The Photography Art of Edward Steichen
"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created". Edward Steichen
The philosophy of Edward Steichen quoted above, could also sum up his life.
Born Eduard Steichen, in Luxembourg in 1879, his parents emigrated to the United States in 1880.
As an adolescent he became fascinated with art and photography. He pursued both art forms for 20 years until he completely abandoned painting for photography art, and eventually destroyed most of his paintings.
The philosophy of Edward Steichen quoted above, could also sum up his life.
Born Eduard Steichen, in Luxembourg in 1879, his parents emigrated to the United States in 1880.
As an adolescent he became fascinated with art and photography. He pursued both art forms for 20 years until he completely abandoned painting for photography art, and eventually destroyed most of his paintings.
Steichen's Moonlight Era
Edward was intrigued with the effect of moonlight. His early photographs with their somber colors and gauzy visage evoke a work of art; and, indeed, they are photography art.
He was one of the first photographers to experiment with color. In 1904 he created his famous color image of The Pond — Moonlight by layering light-sensitive gums to the paper.
He was one of the first photographers to experiment with color. In 1904 he created his famous color image of The Pond — Moonlight by layering light-sensitive gums to the paper.
The Pond - Moonlight sold in 2006 for 2.9 million dollars,
the highest price up to that date for a single print at an auction
Part of the value was because there are only three remaining prints. Due to Steichen's unique layering to achieve the effect of color, each print was unique. The print also had exceptional value due to its impression of color prior to the release of true photographic color in 1907 using the autochrome process.
"
Experiment in Three-Color Photography" (1906) is another of his photography art prints.
Early in this period he connected with the famous photographer, Alfred Stieglitz. Stieglitz was so impressed with the younger man's paintings that he bought three. Edward Steichen and Alfred Stieglitz collaborated on the opening of the "Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession" at 291 Fifth Avenue in New York City in 1905. The gallery was an almost immediate success, and elevated photography to the status of art. |
Celebrity & Fashion Photography
In 1911 (the year of the birth of both Tom's mother and mine!), Edward Steichen was challenged by the publisher of a French fashion publication to employ his photography to portray fashion as photography art. He took the challenge. In 1923 he was offered the prestigious position of lead photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair.
Gloria Swanson, silent screen vamp, was known for her seemingly unlimited wardrobe and reputed $500,000 per year for jewelry. The famous photograph of her on the left, however, was a result of Steichen handing her a piece of black lace!
(A peek of Swanson's Florida home is at our New Port Richey page -
near the bottom of the page in black and white)
Gloria Swanson, silent screen vamp, was known for her seemingly unlimited wardrobe and reputed $500,000 per year for jewelry. The famous photograph of her on the left, however, was a result of Steichen handing her a piece of black lace!
(A peek of Swanson's Florida home is at our New Port Richey page -
near the bottom of the page in black and white)
Marlene Dietrich(left)was a glamorous entertainer and stage and film actress from the 1920s through many decades who was named the ninth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute in 1999. Steichen, however, made what is certainly one of the most glamorous and artistic photos of her career.
On the right above is a Steichen ad for Cartier jewelry. Did he succeed in portraying fashion as photography art? You be the judge. |
Edward Steichen took many artistic photographs of actresses in addition to photo shots strictly intended for advertising.
VINTAGE GLAMOUR says that "the most extensive collection of Steichen's legendary Vogue and Vanity Fair work ever brought to the public" can be viewed on their site. Indeed, there is an impressive display of the glamour photography of Edward Steichen. Just follow the link by clicking on the photo to the left. |
Military Photos
Edward Steinchen was a photographer in both world wars. His experiences as Commander of the Photographic Division of the American Expeditionary Forces and an aerial photographer drove him to more realistic photography after the war.
By World War II, he was in his 60s, but he wanted to be a part of the big picture. Through his connections he was assigned as a Naval photographer, and Director of the Naval Aviation Photographic Unit.
In 1944 Edward Steichen created a documentary about the action of the men of the USS Yorktown. In 1945 the film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
The Family of Man
Steichen accepted the position of Director of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City after the war. He remained in that position for 15 years until 1962.
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In 1955 Edward compiled the now legendary exhibit at New York's Museum of Modern Art, and commemorative volume entitled,
The Family of Man.
After touring 68 countries the amazing exhibit of over 500 photographs from almost 300 photographers was later given permanent residence in Steinchen's birth country of Luxembourg.
The Family of Man FAMILY OF MAN VIDEO
The Family of Man.
After touring 68 countries the amazing exhibit of over 500 photographs from almost 300 photographers was later given permanent residence in Steinchen's birth country of Luxembourg.
The Family of Man FAMILY OF MAN VIDEO
Steichen Family Memoirs
Edward was married three times. His first marriage in 1903 to Clara Smith resulted in two daughters, Katherine and Mary, but ended in divorce in 1922. His longest marriage was in 1923 to Dana Desboro Glover who died of leukemia in 1957.
At the age of 80 in 1960 he married Joanna Taub who was 25. The attraction was mutual, and she asserted that "...Steichen was this vital, vibrant, sexy, charming, seductive character”, and didn't feel old to her at all. She delayed her own aspirations to be a writer to cater rather reluctantly to his memoirs and exhibitions.
However, she writes in a Random House author's essay, that "he must have decided that I cared and understood his values and intentions very well, because he left me his negatives outright and put me in charge of distributing his own extensive collection of his prints. So I became the guardian of his artistic legacy."
In the same essay Joanna described Steichen's photography art as "a combination of grace, elegance, mystery often, a kind of velvet intensity, an impression of texture unusual in photography, a dramatic sense of composition and total mastery of light, as well as that ability to make just the right connection with the subject -- person or object -- so that something live and true seems to be happening at the moment the picture is made."
Joanna Steichen donated thousands of his photographs and negatives to the International Museum of Photography and Film at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York saying she chose Eastman House over New York's Museum of Modern Art because it was “entirely a photographic museum...."
Joanna's 2010 New York Times Obituary includes interesting photographs and antidotes.
In 1928 Edward Steichen moved to a farm in Redding, Connecticut where he lived until his death in 1973. Today the property is known as Topstone Park.
At the age of 80 in 1960 he married Joanna Taub who was 25. The attraction was mutual, and she asserted that "...Steichen was this vital, vibrant, sexy, charming, seductive character”, and didn't feel old to her at all. She delayed her own aspirations to be a writer to cater rather reluctantly to his memoirs and exhibitions.
However, she writes in a Random House author's essay, that "he must have decided that I cared and understood his values and intentions very well, because he left me his negatives outright and put me in charge of distributing his own extensive collection of his prints. So I became the guardian of his artistic legacy."
In the same essay Joanna described Steichen's photography art as "a combination of grace, elegance, mystery often, a kind of velvet intensity, an impression of texture unusual in photography, a dramatic sense of composition and total mastery of light, as well as that ability to make just the right connection with the subject -- person or object -- so that something live and true seems to be happening at the moment the picture is made."
Joanna Steichen donated thousands of his photographs and negatives to the International Museum of Photography and Film at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York saying she chose Eastman House over New York's Museum of Modern Art because it was “entirely a photographic museum...."
Joanna's 2010 New York Times Obituary includes interesting photographs and antidotes.
In 1928 Edward Steichen moved to a farm in Redding, Connecticut where he lived until his death in 1973. Today the property is known as Topstone Park.