographs and companion book make meaningful gifts for clients, employees, executives, pilots, and aerospace professionals. Corporate and multiple-copy book orders can be arranged by contacting Dan directly.
How much does shipping cost, and how are photographs packaged?
Shipping costs are calculated during checkout based on your order and delivery location. Each fine art photograph is carefully packaged to protect it during shipping. Unframed prints and framed photographs are packaged appropriately to help ensure your artwork arrives in excellent condition. For overseas orders, contact Dan directly for exact quotes on shippong.
How long will it take to receive my fine art photograph?
Each fine art photograph is professionally produced after your order is placed. Orders generally ship within one week, depending on print size and framing options. Please contact Dan if you have a specific delivery deadline. If you need your artwork for a special occasion, retirement gift, or corporate presentation, please contact Dan Cleary, he can work with your deadlines.
What happens if my photograph arrives damaged, or I need to return it?
Your satisfaction is important. If your photograph arrives damaged, please contact Dan Cleary promptly and he will send out a replacement immediately and deal with the shipping company on your behalf.
Artistic Images of Aviation Pioneers the Wright Brothers
Enjoy the Entire Wright Brothers Story
Discover 27 unique Then and Now photographs in a beautifully produced book that connects the Wright Brothers’ remarkable history with the places we know today.
Personally signed copies make meaningful gifts for pilots, aviation enthusiasts, history lovers, and anyone with a connection to Dayton.
Softcover $34.95 | Hardcover $49.95
Wilbur Wright gave the first public flying machine demonstration on August 8, 1908, at Les Hunaudières race track in Le Mans, France. In 1923, just 15 years after his flight, this same race track would become part of the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile race.
The historical image is of Wilbur shaking the hand of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Wilbur Wright became an instant worldwide celebrity with his flight demonstrations, yet he tried to maintain a low profile while in France.
Europe was still eager to see Wilbur fly, so in January 1909, he relocated to Pau, a city in southwest France. In Pau, the winter weather was more hospitable and a resort destination for the European wealthy who wanted to meet the great Wilbur Wright.
The road out of Pau, France, to the current airport is where Wilbur made his flights. Much of that area is now part of a French military base. While stopped at the side of the road to create photographs, French paratroopers conducting training started dotting the sky.
On Thursday, September 3, 1908, Orville made his first test flight for the U.S. Army at Fort Myer. Fort Myer is in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. Arlington National Cemetery surrounds the base, and Fort Myer is currently the home base for the military Joint Chiefs of Staff.
On September 17, 1908, Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge flew as a passenger with Orville Wright as he demonstrated a Wright Flyer for the U.S. Army at Fort Myer. The plane crashed into the ground, seriously injuring Orville and killing Lieutenant Selfridge, thus becoming the first person to die in an airplane crash.
The historical photo is of Katharine Wright, Countess Cordelia de Lambert, Orville Wright, and Wilbur Wright strolling along the Boulevard des Pyrénées in Pau, France. By this time, the Wrights had become worldwide celebrities, and their movements were captured by photographers everywhere they went.
In the fall of 1909, New York and New Jersey had a commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of the Hudson River and Robert Fulton’s 100th anniversary of the paddle steamer. It was called the Hudson-Fulton Celebration. Wilbur Wright gave flight demonstrations on the Hudson River as part of the celebration.
Dan Cleary captured this photo from the upper deck of the Liberty Island ferry, with the Statue of Liberty in the background, as it arrived from Battery Park. The historical image is of Wilbur circling Lady Liberty.
The title for this image comes from the cover of Harper’s Weekly on October 9, 1909. Harper’s Weekly magazine had a photograph of Wilbur flying on the Hudson River and used the title “A New Kind Of Gull Flying In New York Harbor.”
The photograph of Wilbur and Orville was taken in June of 1909 of the brothers sitting on the back porch of their home at 7 Hawthorn Street in Dayton, Ohio. Wilbur spent the previous year in Europe, thrilling the world with his flight demonstrations. Orville made successful test flights for the government in Washington, D.C. The two men were now world-famous.
On May 25, 1910, friends, neighbors, and family were invited to Huffman Prairie for flying demonstrations. It was the only time the Wright Brothers flew together. It was also the day their father, Bishop Wright, at age 85, flew for the first time and was quoted saying, “Higher, Orville, higher!” as he enjoyed his flight.
The historical photograph is attributed to Preston Mayfield of the Dayton Daily Newspaper and was taken on May 1, 1913. Two men are sitting in the boat on the river and observing the Wright Model CH Flyer fitted with twin, multi-step pontoons fly overhead. Orville is sitting in the rowboat watching the test flight.
In February 1912, the Wrights purchased a 17-acre lot in Oakwood, Ohio, a Dayton suburb, and planned to build a new home. Unfortunately, before construction on the house could begin, Wilbur Wright contracted typhoid fever and died on May 30, 1912. The historic photograph was taken in 1915. It shows Bishop Wright with Orville on his right and Katharine on his left. In the photo also is Horace Wright, nephew of Orville and Katharine. Earl N. Findley, John R. McMahon, and Pliny Williamson are the other gentlemen.
Orville Wright was an amateur photographer and created many photographs of his beloved dog, Scipio. When Orville Wright died in 1948, they only found one picture in his wallet. It wasn’t of the first flight, his sister or parents, or him and his brother. It was a photograph of his dog Scipio, who had died 25 years earlier.
The Story Behind Wright Brothers: Then and Now
These fine art photographs explore the relationship between past and present, bringing the remarkable history of the Wright brothers to life. Wilbur and Orville Wright were accomplished photographers who used photography to document their experiments and discoveries. Through extensive research, I found many historic photographs taken by the Wright brothers and others, then traveled to those same locations to create my contemporary images. These historic sites include Dayton, Ohio; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Detroit, Michigan; New York City; and Le Mans and Pau, France.
I digitally layer the historic and contemporary photographs, blurring the boundaries of time to tell the story of early aviation in a new way. The subtle, desaturated tones create a sense of nostalgia, while the details of modern life reveal how these places have changed over the years. The handwritten-style narratives incorporated into each photograph tell stories about the people, places, and events behind the history. Together, these elements create fine art photographs that not only preserve important moments from the past but also invite viewers to reflect on the connections between history and the world we know today.
Wright Brothers: Then and Now Photographs and Books Make Great Corporate Gifts
Looking for meaningful artwork for your office, conference room, medical facility, or executive gift?
Dan Cleary has worked with businesses to create custom fine art photography displays and installations.
From selecting the right photographs to printing, framing, and installation, Dan can help bring your project together.
Send the Entire Wright Brothers Story to Friends and Clients
Personally signed copies make meaningful gifts for pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and American history lovers. Companies and organizations have purchased hundreds of copies to give out as client gifts. Contact Dan to discuss larger orders of books or prints.
Softcover $34.95 | Hardcover $49.95