Berenice Abbott, 1898-1991Edward Hopper, 1947
About the Item
- Creator:Berenice Abbott, 1898-1991 (1898-1991, American)
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Santa Monica, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1412232572
Berenice Abbott, 1898-1991
While photographer Berenice Abbott has wrongly never been heralded as one of the defining giants of 20th-century photography, she is widely known, indeed celebrated, for her iconic portraits of some of the most glamorous denizens of 1920s bohemian Paris.
And although less familiar, Abbott’s photos of the deserted streets, aging tenements and rising office towers of Depression-era New York have been critically recognized as nothing short of groundbreaking. Additionally, her relatively obscure work as a science photographer has received an admiring reappraisal in recent years. Recognized for having dramatically advanced the medium’s aesthetics and techniques (earning four patents along the way), not to mention the ambition of her subject matter — the principle laws of physics — she has been favorably compared to two early masters of modernist experimentation: her mentor Man Ray and László Moholy Nagy.
In 1918, at just 19, freckled, androgynous and with cropped hair, Abbott fell in with a crowd that included the lesbian writer and illustrator Djuna Barnes and the Dadaists Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp. They encouraged her to follow them to Paris and study with the renowned sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. Unable to pay for her training, and barely surviving, Abbott took a job as Man Ray’s assistant. The miracles of the darkroom quickly converted her to photography, as did her paycheck, and Man Ray tutored her in its fundamentals.
By 1926, Abbott had set up her own studio with backing from Peggy Guggenheim, the American heiress and art patron. André Gide, Jean Cocteau, Janet Flanner and James Joyce were among the luminaries and socialites who came for sittings. Her subversive lens made for riveting portraits.
A number of Abbott’s images of New York appear to have been shot by drone or, in the technological equivalent for the day, a dirigible. They actually entailed her stationing herself precariously on the rooftops and ledges of the skyscrapers along Wall Street and Midtown.
That feat recalls the famous photograph of Abbott’s contemporary and fellow Ohioan Margaret Bourke-White taking a shot of the New York skyline astride one of the metallic eagle heads atop the Chrysler building. One can only wonder if a photograph of Abbott in a similarly heroic pose would have helped her recognition as the trailblazing documentarian she was.
Find Berenice Abbott photography on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Santa Monica, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 30 days of delivery.
- JFK and Caroline, Hyannis PortBy Jacques LoweLocated in Santa Monica, CAWhat do you do when, as a photographer, you are told your image archive is so precious that it's uninsurable? The answer for Jacques Lowe, whose images helped create the legend of Jo...Category
1950s Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Five Presidents, The Oval Office, Washington, D.C.By David Hume KennerlyLocated in Santa Monica, CADavid Hume Kennerly has been shooting on the front lines of history for fifty years. One of the youngest winners of the Pulitzer Prize, David Hume Kennerly’s 1972 award for Feature ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Muhammad Ali looking in the mirror while training at 5th Street Gym. Miami BeachBy Neil LeiferLocated in Santa Monica, CANEIL LEIFER’s photography career has spanned over 50 years since becoming a professional while still in his teens. Beginning in 1960, his pictures regularly appeared in every major national magazine, including the Saturday Evening Post, Look, LIFE, Newsweek, Time and, most often, Sports Illustrated. Leifer eventually became a staff photographer for Sports Illustrated before leaving in 1978 to become a staffer for Time magazine. In 1988 he was made a contributing photographer at LIFE magazine and spent the next two years dividing his time between Time and LIFE. When Leifer left Time Inc. in 1990, his photographs had appeared on over 200 Sports Illustrated, Time, and People covers—at that point, the most ever published of one photographer’s work in Time Inc. history. Neil Leifer is the 2006 recipient of the prestigious Lucie Award for Achievement in Sports Photography. In 2008 he was honored for his outstanding contribution to Time Inc. journalism with The Britton Hadden Lifetime Achievement Award. Leifer has published 16 books, 9 of which have been collections of his sports photographs. Sports, his 1978 Abrams book, is considered by many to be the quintessential sports photography book. His two most recent, Ballet in the Dirt and Guts and Glory—both published by TASCHEN, showcase the very best of Leifer’s professional baseball and football photographs...Category
1960s Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- John Lennon and Paul McCartneBy David BaileyLocated in Santa Monica, CADavid Bailey John Lennon and Paul McCartney Signed in pencil on verso Silver Gelatin Print 18x18 image, 20x24 inch paper, 30x30 matted, Frame 32x32Category
20th Century Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Easter Sunday in Harlem, 1940By WeegeeLocated in Santa Monica, CAWeegee (Hungary, b. 1899-1968) Easter Sunday in Harlem, 1940, printed 1940 Photographer's credit stamp on verso Vintage Gelatin Silver Print Paper 14 x 1...Category
20th Century Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Trailer - Camp Children, Richmond, CaliforniaBy Ansel AdamsLocated in Santa Monica, CAAnsel Adams (United States, b. 1902-1984) Trailer - Camp Children, Richmond, California, c. 1944, printed 1977 Signed in pencil on mount recto; Titled & dated in ink with artist's co...Category
1940s Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Libro / Espejo, Madrid (Book/Mirror) by Chema Madoz, 1992, Silver Gelatin PrintBy Chema MadozLocated in Dallas, TXLibro / Espejo (Book/Mirror) by Chema Madoz depicts a open book lying on a wooden table. The pages are spread open, as if someone is flipping through them. A mirror is placed in the ...Category
1990s Surrealist Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Actor/Comedian Robin Williams, signed by Jack MitchellBy Jack MitchellLocated in Senoia, GA11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of actor and comedian Robin Williams, photographed in 1984. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the verso. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Ar...Category
1980s Pop Art Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Four French Tulips, Carmel, CABy Rod DresserLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CASigned and numbered on front of the mount. Edition of 15. Prices subject to change without notice.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Almond GroveBy Rod DresserLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CASigned and numbered on the front of the mount.Category
20th Century Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Venice-City, Street Photography, Black and White, Italy 1950s, 13 x 17, 7 cmBy Erich AndresLocated in Cologne, DESilver Gelatine Print by Erich Andres, ca 1950. Andres was born 1905 in Germany and passed away 1992. He started his career as a photographer in 1920. He was one of the first photogr...Category
1950s Modern Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Sean Connery, James Bond, Las VegasBy Terry O'NeillLocated in Westwood, NJTerry O’Neill’s candid photojournalistic portraits of creative and political luminaries have included Brigitte Bardot, The Beatles, Audrey Hepburn, Nelson Mandela, and Frank Sinatra,...Category
20th Century Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Photographer to Know: Berenice Abbott
One of the 20th century's most important female photographers is finally being recognized as a daring and seminal artist.
Some of the Best Beatles Photos Were Taken by Paul McCartney
A trove of recently unearthed personal photos adds another dimension to the abundance of press images of the Fab Four.